2006 Bmw 325I: complaints, problems and recalls

DT: CONSUMER OWNS 2006 BMW 325I SEDAN. VEHICLE CAME EQUIPPED WITH BRIDGESTONE TURANZA TIRES, 205/55R16. A LOW PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. ACCORDING TO THE OWNER'S MANUAL, IT COULD BE DRIVEN UP TO 90 MILES AT 50 MPH. THE CONSUMER DROVE THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER, WHICH WAS ABOUT 8 MILES AWAY, AT ABOUT 45 MPH AND DROVE VERY CAREFULLY. DEALER TOLD THE CONSUMER THAT BMW TOLD HIM THAT RUN FLAT TIRES HAVE BEEN DRIVEN ON LOWER TIRE PRESSURE AND WERE NOT REUSABLE OR REPAIRABLE. CONSUMER HAD TO PAY $229.43 FOR A NEW TIRE. THERE WAS NOTHING IN THE…

Owner-reported narrative. 1,300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10132656 at NHTSA ↗

IT SEEMS THAT THE BRIDGESTONE TIRES SIZE 225/45R-17 ON MY NEW BMW FORM FLAT SPOTS ON THE TIRES WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PARKED OVER NIGHT. IT TAKES ABOUT 5 MILES OR MORE DEPENDING ON HOW COLD IT IS [75 DEGREES OR LESS] OUTSIDE TO FINELY BEGIN TO PERFORM PROPERLY. THE CAR SHIMMIES AND VIBRATES TO THE POINT THAT IT IS HARD TO CONTROL UNTIL THE TIRES WARM UP. I HAD COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS SINCE THE 2ND DAY AFTER PURCHASE. [JUNE '05] BMW TRIED TO MAKE REPAIRS AFTER MANY PHONE CALLS AND CERTIFIED LETTERS BUT IT HASN'T BEEN FIXED. NOW THEY TELL ME THAT THEY…

Owner-reported narrative. 20 miles reported. Look up ODI 10140911 at NHTSA ↗

THE SEAT BELT LIGHT STAYS ILLUMINATED EVEN AFTER BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER'S SEAT BELTS ARE FULLY LATCHED AND REMAINS LIT UNTIL THE VEHICLE IS TURNED OFF. ALSO, THE PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF LIGHT, INTERMITTENTLY ILLUMINATES EVEN WHEN A PASSENGER IS FULLY SEATED AND BUCKLED UP. *JB

Owner-reported narrative. 12,901 miles reported. Look up ODI 10146297 at NHTSA ↗

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND ON ROUGH ROADS, THE VEHICLE DRIVES VERY UNSTEADY. THE VEHICLE DRIVES AS IF IT IS RIDING ON THE RIMS. IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO KEEP THE CAR ON THE ROAD AND THE CONSUMER COULD NOT TAKE HIS HANDS OFF THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER AND WAS TEST DRIVEN. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM, THEREFORE NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED. UPDATED 03/28/06.

Owner-reported narrative. 6,025 miles reported. Look up ODI 10152618 at NHTSA ↗

I JUST PURCHASED A BMW 330 WITH AN OPTION CALLED "COMFORT ACCESS". THIS OPTION ALLOWS THE DRIVER (WITH THE KEY ON HIS/HER PERSON) TO UNLOCK & START THE CAR AS WELL AS AND KILL THE ENGINE (BY PRESSING THE START/STOP BUTTON) & LOCK THE VEHICLE, ALL WITHOUT USING A KEY....JUST NEED IT IN YOUR POCKET ETC. THE RISK IS THAT YOU CAN EXIT THE VEHICLE AND LOCK THE DOORS W/O KILLING THE ENGINE. MY CONCERN IS BEING DISTRACTED OR FORGETFUL AND LEAVING THE CAR RUNNING IN OUR GARAGE AND HAVING EXHAUST FUMES ENTER THE HOUSE! A SIMPLE FIX WOULD BE TO HAVE …

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10154906 at NHTSA ↗

I RECENTLY BOUGHT A 2006 BMW 330 XI WITH A MANUAL GEAR SHIFT. THE DESIGN OF THE CLUTCH AND BRAKE PEDALS IS SUCH THAT ONE CAN ACCIDENTALLY STEP ON BOTH THE CLUTCH PEDAL AND THE ARM OF THE BREAK PEDAL WHILE DEPRESSING THE CLUTCH, THIS CAUSES THE CAR TO STOP SUDDENLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY. IT HAS OCCURRED TO ME WHEN CROSSING INTERSECTIONS AND MOST RECENTLY, WHILE MY WIFE WAS MERGING INTO EXPRESSWAY TRAFFIC, THIS IS A SERIOUS ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. THE CAR WAS REVIEWED BY THE DEALER AND I SPOKE TO A REPRESENTATIVE FROM BMW, THEY INSIST THAT THIS I…

Owner-reported narrative. 1,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10155639 at NHTSA ↗

