2006 BMW M3
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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These records cover every 2006 BMW M3. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
5 recalls name the 2006 BMW M3. Newest first.
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…
Risk and remedy
Risk
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.
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 non-desiccated frontal Takata PSAN inflators and PSPI passenger frontal air bag inflators containing phase…
Risk and remedy
Risk
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 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.
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…
Risk and remedy
Risk
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.
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.
Risk and remedy
Risk
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.
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 Sedan, and 530i Sedans, and 540i and 525i Sportswagons, and 2003 X5 3.0i and 4.4i Sports Activity Vehicles. Please…
Risk and remedy
Risk
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
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. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Note: This recall supersedes recall 14V-348 in its entirety. Additionally, vehicles that have had their driver side frontal air bag replaced previously as part of a recall remedy need to have their air bag replaced under this recall as well. Note: On December 17, 2015 BMW removed the model year 2004 X5 3.0i and 4.4i Sports Activity vehicle from this recall. Those vehicles were mistakenly identified as including the air bags that are subject to this recall.
Owner complaints
14 complaints
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Tires
Firestone firehawk indy 500 tire failed on sidewall
- Power train
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. I have read many articles stating the same issue with many owners for this type of…
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. I have read many articles stating the same issue with many owners for this type of transmission with a possible defective heat sensor on the hydraulic pump. BMW refuses to recognize this IS a factory defect and forcing owners to pay out of pocket $3000 to $4000 for a pump replacement without a guarantee of fixing the issue. I am stuck with an unsafe car and cannot sell it this way.
- Air bags
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. I pulled the car to the side of the road and turned off engine for smoke to disappear. I am going to take my car to BMW dealer tomorrow morning for evaluation
- Tires
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. these two tires were purchased and installed on the same day, september…
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. these two tires were purchased and installed on the same day, september 15, 2016, by a dealer. the car had 104,775 miles on it at the end of this service. on tuesday, november 21, while driving to ohio for thanksgiving holiday I experienced a complete failure of the drivers side rear tire (one of the above pilot sport tires) at highway speed at 121,801 miles. the tire separated from the interior sidewall completely. on december 8, 2017, at 122,934 miles the other michelin pilot sport tire from the above set also failed. while in the parking lot I heard the passenger rear tire venting air and it quickly went flat. The interior sidewall hard a large crack circling almost half the tire. these two failures occurred only 1,130 miles apart in the same part of the tire. these two tires had 17,026 and 18,159 miles respectively, far under the warranted life and the typical life. the second failure was acknowledged by michelin in a case I opened based on an evaluation of the tire by a michelin authorized dealer. michelin has not acknowledge the first failure because I no longer have the tire.
- Air bags
TL* the contact owns a 2006 BMW M3. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign numbers: 14v428000 and 15v318000 (air bags). The parts to do the repair were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact called…
TL* the contact owns a 2006 BMW M3. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign numbers: 14v428000 and 15v318000 (air bags). The parts to do the repair were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact called the local dealer (advanced valencia BMW, 23435 valencia boulevard, valencia, ca 91355) and was informed that the parts were not available. The manufacturer was notified of the issue and did not assist. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
- Air bags
Takata recall: your site improperly shows no recalls when vin used, and confuses 2006 M3 (E46) with the 2006 3 series successor (E90?), even though the recall notice rcrit-14v428-8638 shows "model year 2000-2006 BMW 3 series (E46) - incl-m"
- Air bags
Driving approximately 20-30mph on local street in a straight direction. Driver-side, side airbag deployed without warning. No prior instrument lights were on. Never had any airbag lights on in the history of owning the vehicle. Replaced passenger side airbag as part of recall in 2014. Awaiting dealership to replace driver-side airbag also as part of recall in 2015. *tr
- Air bags
TL* takata recall. 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 to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the…
TL* takata recall. 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 to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
- Air bags
Takata recall I received a letter from BMW of north america in july 2015 about a drive-side airbag recall for my 2006 BMW M3. (the passenger-side airbag had already been replaced under recall.) we are now 9 months since I received that notice and I have had no further communication from BMW.…
Takata recall I received a letter from BMW of north america in july 2015 about a drive-side airbag recall for my 2006 BMW M3. (the passenger-side airbag had already been replaced under recall.) we are now 9 months since I received that notice and I have had no further communication from BMW. when I call my local dealer they can only say that BMW IS telling them parts will be available "sometime this year". when I ask what I can do in the meantime (not drive the car? what?) I am told to not worry too much because there has not yet been an incident in a BMW. I know that a lot of airbags have to be replaced but 9+ months seems like a ludicrously long period of time to have to drive around in a potentially dangerous vehicle.
