2006 BMW 3 Series Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 2%of 202 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 69,428miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2006 BMW 3 Series, 2% of the 202 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 69,428 miles. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My Bmw 300 series wagon (2006) had a brake and emergency warning light turn on. There was also a smell of burning oil. My mechanic identified the problem as broken aluminum bolts on the cylinder. He said he personally sees this all the time on 2006 models, that Bmw is aware, and that they redesigned the part for later years. Likewise, my Bmw dealer is aware of it and a simple google search finds at least 1000 complaints posted at various sites on the web. Aluminum does not hold up in this setting and these bolts cost more than$1200 to repair. …”
NHTSA complaint #10418414, filed 2011-08, 110,000 miles“I have a 2006 325i sedan with 55,856 miles on it. I took it in for a routine service on 4-18-2013. It has been maintained by only Bmw dealerships in its lifetime with all required maintenance done on schedule. They called to notify me that upon inspection they had found the head bolt broken behind the oil filter housing, the oil filter housing gasket leaking and the drive belt tensioner leaking. I had not been experiencing any outward s+s of this problem. They quoted me $3400 to repair this. I was shocked that a car in such great condition would have such a problem at this mileage. …”
NHTSA complaint #10508871, filed 2013-04, 55,856 milesRelated recalls
- 22V119000Mar 2, 2022BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 1 Series Coupe (128i); 2007-2013 3 Series Coupe (328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive); 2007-2010 X3 SAV…Covers: BMW 3 Series 2006–2012, Z4 2006–2011, 128I 2008–2013 +3 more
Related service bulletins
- 10037079Oct 1, 2014Bmw: service engine soon light is on. The vehicle lost power and the engine cranks with no start. *rm updated 5/19/15.
- 10032779Nov 1, 2012Bmw vehicle: the service engine soon (mil) lamp is illuminated and a power reduction is clearly perceptible. This situation may occur after driving for some time with the engine…
- 10042684Sep 1, 2011Bmw: 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…
- 10031684Aug 1, 2011Bmw: complaints that the engine management system has entered the engine failsafe mode and that the turbocharger boost is reduced. E82, e88, e90, e92, e93, e60, e61, and e71. All…
- 10040852Jul 1, 2011Bmw: the service engine soon light is on. There are trouble codes stored for the crankshaft sensor. No driveability issues.
- 10039591May 1, 2011Bmw: the service engine light is on with stored fault codes. There is a wiring/connection problem or a faulty sensor.
- 10040170Mar 1, 2011Bmw: a software error is causing the the service engine soon light to come on. There will be stored trouble codes.
- 10037700Jan 1, 2011Bmw: there may be excessive cranking before the vehicle starts. The service engine soon light may also be on with a lack of engine power.
- 10028370Nov 1, 2010Bmw: check engine lamp illuminated and/or vehicle overheats. Models e83, e85, e86, e70, e90, e91, e92, e93, e60 and e61. *pe updated 5/24/11.
- 10037010Jul 1, 2010Bmw: six different models equipped with the m54 engine could have valve covers break in cold weather and ruin the engine. This is due to moisture accumulation.
Engine cooling: other model years
Other parts of the 2006 BMW 3 Series
101 complaintsElectrical system
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 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2006 BMW 3 Series
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 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