RoadVitals

2006 BMW 325XI Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
110
Latest Jan 10, 2026
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
14
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
3

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2006 BMW 325XI, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Airbags

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.

64
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

[XXX] . I have a 2006 BMW e91, but mine is not listed for recall above in the link. Currently have a fault for occupant detection malfunction. I also have sports seats listed in the above document. The sensor will say active when no one is sitting in the seat which is a safety concern. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID 11635374 · filed Jan 10, 2025

The contact owned a 2006 BMW 325XI. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V513000 (Air Bags) and 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) would like to be removed from the recall distribution list. The local dealer and manufacturer were not contacted.

NHTSA ID 11612289 · filed Sep 3, 2024
All 64 reports naming airbags

Steering

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.

14
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

WHILE DRIVING CAR WILL INTERMITTENTLY AND BRIEFLY EXPERIENCE FULL ELECTRONIC OUTAGE CAUSING THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER, VEHICLE LIGHTS, AND ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK TO ENGAGE. AS SOON AS THE ELECTRONIC POWER RETURNS SERVICE LIGHTS DISPLAY ON THE DASHBOARD UNTIL I STOP, FULLY POWER OFF THE VEHICLE WITH THE IGNITION BUTTON AND RESTART THE CAR. THIS HAS ALL HAPPENED AT DRIVING SPEEDS RANGING BETWEEN 15 AND 70 MPH, FORTUNATELY WHILE DRIVING STRAIGHT. IF I OR ANYONE ELSE WOULD HAPPEN TO BE IN A TURN AND THE ELECTRONIC STEERING WHEEL LOCK ENGAGE THE RESULTS COULD POTENTIALLY BE LIFE THREATENING. THIS VEHICLE IS A PRIOR DEALER LEASE THEN SOLD TO A RENTAL COMPANY THEN PURCHASED BY ME. THE VEHICLE REMAINS UNMODIFIED AND HAS BEEB MAINTAINED AND SERVICED WITH ALL OEM OR EQUIVALENT PARTS.

NHTSA ID 11014804 · filed Aug 12, 2017

THIS PAST WEEK A YELLOW PADLOCK POPPED UP ON MY DASHBOARD WHEN I WENT TO START MY CAR. UPON FUTURE RESEARCH I DISCOVERED THAT THIS IT IS A FAULT WITH THE ELECTRIC WHEEL LOCK. I HAVE YET TO FIND OUT WHAT THE ROUTE CAUSE YET BUT FROM WHAT I HAVE SEEN, THIS ISSUE IS WIDE SPREAD AND MANY CASES LEAD TO THE CAR NOT STARTING OR THE WHEELS LOCKING UP. THIS COULD COST UPWARDS OF $1500 TO REPLACE THE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN. I AM AFRAID IF THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN, IT COULD NOT ONLY PREVENT MY CAR FROM STARTING (AS IT HAS WITH MANY OTHER CASES), BUT COULD CAUSE MY STEERING TO LOCK UP WHILE I AM DRIVING. THIS IS SOMETHING I CAN BARELY AFFORD TO FIX, BUT ABSOLUTELY CAN'T AFFORD NOT TO. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS. *TR

NHTSA ID 10934004 · filed Dec 8, 2016
All 14 reports naming steering

Interior & seats

Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.

13
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

I purchased a used car that now has a passenger restraint sensor warning. Please fulfill a recall as this is a recurring issue with bmw

NHTSA ID 11476632 · filed Jul 30, 2022

I HAVE RECEIVED A SENSOR LIGHT STATING THAT I HAVE A PASSENGER RESTRAINT MALFUNCTION. THEN IT GOES AWAY AFTER A FEW DAYS UNTIL SOMEONE ELSE SITS DOWN WHICH WOULD LEAD ME TO BELIEVE THAT IT HAS TO DO WITH THE PRESSURE SENSOR MAT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. I HAVE READ THAT THIS HAPPENS TO BE A RECALL FOR BMW BUT MY VIN APPARENTLY IS NOT COVERED IN THE RECALL. I AM EXTENDING THIS COMPLAINT IN THE HOPES THAT BMW WILL INVESTIGATE AND EXTEND THE RECALL TO MORE MODELS WITH THIS ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ID 10936555 · filed Dec 20, 2016
All 13 reports naming interior & seats

