2006 BMW 3 Series Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 101about this part
- Share
- 50%of 202 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 69,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 101 complaints about the air bags of the 2006 BMW 3 Series, 50% of the 202 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 69,000 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Takata recall- my airbag in the steering wheel has been replaced. The passenger seat mat sensor has had to be replaced 2x(1x under warranty) 1x I had to pay out of pocket and now a 3rd time (out of pocket) it has broken again. I believe this is a faulty part and should be covered under warranty. The vehicle was stationary each time this has broken.”
NHTSA complaint #11023662, filed 2017-09, 60,000 miles“The light has come on and then it will go off and come back on. It need to be fixed. I can smell like it is burnt. My car be in motion and I smell it even after I stop. The light stay on all the time now. I'm afraid every time I get in the car to drive it but I got to take my grandchildren to school. Do you fix it or do I have to fix it. Please help !!”
NHTSA complaint #10821742, filed 2016-01, 69,000 miles“I am an owner of 2006 Bmw 330i sedan with sports seat (manufacture date: 5/2005). Recently, the passenger airbag sensor became malfunction, and the passenger side airbag is indicated as 'passenger airbag off' as the result. After researching on NHTSA website, I noticed that this is a known issue, and Bmw is issuing a recall on affected vehicles. …”
NHTSA complaint #10588133, filed 2014-05, 144,000 miles“The air bag light came on and I called Bmw customer relations. They told me to take it to a Bmw dealer to have the front seat occupant protection mat replaced under an extended warranty (NHTSA campaign number 13v564000). The Bmw dealer in long beach said it isn't listed as a recall item and they want $180 just to perform a check to see if there is a problem, which is ridiculous.”
NHTSA complaint #10694513, filed 2015-03, 75,550 miles“Hello, my airbag fault light has been on for a few months now. Although most cars made by Bmw during this year have a airbag recall, my car is not part of it and I am concerned about the safety of airbags in this car. I would like to confirm from the manufacturer that the airbags in my car are not actually faulty.”
NHTSA complaint #10723123, filed 2015-06, 117,000 milesRelated recalls
- 08V384000Aug 5, 2008Bmw is recalling 200,000 my 2006 3 series sport seat, my 2004-2006 5 series standard and sport seat, and my 2004-2006 x3 passenger vehicles. Depending on the…Covers: BMW 3 Series 2006, 5 Series 2004–2006, X3 2004–2006
Related service bulletins
- 10056703Sep 1, 2014Bmw: see document search button for owner letter. Limited warranty has been extended, up to 15 years, on certain vehicles, without mileage limitation for front passenger air bag…
- 10056098Jun 1, 2014Bmw: some airbags, driver and front passenger, are improperly deploying due to a possible inflator not produced to specifications. Model 2001-2006 e46 (3 series). *pe updated…
- 10037078Sep 1, 2010Bmw: the airbag warning lamp is illuminated due to a software error.
- 10025849Jun 1, 2008Bmw: airbag warning lamp, fc93eb or fc 55. Model e90, e91 (3 series) and e83 (x3) vehicles produced between 8/31/05 and 4/26/06. Red airbag warning lamp (awl) in the instrument…
- 10024524Jan 1, 2008Air bag warning lamp illuminates - no fault codes.
Air bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 3 | 14% |
| 2012 | 1 | 14% |
| 2010 | 10 | 33% |
| 2009 | 15 | 28% |
| 2008 | 10 | 15% |
| 2007 | 35 | 30% |
| 2006 | 101 | 50% |
| 2005 | 16 | 64% |
| 2004 | 15 | 19% |
| 2003 | 21 | 29% |
| 2002 | 6 | 23% |
| 2001 | 8 | 22% |
| 2000 | 11 | 13% |
| 1999 | 3 | 50% |
| 1997 | 1 | 20% |
Other parts of the 2006 BMW 3 Series
32 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
26 complaintsSteering
24 complaintsTires
13 complaintsSeat belts
12 complaintsSeats
12 complaintsEngine
11 complaintsBody and structure
9 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
8 complaintsVehicle speed control
6 complaintsOther or unknown
5 complaintsEngine cooling
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2006 BMW 3 Series
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Nov 1, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology