2006 BMW 3 Series Body and structure Problems
- Complaints
- 9about this part
- Share
- 4%of 202 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 76,850miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 9 complaints about the body and structure of the 2006 BMW 3 Series, 4% of the 202 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 76,850 miles.
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.
“As I put the vehicle in park and tried to exit the vehicle the door would not open. I pulled the handle and tried the key fob and nothing would make it unlock. I had to crawl to the passenger side to exit the vehicle. This is the second time this has happened and it is a known fuse problem that is faulty and very dangerous if you happen to be in an accident and need to escape your vehicle quickly. Having a driver door that absolutely will not open is a complete disregard for common sense and public safety.”
NHTSA complaint #10643565, filed 2014-10, 134,000 miles“First the driver side door lock actuator would not unlock so I would have to use the key to unlock the driver door. Bought a new actuator and had it replaced. Not even one month later the back seat driver side door lock actuator went out as well. However there is no key hole for the back door and it cannot be opened from the inside. I was told by a Bmw dealer that I would have to have the door torn off and replaced with a new door because there was no way to open the door. But wait there's more! Both back window regulators went out as well! Got the back seat passenger side fixed. …”
NHTSA complaint #10579425, filed 2014-04, 78,000 miles“Door locks on 2006 Bmw 330xi suddenly stopped functioning properly midway through the day and were unable to be unlocked. I was able to open the door with the embedded physical key in the fob but when I got in the car and tried operating the doors they again locked but were unable to be unlocked neither by the unlock button on the console, the fob or the door handle. The only way I was able to exit the car was to roll down the drivers side window, and use the emergency mechanical key to unlock it by extending my hand out the window. …”
NHTSA complaint #10397135, filed 2011-04, 55,804 miles“Rear door lock actuator would not allow rear door to open. Had fixed and then drivers door actuator failed and would not open. Could not get out of vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #10564660, filed 2014-02, 81,000 miles“Power door locks failed. No way to open passenger door even with internal handle. Passenger trapped and had to crawl over to driver's seat. Would be a catastrophe in an accident.”
NHTSA complaint #10466941, filed 2012-07, 65,100 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10039592May 1, 2011Bmw: the painted surface on the interior door handle may peel due to exposure to hand creams and sun-tanning lotions.
- 10030626Oct 2, 2009Bmw vehicles: doors will not unlock using the key fob or central locking button. *pe updated1/4/10. *pe updated 5/24/10.
- 10033135Oct 1, 2009Bmw vehicles: rear axle carrier (sub frame) support proposed class action settlement. Under certain circumstances, a fracture in the steel body structure could form in the area…
Body and structure: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 1 | 5% |
| 2012 | 1 | 14% |
| 2010 | 1 | 3% |
| 2009 | 1 | 2% |
| 2008 | 3 | 4% |
| 2007 | 6 | 5% |
| 2006 | 9 | 4% |
| 2005 | 1 | 4% |
| 2004 | 2 | 3% |
| 2003 | 5 | 7% |
| 2002 | 1 | 4% |
| 2001 | 2 | 6% |
| 2000 | 30 | 34% |
| 1999 | 1 | 17% |
| 1997 | 1 | 20% |
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 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 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