2006 BMW M3 Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 9about this part
- Share
- 64%of 14 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 75,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 9 complaints about the air bags of the 2006 BMW M3, 64% of the 14 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 75,000 miles. 4 recall campaigns on record are 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.
“Yesterday (01/06/17) - while driving in motion, 2 side airbags spontaneously exploded, throwing loose plastic material into the cabin and into my face. Cabin filled with smoke and burning smell. I pulled the car to the side of the road and turned off engine for smoke to disappear. I am going to take my car to Bmw dealer tomorrow morning for evaluation”
NHTSA complaint #11060996, filed 2018-01, 131,000 miles“Driving approximately 20-30mph on local street in a straight direction. Driver-side, side airbag deployed without warning. No prior instrument lights were on. Never had any airbag lights on in the history of owning the vehicle. Replaced passenger side airbag as part of recall in 2014. Awaiting dealership to replace driver-side airbag also as part of recall in 2015.”
NHTSA complaint #10920125, filed 2016-10, 75,000 miles“Takata recall: your site improperly shows no recalls when VIN used, and confuses 2006 M3 (e46) with the 2006 3 series successor (e90?), even though the recall notice rcrit-14v428-8638 shows model year 2000-2006 Bmw 3 series (e46) - incl-m”
NHTSA complaint #11000038, filed 2017-06, 40,488 miles“This car has airbag recall and despite 2-3 phone calls to Bmw dealership it is still not fixed. All I am told is that I am on a list . They have no idea when they can fix it. I received initial letter about recall in sept 2014, told to call in november. Called in nov and dec with same response.”
NHTSA complaint #10682260, filed 2015-02“Takata recall I received a letter from Bmw of north america in july 2015 about a drive-side airbag recall for my 2006 Bmw M3. (the passenger-side airbag had already been replaced under recall.) we are now 9 months since I received that notice and I have had no further communication from Bmw. When I call my local dealer they can only say that Bmw is telling them parts will be available sometime this year . When I ask what I can do in the meantime (not drive the car? What?) I am told to not worry too much because there has not yet been an incident in a Bmw. …”
NHTSA complaint #10864122, filed 2016-05Related recalls
- 20V018000Jan 15, 2020DO NOT DRIVEBMW 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…Covers: BMW M3 2000–2006, 330CI 2000–2006, 325CI 2000–2006 +11 more
- 14V428000Jun 11, 2018DO NOT DRIVEBMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2000 323i sedans, coupes, convertibles, and Sports Wagons; 2000 328i sedans and coupes…Covers: BMW M3 2001–2006, 330I 2001–2006, 325I 2001–2006 +4 more
- 15V318000May 28, 2015DO NOT DRIVEBMW 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…Covers: BMW M3 2002–2006, 330CI 2002–2006, 325CI 2002–2006 +9 more
- 20V017000Jan 15, 2020BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 128i and 135i Convertibles, 128i, 135i, and M Coupes, 2007-2010 X3 30si and X3 xDrive30i…Covers: BMW M3 2006–2013, 328I 2006–2013, 335I 2006–2013 +16 more
Air bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 7 | 54% |
| 2012 | 4 | 67% |
| 2011 | 6 | 19% |
| 2010 | 8 | 53% |
| 2009 | 8 | 18% |
| 2008 | 9 | 11% |
| 2006 | 9 | 64% |
| 2005 | 4 | 33% |
| 2004 | 9 | 29% |
| 2003 | 15 | 28% |
| 2002 | 7 | 18% |
| 2001 | 1 | 7% |
| 1999 | 5 | 45% |
| 1998 | 2 | 14% |
| 1997 | 3 | 16% |
| 1995 | 2 | 17% |
Other parts of the 2006 BMW M3
← All problems reported for the 2006 BMW M3
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 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