2006 BMW M3 — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
14
Owner Complaints
5
Recalls
1
Service Bulletin
0
Investigations
Overview of the 2006 BMW M3
The 2006 BMW M3 has received a total of 14 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 5 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING. 1 technical service bulletin have been issued by BMW of North America, LLC for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Air Bags (9 complaints), Tires (2 complaints), and Engine And Engine Coolingengine (1 complaint).
Recalls for the 2006 BMW M3
NHTSA has recorded 5 recalls for the 2006 BMW M3, potentially affecting up to 2,049,120 vehicles.
Recall 20V017000 — AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
| 59,965 vehicles affected
Defect: BMW 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, 2013-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i and X1 xDrive35i, 2007-2013 328i, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335is, 335i xDrive and M3 Coupes, 2006-2011 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive and M3, 2009-2011...
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver air bag. On X5 and X6 vehicles, only the inflator will be replaced. All repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began March 11, 2020. Owners may contact...
View full details →Recall 20V018000 — AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
| 292,948 vehicles affected
Defect: 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 non-desiccated frontal Takata PSAN inflators and PSPI passenger frontal air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant that were used...
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger's front air bag, free of charge. The recall began February 13, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
View full details →Recall 17V676000 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
| 702,965 vehicles affected
Defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2006-2011 323i, 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi and M3, 2007-2011 328i xDrive, 335i xDrive and 335is and 2009-2011 335d vehicles. The wiring and electrical connectors for the system that controls air flow for the heating and air conditioning system may overheat.
Consequence: Wiring that overheats could cause the electrical connectors to melt, and increase the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is unattended.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the wiring and electrical connectors, free of charge. Interim letters were mailed on November 27, 2017. Owners will receive a second notice when the remedy becomes available. Owners may contact BMW customer...
View full details →Recall 15V318000 — AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
| 419,235 vehicles affected
Defect: 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 530i Sedans, and 540i and 525i Sportswagons, and 2003 X5 3.0i and 4.4i Sports Activity Vehicles. Please note that...
Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the vehicle has been remedied. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front driver air bag module, free of charge. The recall began Aug 2016. Owners may contact BMW...
View full details →Recall 14V428000 — AIR BAGS
| 574,007 vehicles affected
Defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2000 323i sedans, coupes, convertibles, and Sports Wagons; 2000 328i sedans and coupes; 2001-2005 325i sedans, coupes, convertibles, and Sport Wagons; 2001-2005 325xi sedans and Sports Wagons; 2006 325i coupes and convertibles; 2001-2006 330i sedans, coupes, and convertibles; 2001-2005 330xi sedans; and 2001-2006 M3 coupes and convertibles to address...
Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure could cause rupturing of the inflator resulting in metal fragments striking and potentially seriously injuring the passenger seat occupant or other occupants.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until they have been repaired. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger side frontal air bag, free of charge. An interim notice was mailed to owners in September 2014....
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 2006 BMW M3
14 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2006 BMW M3. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air Bags | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine And Engine Coolingengine | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Power Train | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Power Trainmanual Transmission | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Most Recent Complaints
THE SMG TRANSMISSION INTERMITTENTLY COMES OUT OF GEAR IN ANY SITUATION AND IS VERY DANGEROUS WHEN IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AND/OR ON A HIGHWAY AND LOOSE ALL POWER. I HAVE HAD SEVERAL CLOSE CALL ACCIDENTS AT HIGH SPEEDS. I HAVE READ MANY ARTICLES STATING THE SAME ISSUE WITH MANY OWNERS FOR THIS TYPE OF TRANSMISSION WITH A POSSIBLE DEFECTIVE HEAT SENSOR ON THE HYDRAULIC PUMP. BMW REFUSES TO RECOGNIZE THIS IS A FACTORY DEFECT AND FORCING OWNERS TO PAY OUT OF POCKET $3000 TO $4000 FOR A PUMP REPLACEMENT WITHOUT A GUARANTEE OF FIXING THE ISSUE. I AM STUCK WITH AN UNSAFE CAR AND CANNOT SELL IT THIS WAY.
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
THIS LETTER IS IN REFERENCE TO TWO MICHELIN PILOT SPORT A/S 3+ 255/35ZR19 96Y TIRES WHICH BOTH FAILED WITHIN 1,130 MILES OF EACH OTHER FROM IDENTICAL FAILURES. THESE TWO FAILURES WERE ON THE INTERIOR SIDEWALL OF THE TIRES. THESE TWO TIRES WERE PURCHASED AND INSTALLED ON THE SAME DAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2016, BY A DEALER. THE CAR HAD 104,775 MILES ON IT AT THE END OF THIS SERVICE. ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 21, WHILE DRIVING TO OHIO FOR THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY I EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE FAILURE OF THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR TIRE (ONE OF THE ABOVE PILOT SPORT TIRES) AT HIGHWAY SPEED AT 121,801 MILES. THE TIRE SEPARATED FROM THE INTERIOR SIDEWALL COMPLETELY. ON DECEMBER 8, 2017, AT 122,934 MILES THE OTHER MICHELIN PILOT SPORT TIRE FROM THE ABOVE SET ALSO FAILED. WHILE IN THE PARKING LOT I HEARD THE PASSENGER REAR TIRE VENTING AIR AND IT QUICKLY WENT FLAT. THE INTERIOR SIDEWALL HARD A LARGE CRACK CIRCLING ALMOST HALF THE TIRE. THESE TWO FAILURES OCCURRED ONLY 1,130 MILES APART IN THE SAME PART OF THE TIRE. THESE TWO TIRES HAD 17,026 AND 18,159 MILES RESPECTIVELY, FAR UNDER THE WARRANTED LIFE AND THE TYPICAL LIFE. THE SECOND FAILURE WAS ACKNOWLEDGED BY MICHELIN IN A CASE I OPENED BASED ON AN EVALUATION OF THE TIRE BY A MICHELIN AUTHORIZED DEALER. MICHELIN HAS NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THE FIRST FAILURE BECAUSE I NO LONGER HAVE THE TIRE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW M3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V428000 AND 15V318000 (AIR BAGS). THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED THE LOCAL DEALER (ADVANCED VALENCIA BMW, 23435 VALENCIA BOULEVARD, VALENCIA, CA 91355) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Safety Rating for the 2006 BMW M3
NHTSA has not yet tested the 2006 BMW M3 in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2006 BMW M3
BMW of North America, LLC has issued 1 technical service bulletin (TSBs) for the 2006 BMW M3. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
B064925 — SERVICE BRAKES
Brake Disc Return
NHTSA Investigations for the 2006 BMW M3
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the BMW M3
- 2001 BMW M3 — 20 complaints
- 2002 BMW M3 — 48 complaints
- 2003 BMW M3 — 68 complaints
- 2004 BMW M3 — 36 complaints
- 2005 BMW M3 — 12 complaints
- 2006 BMW M3 (current)
- 2007 BMW M3 — 0 complaints
- 2008 BMW M3 — 102 complaints
- 2009 BMW M3 — 54 complaints
- 2010 BMW M3 — 20 complaints
- 2011 BMW M3 — 41 complaints