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2006 BMW 325ci Problems and Recalls

Owners filed 36 complaints with NHTSA about the 2006 BMW 325ci, most often about the air bags (64% of complaints). It is the 3rd most complained-about 325ci model year since 2000 and has 2 recalls.

⚠ Safety advisory2 recalls for this car came with a do-not-drive warning. See below and check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Complaints36
Recalls2
Crashes reported1
Fires reported0
Injuries reported0

Most common 2006 BMW 325ci problems

  1. Air bags

    23 complaints · 64%

    Parts named most often: frontal.

    The contact owns a 2006 BMW 325 I. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the passenger side air bag warning light illuminated on and off. The passenger's seat was not occupied. The contact also stated that the passenger side air bag warning light illuminated sporadically when the seat was occupied…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2012, at 29,000 miles
    BMW 325ci 2006 front left adaptive headlight wiring deteriorates over time. This cause the wiring to crack and fail. The front left headlight failed while driving, creating a dangerous situation for the driver and others on the road. When the wiring fails the driver cannot display turn signals, use high beams or any…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2018, at 83,000 miles
  2. Engine

    4 complaints · 11%

    Parts named most often: exhaust system.

    The contact owns a 2006 BMW 325ci. The contact stated while stopped at a traffic light, she became aware of smoke coming from under the hood and the odor of something on fire. The vehicle had overheated on several occasions. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a dealer who diagnosed the…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2022, at 142,000 miles
  3. Lights

    4 complaints · 11%

    Headlight wiring insulation is deteriorating and falling apart. Right side headlight wiring is completely damaged and headlight does not work.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2018, at 110,000 miles
    BMW 325ci 2006 front left adaptive headlight wiring deteriorates over time. This cause the wiring to crack and fail. The front left headlight failed while driving, creating a dangerous situation for the driver and others on the road. When the wiring fails the driver cannot display turn signals, use high beams or any…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2018, at 83,000 miles

Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.

2006 BMW 325ci recalls

  1. Air bags: inflator module

    ⚠ Do not driveNHTSA 20V018000 · January 15, 2020 · 292,948 vehicles

    Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

    Fix: 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.

    Full defect summary

    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 as interim remedy parts for previous takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.

  2. Air bags: inflator module

    ⚠ Do not driveNHTSA 15V318000 · May 28, 2015 · 419,235 vehicles

    Risk: 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.

    Fix: 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 customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Note: this recall supersedes recall 14v-348 in its entirety. Additionally, vehicles that have had their driver side frontal air bag replaced previously as part of a recall remedy need to have their air bag replaced under this recall as well. Note: on december 17, 2015 bmw removed the model year 2004 x5 3.0i and 4.4i sports activit

    Full defect summary

    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 the 5-series and x5 vehicles are only included if they are equipped with the optional sports steering wheel. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.

Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.

NHTSA defect investigations

Questions about the 2006 BMW 325ci

What are the most common problems with the 2006 BMW 325ci?
By NHTSA owner complaints: air bags (23 complaints); engine (4 complaints); lights (4 complaints).
How many recalls does the 2006 BMW 325ci have?
2 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from January 15, 2020 (air bags). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
Is the 2006 a bad year for the BMW 325ci?
It is the 3rd most complained-about 325ci model year since 2000, with 36 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.

Other BMW 325ci years

BMW 325ci problems by year