69 complaints reported

2006 BMW 3 Series Electrical System

Owner-reported problems and safety issues filed with NHTSA. Review common failures, severity levels, and complaint trends over time.

Reports
69
Crashes
1
Fires
12
Injuries
2

Complaint Timeline

Chronological view of owner reports

May 2025

Internal Adaptive bi-xenon headlight wiring insulation flaking off exposing bare wire, thus causing headlight to fail

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2006 BMW 325CI, Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC
Incident: Dec 2025
Oct 2023

All door lock actuators (including the fuel cap door cover) stopped working after driving the vehicle. The passenger and both rear doors were able to open via the inside door handle, but the driver side door could not be unlocked via the key fob, console lock button, or manually pulling the inside door handle. The fuel cap door cover could only be opened via the emergency release pull in the trunk. After inspecting the fuse box, I found that fuse 57a was blown. I replaced the fuse and the locking mechanisms started functioning again. weeks later the same issue occurred, only replacing the fuses remedied the problem for only a day or two. The fact that the driver's side door could not be opened by ANY means from inside or outside the vehicle poses a severe safety risk in situations where the driver of the car needs to exit the vehicle themself or be evacuated carefully in the event of injury. There are NO warnings, messages or warning signs before this occurs. This appears to be a common issue on my model and others, originating from issues with the door lock actuators. BMW even has a service information bulletin about it: "SI B51 19 07". The fact that the driver-side door can spontaneously become unopenable from inside or outside while the driver is in the car is a HUGE safety risk.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2006 BMW 330I, Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC
Incident: May 2023
Sep 2022

Intermittently on startup/ignition, car electrical shuts completely down. No power to anything and key fob becomes locked in the ignition. After a few minutes the electrical comes back on on its own. This usually only happens in park on startup, however on one occasion, the electrical shut off for about 5 seconds as I was driving 70 MPH on the highway. Car went totally dark and I was fortunately able to control the wheel until power came back.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2006 BMW 325XI, Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC
Incident: Jan 2020
May 2022

The contact owns a 2006 BMW 325i. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V676000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2006 BMW 325I, Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC
Incident: May 2022
Apr 2022 Fire

My car was just sitting in my driveway and my roommate noticed she said is there is your car supposed to be on fire and we went out there had to break the windows and it was already on fire and totally ruined from any repair. I didn't receive a recall until a year after it had already caught on fire. The car is totaled in my backyard. And is beyond repair because of the fire

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2006 BMW 330I, Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC
Incident: Mar 2019
Feb 2022 Fire

The contact owned a 2006 BMW 330i. The contact stated that while driving approximately 25 MPH, the air conditioning unit suddenly shut off and smoke began to come out of the air conditioning vents. After the contact exited the vehicle flames were present coming from under the passenger side dashboard. The fire and police departments were called to the scene and the flames were extinguished. During the incident, the vehicle was destroyed. A fire and a police report were taken at the scene and the vehicle was towed away. The local dealer was notified of the incident. The manufacturer was not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 190,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2006 BMW 330I, Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC
Incident: Jan 2022
Feb 2020

2006 BMW 325I THE BIODEGRADABLE WIRING HAS DETERIORATED CAUSING THE DIRECTIONAL AND HEADLAMPS TO FAIL RESULTING IN EXPENSIVE REPAIRS AND JEOPARDIZES THE SAFETY OF THE DRIVERS OF THE VEHICLE WHILE IN USE.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2006 BMW 325I, Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC
Incident: Aug 2020
Sep 2019 Fire

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE GLOVE BOX DEPARTMENT CAUGHT ON FIRE.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2006 BMW 3 SERIES, Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC
Incident: Jul 2019
Aug 2019

COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER, SHUT CAR OFF FOR A FEW MINUTES, WHEN TRYI G TO RESTART VEHICLE NOTICED ZERO POWER TO ANY COMPONENTS

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2006 BMW 330I, Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC
Incident: Aug 2019
Feb 2019