SEAT BELT FAILED TO PREVENT ME FROM HITTING STEERING WHEEL AFTER ANOTHER CAR HIT MINE FROM THE REAR WHILE AT A STOP SIGN. *NM

Owner-reported narrative. 4,826 miles reported. Look up ODI 10156695 at NHTSA ↗

I PURCHASED A BRAND NEW 2006 BMW 330I WITH OEM BRIDGESTONE POTENZA RE050A RUNFLAT TIRES. THE TIRES BUCKLED ON THE SIDE WALL AFTER LESS THAN 8000K MILES. OUT OF CURIOSITY I CHECKED THE BIMMERFEST -HTTP://WWW.BIMMERFEST.COM/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=146728 FORUM AND DISCOVERED THIS IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM AMONG BMW OWNERS. *NM

Owner-reported narrative. 8,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10158087 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2013-11-12 (November 12, 2013)

BMW of North America LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2006 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi sedans and 325xi sports wagons, model year 2007 328i, 328xi, 335i, 335xi sedans and 328i and 328xi sports wagons, model year 2006-2007 525i, 525xi, 530i, 530xi, 550i sedans and 530xi sports wagons, model year 2006 760i sedans, model year 2006-2007 750i, 750Li, and 760Li sedans, and model year 2006 X5 sports activity vehicles, equipped with certain seat types. The front passenger seat occupant detection mat that determines if and how the passenger frontal air bag should deploy in a crash may fatigue and develop cracks which could lead to a system failure.

Consequence: Should the system fail, in the event of a crash, the front passenger air bag would be deactivated, increasing the risk of personal injury.

Remedy: BMW will notify owners with an interim notification letter in January 2014 since parts are not currently available. When parts are available, BMW sent a second letter in August and dealers will repair the occupant detection mat to eliminate the possibility that it may crack, free of charge. Additionally, owners of model year 2006-2007 3 Series with standard seats, 5 Series with comfort seats, and Z4 models, will receive an extended warranty on their front passenger seat occupant detection mat. Owners may contact BMW customer relations at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.

Reported: 2018-06-11 (June 11, 2018)

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 Wagons; 2006 325i coupes and convertibles; 2001-2006 330i sedans, coupes, and convertibles; 2001-2005 330xi sedans; and 2001-2006 M3 coupes and convertibles to address a safety defect in the passenger side frontal air bag which may produce excessive internal pressure that could cause the air bag inflator to rupture upon deployment of the air bag.

Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure could cause rupturing of the inflator resulting in metal fragments striking and potentially seriously injuring the passenger seat occupant or other occupants.

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. A second notice was mailed when an adequate supply of parts became available, on December 1, 2014. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.

Reported: 2017-07-06 (July 6, 2017)

BMW of North America, Inc. (BMW) is recalling certain 2006 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi, 525i, 525xi, 530i, 530xi, and 550i vehicles equipped with the Sport Seat option and certain 2006 525i, 525xi, 530i, 530xi, 550i vehicles with standard seats. The front passenger seat occupant detection mat that determines if, and how, the passenger frontal air bag should deploy in a crash may fatigue and develop cracks which could lead to a system failure.

Consequence: Should the system fail, in the event of a crash, the front passenger air bag would be deactivated, increasing the risk of personal injury.

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will repair the occupant detection mat to eliminate the possibility that it may crack, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began September 1, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Reported: 2017-10-25 (October 25, 2017)

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. The wiring and electrical connectors for the system that controls air flow for the heating and air conditioning system may overheat.

Consequence: Wiring that overheats could cause the electrical connectors to melt, and increase the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is unattended.

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. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Reported: 2019-04-04 (April 4, 2019)

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2006 525i, 525xi, 530i, 530xi, 530xi Sports Wagon, 325i, 325xi, 325xi Sports Wagon, 330i, 330xi, Z4 3.0i and Z4 3.0si vehicles. The heater for the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve may short circuit.

Consequence: An electrical short can cause the parts within the PCV valve to melt, increasing the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is not in use.

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the PCV valve heater, free of charge. The recall began May 30, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Note: This recall is an expansion to recall 17V-683.

Reported: 2020-01-15 (January 15, 2020)

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, 335i xDrive and M3 Coupes, 2006-2011 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive and M3, 2009-2011 335D, 2006-2012 325xi, 328i, 328xi and 328i xDrive, 2010-2011 X6 ActiveHybrid, 2007-2013 328i, 335i, 335is, M3 Coupes, X5 30si, X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 48i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5 M, 2009-2013 X5 xDrive35d and 2008-2014 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6M vehicles equipped with non-desiccated driver frontal air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) that were used as interim remedy parts for previous Takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.

Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

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. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Reported: 2024-07-03 (July 3, 2024)

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2006-2011 3 Series Sedan (324i, 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi), 2006-2012 3 Series Sportswagon (325xi, 328i, 328xi), and 2009-2011 3 Series Sedan (335d) vehicles. The original steering wheel may have been replaced with a sport or M-sport steering wheel equipped with an inflator that can explode during deployment.

Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the driver's air bag module as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 30, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.