2006 BMW X3

These are unverified consumer reports filed with NHTSA, shown as submitted.

• 12/31/2012· STEERING

  STEERING COLUMN. BMW PROBLEM, FACTORY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE TAKEN CARE OF. STEERING LOCK LIGHT. *TR

• 12/30/2017· AIR BAGS

  PERTAINING TO BMW RECALL CAMPAIGN 17V-605. THIS RECALL HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR MORE THAN TWO YEARS AND THE MANUFACTURER DOES NOT HAVE ANY IDEA WHEN PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE. THE PART IN QUESTION IS AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE FROM DEALERS. I DON'T FEEL THAT BMW IS HANDLING THIS RECALL PROPERLY, ESPECIALLY AS IT CONCERNS PASSENGER SAFETY. THE AFFECTED PART IS THE PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG SENSOR MAT.

• 12/28/2014· ENGINE

  I HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD, COMPLEMENTS OF MOONACHIE, NEW JERSEY ROUTE 120, NEW JERSEY HAS THE WORST ROADS IN THE COUNTRY AND ONE OF THE HIGHEST TAXES TOO. I HAD AN AUTO PARTS PLACE THAT SOLD ME 2-STRUTS-2 SHOCKS, WHICH THE ROADS RIPPED APART ON MY CAR TELL ME, HE'D BE OUT OF BUSINESS IF IT WASN'T FOR NEW JERSEY. AFTER I HIT THE CRATER IN THE ROAD I FELT A LOUD RATTLE BUMPING SOUND WHEN I SLOWED DOWNED AND ACCELERATED, THE ENGINE NEVER REALLY IDLED RIGHT AFTERWARDS. I HAD A FRIEND LOOK AT THE CAR AND HE TOLD ME ALL FOUR BOLTS CONNECTED TO THE MOTOR MOUNTS, ALL OF THE BOLTS SEPARATED AND BROKE OFF IN THE ENGINE, THEY SNAPPED OFF COMPLETELY AND BROKE THE MOTOR MOUNTS AS WELL. I HEAR FROM READING ON THIS SITE THE BOLTS WERE A MANUFACTURES REJECT, FAULTY BOLTS. THAT BEING SAID , I WISH I COULD LITIGATE AGAINST BMW FOR USING THE BOLTS AND THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY FOR NOT PROPERLY CARING FOR THE ROADS AND LEAVING HAZARDOUS CONDITIONS ON THE ROADS WHICH I MIGHT ADD BE FATAL FOR SOME UNFORTUNATE PERSON. VISIT HOBOKEN , NEW JERSEY AND CHECK OUT THEIR MAIN STREET, WASHINGTON, THE ROADS IN NEWARK, NEW JERSEY ARE MUCH BETTER THAN THERE.COULD NEW JERSEY'S POLITICIANS BE STEALING THIS MONEY SET ASIDE FOR ROAD REPAIR? NAH, OF COURSE NOT, IN NEW JERSEY? *TR

• 12/28/2010· AIR BAGS

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW X3. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH WHEN THE PASSENGER AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS OCCUPIED AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LIGHT WOULD SPORADICALLY ILLUMINATE OVER A SIX MONTH PERIOD WHETHER THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS OCCUPIED OR NOT. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V384000 (AIR BAGS:FRONTAL). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 93,539.

• 12/22/2014· AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTSCrash

  THE AIR BAG AND SEATBELT SENSOR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE IS ON WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THE INDICATOR LIGHTS ARE ALWAYS ON. *TR

• 12/20/2022· AIR BAGS

  Dealer states my occupancy detection mat was already reworked, however the original mat is still in the seat and no evidence exists to show what was done to prevent future fatigue of the mat. The date code on the mat is 2005 and the dealer stated it only needed replacing if it showed visible cracking during inspection. They stated it wasn't required to replace it but the date of warranty started from date of inspection.

• 12/18/2015· AIR BAGS

  "TAKATA RECALL" BMW IS REFUSING TO PAY FOR EXPENSES INVOLVED WITH RECALL. VEHICLE IS LOCATED ON ISLAND OF KAUAI, HI 96746. THE NEAREST BMW SERVICE CENTER "BMW OF HONOLULU" IS LOCATED ON ISLAND OF OAHU (HONOLULU). THEY ARE REFUSING TO PAY COSTS OF SHIPPING VEHICLE TO AND FROM HONOLULU. THEY ARE EVEN REFUSING TO SEND TECH"S TO KAUAI TO FACILITATE REPAIRS. NOTE: THEY PREVIOUSLY USE TO SEND THEIR TECH'S TO TAKE CARE OF PROBLEMS SUCH AS WARRANTY ISSUES ETC. BECAUSE OF SOME CORPORATE PROTOCALL.THEY NO LONGER DO IT BECAUSE OF ISSUES OF LIABILITY ETC. HOWEVER, THIS BEING A RECALL IT SEEMS THEY ARE AVOIDING THEIR LEGAL RESPONSIBILITY TO REPAIR THESE DEFECTIVE AIRBAGS. NOTE OF AGE OF VEHICLE, IT MAKES IT MORE IMPERATIVE BECAUSE OF THE DETERIORATION OF EXPLOSIVE USED. PLEASE ADVISE. [XXX](THANK YOU) INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

