2006 BMW X3

◆ Worse than typical

2006 BMW X3
RENDERED 2026-08-02T09:56:33.765Z

This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.

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.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

2006: 143 complaints

View as data table

Year	Complaints
2004	138
2005	103
2006	143
2007	98
2008	66
2009	18
2010	32
2011	111
2012	42
2013	226
2014	84
2015	105
2016	81
2017	92
2018	72
2019	164
2020	106
2021	100
2022	65
2023	10
2024	32
2025	34
2026	14

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

AIR BAGS 46%

46% of complaints: air bags — 66 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2006 BMW X3. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CONTACT'S SHOE BECAME ENTANGLED WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED.

NHTSA ODI report, 20171204

1. The front passenger airbag light is continuously on. 2. Fasten seat belt audible alarm, and fasten seat belt dash light are continuously on when front passenger seat is NOT occupied.

NHTSA ODI report, 20260530

SEATS 28%

28% of complaints: seats — 40 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT HEATER WIRE BURNED THROUGH THE SEAT, MELTED A SPOT ON MY VINYL RAINCOAT AND SUBSEQUENTLY BURNED MY BUTTOCK. VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON A CITY STREET AT THE TIME.

NHTSA ODI report, 20181113

MY HEATED DRIVER SIDE SEAT SHORTED OUT AND BURNED A HOLE IN THE LEATHER SEAT, AND LUCKILY BEING IN THE AUTO INDUSTRY AND HAVING A KNOWLEDGE OF SEAT CONSTRUCTION I IMMEDIATELY TURNED THE SEAT OFF.

NHTSA ODI report, 20180119

THE HEATED SEAT DEVICE IN THE PASSENGER SEAT BECOMES HOT ENOUGH TO BURN YOUR LEG, PRIMARILY ON THE LEFT SIDE. A BURNING SENSATION AND INTENSE HEAT IS FELT WHEN THE HEATED SEAT IS TURNED ON, MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO USE, FOR FEAR OF BURNS OR FIRE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20121111

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 9%

9% of complaints: electrical system — 13 distinct reports on file.

FIRE INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

WE WERE DRIVING IN COLD WEATHER AND ACTIVATED THE SEAT WARMERS ON THE DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER SIDES WHEN WE DETECTED AN ODOR OF SOMETHING BURNING AND SMOKING.

NHTSA ODI report, 20101129

AIR BAGS 8%

8% of complaints: air bags — 12 distinct reports on file.

ENGINE 4%

4% of complaints: engine — 6 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 2006 — complaint volume: 143

I 20070904 — PE (closed 20080104)

BMW AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATION

I 20080104 — EA (closed 20081231)

BMW AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATION

R 20081106 — air bags

BMW IS RECALLING 200,000 MY 2006 3 SERIES SPORT SEAT, MY 2004-2006 5 SERIES STANDARD AND SPORT SEAT, AND MY 2004-2006 X3 PASSENGER VEHICLES. DEPENDING ON THE MANNER AND FREQUENCY OF THE FRONT PASSENG

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REWORK THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR MAT SO THAT EXTERNAL FORCE APPLICATION TO THE SEAT DOES NOT CAUSE A CRACK TO THE MAT. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 6, 2008. BMW WILL ALSO EXTEND T

Campaign 08V384000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20180618 — air bags

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2006-2010 BMW X3 2.5i, X3 3.0i and X3 xDrive30i Sports Activity Vehicles.

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger seat occupant detection mat, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed on November 27, 2017.

Campaign 17V605000 — check if this car was fixed