2006 BMW X3 Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 76about this part
- Share
- 53%of 143 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 76,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 76 complaints about the air bags of the 2006 BMW X3, 53% of the 143 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 76,000 miles. 4 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 2 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The airbag light is on, there is a recall on airbag sensors. Dealer wanted me to pay $170 first before they can look at the problem. I told them the airbag system has a recall on airbag sensors, but they refused to fix the problem or even diagnose the problem before I paid them $170.”
NHTSA complaint #11196953, filed 2019-04, 127,151 miles“Bmw has refused to repair my 2006 Bmw X3 even though it has the same symptoms in the NHTSA campaign number 08v384000. This is a safety defect in the airbag passenger seat sensor mechanism! I am now faced with paying an exorbitant charge to have the problem fixed. The problem causes the forward passenger seat airbag to not work in a collision.”
NHTSA complaint #10418826, filed 2011-08, 35,000 miles“Takata recall' my vehicle has the very same issues as the ones being recalled, but it is not on the recall list. My passenger airbag light stays on indication it is not on even when someone is sitting in the seat.it never go off. Rather in motion or stationary.”
NHTSA complaint #10808624, filed 2015-12, 75,000 miles“Takata recall air bag light only comes off when engine is off. Otherwise it stays on when car is in motion on street or highway. I took it to a mechanic who informed me of a recall for this model.”
NHTSA complaint #10955163, filed 2017-02, 80,563 miles“Had an accident on a city street. Vehicle was in motion & impact was on the front bumper. All airbags deployed except passenger side airbag. Vehicle had the passenger side airbag lamp illuminated for a while before the accident. Called dealer and Bmw long back when I initially came to know about the recall. But I was told that my VIN is not in the recall list. Luckily there was no one in the passenger seat when the accident happened, else would have been worse. Nhtsa campaign number: 08v384000”
NHTSA complaint #10795287, filed 2015-11, 80,000 milesRelated recalls
- 17V605000Sep 28, 2017BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2006-2010 BMW X3 2.5i, X3 3.0i and X3 xDrive30i Sports Activity Vehicles. The front passenger seat…Covers: BMW X3 2006–2010
- 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 X3 2004–2006, 5 Series 2004–2006, 3 Series 2006
Related service bulletins
- 10218381Jun 1, 2022A check control message for the restraint system appears. In the instrument cluster, the red air bag warning light lights up permanently. One of the following fault codes is…
- 10160287Apr 1, 2019TAKATA 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, 2019TAKATA 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, 2019Takata class action settlement. Customer support program. Front driver side airbag modules.
- 10149557Oct 1, 2018For 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…
- 10154816Feb 1, 2018In an effort to improve the completion rate on Takata air bag recall affected vehicles; BMW NA has expanded the BMW Ultimate Rewards platform to include a new Recall Support…
- 10151028Jan 1, 2016"This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI B65 69 06 dated June 2008. designates changes to this revision SUBJECT Airbag Warning Lamp Illuminated, FC 93EB or FC 55 . The…
- 10029605Aug 1, 2011Bmw service campaign: see document search button for owner letter. The airbag warning lamp (awl) is illuminated, together with the passenger airbag status lamp (pol). The problem…
- 10028365Sep 1, 2008Bmw vehicle: air bag warning lamp illuminated and fault code a1 is stored. A low voltage condition caused the steering angle sensor position data to be lost. The battery may have…
- 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…
Air bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 5% |
| 2024 | 2 | 5% |
| 2022 | 4 | 5% |
| 2021 | 1 | 1% |
| 2020 | 8 | 7% |
| 2019 | 4 | 2% |
| 2018 | 5 | 7% |
| 2017 | 7 | 8% |
| 2016 | 4 | 5% |
| 2015 | 10 | 10% |
| 2014 | 9 | 10% |
| 2013 | 8 | 4% |
| 2012 | 12 | 29% |
| 2011 | 5 | 4% |
| 2010 | 10 | 31% |
| 2009 | 9 | 47% |
| 2008 | 32 | 48% |
| 2007 | 37 | 38% |
| 2006 | 76 | 53% |
| 2005 | 30 | 29% |
| 2004 | 32 | 23% |
Other parts of the 2006 BMW X3
42 complaintsElectrical system
13 complaintsEngine
6 complaintsFuel system
5 complaintsBody and structure
5 complaintsEngine cooling
4 complaintsOther or unknown
4 complaintsEquipment
3 complaintsVehicle speed control
3 complaintsExterior lighting
2 complaintsSeat belts
2 complaintsBrakes
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2006 BMW X3
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