• 12/18/2006· VISIBILITY

  TL*- THE CONTACT STATE THAT ALL OF THE WINDOWS IN THE CAR CAME DOWN ON THEIR OWN, WHILE THE CAR WAS OFF. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE HAS NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP.

• 12/17/2019· SEATS

  WHILE DRIVING, WITH DRIVER'S HEATED SEAT SET ON HIGH (3 LIGHTS FOR HEATED SEAT CONTROL), DRIVER NOTED A BURNING SMELL. DRIVER TURNED OFF CABIN HEAT, HEATED SEAT AND PULLED OFF THE ROAD TO IDENTIFY THE SOURCE OF THE STRONG BURNING SMELL. HEATED SEAT HAD BURNED THROUGH THE LEATHER SEAT AND THE EXTERNAL LAYER OF THE DRIVER'S DOWN FILLED WOOL COAT. VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET, MANUAL TRANSMISSION IN 3RD GEAR, STRAIGHT ROAD. OCCURRED ON 12/16/19. INCLUDED 2 PICTURES OF THE BURNT LEATHER SEAT AND 1 PICTURE OF THE DRIVER'S BURNT COAT. SEAT AND COAT WERE BURNED, NO LIVE FLAME.

• 12/17/2010· AIR BAGS

  SRS AIRBAG SENSOR FOR 2006 BMW 3 SERIES VIN [XXX] NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THOUGHT IT WOULD BE REPAIRED FOR FREE UNDER RECALL 08V384000 BUT DEALER SAID VEHICLE IS NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL AND MADE OWNER RESPONSIBLE FOR REPAIR COSTS. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

• 12/16/2016· SEATS

  DRIVER'S SEAT HEATER ELEMENT OVERHEATING. TURNED ON SEAT DEC 2015, GOT TOO HOT. USED DIAPER TO INSULATE LEG. SEAT HEATER MELTED DIAPER TO LEATHER. I HAVE NOT USED IT SINCE. AN INTERNET SEARCH INDICATES THIS IS HAPPENING TO OTHER CARS OF THIS MODEL.

• 12/15/2016· AIR BAGS,ENGINE,VISIBILITY/WIPER

  PASSENGER AIR BAGS AND SEAT BELT WONT WORK AND BMW WONT FIX. ELECTRICAL:RADIO,CLIMATE CONTROL,HEADLIGHTS AND WINDSHIELD WASHER PUMP. WINDOW REGULATORS. AND THE WORST:LEARNING FROM X_EMPLOYEES OF BMW SAY THAT BMW PURPOSEFULLY MISS-TORQUES OIL PAN,VALVE COVER AND OIL FILTER HOUSING SO THE FAIL RIGHT AFTER 50,000 MILE WARRANTY. EVERY E90 HAS THESE PROBLEMS. AND WINDOW REGULATORS ALL EXCEPT DRIVER SIDE. IN MOTION.

• 12/14/2021· AIR BAGSCrash

  The contact owns a 2006 BMW X3. The contact stated that while driving at 30 MPH, the contact rear-ended another vehicle. All the air bags except for the passenger’s side air bag deployed upon impact. The contact suffered a migraine from the collision but did not receive medical attention but planned to go to urgent care afterward. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was not totaled. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. Prior to the failure, the dealer serviced the recall under NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V605000 (Air Bags). The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