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

12
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

Intermittently on startup/ignition, car electrical shuts completely down. No power to anything and key fob becomes locked in the ignition. After a few minutes the electrical comes back on on its own. This usually only happens in park on startup, however on one occasion, the electrical shut off for about 5 seconds as I was driving 70 MPH on the highway. Car went totally dark and I was fortunately able to control the wheel until power came back.

NHTSA ID 11487102 · filed Sep 29, 2022

WHEN THE IBS IS PLUGGED IN IT DRAINS THE BATTERY FAST , THEN IT WON'T START UNLESS I UNPLUG THE B+ BLUE PLUG , THEN PLUG THE B+ CABLE BACK IN AFTER STARTED SO THE VALVETRONIC ECCENTRIC SHAFT MOTOR HAS POWER , OTHERWISE IT GOES INTO LIMP MODE WITHOUT IT PLUGGED IN , I THOUGHT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS BUT IT STARTS ON THE 2007 E90 I GUESS MINE IS A 2006 .

NHTSA ID 11300209 · filed Jan 17, 2020
All 12 reports naming electrical

Seat belts

Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.

11
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

I purchased a used car that now has a passenger restraint sensor warning. Please fulfill a recall as this is a recurring issue with bmw

NHTSA ID 11476632 · filed Jul 30, 2022

I HAVE RECEIVED A SENSOR LIGHT STATING THAT I HAVE A PASSENGER RESTRAINT MALFUNCTION. THEN IT GOES AWAY AFTER A FEW DAYS UNTIL SOMEONE ELSE SITS DOWN WHICH WOULD LEAD ME TO BELIEVE THAT IT HAS TO DO WITH THE PRESSURE SENSOR MAT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. I HAVE READ THAT THIS HAPPENS TO BE A RECALL FOR BMW BUT MY VIN APPARENTLY IS NOT COVERED IN THE RECALL. I AM EXTENDING THIS COMPLAINT IN THE HOPES THAT BMW WILL INVESTIGATE AND EXTEND THE RECALL TO MORE MODELS WITH THIS ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ID 10936555 · filed Dec 20, 2016
All 11 reports naming seat belts

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

7
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The contact owned a 2006 BMW 325XI. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V513000 (Air Bags) and 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) would like to be removed from the recall distribution list. The local dealer and manufacturer were not contacted.

NHTSA ID 11612289 · filed Sep 3, 2024

The contact owns a 2006 BMW 325XI. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ID 11469362 · filed Jun 15, 2022

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Visibility

Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 325XI. WHILE DRIVING UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE HEATER BLOWER FAILED TO DISBURSE AIR AND THE PANEL INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CALLED A LOCAL DEALER (ERHARD BMW OF BLOOMFIELD, 1845 S TELEGRAPH RD, BLOOMINGFIELD HILLS, MI 48302) AND WAS ADVISED TO SCHEDULE A SERVICE APPOINTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE LOCAL DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. *BF *TR

NHTSA ID 11057111 · filed Dec 28, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 325XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE OPENING THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW, THE GLASS WENT OFF TRACK AND FELL INTO THE DOOR PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR WINDOW REGULATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE FAILURE HAD OCCURRED ONCE ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW AND THREE TIMES ON THE REAR DRIVER SIDE WINDOWS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 114,000.

