2006 BMW M3
Only 14 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
Only 14 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict. The data below is complete but unranked.
- Complaints
- 14
- Recalls
- 5
- Investigations
- 2
- Top problem
- —
Too few to rank
Campaigns on file for 2006
Opened by NHTSA
Not enough data
Complaints per year
2006: 14 complaints
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1988 | 2 |
| 1989 | 0 |
| 1990 | 0 |
| 1991 | 0 |
| 1992 | 0 |
| 1993 | 0 |
| 1994 | 0 |
| 1995 | 12 |
| 1996 | 1 |
| 1997 | 19 |
| 1998 | 14 |
| 1999 | 11 |
| 2000 | 0 |
| 2001 | 14 |
| 2002 | 40 |
| 2003 | 54 |
| 2004 | 31 |
| 2005 | 12 |
| 2006 | 14 |
| 2007 | 0 |
| 2008 | 82 |
| 2009 | 45 |
| 2010 | 15 |
| 2011 | 31 |
| 2012 | 6 |
| 2013 | 13 |
| 2014 | 0 |
| 2015 | 4 |
| 2016 | 5 |
| 2017 | 3 |
| 2018 | 9 |
| 2021 | 3 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2025 | 2 |
Known problem areas
Only 14 complaints on file for this model year — too few to rank by share. Raw counts only, below.
Air bags
9 of 14 total reports mention: air bags.
Show complaint excerpts
Yesterday (01/06/17) - while driving in motion, 2 side airbags spontaneously exploded, throwing loose plastic material into the cabin and into my face. Cabin filled with smoke and burning smell.
NHTSA ODI report, 2018-01-07
Takata recall: tl* the contact owns a 2006 BMW M3.
NHTSA ODI report, 2015-11-18
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 BMW M3. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 14V428000 (Air bags) and 15V318000 (Air bags) however, the part needed to do the repair was unavailable.
NHTSA ODI report, 2015-08-03
Tires
2 of 14 total reports mention: tires.
Show complaint excerpts
This letter is in reference to two michelin pilot sport a/s 3+ 255/35ZR19 96Y tires which both failed within 1,130 miles of each other from identical failures. These two failures were on the interior sidewall of the tires.
NHTSA ODI report, 2017-12-27
Power train
2 of 14 total reports mention: power train, most commonly citing manual transmission.
Show complaint excerpts
The smg transmission intermittently comes out of gear in any situation and is very dangerous when in heavy traffic and/or on a highway and loose all power. I have had several close call accidents at high speeds.
NHTSA ODI report, 2018-04-12
Tl*the contact owns a 2006 BMW M3 with an smg transmission. He stated that when the vehicle was in either first or second gear, the vehicle would lunge forward excessively while driving approximately 20 MPH.
NHTSA ODI report, 2010-01-22
Engine and engine cooling
1 of 14 total reports mentions: engine and engine cooling, most commonly citing engine.
Show complaint excerpts
Car is well maintained everything run smooth except one day it starts sounding like a tractor. Vanos bolts come loose. BMW needs to recall the vanos of the E46 M3 asap happened to 50 percent of people I know who have this car and I know about 100.
NHTSA ODI report, 2011-08-02
Safety timeline
5 recalls · 2 investigations · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
-
I
2014-06-11Preliminary evaluationClosed 2015-03-02 Air Bag Inflator Rupture
-
R
2014-12-01Air bags14V428000 BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2000 323i sedans, coupes, convertibles, and Sports Wagons; 2000 328i sedans and coupes; 2001-2005 325i sedans, coupes, convertibles, and Sport Wagons; 2001-2005 325xi sedans and Sports...
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until they have been repaired. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger side frontal air bag, free of charge. An interim notice was mailed to owners in September 2014.
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I
2015-02-24Engineering analysisOpen Air Bag Inflator Rupture
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R
2016-08-19Air bags15V318000 BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2002-2005 325i, 325xi, 330i, and 330xi Sedans, and 325xi and 325i Sportswagons, 2002-2006 330Ci, 325Ci, and M3 Convertibles and 325i, 330i, and M3 Coupes, 2002-2003 M5, 540i, 525i...
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the vehicle has been remedied. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front driver air bag module, free of charge. The recall began Aug 2016.
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R
2018-06-29Electrical system17V676000 BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2006-2011 323i, 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi and M3, 2007-2011 328i xDrive, 335i xDrive and 335is and 2009-2011 335d vehicles.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the wiring and electrical connectors, free of charge. Interim letters were mailed on November 27, 2017. Owners will receive a second notice when the remedy becomes available.
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R
2020-02-13Air bags20V018000 BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2000-2005 323iT, 325iT, 325xiT, 320i, 323i, 325i, 325xi, 328i, 330i and 330xi and 2000-2006 323Ci, 325Ci, 328Ci, 330Ci, M3 Coupe, 323Cic, 325Cic, 330Cic, and M3 Convertible vehicles equipped with...
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger's front air bag, free of charge. The recall began February 13, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
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R
2020-03-11Air bags20V017000 BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 128i and 135i Convertibles, 128i, 135i, and M Coupes, 2007-2010 X3 30si and X3 xDrive30i, 2013-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i and X1 xDrive35i, 2007-2013 328i, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335is,...
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver air bag. On X5 and X6 vehicles, only the inflator will be replaced. All repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began March 11, 2020.
Buy-smart checklist
2006 BMW M3 — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Air bags: 9 reports on file for this year.
- Tires: 2 reports on file for this year.
- Power train: 2 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 14V428000 · Air bags
- Recall 15V318000 · Air bags
- Recall 17V676000 · Electrical system
- Recall 20V018000 · Air bags
- Recall 20V017000 · Air bags
Other years of this model
See all years ranked →FAQ
- Is the 2006 BMW M3 reliable?
- There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on file yet to give this model year a verdict.
- What are the most common problems with the 2006 BMW M3?
- The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 64% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 2006 BMW M3 have?
- 5 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.