• 12/14/2010· AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS

  THIS COMPLAINT IS IN REGARDS TO NHTSA ID #08V384000. THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP, SEAT BELT LAMP AND THE PASSENGER AIR BAG "ON-OFF" LAMP WILL NOT TURN OFF . I CONTACTED BMW VIA THE PHONE NUMBER PROVIDED BY YOUR DEPARTMENT AND ALSO VISITED MY LOCAL BMW DEALER AND THEY BOTH SAY THAT MY CAR DOESN'T FALL UNDER SAID RECALL. MY CAR IS A BMW 2006 330I WITH SPORTS SEATS, WHICH IS ONE OF THE CARS LISTED AS BEING DEFECTIVE BY YOUR DEPARTMENT. HOWEVER, BMW STATED THAT THE RECALL IS FOR A SPECIFIC NUMBER OF AIRBAG SENSOR MATTS THAT WERE DAMAGED DURING SHIPPING AND THAT MY CAR'S MATT WAS NOT PART OF THIS BATCH. SINCE MY CAR IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS THOSE UNDER THE RECALL, AND IS ACTUALLY ONE OF THE CARS LISTED IN YOUR REPORT, IT'S SAFE TO SAY THAT THE FAULTY AIRBAG SENSOR ISSUE GOES BEYOND JUST THE BATCH BMW IS CLAIMING WERE DAMAGED. EVEN IF THIS IS TRUE, AND THAT SPECIFIC BATCH OF AIR BAG SENSORS WERE DAMAGED DURING SHIPPING, THEN WHAT'S TO SAY THAT MY AIR BAG SENSOR WASN'T ALSO DAMAGED DURING SHIPPING EVEN IF IT WAS PART OF ANOTHER BATCH. THE LOGICAL CONCLUSION, HOWEVER, WOULD INDICATE THAT THE SENSORS BEING DAMAGED DURING SHIPPING IS FALSE AND THAT THERE IS IN FACT A FLAW WITH THE SENSOR ITSELF. THIS IS EVIDENT IN THE FACT THAT BMW PRODUCED AN UPDATED VERSION OF THE SENSOR AND THAT MY SENSOR THOUGH NOT PART OF THE SO CALLED DAMAGED BATCH IS ALSO EXPERIENCING THE SAME EXACT SYMPTOMS. IF THE CAUSE OF THE FAULTY SENSORS WERE DUE TO BEING DAMAGED DURING SHIPPING THEN WHY NEED TO CREATE AN UPDATED VERSION. THE LOGICAL THING TO DO WOULD BE TO ENSURE THE SAFE DELIVERY OF THE SENSORS, NOT CREATE A NEW VERSION. I'VE OWNED MANY VEHICLES WITH THIS SAME FEATURE AND HAVE NEVER HAD ANY PROBLEMS. BMW CLAIMING THAT THE SYMPTOMS OF MY SENSOR HAVING THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS THE DAMAGED BATCH IS JUST A COINCIDENCE IS A FAR CRY. AT THE VERY LEAST A NEW INVESTIGATION SHOULD BE DONE. THANK YOU.

• 12/12/2017· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  INTERNAL HEADLIGHT WIRING IS EXTREMELY FLAKING OFF ITS INSULATION, REVEALING BARE WIRES THROUGHOUT BOTH HEADLIGHTS. BOTH SECTIONS OF THE LIGHT ARE AFFECTED, XENON AND HALOGEN. DISCOVERED DURING ROUTINE BULB REPLACEMENT. MERELY TOUCHING THE WIRES CAUSED EXTRA FLAKING. SEEMS TO BE A POTENTIAL ELECTROCUTION/FIRE HAZARD.

• 12/11/2021· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SEATS

  I turned on my heated seat and within about a minute and a half I smelled a burning smell. Pulled over as I started to feel a burn on my leg because the seat heater has burnt through the leather in my car. This is a known problem at BMW and they have not issued a recall for this.

• 12/10/2019· SEATS

  HEATED SEAT GETTING TOO HOT TOO FAST. BURNING SMELL.

• 12/10/2006· TIRES

  EXCESSIVE PREMATURE TIRE WEAR ON A 2006 BMW 330I. I HAVE MADE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAY THEY ARE WORKING ON A FIX OR A TIRE REPLACEMENT BUT THAT I SHOULD CONTINUE TO DRIVE. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR 2,000 MILES AND IT HAS PROGRESSIVELY GOTTEN WORSE. I DRIVE MY 3 YEAR OLD SON TO DAY CARE AND I REALLY WOULD LIKE TO FEEL SAFE WHILE DRIVING HIM. HAVING GIVEN THE DEALERSHIP OVER 2 MONTHS TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM I FEEL IT IS TIME TO LOOK INTO OTHER AVENUES TO GET A RESOLUTION. *JB

• 12/09/2014· AIR BAGS

  SERIOUS SAFTEY ISSUE THE SEAT OCCUPANCY DETECTION MAT IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT WAS REPLACED BY BMW ONCE IN THIS VEHICLE WHILE IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY UNDER MANUFACTURE'S DEFECT CODE: 6577081500. IT HAS FAILED A SECOND TIME AT 82,000 MILES. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE BUT THE VIN IS NOT COVERED IN HE RECALL. MY VEHICLE WAS APPARENTLY MANUFACTURED RIGHT WHEN BMW STARTED INSTALLING UPDATED SENSORS. THIS IS NOT A COINCIDENCE. IT HAS FAILED TWICE. IT IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

