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U.S. public vehicle records

2006 Bmw 325XI: complaints, problems and recalls

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

110 owner complaints analyzed

6 distinct recall campaigns

80,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2006 model year. Data snapshot: . 87 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 61 of 110 complaints (55.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Steering behavior1513.6%
Electrical and battery issues76.4%
Braking behavior43.6%
Engine operation32.7%

Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Air Bags
61
Steering
14
Electrical System
11
Seat Belts
11
Seats
8
Air Bags:Frontal
6
Latches/Locks/Linkages
5
Engine
4
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Air Bags61
Steering14
Electrical System11
Seat Belts11
Seats8
Air Bags:Frontal6
Latches/Locks/Linkages5
Engine4

Air Bags: 61; Steering: 14; Electrical System: 11; Seat Belts: 11; Seats: 8; Air Bags:Frontal: 6; Latches/Locks/Linkages: 5; Engine: 4

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
3
25,000 to 49,999
12
50,000 to 74,999
21
75,000 to 99,999
25
100,000 to 149,999
18
150,000 and above
8
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,0003
25,000 to 49,99912
50,000 to 74,99921
75,000 to 99,99925
100,000 to 149,99918
150,000 and above8

Under 25,000: 3; 25,000 to 49,999: 12; 50,000 to 74,999: 21; 75,000 to 99,999: 25; 100,000 to 149,999: 18; 150,000 and above: 8

75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (25). 23 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.

Complaints over time

Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.

2010
6
2011
15
2012
10
2013
15
2014
24
2015
5
2016
10
2017
11
2018
5
2019
1
2020
2
2022
3
2024
1
2025
1
2026
1
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
20106
201115
201210
201315
201424
20155
201610
201711
20185
20191
20202
20223
20241
20251
20261

2010: 6; 2011: 15; 2012: 10; 2013: 15; 2014: 24; 2015: 5; 2016: 10; 2017: 11; 2018: 5; 2019: 1; 2020: 2; 2022: 3; 2024: 1; 2025: 1; 2026: 1

Pattern summary

Air Bags leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 15 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 7 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.

Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.

Examples from the source records

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 10322165 · 2010-03-25 (March 25, 2010)

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 325XI. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE DEALER OFFERED $200.00 TOWARDS THE TOTAL REPAIR COST. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 45,620.

Owner-reported narrative. 45,620 miles reported. Look up ODI 10322165 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10332119 · 2010-05-25 (May 25, 2010)

IN MY 2006 BMW 325XI, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT, THE SEATBELT RESTRAINT WARNING LIGHT, AND THE OVERHEAD PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF LIGHT ARE SOMETIMES ALL ON EVEN IF AN ADULT IS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THIS IS THE SAME PROBLEM THAT'S DESCRIBED IN THE PASSENGER MAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR RECALL/EXTENDED WARRANTY BUT BMW SAYS THE RECALL/EXTENDED WARRANTY IS VIN SPECIFIC AND MY CAR IS NOT COVERED. MY CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY. I TOOK IT TO THE BMW DEALER AND PAID A $130 DIAGNOSIS FEE. THEY TOLD ME THAT THE PASSENGER MAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR IS FAULTY AND …

Owner-reported narrative. 18,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10332119 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10343812 · 2010-07-18 (July 18, 2010)

I WAS DRIVING MY 2006 BMW 3-SERIES (325XI SPORTS WAGON), WITH ONLY 30,000 MILES ON IT, YESTERDAY. I HEARD SOMETHING BREAK AND FELT LIKE MY CAR WAS OUT OF CONTROL. MY MECHANIC SAID THE LOWER CONTROL ARM ON PASSENGER REAR WHEEL SNAPPED. IF I WAS DRIVING FAST I COULD HAVE CRASHED. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 30,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10343812 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10344636 · 2010-07-22 (July 22, 2010)

THE DOOR LOCKS ON MY 2006 BMW 325XI ALL FAILED AT ONCE WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THE FRONT PASSENGER AND BOTH REAR DOORS DO NOT UNLOCK AT ALL, EITHER ELECTRONICALLY OR MANUALLY. THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR WILL OPEN WITH THE KEY AND IS THE ONLY ONE, SO FAR, THAT CAN BE OPENED FROM INSIDE THE VEHICLE. HAD PASSENGERS BEEN IN THE CAR AND THE CAR WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 101,600 miles reported. Look up ODI 10344636 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10355026 · 2010-09-11 (September 11, 2010)

3 DOORS ON THE CAR WOULD NOT OPEN FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE OF THE CAR. LUCKILY THE DRIVER DOOR STILL WORKED. IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT OR FIRE THIS IS A SEVERE HAZARD. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 48,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10355026 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10357006 · 2010-09-22 (September 22, 2010)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 325XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHENEVER THE VEHICLE HITS A BUMP, THE FRONT RIGHT TIRE SHAKES AND MAKES NOISE. THE DEALER LOOKED AT THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS CAUSED BY THE LOWER CONTROL ARM. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED.THERE IS A RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER 06V40000, WHICH DEALS WITH THE LOWER CONTROL ARM, HOWEVER HIS VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT KNOWN, THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90000.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10357006 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10379181 · 2011-01-25 (January 25, 2011)

FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT LIGHT AND AIRBAG LIGHT STAY ON EVEN WHEN A PASSENGER IS SEATED IN CAR. BMW DIAGNOSED A PROBLEM WITH THE PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY MAT. THIS IS THE SAME PROBLEM AS THE 2008 RECALL, BUT MY MODEL IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. I SPOKE WITH THE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT OF BMW WHO SAYS THAT THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE SINCE MY CAR WAS NOT INVOLVED IN THE RECALL. THEY SAID IT IS A DIFFERENT PART THAT WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE MAT NOT WORKING PROPERLY. I FEEL THAT SINCE MY CAR HAS THE SAME SAFETY PROBLEM, EVEN IF IT IS A DIFFERENT P…

Owner-reported narrative. 44,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10379181 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10383057 · 2011-02-17 (February 17, 2011)

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 325XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE CONCERNING THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE BATTERY BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AGAIN AND STATED THAT THE INDEPENDENT BATTERY SYSTEM CORE HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS LOCKED IN THE VEHICLE UNTIL ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE CAME OUT TO CHARGE THE BATTERY. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 94,000.

Owner-reported narrative. 82,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10383057 at NHTSA ↗

Recall history

6 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.

13V564000 · Air Bags:Sensor:Occupant Classification

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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
17V428000 · Air Bags:Sensor:Occupant Classification

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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
17V676000 · Electrical System:Wiring

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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
19V273000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Crankcase (Pcv)

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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
20V017000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module

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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
24V513000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module | Air Bags:Frontal

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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