Recalls ·2006 BMW X3

2006 BMW X3 recalls and complaints

NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2006 BMW X3; the most frequently affected component is air bags — occupant classification. Owners filed 345 complaints, most often about air bags. Among the 3 model years of this model in the database, 2006 ranks #2 for number of recalls.

Recalls2
Complaints345
Crashes reported2in stored complaints
Fires reported3in stored complaints

Check your own vehicle by VIN at NHTSA →

Recalls (2)

Air bags — Occupant classificationCampaign 17V605000 · 28 Sep 2017

Problem: BMW 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 occupant detection mat that determines if, and how, the passenger frontal air bag should deploy in a crash may fatigue and develop cracks which could lead to a system failure.

Risk: Should the system fail, in the event of a crash, the front passenger air bag would be deactivated, increasing the risk of personal injury.

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger seat occupant detection mat, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed on November 27, 2017. A second notification letter will be sent when parts are available. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Air bags — FrontalCampaign 08V384000 · 05 Aug 2008

Problem: Bmw 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 manner and frequency of the front passenger's entry and exit, small cracks have developed in the mat. If this occurs, the front passenger air bags, with the exception of the head protection system, will be deactivated and the air bag warning lamp as well as the passenger air bag "on-off" lamp will be illuminated.

Risk: In this situation the front passenger air bags will not deploy even if a sufficiently severe accident would occur and occupant protection provided by the system would not be possible.

Remedy: Dealers will rework the front passenger seat sensor mat so that external force application to the seat does not cause a crack to the mat. The recall began on november 6, 2008. Bmw will also extend the warranty on these vehicles to 10 years from first registration without any mileage limit. Owners may contact bmw at 1-800-525-7417.

What owners complain about

Share of the 33 most recent complaints stored for this model year, by component. Owners can list more than one component.

Air bags20 · 61%
Seats10 · 30%
Electrical system3 · 9%
Engine2 · 6%
Unknown or other2 · 6%
Electronic stability control (esc)1 · 3%
Seat belts1 · 3%
Forward collision avoidance1 · 3%

When complaints were filed

201811
201913
20201
20214
20223
20261

From owner complaints

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…

Air bags · Dec 2022 · NHTSA complaint record

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…

Seats · Dec 2019 · NHTSA complaint record

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…

Air bags · Dec 2021 · NHTSA complaint record

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.

Electrical system · Nov 2021 · NHTSA complaint record

How this year compares

Recalls per model year for this model.

Related pages

Source

Recall and complaint records from the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). A recall listed here may not apply to every vehicle of this model year — always check your VIN with NHTSA or a dealer.