I HAVE A 2006 BMW 330I E90, THE VIN# IS [XXX]. MY PCV VALVE HAS FAILED AND ABSOLUTELY MELTED THROUGH. THE PLASTIC HOUSING IS ENTIRELY MELTED, AND THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR AND WIRES ARE MELTED THROUGH. LUCKILY I LIVE IN COLORADO AND IT IS VERY COLD HERE IN FEBRUARY AND THE CAR DID NOT CATCH ON FIRE. I STARTED DOING RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET ON THE PART AND FOUND BMW RECALL 17V-683. I FOUND THE ATTACHED RECALL DOCUMENT AND HIGHLIGHTED THE RELEVANT SECTION IN GREEN, WHERE ON PAGE 11 ( OR PAGE 1 OF THE FAQ SECTION) IT SAYS THE RECALL IS FOR E90 MODELS PRODUCED STARTING IN JULY 2006; MY CAR WAS PRODUCED JUNE 13, 2006. I CALLED BMW CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTER AND WAS TOLD THAT MY CAR WAS NOT IN THE RECALL AND IT WAS A COINCIDENCE THAT THE EXACT SAME PART MELTED, AS WHAT WAS BEING RECALLED FOR CARS BUILT ONLY TWO WEEKS LATER. I DON'T THINK SO. HOW CAN BMW SAY THAT BECAUSE MY CAR WAS BUILT TWO WEEKS PRIOR THAT THEY KNOW FOR A FACT, THAT A GOOD PCV VALVE WAS INSTALLED IN MY CAR? WHAT WE DO KNOW IS THAT THE BAD PCV VALVES ARE MELTING. AND I CAN CERTAINLY PROVE THAT MINE HAS MELTED. SO, A RESPONSIBLE COMPANY WOULD SEE THIS AS A SAFETY CONCERN AND NOT A COINCIDENCE. I GUESS WE WILL SEE HOW BMW HANDLES BUT SINCE THEY NOW HAVE DOCUMENTED PROOF THAT THIS ISSUE AFFECTED A VEHICLE BUILT PRIOR TO JULY, I URGE THEM TO CHANGE THE RECALL DATE FROM JULY 2006 TO JUNE 2006. BESIDE ME WANTING MY CAR REPAIRS COVERED, THERE COULD BE OTHER 2006 VEHICLES BUILT MID-JUNE THAT WILL HAVE THIS ISSUE AND SEEING THE AMOUNT OF MELTING THIS DID TO MY CAR, IT COULD CAUSE A FIRE IN THE VEHICLE AND CAUSE HARM TO INNOCENT PEOPLE. I AM MORE THAN HAPPY TO TAKE THE CAR TO A BMW DEALERSHIP FOR THEM TO CONFIRM THE FAILED/MELTED PCV VALVE. I JUST WANT MY CAR FIXED AND THE RECALL DATE CHANGE TO JUNE 2006 FROM JULY 2006, SO THAT OTHERS ARE MADE AWARE OF THE DANGER. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2006 BMW 330I, Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC
Incident: Feb 2019
Dec 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 330I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V676000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) BY BMW BAY RIDGE (6223 2ND AVENUE, BROOKLYN, NY 11220); HOWEVER, THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, BUT COULD NOT BE REACHED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2006 BMW 330I, Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC
Incident: Dec 2018
Nov 2018 Fire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V676000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), WHICH INDICATED THAT PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT DETECTED AN ODOR OF BURNING WIRES INSIDE THE VEHICLE PERIODICALLY. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2006 BMW 325I, Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC
Incident: Dec 2014
Sep 2018 Fire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2006 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN PARKED FOR APPROXIMATELY FIVE HOURS, IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE AND A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V676000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. THE DEALER (BMW OF MT. LAUREL, 1220 NJ-73, MT LAUREL, NJ 08054, (856) 840-1400) AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 158,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2006 BMW 325I, Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC
Incident: Jun 2018
Sep 2018

I AM TRYING TO TRADE IN MY BMW 325I 2006. WAS TOLD THERE IS A OPEN RECALL WITH NO REMEDY AT THIS TIME. THE RECALL DATE WAS OCTOBER 25, 2017. I WAS TOLD THEY CANT GET THE PART. SO IN THE MEAN TIME I AM STUCK WITH A CAR THAT I CANT TRADE IN AND THAT IS A DANGER TO ANYONE THAT DRIVE IT. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER BMW BECAUSE OF THIS.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2006 BMW 325I, Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC
Incident: Jul 2018
Jul 2018