• 12/08/2010· STEERING,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

  FAILURE OF STEERING COLUMN LOCK, CAUSING INABILITY TO RESTART AUTOMOBILE INTERMITTENTLY. I HAVE READ THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH EARLY 2006 330I MODELS, BUT A RECALL WAS NEVER ISSUED. MY CAR HAS VERY LOW MILES, SO IT WAS CLEARLY A DESIGN FLAW. BMW OFFERED TO SUPPLY THE PARTS FOR FREE, HOWEVER I FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY-RELATED ISSUE AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN 100% COVERED BY BMW AS A RECALL AND HANDLED PROACTIVELY BY THE COMPANY. *TR

• 12/08/2006· TIRES

  TIRES ARE EXTREMELY NOISY AT LOW VEHICLE SPEEDS-2006 BMW 330I TURANZA EL42 RUN FLAT TIRE (RFT), P225/45R17: I WAS TOLD TODAY BY FIRESTONE THAT THE CUPPING OF THE EDGES OF ALL FOUR TIRES WILL CAUSE LACK OF TRACTION IN THE WINTER MONTHS. THEREFORE, HE SUGGESTED THAT ALL FOUR TIRES SHOULD BE REPLACED. *NM

• 12/06/2015· AIR BAGS

  "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.

• 12/06/2011· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  THE INTAKE BOOT BETWEEN THE MASS AIR SENSOR AND THE THROTTLE BODY CRACKS OVER TIME. THIS CAUSES THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO COME ON. EVEN THOUGH THIS IS A KNOWN FAILURE ITEM, AND THE CAR IS WITHIN THE CPO WARRANTY PERIOD, BMW DOES NOT COVER ANY HOSES OR TUBES, AS THEY BELIEVE THEY ARE "WEAR" ITEMS. SINCE IT IS NOT COVERED ITS A $175 DOLLAR DIAGNOSTIC FEE AND $38.54 FOR THE PART VS $50 DEDUCTIBLE. YOU DO NOT KNOW IF YOUR REPAIR IS COVERED UNTIL THE DIAGNOSTIC, SO SHORT OF HAVING TO TAKE IT TO ANOTHER MECHANIC TO HAVE IT CHECKED YOU COULD BE PENALIZED $125 FOR WANTING YOU CAR REPAIRED UNDER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY WHICH YOU PAID EXTRA FOR. *TR

• 12/06/2010· AIR BAGS

  FAILURE OF FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG SAFETY SYSTEM AS DESCRIBED IN NHTSA ACTION NUMBER EA08001 FOR MY 2006 BMW X3 (54,700 MILES). *TR

• 12/04/2017· AIR BAGSCrash

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2006 BMW X3. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CONTACT'S SHOE BECAME ENTANGLED WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.

• 12/04/2006· TIRES

  DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE FLAT TIRE WARNING LIGHT FREQUENTLY ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SERVICE DEALER, WHO WAS NOT ABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM.

• 12/03/2011· AIR BAGS

  I OWN A 2006 BMW 3 SERIES. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, I NOTICED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS WHERE THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR MAT WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. I REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V384000 (AIR BAGS:FRONTAL) THAT COULD HAVE BEEN RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000. *TR

• 12/02/2019· SEATS

  WITHIN TWO MINUTES OF DRIVING, ON A CITY STREET, THE CAR WITH THE HEATED SEATS ON, I SMELLED A BURNING SMELL AND THOUGHT IT WAS COMING FROM ANOTHER CAR. BUT THE SMELL GOT STRONGER AND IT DIDN'T SMELL LIKE A CAR-RELATED SMELL. EVENTUALLY, THE SMELL GOT SO STRONG AND PUNGENT AND I SUDDENLY HAD A SHARP PAIN ON MY LEFT HIP AND I REALIZED IT THE HEATED SEAT WAS BURNING ME. THE PAIN WAS SO ACUTE I HAD TO LIFT MYSELF OFF OF THE SEAT, WHICH WAS DANGEROUS AND COULD'VE RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT, AND I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER AND TURNED OFF THE HEATED SEATS. ONCE I TURNED THE HEATED SEAT OFF THE PAIN AND SMELL DISSIPATED. I GOT OUT OF THE CAR AND THERE WAS A CLEAR BURN HOLE BOTH ON THE SEAT AND ON MY PANTS. THE SMELL OF BURNT FABRIC LASTED IN THE CAR FOR SEVERAL DAYS AND FOR THE REST OF THE DAY I EXPERIENCED SHARP PAINS ON MY LEFT HIP AS IF IT WAS GETTING BURNED AGAIN.