NHTSA ID 10985898 · filed May 16, 2017

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Body & structure

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

DOOR ACTUATOR FAILURE. DRIVER SIDE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM OUTSIDE UNLESS YOU USE THE PHYSICAL KEY, WILL NOT OPEN FROM INSIDE ONCE IT LOCKS AND YOU MUST CLIMB OVER SEAT TO EXIT BACK OR PASSENGER DOORS. SOMETIMES DOOR WILL UNLOCK IF YOU ROLL DOWN THE WINDOW AND USE THE KEY ON THE OUTSIDE LOCK BUT USUALLY THAT DOES NOT WORK. SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE, YOU COULD BE TRAPPED INSIDE THE CAR IN AN EMERGENCY. DOORS LOCK AUTOMATICALLY AT 5 MPH OR SO AND YOU ARE LOCKED INSIDE WITH A HANDLE THAT DOES NOT WORK.

NHTSA ID 11066578 · filed Feb 2, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 325XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS UNABLE TO OPEN ANY OF THE VEHICLE DOORS, OTHER THAN THE DRIVER SIDE, BY USING THE KEY FOB OR MANUALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT ONE OF THE LOCK MECHANISMS WAS DEFECTIVE AND THE SENSOR WAS NOT STRONG ENOUGH AS A RESULT BOTH THE LOCK MECHANISM AND SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 76,000. UPDATED 06/06/12 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE SAME FAILURE OCCURRED TO THE FUEL DOOR, RENDERING HIM UNABLE TO FUEL THE CAR. UPDATED 06/07/12 *JS

NHTSA ID 10457066 · filed May 1, 2012

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Suspension

Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 325XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHENEVER THE VEHICLE HITS A BUMP, THE FRONT RIGHT TIRE SHAKES AND MAKES NOISE. THE DEALER LOOKED AT THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS CAUSED BY THE LOWER CONTROL ARM. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED.THERE IS A RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER 06V40000, WHICH DEALS WITH THE LOWER CONTROL ARM, HOWEVER HIS VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT KNOWN, THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90000.

NHTSA ID 10357006 · filed Sep 22, 2010

I WAS DRIVING MY 2006 BMW 3-SERIES (325XI SPORTS WAGON), WITH ONLY 30,000 MILES ON IT, YESTERDAY. I HEARD SOMETHING BREAK AND FELT LIKE MY CAR WAS OUT OF CONTROL. MY MECHANIC SAID THE LOWER CONTROL ARM ON PASSENGER REAR WHEEL SNAPPED. IF I WAS DRIVING FAST I COULD HAVE CRASHED. *TR

NHTSA ID 10343812 · filed Jul 18, 2010

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Tires & wheels

Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

THE VEHICLE WAS USED UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. THE TREAD OF THE TIRE BEGAN DE-LAMINATING FROM THE TIRE AFTER 40K MILES. FORTUNATELY THE CAR WAS IN FOR SERVICE AND THE MECHANIC FOUND THE DEFECTIVE TIRES BEFORE THEY CAME APART WHILE DRIVING. ALL 4 TIRES WERE REPLACED, BUT THE OLD TIRES REMAIN IN MY POSSESSION. *TR

NHTSA ID 10535455 · filed Aug 15, 2013

I HAVE HAD THREE SEPARATE INSTANCES IN A NINE MONTH PERIOD STARTING IN MAY OF 2010 OF ALLOY WHEELS CRACKING ON MY 2006 BMW 325XIT, WHICH HAS RUN FLAT TIRES. THE DEALER SAID IT IS FROM HITTING POT HOLES, CURBS, OR PARKING BLOCKS. I FIND THIS TO BE VERY UNUSUAL AS I LIVE IN A WARMER STATE WHERE THERE ARE VERY FEW POT HOLES, AND I HAVE NOT HIT A CURB OR PARKING BLOCK. MOREOVER, IN THIRTY-THREE YEARS OF DRIVING, I HAVE NEVER HAD A SINGLE WHEEL CRACK ON ANY CAR THAT I OWNED. I ALSO OWN A 2002 BMW (THAT DOES NOT HAVE RUN FLATS) AND HAVE NEVER HAD A WHEEL CRACK ON IT. A REVIEW OF THE INTERNET REVEALS COMPLAINTS BY BMW OWNERS WITH RUN FLAT TIRES EXPERIENCING REPEATED WHEEL CRACKS. IT APPEARS THAT THE RUN FLAT TIRES MAY NOT COMPATIBLE WITH THE WHEELS. YET, NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE BY BMW TO RECALL OR CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION AND VERY EXPENSIVE WITH THE WHEELS COSTING $345 EACH TO REPLACE. *TR

