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2006 BMW 325XI

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

88 reports with mileage · 22 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Air Bags. Review the 64 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Steering. Review the 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

1 crash reports2 fire reports1 injury reports

What owners actually said

110 reports
80,000 miles · Jun 12, 2013
Air BagsSeat Belts

THE RED PASSENGER-SIDE AIR BAG AND SEAT BELT LIGHTS COME ON AND STAY ON, WHETHER OR NOT ANYONE IS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. MY BMW DEALER HAS TOLD ME THIS MEANS THE PASSENGER AIRBAGS ARE DEACTIVATED AND THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE CAUSED BY A FAULTY SENSOR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10519557

75,000 miles · May 31, 2013
Visibility/wiper

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 325XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN HE WOULD ACTIVATE THE AUTOMATIC FOLDING MIRRORS, THE PASSENGER'S SIDE MIRROR WOULD TURN COMPLETELY AROUND AND FACE THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE DUE TO A LOCKING MECHANISM FAILURE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT HE WOULD HAVE TO MANUALLY TURN THE MIRROR BACK AND WHEN D…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 325XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN HE WOULD ACTIVATE THE AUTOMATIC FOLDING MIRRORS, THE PASSENGER'S SIDE MIRROR WOULD TURN COMPLETELY AROUND AND FACE THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE DUE TO A LOCKING MECHANISM FAILURE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT HE WOULD HAVE TO MANUALLY TURN THE MIRROR BACK AND WHEN DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE MIRROR WOULD SHAKE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10514528

93,000 miles · May 16, 2013
Air BagsSeat Belts

THE RED PASSENGER-SIDE AIR BAG AND SEAT BELT LIGHTS COME ON AND STAY ON, WHETHER OR NOT ANYONE IS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. BMW HAS TOLD ME IT WILL COST $1,300 TO REPLACE, YET IT SEEMS FROM OTHER COMPLAINTS HERE AND FROM OTHER ONLINE FORUMS THAT THE MAT SENSOR CAUSING THIS PROBLEM WAS DEFECTIVELY MANUFACTURED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10512434

80,000 miles · May 13, 2013
EngineService Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 325XI. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. UPON RESTARTING IT, THE VEHICLE RESPONDED NORMALLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED FOUR TIMES INTERMITTENTLY. IN ADDITION, THE ABS, DSC AND AWD WARNING INDICATOR…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 325XI. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. UPON RESTARTING IT, THE VEHICLE RESPONDED NORMALLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED FOUR TIMES INTERMITTENTLY. IN ADDITION, THE ABS, DSC AND AWD WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED SPORADICALLY ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR WAS THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

NHTSA ODI #10511655

89,102 miles · Mar 14, 2013
Air BagsSeat Belts

I STARTED MY CAR THAT MORNING AND THE AIRBAG/SEATBELT SENSOR LIGHT CAME ON EVEN THOUGH MY SEATBELT WAS FASTENED. I FASTENED THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT TO SEE IF THAT WAS IT BUT IT STAYED ON. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE BMW DEALERSHIP IN AUGUSTA, GA AND THEY CHARGED ME $120 TO CHECK IT. THEY STATED IT WOULD COST $530 TO REPAIR IT. I D…

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I STARTED MY CAR THAT MORNING AND THE AIRBAG/SEATBELT SENSOR LIGHT CAME ON EVEN THOUGH MY SEATBELT WAS FASTENED. I FASTENED THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT TO SEE IF THAT WAS IT BUT IT STAYED ON. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE BMW DEALERSHIP IN AUGUSTA, GA AND THEY CHARGED ME $120 TO CHECK IT. THEY STATED IT WOULD COST $530 TO REPAIR IT. I DECIDED TO CHECK IF THERE WAS A RECALL AND I SEE THAT THIS IS A COMMON COMPLAINT ABOUT THESE VEHICLES. OTHER VEHICLES WITHIN THE YEAR MODEL HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN A RECALL BUT 325XI HAVE BEEN EXCLUDED. SINCE THE SAME MALFUNCTION OF THE SAME ITEM IS HAPPENING, IT SHOULD BE RECALLED ON 325XI AS WELL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10502763

Mileage unknown · Feb 28, 2013
Air Bags

NO ACCIDENT EVER OCCURRED, BUT THE VEHICLE DEVELOPED A PASSENGER AIRBAG PROBLEM. I EVENTUALLY HAD IT FIXED FOR ABOUT $1100 -- THE SENSOR IN THE PASSENGER SEAT HAD TO BE REPLACED, OR ELSE THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WOULD NOT DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT. OTHER 3-SERIES IN THAT YEAR RECEIVED FREE REPLACEMENTS OF THE DEFECT, BUT WHEN THEY RAN…

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NO ACCIDENT EVER OCCURRED, BUT THE VEHICLE DEVELOPED A PASSENGER AIRBAG PROBLEM. I EVENTUALLY HAD IT FIXED FOR ABOUT $1100 -- THE SENSOR IN THE PASSENGER SEAT HAD TO BE REPLACED, OR ELSE THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WOULD NOT DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT. OTHER 3-SERIES IN THAT YEAR RECEIVED FREE REPLACEMENTS OF THE DEFECT, BUT WHEN THEY RAN MY VIN, THEY SAID MY CAR DIDN'T QUALIFY. SEEING AS IT APPARENTLY HAS THE SAME PROBLEM AS THESE OTHER CARS, I'M NOT SURE WHAT THE DISTINCTION IS, AS IT IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI #10501762

45,000 miles · Feb 1, 2013
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 325XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER AIR BAG SEAT MAT SENSOR WAS DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE OCCUPANT AIR SENSOR WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED TO PAY FOR THE DEFECTIV…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 325XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER AIR BAG SEAT MAT SENSOR WAS DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE OCCUPANT AIR SENSOR WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED TO PAY FOR THE DEFECTIVE PART. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 70,000. UPDATED 03/20/13*LJ UPDATED 04/12/2013 *JS

NHTSA ODI #10496073

76,021 miles · Jan 21, 2013
Steering

THIS VEHICLE, ALONG WITH HUNDREDS, MAYBE THOUSANDS, OF OTHERS ARE AFFLICTED WITH A KNOWN DEFECT BMW IS WELL AWARE OF (AND HAS SUBSEQUENTLY MADE ENGINEERING CHANGES AFTER 2006) INVOLVING THE STEERING WHEEL LOCK IN E90 AND E91 CHASSIS. AN AMBER OR RED STEERING WHEEL LOCK INDICATOR WILL LIGHT FOR NO APPARENT REASON NOR WARNING REND…

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THIS VEHICLE, ALONG WITH HUNDREDS, MAYBE THOUSANDS, OF OTHERS ARE AFFLICTED WITH A KNOWN DEFECT BMW IS WELL AWARE OF (AND HAS SUBSEQUENTLY MADE ENGINEERING CHANGES AFTER 2006) INVOLVING THE STEERING WHEEL LOCK IN E90 AND E91 CHASSIS. AN AMBER OR RED STEERING WHEEL LOCK INDICATOR WILL LIGHT FOR NO APPARENT REASON NOR WARNING RENDERING THE VEHICLE NON-DRIVABLE (NOR TOWABLE) AND NON-STARTABLE. BMW SAYS THE ONLY SOLUTION IS A COMPLETE CHANGE OF THE STEERING COLUMN. A VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR. THE OWNERS BLOG SHOWS HUNDREDS OF OTHER DISSATISFIED OWNERS WITH SIMILAR PROBLEMS. I THINK YOU SHOULD HAVE A RECALL OF THESE BMW'S BECAUSE OF THE OBVIOUS DEFECT IN ITS ENGINEERING. AND, FURTHERMORE, SINCE BMW CHANGED THE WHOLE STEERING LOCK SYSTEM IN THEIR LATER MODELS, THEY TOO KNEW OF ITS FAULTS. PROVING THEIR GUILT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10493609

60 miles · Jan 17, 2013
Steering

MY STEERING WHEEL LOCK INDICATOR WAS WARNING ME THAT IT WAS LOCKED (AMBER LIGHT) ULTIMATELY THE INDICATOR TURNED RED WHEN TRYING TO START THE CAR AND STRANDED ME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10493298

70,000 miles · Dec 10, 2012
Air Bags

AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS ON, THERE ARE MANY THAT HAVE THE SAME ISSUE AND BMW HAS AN ACTIVE SAFETY CAMPAIGN 08V-384 BUT OWNERS ARE BEING TOLD THAT THE VIN IS NOT EFFECTIVE, THUS IT IS NOT COVERED. YET, WHEN YOU ASK THE DEALERSHIP WHAT VIN IS COVERED, THEY DO NOT KNOW. CONTACTED BMW CORPORATE OFFICE AND WAS TOLD THEY ARE NOT ABLE TO SEA…

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AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS ON, THERE ARE MANY THAT HAVE THE SAME ISSUE AND BMW HAS AN ACTIVE SAFETY CAMPAIGN 08V-384 BUT OWNERS ARE BEING TOLD THAT THE VIN IS NOT EFFECTIVE, THUS IT IS NOT COVERED. YET, WHEN YOU ASK THE DEALERSHIP WHAT VIN IS COVERED, THEY DO NOT KNOW. CONTACTED BMW CORPORATE OFFICE AND WAS TOLD THEY ARE NOT ABLE TO SEARCH ANY OTHER BMW EXCEPT THE VIN THAT I CAN PROVIDE. WOULD IT BE POSSIBLE TO OBTAIN ALL THE VIN THAT ARE EFFECTED UNDER RECALL 08V-384? I JUST HOPE NO ONE GETS SERIOUSLY INJURED IN AN ACCIDENT JUST BECAUSE THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. I BOUGHT THIS CAR FOR IT'S SAFETY STANDARDS AND NOW WILL HAVE COMPROMISE OR SPEND $1400 TO HAVE IT REPAIRED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10487888

Official recalls

6

24V513000 · Air Bags:frontal; Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

Jul 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 & remedy

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.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

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.

Air Bags:frontal

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.

20V017000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

Jan 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 & remedy

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.

19V273000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:emission Control:crankcase (pcv)

Apr 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 & remedy

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.

17V676000 · Electrical System:wiring

Oct 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 & remedy

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.

17V428000 · Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification

Jul 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 & remedy

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.

13V564000 · Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification

Nov 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 & remedy

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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.