• 12/02/2017· SEAT BELTS

  MY DRIVERS SEAT BELT RANDOMLY UNLATCHES WHILE I AM DRIVING. THIS HAS HAPPENED MORE THAN 10 TIMES , BOTH ON SIDE STREETS AND THE FREEWAY. A WEEK AGO I WAS COMING HOME AND ABOUT A BLOCK FROM MY HOUSE THE SEAT BELT LIGHT LIT UP ON MY DASH AND STARTED DINGING. MY SEAT BELT WAS LATCHED. IT CONTINUED TO DING UNTIL I GOT HOME AND TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE.

• 12/02/2011· AIR BAGS

  I HAVE A 2006 325I AND MY AIRBAG SENSOR LIGHT WARNING LIT UP - I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY RAN A DIAGNOSTIC TEST IT WAS THE AIRBAG SENSOR THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED - OVER $1000. THERE IS A RECALL LISTED FOR MY YEAR AND MODEL BUT MY VIN IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. I CALLED BMW USA AND THE NHTSA - THEY SAY THERE IS NOTHING I CAN DO. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY MY VIN IS NOT INCLUDED WHEN I HAVE THE MODEL AND YEAR LISTED IN THE RECALL. *TR

• 11/30/2018· FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

  FUEL LEAK COMING FROM THE FUEL FILTER / FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR, LOCATED INSIDE THE FUEL TANK. THE PLASTIC COVER WHERE THE PRESURRED FUEL LINE IS CONNECTED CRACKS CAUSING THE FUEL TO LEAK. I NOTICED THE ISSUE DUE TO A STRONG FUEL SMELL COMMING FROM THE LEFT REAR OF THE VEHICLE. I FOLLOWED THE SMELL AND IT TOOK ME TO THE FUEL TANK ACCESS UNDER THE REAR SEAT ON THE LEFT (DRIVER) SIDE. THAT IS WHERE I NOTICED FUEL ACCUMULATION OUTSIDE THE TANK. THEN I PROCEED TO START THE ENGINE AND CLEARLY NOTICED THE FUEL LEAKING FROM AN SMALL CRACK ON THE FILTER (NOT THE FUEL LINE). I STARTED A RESEARCH ON THE SUBJECT AND I FOUND SEVERAL COMPLAINS ABOUT THIS ISSUE INCLUDING VIDEOS ON YOUTUBE ON MANY BMW MODELS. ALSO FOUND THERE IS AN ACTIVE SAFETY RECALL FOR SOME VW MODELS WITH THE SAME SITUATION. THE PARTS FROM BOTH VEHICLE BRANDS ARE PRETTY SIMILAR AND THE PARTS ARE FROM THE SAME SUPPLIER (VDO). I JUST NEED YOU TAKE A LOOK AT THIS AS A SAFETY CONCERN BEFORE VEHICLES START CATCHING FIRE. THANKS FOR YOUR ATTENTION ON THIS MATTER. SORRY FOR NOT HAVING PICTURES, JUST GOOGLE IT AND YOU WILL SEE IT.

• 11/29/2010· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SEATSFire

  WE WERE DRIVING IN COLD WEATHER AND ACTIVATED THE SEAT WARMERS ON THE DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER SIDES WHEN WE DETECTED AN ODOR OF SOMETHING BURNING AND SMOKING. WE STOPPED AND GOT OUT OF OUR SUV AND DISCOVERED A BURNT HOLE/SPOT ON THE DRIVER'S SEAT, LOWER LEFT SEAT BACK BOLSTER. ON TAKING IT OUR BMW DEALER FOR REPAIR, WE WERE TOLD THAT THE SEAT WARMER WAS DEFECTIVE AND THAT IS WHAT CAUSED THE BURNT HOLE/SPOT ON THE SEAT BACK, I.E., "FAILED COMPONENT 3". FURTHER WE WERE TOLD THAT OUR SUV WAS TWO MONTHS OUT OF WARRANTY, AND THAT THE COST OF REPAIR WOULD COST $2,900. WE HAVE SEARCHED THE INTERNET AND DISCOVERED SIMILAR MALFUNCTIONS ON BMWS EQUIPPED WITH SEAT WARMERS. FURTHER, WE HAD TO REPLACE THE SEAT WARMER SYSTEM ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE APPROXIMATELY TWO YEARS AGO BECAUSE IT TOO BECAME INOPERATIVE. THIS IS A CLEAR CASE FOR BMW TO ABSORB THE COST OF REPAIR, SINCE THIS SEAT WARMER MALFUNCTION HAS A HISTORY OF OCCURRENCES. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION REGARDING THIS CASE.WV

• 11/26/2012· AIR BAGS

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 3 SERIES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE PASSENGER AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SEAT MAT SENSOR PLUG NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V384000 (AIR BAGS: FRONTAL). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 56,700.

• 11/25/2018· SEATS,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC),ENGINE

  PROBLEM WITH THE DRIVER'S SEAT HEATING MAT. PROBLEM WITH DETERMINING THE CAUSE OF ERRORS POSTED ON THE PHOTO

• 11/25/2016· SEATS

  HAD BEEN ONGOING FOR A COUPLE MONTHS THE HEATED SEAT WAS MALFUNCTIONING. YOU WOULD TURN IT ON AND THE DRIVER SEAT IN THE LEFT SIDE WOULD START TO HEAT UP BEGINNING FROM THE BUTT AREA ENDING BY THE KNEE TO THE POINT WHERE IT WAS STARTING TO STING AND MAKING IT REALLY UNCOMFORTABLE TO SIT. JUST RECENTLY THE SEAT HEATER GOT REALLY HOT TO THE POINT IT BURNED THE LEATHER AND BURNED MY WIFES BUTT. GO TO INSPECT IT WHILE IT WAS ON AND WHILE PUSHING DOWN SLIGHTLY WHERE THE BURNT HOLE WAS, SPARKS BEGAN COMING OUT

• 11/25/2010· LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

  WENT TO UNLOCK DOORS IN 2006 BMW 330I AND THERE WAS A RAPID CLICKING SOUND IN THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR. THE POWER LOCKS FAILED TO RESPOND AFTERWARDS AND ALL DOORS REMAINED LOCKED. THE FOB, NOR THE INTERNAL UNLOCK BUTTON WOULD ALLOW THE DOORS TO BE UNLOCKED AND ATTEMPTING TO OPEN THE DOORS FROM THE INSIDE DID NOT WORK EITHER. ONLY THE DRIVER'S DOOR CAN BE MANUALLY UNLOCKED BY PHYSICAL KEY OR BY PULLING THE HANDLE FROM THE INSIDE. AN INITIAL ATTEMPT HAS BEEN MADE TO FIX THE PROBLEM BY REPLACING THE FUSE #57 WITH A 20A FUSE OVER THE ORIGINAL BLOWN 15A FUSE. *TR

• 11/24/2014· AIR BAGS

  PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT WENT ON AND AFTER MY RESEARCH FOUND OUT THERE IS A RECALL. BMW REFUSES TO FIX THE ISSUE AS THEY CLAIM THAT THE VIN IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. IT IS EXACTLY AS THE RECALL...WHAT DO I NEED TO DO TO GET THIS VEHICLE UNDER THIS RECALL? IT IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD NOT BE TAKEN LIGHTLY. *TR

• 11/22/2015· AIR BAGSCrash

  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

• 11/22/2013· ENGINE

  BROKEN CYLINDER HEAD BOLTS AT THE FRONT TIMING COVER. SYMPTOM WAS OIL LEAK AT TIMING COVER. UPON INSPECTION, THE HEADS OF 4 BOLTS HAD SHEARED OFF AND 3 BOLT HEADS HAD DROPPED THROUGH THE TIMING CHAIN HOUSING AND ENDED UP IN THE OIL PAN. *TR FIRST, HEAD BOLTS SHOULD NOT FAIL. SECOND, THE SHEARED BOLT HEADS PASS THROUGH THE TIMING CHAIN HOUSING AND COULD INTERFERE WITH THE TIMING CHAIN AND CAUSE IMMEDIATE ENGINE FAILURE.