- Air bags
Takata recall: TL* the contact owns a 2006 BMW M3. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 15v318000 (air bags) and stated that the part was not available within a reasonable time frame to schedule the recall repair for an extended period of time. the dealer did not give a…
Takata recall: TL* the contact owns a 2006 BMW M3. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 15v318000 (air bags) and stated that the part was not available within a reasonable time frame to schedule the recall repair for an extended period of time. the dealer did not give a specific date for when the part would become available and the contact was unaware if the vehicle included in nhtsa campaign number: 14v428000 (air bags). The manufacturer was contacted and could not provide an estimated date for when the contacts vehicle would receive the recall repair. The contact was not experiencing a failure. Vin tool confirms parts not available. Parts distribution disconnect.
- Air bags
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. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.
- Air bags
This car has airbag recall and despite 2-3 phone calls to BMW dealership it IS still not fixed. All I am told IS that I am "on a list". They have no idea when they can fix it. I received initial letter about recall in sept 2014, told to call in november. Called in nov and dec with same response. *tr
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
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. *kb
- Power train › Manual transmission
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. Upon acceleration, the vehicle would lose power and would move forward at a very slow pace.…
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. Upon acceleration, the vehicle would lose power and would move forward at a very slow pace. He stated that in order for the vehicle to accelerate, he would have to take his foot off the accelerator pedal and then re-accelerate before it would pick up power; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where he was able to demonstrate the failure. Repairs were made to the clutch disc and the slave cylinder. The output cylinder clutch, the hydraulic control unit and the actuator were also replaced. The failure persisted. The failure and current mileages were 28,000. updated 2/17/10 *cn the consumer stated the vehicle would buck when accelerating. the clutch and salve cylinder were replaced. Updated 02/22/10
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- Air Bag Inflator Rupture
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE14-016 in June 2014 based on six inflator rupture incidents involving consumer owned vehicles produced by five vehicle manufacturers.All six vehicles were operated in Florida or Puerto Rico at the time of the rupture and for the majority of their service life, and…
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE14-016 in June 2014 based on six inflator rupture incidents involving consumer owned vehicles produced by five vehicle manufacturers.All six vehicles were operated in Florida or Puerto Rico at the time of the rupture and for the majority of their service life, and were equipped with inflators produced by Takata, a tier-one supplier of automotive air bag systems.During the course of PE14-016, ODI determined that five additional vehicle manufacturers used inflators of a similar design and vintage also supplied by Takata. No evidence of field failures was found in vehicles produced by these five additional manufacturers.Nonetheless, at ODI's insistence, all 10 vehicle manufacturers initiated a regional recall within approximately two weeks of the opening of the investigation.The regions recalled initially included Florida, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, areas with high absolute humidity and climatic conditions believed to be a significant factor in the inflator ruptures.As part of the recall actions, inflators removed from remedied vehicles are to be returned to Takata for testing.Takata's initial test results on passenger inflators from remedied vehicles indicated a much higher than anticipated rupture frequency for inflators returned from Florida.Accordingly ODI requested all 10 manufacturers expand the regional recalls for passenger inflators to include other geographic areas where high absolute humidity conditions exist, including the Gulf States and other coastal areas.Takata's testing of the passenger inflators to date continues to indicate this geographic area as having the highest risk, with no ruptures occurring from inflators returned from outside the expanded recall regions.During PE14-016 four additional passenger inflator field events occurred, all in vehicles from the same expanded geographic region.Also during PE14-016 four additional driver inflator field events occurred including two in vehicles from regions not known for high absolute humidity, specifically California and North Carolina.Accordingly, ODI requested all five of the affected vehicle manufacturers currently using the subject Takata driver inflators expand to nationwide recalls.Significantly, neither of the affected vehicle manufacturers or Takata provided any explanation to account for these two driver air bag inflator ruptures outside the area of high absolute humidity.Takata testing of returned driver inflators indicates a lower rupture frequency as compared to passenger inflator testing.All test ruptures reported by Takata to date have occurred on inflators returned from high absolute humidity areas.The investigation now includes all manufacturers and vehicles known to be affected at this time.ODI's investigation will focus on, among other things, root cause analysis, other potential defect consequences, identification of affected vehicles scope, and adequacy of the remedy.The five ODI reports cited above can be reviewed online at http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification numbers: 10537899, 10568848, 10585224, 10605877, 10651492
- Air Bag Inflator Rupture
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE14-016 in June 2014 based on six inflator rupture incidents involving consumer owned vehicles produced by five vehicle manufacturers.All six vehicles were operated in Florida or Puerto Rico at the time of the rupture and for the majority of their service life, and…
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE14-016 in June 2014 based on six inflator rupture incidents involving consumer owned vehicles produced by five vehicle manufacturers.All six vehicles were operated in Florida or Puerto Rico at the time of the rupture and for the majority of their service life, and were equipped with inflators produced by Takata, a tier-one supplier of automotive air bag systems.During the course of PE14-016, ODI determined that five additional vehicle manufacturers used inflators of a similar design and vintage also supplied by Takata. No evidence of field failures was found in vehicles produced by these five additional manufacturers.Nonetheless, at ODI's insistence, all 10 vehicle manufacturers initiated a regional recall within approximately two weeks of the opening of the investigation.The regions recalled initially included Florida, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, areas with consistently high absolute humidity and climatic conditions believed to be a significant factor in the inflator ruptures.As part of the recall actions, inflators removed from remedied vehicles are to be returned to Takata for testing.Takata's initial test results on passenger inflators from remedied vehicles indicated a much higher than anticipated rupture frequency for inflators returned from Florida.Accordingly, ODI requested all 10 manufacturers expand the regional recalls for passenger inflators to include other geographic areas where high absolute humidity conditions exist, including the Gulf States and other coastal areas.Takata's testing of the passenger inflators to date continues to indicate this geographic area as having the highest risk, with no ruptures occurring from inflators returned from outside the expanded recall regions.During PE14-016, four additional passenger inflator field events occurred, all in vehicles from the same expanded geographic region.Also during PE14-016, four additional driver inflator field events occurred including two in vehicles from regions not known for high absolute humidity, specifically California and North Carolina.Accordingly, ODI requested all five of the affected vehicle manufacturers currently using the subject Takata driver inflators expand to nationwide recalls.Significantly, neither of the affected vehicle manufacturers or Takata provided any explanation to account for these two driver air bag inflator ruptures outside the area of high absolute humidity.Takata testing of returned driver inflators indicates a lower rupture frequency as compared to passenger inflator testing.All test ruptures reported by Takata to date have occurred on inflators returned from high absolute humidity areas.The PE is now closed/upgraded to an Engineering Evaluation (EA15-001) to include all manufacturersand vehicles known to be affected at this time.ODI's EA investigation will focus on, among other things, root cause analysis, other potential defect consequences, identification of affected vehicles scope, and adequacy of the remedy.The recalls related to this PE are: 14V343, 14V344, 14V348, 14V351, 14V353, 14V655, 14V700, 14V701, 14V752, 14V763, 14V770, 14V773, 14V787, 14V802 and 14V817.The number of vehicles affected are an estimate since some vehicles may have both the driver and passenger side inflators recalled. The five ODI reports cited above can be reviewed online at http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification numbers: 10537899, 10568848, 10585224, 10605877, 10651492
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 10249027The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few years. This has led to increased demands being placed on the battery. This document covers important information for the dealer on how to handle discharged battery complaints.
- 10244237Functional noises (squealing/honking) when braking shortly before the vehicle comes to a stop. CAUSE Material-
- 10225126Vehicle cannot be opened or closed using comfort access, engine start is not possible, and the vehicle may not start when placing the key against the steering column.
- 10182619Discharged Battery Energy Diagnosis Must Be Performed: The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few years. This has led to increased demands being placed on the battery. This document covers important information for the dealer on how to handle "discharged battery" complaints. In order to properly repair the vehicle the first time in the workshop, it is very important that the diagnostic test plans are performed to completion, with all results taken into consideration. Without performing the energy diagnosis test plan, the root cause of the discharged battery cannot be identified. This increases the chances of a repeat repair.
- 10145331Diagnosis of Compound Brake System Complaints in M Vehicles:
- 10057534BMW: running noises heard when brakes are applied, with high brake loads; through wheel opening, visible cracks can be seen in brake discs and steering wheel torsional vibrates when applying brakes.
- 10052012BMW: battery has an increased demand due to developemental process of the electrical system. This IS causing the batter to need to undergo an energy diagnosis.
- 10042684BMW: on some vehicles, the high pressure fuel pump has an internal component that may fail and causing drivability symptoms such as erratic engine operation and longer starting times.
- 10040853BMW: a grinding noise IS coming from the differential during slow cornering. When turning a slip/stick effect IS created on the lining and steel discs incorporated in the differential clutch causes a grinding noise.
- 10037025BMW: procedure for determining and replacing incandescent and halogen light bulbs under warranty.
- 10033130BMW vehicles: fuel level sensor repairs. Where it IS necessary to replace the right or the left side fuel level sensor due to a failure, the entire pump and housing or delivery unit (suction jet assembly) do not need to be replaced as well. In some cases, epc does not show that the repair kit IS available separately in the illustration, but it IS available in the parts description. All models. No model years listed.
- 10032574BMW: voluntary emissions recall 08e-a03; M3 s54-dme reprogramming for catalyst conversion diagnosis. The dme programming, as originally installed, may cause the obd diagnostic to erroneously evaluate the efficiency of the catalytic converters.
Every BMW M3 model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.