ACTUATORS IN ALL DOORS FAILED. ONLY DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR IS ACCESSIBLE, BUT SOLELY FROM OUTSIDE AND WITH THE MANUAL LOCK. CANNOT ACCESS THE FUSE BOX TO DEAL WITH OTHER ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, AS IT IS LOCATED IN THE GLOVE BOX ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE. IF YOU LOCK THE CAR WHILE IN IT, YOU HAVE TO ROLL DOWN THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW, AND USE THE KEY INSIDE THE FOB TO UNLOCK THE DOOR FROM OUTSIDE IN ORDER TO GET OUT. THEY FAILED WHILE THE CAR WAS STATIONARY.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2006 BMW 325I, Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC
Incident: Apr 2018
Jul 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V676000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, 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 VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO I.G. BURTON IMPORTS (509 BAY RD, MILFORD, DE 19963, (800) 796-9702) WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE, BUT NO FURTHER ACTION WAS TAKEN. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2006 BMW 325I, Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC
Incident: Oct 2017
Jul 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 330XI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V676000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, 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 A LOCAL DEALER (BMW OF MURRAY, 4735 S STATE ST, SALT LAKE CITY, UT 84107) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2006 BMW 330XI, Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC
Incident: Oct 2017
Jul 2018

OCT 25,2017 MANUFACTURER RECALL NUMBERNA NHTSA RECALL NUMBER17V676 WE ARE NOW IN FEB 2018 AND NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE ABOUT THIS AND I AM HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY HEATING AIR CONDITIONING..

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2006 BMW 325I, Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC
Incident: Oct 2017
Jun 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V676000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. LONG BEACH BMW (1660 E SPRING ST, LONG BEACH, CA) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. *TT UPDATED 10/12/18*JB

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2006 BMW 325I, Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC
Incident: Jan 2017
Jun 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 325XI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V676000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. SALE BMW (1053 US-258, KINSTON, NC 28504, (252) 520-2380) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS UNABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2006 BMW 325XI, Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC
Incident: Mar 2017
May 2018

RECALL WAS ORDERED IN OCT 2017 AND HAS STILL NOT BEEN REMEDIED. SAFETY RECALL 17V-676. I BELIEVE WE HAVE BEEN PATIENT. WE CANNOT SELL THE CAR AS IS BECAUSE IT CAN CATCH FIRE.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2006 BMW 330XI, Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC
Incident: Oct 2017
May 2018

THE BLOWER MOTOR WIRING OVERHEATS AND CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO CATCH ON FIRE. THIS RECALL HAS BEEN OUT FOR SEVERAL MONTHS NOW, AND THEY HAVE NOT HAD A FIX FOR IT YET. I DON'T NEED MY CAR CATCHING ON FIRE, I HAVE A ONE YEAR OLD, IT IS NOT EASY TO GET THEM OUT OF THE CAR.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2006 BMW 330XI, Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC
Incident: May 2018
May 2018

RECALL 17V-676: BLOWER MOTOR WIRING BURNING HOT AIR FROM THE VENT IS IN WITH OR WITHOUT FAN ON (MOTION OR PARKING). IT IS OVERDUE AND NO RESPONSE FROM BMW OF AMERICA, LLC AS I KEPT ON CALLING THE OFFICE MANY TIMES SINCE 12/16/2017 LETTER RECEIVED. 1/19/2018 6/5/2018 8/20/2018 10/12/2018 TO NHTSA 11/5/2018

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2006 BMW 3 SERIES, Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC
Incident: Jan 2017
May 2018 Fire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 330I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V676000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND STATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER (COMPETITION BMW OF SMITHTOWN, 599 MIDDLE COUNTRY RD, ST JAMES, NY 11780, (888) 861-6280) WAS UNABLE TO VERIFY WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BE SUPPLIED FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO INFORMED BY THE DEALER THAT THERE WAS AN OPTION OF A LOANER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT YET RECEIVED THE LOANER OPTION AND WAS TO CHECK WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SMOKE ENTERED THE VEHICLE AND HE HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. * (RECALL RELATED INCIDENT) TS

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2006 BMW 330I, Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC
Incident: Oct 2017
Apr 2018

BLOWER TO HEATER/AIRCONDITIONING AND OVERHEATING. MOTOR MAKING LOUD SOUND WHEN AIR OR HEATER IS KN

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2006 BMW 330I, Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC
Incident: Mar 2018

Trend Over Time

Complaints by year

Quick Summary

The 2006 BMW 3 Series has 69 Electrical System complaints on file. 1 crashes have been reported. Review the timeline above for detailed owner experiences.