• 11/20/2013· SEATS

  SEAT HEATING SYSTEM ISSUE: WITHOUT ANY EARLIER WARNING SIGNS THE DRIVER SEAT OVERHEATED VERY QUICKLY (WITHIN ONE MINUTE OF TURNING ON THE SEAT HEATERS) TO THE POINT OF BURNING THE DRIVERS SKIN. A BURNING SMELL OCCURRED AT THE SAME TIME. THE DRIVER HAD TO GET UP FROM THE SEAT RAPIDLY TO AVOID ANY SERIOUS BURNS. THIS MADE BRINGING THE VEHICLE TO A CONTROLLED STOP VERY DIFFICULT. THE DRIVER WAS HALFWAY UP FROM THE SEAT WITH THE SEATBELT HOLDING THE DRIVER BACK. THIS COULD HAVE LEAD EASILY TO AN ACCIDENT AS IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL A VEHICLE IN THAT POSITION. FORTUNATELY, THE VEHICLE WAS STILL AT A SLOW SPEED AND OPERATED IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA. HOWEVER, THE RISK OF AN ACCIDENT OR INJURIES AT A HIGHER SPEED AND/OR MORE POPULATED AREA WOULD HAVE BEEN MUCH GREATER. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY RELATED DEFECT UNDER THE UNITED STATES CODE FOR MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY (TITLE 49, CHAPTER 301). INTERNET RESEARCH AND MULTIPLE COMPLAINS ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE CONFIRM THAT THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT. *TR

• 11/19/2013· SEATS

  I HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT WARMER IN MY 2006 BMW X3 STARTING ON ABOUT OCTOBER 21, 2013. WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON A COUPLE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS, I FELT A "SHOCK" IN MY LEFT THIGH. I DIDN'T THINK ANYTHING ABOUT IT UNTIL THE SEAT WARMER STOPPED WORKING ALL TOGETHER. I BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER TO FIX AND FOUND THAT THE ENTIRE HEATING ELEMENT WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED, AT A COST OF OVER $1500. AS I AM LOOKING INTO THE PROBLEM, I FOUND THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO NUMEROUS OTHERS. I AM FORTUNATE THAT THERE WAS NOT A MORE SERIOUS INJURY, AND THAT MY SEAT WAS NOT DAMAGED TO THE EXTENT THAT OTHERS HAVE ENCOUNTERED. HOWEVER, THIS IS AN UNACCEPTABLE PROBLEM AND BMW SHOULD BE TAKING CARE OF IT. *TR

• 11/19/2010· LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

  I HAVE A BMW 320D. A FEW DAYS AGO MY WIFE WAS OUT SOMEWHERE AND SHE LOCKED THE CAR IT WEREN'T LOCKING SO SHE OPENED THE DOOR AND THEN PRESS LOCK, IT LOCKED. WHEN SHE CAME BACK SHE WAS TRYING TO UNLOCK IT BUT IT WEREN'T UNLOCKING. SHE HAD TO USE THE TAKE THE KEY OUT OF THE FOB AND OPEN IT MANUALLY, THEN THE ALARM STARTED GOING OFF SO SHE HAD TO TURN THE CAR ON SO IT WOULD STOP. NOW ONLY THE DRIVERS SIDE OPENS BUT YOU HAVE TO OPEN IT MANUALLY WITH THE KEY, HE REST WON'T OPEN OR CLOSE. I HAVE BEEN TO THE BMW GARAGE AND THEY SAID IT WILL COST AROUND 600 TO REPLACE THE LATCHES. I'VE ONLY HAD THE CAR FOR 3 YEARS AND YOU DON'T EXPECT THAT TO HAPPEN TO A 27,000 CAR AFTER ONLY HAVING IT FOR 3 YEARS. ALSO IF THEIR EVER WAS AN ACCIDENT AND THE DOOR LATCHES STOPPED WORKING NO ONE WOULD BE ABLE TO GET OUT, THEY WOULD ALL HAVE TO RUSH OUT THROUGH THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR. *TR

• 11/18/2016· AIR BAGS

  RECEIVED NOTICE 11/14/2016 REGARDING RECALL # 15V-318 DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG. CONTACTED THE LOCAL DEALER 11/18 WHO SAID PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE UNTIL YEAR END. BMW'S 800 NUMBER CONFIRMED THERE WAS A SHORTAGE OF PARTS IN THE REGION. THIS IS AT LEAST A 6 WEEK DELAY BASED ON PART AVAILABILITY. UNACCEPTABLE

• 11/17/2010· AIR BAGS

  REGARDLESS THE RECALL RCONL-08V384-6332 ON 2006 BMW 330XI, FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANT DETECTION SENSOR, BMW DENIED TO REPLACE FAILED SENSOR. *TR

• 11/17/2006· STEERING,SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 40 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE BRAKE AND STEERING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE JERKED VIOLENTLY. ALSO, WHEN TRYING TO TURN IN ANY DIRECTION, A LOUD GRINDING NOISE WAS HEARD. AN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE OCCURRED WHEN NORMAL BRAKING WAS ATTEMPTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE STEERING COLUMN WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ALSO THE BRAKE PADS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND ADJUSTMENTS HAD TO BE MADE TO THE TIRE PRESSURE. THE DEALER PERFORMED THE NECESSARY WORK, BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTED, AND CONTINUED TO JERK VIOLENTLY WHILE DRIVING. UPDATED 03/22/07 *JB UPDATED 03/30/07