NHTSA ID 10386855 · filed Mar 8, 2011

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 525XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR ROUTINE REPAIRS WHEN HE WAS ADVISED THAT THE BRAKE BOOSTER WOULD NEED TO BE REPAIRED BECAUSE OIL WAS LEAKING INSIDE THE BRAKE BOOSTER AND RENDERING THE BRAKES USELESS. THE MANUFACTURE WAS CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,000. THE CURRENT VEHICLE MILEAGE WAS 106,000. *TR

NHTSA ID 10568291 · filed Mar 10, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 325XI. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. UPON RESTARTING IT, THE VEHICLE RESPONDED NORMALLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED FOUR TIMES INTERMITTENTLY. IN ADDITION, THE ABS, DSC AND AWD WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED SPORADICALLY ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR WAS THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

NHTSA ID 10511655 · filed May 13, 2013

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Other / unspecified

Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

I HAVE HAD THREE SEPARATE INSTANCES IN A NINE MONTH PERIOD STARTING IN MAY OF 2010 OF ALLOY WHEELS CRACKING ON MY 2006 BMW 325XIT, WHICH HAS RUN FLAT TIRES. THE DEALER SAID IT IS FROM HITTING POT HOLES, CURBS, OR PARKING BLOCKS. I FIND THIS TO BE VERY UNUSUAL AS I LIVE IN A WARMER STATE WHERE THERE ARE VERY FEW POT HOLES, AND I HAVE NOT HIT A CURB OR PARKING BLOCK. MOREOVER, IN THIRTY-THREE YEARS OF DRIVING, I HAVE NEVER HAD A SINGLE WHEEL CRACK ON ANY CAR THAT I OWNED. I ALSO OWN A 2002 BMW (THAT DOES NOT HAVE RUN FLATS) AND HAVE NEVER HAD A WHEEL CRACK ON IT. A REVIEW OF THE INTERNET REVEALS COMPLAINTS BY BMW OWNERS WITH RUN FLAT TIRES EXPERIENCING REPEATED WHEEL CRACKS. IT APPEARS THAT THE RUN FLAT TIRES MAY NOT COMPATIBLE WITH THE WHEELS. YET, NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE BY BMW TO RECALL OR CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION AND VERY EXPENSIVE WITH THE WHEELS COSTING $345 EACH TO REPLACE. *TR

NHTSA ID 10386855 · filed Mar 8, 2011

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Exterior lighting

Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

LEFT BLINKER REPEATEDLY KEEPS NOT WORKING, HAVE HAD IT REPAIRED NUMEROUS TIMES AND IT KEEPS NOT WORKING?

NHTSA ID 11083740 · filed Apr 7, 2018

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Driver assistance

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

MY SON TURNED RIGHT FROM A COMPLETE STOP AT THE STOP SIGN. HE ACCELERATED TO THE APPROPRIATE SPEED PRIOR TO THE UPCOMING TURN (25MPH) HE THEN LET OFF THE GAS GOING INTO THE TURN TO COAST BEFORE BRAKING. THE CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE UP TO 40-45 MPH DUE TO FLOOR MAT ENTRAPMENT BECAUSE THERE IS NO FLOOR MAT RETENTION SYSTEM. HE WAS LOSING CONTROL OF THE CAR AS HE TRIED TO MOVE THE FLOOR MAT AWAY FROM THE GAS PEDAL. HE THEN SLID OFF THE ROAD WHILE CONTINUING TO BRAKE, OVERCORRECTED AND WENT OFF THE OTHER SIDE AS WELL. ALL THE WHILE HE WAS TRYING TO STOP THE CAR. *TR

NHTSA ID 10596848 · filed Jun 7, 2014

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .