2006 BMW 325CI Problems
- Complaints
- 36filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 49,342miles, 13 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 22 do-not-drive
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 20 mpgcombined, 2.5L 6-cyl RWD · 17 city / 25 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2006 BMW 325CI (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 36 consumer complaints for the 2006 BMW 325CI. The part named most often is air bags, with 23 complaints (64% of the total), followed by exterior lighting (4) and electrical system (2). 13 of the complaints include a mileage, and 54% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 49,342 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns (2 marked do-not-drive) and 21 technical service bulletins for this model year. Air bags complaints overlap with 2 recall campaigns covering the inflator module and 8 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Exterior lighting complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part.
Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Air bags23 64%
- Exterior lighting4 11%
- Electrical system2 5.6%
- Engine2 5.6%
- Engine cooling2 5.6%
- Brakes1 2.8%
- Fuel system1 2.8%
- Other or unknown1 2.8%
- Seat belts1 2.8%
- Suspension1 2.8%
Also reported: Transmission and drivetrain (1).
Example complaints
Air bags: “Bmw 325CI 2006 front left adaptive headlight wiring deteriorates over time. This cause the wiring to crack and fail. The front left headlight failed while driving, creating a dangerous situation for the driver and others on the road. When the wiring fails the driver cannot display turn signals, use high beams or any headlight functions. Bmw does not provide a solution or help to fix the issue. The vehicle was in motion at night when the headlight failed. The part is the front headlight igniter wiring harness. …”
NHTSA complaint #11152339, filed 2018-11, 83,000 milesExterior lighting: “Drivers side low beam started flashing when car hit bumps and while turning the steering wheel to the right. Opened bulb access cover to check the bulb and found that the majority of the wiring inside the headlight assembly has hardened and flaking insulation, exposing bare copper wire and allowing it to short out. Removed the headlight assembly for a more through inspection and discovered the same damage on the high beam wiring and deterioration on the entire wiring harness inside the light. Serious safety risk as well as fire risk.”
NHTSA complaint #11311353, filed 2020-02, 116,000 milesElectrical system: “My wife was driving down a main street at rush hour. The car just stopped running and would not restart. To leave the vehicle my wife had to take her life in her hands to get across the busy street. It was fortunate that this did not happen on a busy freeway or she or someone else may have been seriously injured.”
NHTSA complaint #10778406, filed 2015-09, 40,000 milesEngine: “I am the original owner of 2006 325i with 42,000 miles. On january, the car suddenly alarmed warning signs on ca highway #5 and started to make loud noise and shakings. At that time, I was pregnant and with my 2 year old baby on back seat. The situation was happening on the highway! I was so worried about driving safety. To solve the problem, the dealer shop asked me to replace head gasket aluminum volt and housing gasket. It did cost over $4000. During the repair, the technician said that the problem is common on this model. …”
NHTSA complaint #10577180, filed 2014-04, 4,100 milesMileage when problems were reported
54% of the 13 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 38,500 and 84,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2006 BMW 325CI. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 Series · sedan RWD/AWD | not rated | 4 / 4 | — | — | — |
Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2006 BMW 325CI version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 325ci RWD | 2.5L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 18 | 27 | 21 | $3,900 |
| 325ci RWD | 2.5L 6-cyl | 5-speed automatic | 17 | 25 | 20 | $4,100 |
| 325ci Convertible RWD | 2.5L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 17 | 25 | 20 | $4,100 |
| 325ci Convertible RWD | 2.5L 6-cyl | 5-speed automatic | 16 | 24 | 19 | $4,350 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator moduleCovers: BMW 325CI 2000–2006, 330CI 2000–2006, M3 2000–2006 +11 more
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2000-2005 323iT, 325iT, 325xiT, 320i, 323i, 325i, 325xi, 328i, 330i and 330xi and 2000-2006 323Ci, 325Ci, 328Ci, 330Ci, M3 Coupe, 323Cic, 325Cic, 330Cic, and M3 Convertible vehicles equipped with…
- Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator moduleCovers: BMW 325CI 2002–2006, M3 2002–2006, 330CI 2002–2006 +9 more
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2002-2005 325i, 325xi, 330i, and 330xi Sedans, and 325xi and 325i Sportswagons, 2002-2006 330Ci, 325Ci, and M3 Convertibles and 325i, 330i, and M3 Coupes, 2002-2003 M5, 540i, 525i Sedan, and…
Recall details for the 2006 BMW 325CI → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 21 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 10249437Jan 16, 2024Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors), Electrical system. The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.
- 10249027Jan 11, 2024Electrical system. The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few years. This has led to increased demands being placed on the battery. This document covers…
- 10194296Apr 1, 2021Steering, Brakes. Diagnosis of Compound Brake System Complaints in M Vehicles: 1. Visible cracks are caused by high thermal stresses during rapid heating and cooling of the brake discs. Braking from high speed with…
- 10184591Nov 1, 2020Air bags, Equipment. SERVICE ACTION - HEAD AIR BAG HOLDER RETROFIT: A rattle noise may develop from the head air bag (ITS) gas generator contacting adjacent component. This noise can be heard while driving on an uneven…
- 10182619Oct 1, 2020Equipment, Electrical system. Discharged Battery Energy Diagnosis Must Be Performed: The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few years. This has led to increased…
- 10160287Apr 1, 2019Air bags. TAKATA AIR BAG RECALL-RELATED SHORT-TERM ALTERNATE TRANSPORTATION AND CONSEQUENTIAL REPAIRS This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI B01 31 18 dated October 2018.
- 10160244Apr 1, 2019Air bags. TAKATA AIR BAG RECALL-RELATED SHORT-TERM ALTERNATE TRANSPORTATION AND CONSEQUENTIAL REPAIRS This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI B01 31 18 dated October 2018.
- 10153726Jan 1, 2019Air bags. Takata class action settlement. Customer support program. Front driver side airbag modules.
- 10149558Oct 1, 2018Electrical system, Air bags. For the above-referenced vehicles with passenger?s side airbag modules, BMW of North America, LLC (?BMW NA?) will provide a Customer Support Program as outlined in the Takata Settlement Customer…
- 10149557Oct 1, 2018Air bags, Electrical system. For the above-referenced vehicles with driver?s side airbag modules, BMW of North America, LLC (?BMW NA?) will provide a Customer Support Program as outlined in the Takata Settlement Customer…
Other model years of the BMW 325CI
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 36 | 49,342 | 2 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2005 | 31 | 67,000 | 2 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2004 | 68 | 75,000 | 2 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2003 | 27 | 65,000 | 5 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2002 | 30 | 110,000 | 3 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2001 | 49 | 105,000 | 5 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2000 | 6 | 112,000 | 3 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
All BMW 325CI model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2006 BMW 325CI have?
NHTSA recorded 36 consumer complaints for the 2006 BMW 325CI as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2006 BMW 325CI is reported most often?
Air bags is named most often, in 23 complaints (64% of the total), followed by exterior lighting with 4.
Has the 2006 BMW 325CI been recalled?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year, 2 of them with a do-not-drive advisory. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2006 BMW 325CI get?
The EPA rates the 2006 BMW 325CI (325ci, 2.5L 6-cyl) at 20 mpg combined, 17 city and 25 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,100 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 2006 BMW 325CI reported?
Among the 13 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 49,342 miles and the middle half falls between 38,500 and 84,000 miles; 54% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
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. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.