• 11/16/2014· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  CAR HAS AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS, USES A FOB. PARKED THE CAR, LOCKED THE DOORS WITH THE FOB. WHEN I TRIED TO UNLOCK THE DOORS WITH THE FOB, IT ONLY CLICKS - DID NOT UNLOCK. USED THE KEY TO UNLOCK THE DRIVERS DOOR, BUT FOUND THAT ONCE LOCKED, NO DOORS WILL UNLOCK, NOT EVEN MANUALLY FROM INSIDE THE CAR. THE ONLY DOOR THAT WILL LOCK OR UNLOCK IS THE DRIVER'S DOOR, AND THEN ONLY WITH THE KEY FROM THE OUTSIDE. THE POST THAT POPS UP AND DOWN TO INDICATE THAT THE DOOR IS LOCKED IS IMPOSSIBLE TO PULL UP, AND PULLING THE INSIDE DOOR HANDLE DOES NOTHING. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY VERY DANGEROUS. AT THE VERY LEAST, THEY SHOULD REDESIGN THE LOCKS SO THAT THEY CAN BE OPENED FROM INSIDE MANUALLY IN CASE OF AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE!!!! *TR

• 11/16/2012· AIR BAGS

  MY AIRBAG LIGHT KEPT BEEPING AT ME EVERY FEW MINUTES. IT DID NOT MATTER WHETHER I HAD A PASSENGER OR NOT. I LOOKED THE ISSUE UP ONLINE AND CAME ACROSS A RECALL THAT MY CAR WAS KNOWN FOR. THE MAT UNDER THE PASSENGER SEAT HAD MALFUNCTIONED AND KEPT THROWING OFF MY AIRBAG LIGHT. THIS WOULD NOT ALLOW MY AIRBAG TO DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT.I WAS NOTIFIED THAT THE FIX WAS GOING TO BE $$$. I HAD TO HAVE IT FIXED SINCE ITS MY ONLY CAR AND NEEDED IT IN WORKING ORDER. BMW WAS CONTACTED 3 DIFFERENT TIMES ABOUT MY PROBLEM AND THEY ACKNOWLEDGED THAT IT INFACT WAS A RECALL BUT ALL 3 TIMES THEY SAID MY VIN NUMBER DID NOT QUALIFY. WHEN WILL MY CAR QUALIFY? I JUST SPENT 900 DOLLARS TO GET THE ISSUE FIXED AND WOULD LIKE TO BE REIMBURSED. *TR

• 11/15/2011· POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  2006 BMW X3 SERIOUS BUCKING OF TRANSMISSION ABOVE THREE THOUSAND RPM UNDER LOAD GOING UP A HILL BUT ALSO OCCURS ON FLAT GROUND. HAD THE VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE MULTIPLE TIMES AT TWO DIFFERENT DEALERS AND BMW DENIED THAT THERE WAS AN ISSUE. THE CAR WAS STILL UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY. HAD SERVICE REP TAKE A RIDE WITH ME TO SHOW HIM THE ISSUE AND HE ADMITTED THAT THERE WAS AN ISSUE WITH THE CAR. IN THE END TO MAKE A LONG STORY SHORT BMW SAID THEY WOULD NOT FIX THE CAR BECAUSE IT WASN'T A LIFE THREATENING ISSUE. I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY A FEW TIMES WHEN THE CAR STARTED TO BUCK AND I HAD TO MOVE OVER INTO THE SLOW LANE BECAUSE THE CAR WOULD NOT MAINTAIN SPEED. THIS COULD LEAD TO A SERIOUS SITUATION BUT BMW DOESN'T THINK SO. *TR

• 11/14/2016· AIR BAGS

  TAKATA RECALL- MY AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON- I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR ALMOST 1 YEAR FOR MY AIRBAG TO BE REPLACED. I KEEP GETTING TOLD THAT THERE IS NO REMEDY AVAILABLE. THE DEALER NAME: RALPH SCHOMP BMW 1190 PLUM VALLEY LN HIGHLANDS RANCH, CO 80129 1-888-205-2938

• 11/14/2013· AIR BAGS

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW X3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. DISPLAYING THAT THE AIR BAG WAS INOPERABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE INSERTED THE SEAT BELT TO STOP THE WARNING INDICATOR LIGHT FROM ILLUNIMATING BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND DIAGNOSED THERE WAS A AIR BAG SENSOR FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.