Owners have filed 143 complaints
about the 2006 BMW 325XI with NHTSA between 2010 and 2026.
The largest single group is the airbags.
Across this model's run it ranks 2 of 6 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 100
Against the median year of the BMW 325XI. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 14
2.8% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 11
6% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
Under 1,000 miles
10.9%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
21.8%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
1412.4%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
2824.8%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
3531.0%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
2219.5%
150,000+ miles
119.7%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Mar 2010peak 11Jan 2026
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Ironwood, MIFire
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
My vehicle was parked in the driveway in front of my house and had not been driven for several days. I walked outside and noticed the engine fan was running so I opened the driver‘s door and noticed white smoke coming from the glove box compartment. I opened the glove box and noted a small fire which within a matter of approximately five minutes had turned into a full-blown fire throughout the vehicle I was able to call 911 and have a fire department here before my house caught on fire although it did damage the siding on the front of the house and the tail light and rear passenger fender area of the Polaris razor
NHTSA complaint #11710135 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 95,000 milesManassas, VAFire1 injured
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 325XI. WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS ACTIVATED, SMOKE FILLED THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. FLAMES APPEARED AND THE VEHICLE EXPLODED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND FILED A REPORT. THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED BURNS TO THE HAND, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000.
NHTSA complaint #10897625 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 70,989 milesBrownsburg, INCrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
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.
NHTSA complaint #10596848 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Ironwood, MIFire
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
My vehicle was parked in the driveway in front of my house and had not been driven for several days. I walked outside and noticed the engine fan was running so I opened the driver‘s door and noticed white smoke coming from the glove box compartment. I opened the glove box and noted a small fire which within a matter of approximately five minutes had turned into a full-blown fire throughout the vehicle I was able to call 911 and have a fire department here before my house caught on fire although it did damage the siding on the front of the house and the tail light and rear passenger fender area of the Polaris razor
NHTSA complaint #11710135 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chattanooga, TN
AIR BAGS
[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 complaint #11635374 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Socorro, NM
AIR BAGS
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 complaint #11612289 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Socorro, NM
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
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 complaint #11612289 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Crystal Lake, IL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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 complaint #11487102 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bensenville, IL
SEATS
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 complaint #11476632 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bensenville, IL
SEAT BELTS
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 complaint #11476632 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bensenville, IL
AIR BAGS
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 complaint #11476632 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Williamsport, PA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
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 complaint #11469362 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Woodbridge, CT
AIR BAGS
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 325XI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V017000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PARTS FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WERE NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #11300083 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 110,000 milesAndover, MN
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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 complaint #11300209 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 110,000 milesAndover, MN
ENGINE
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 complaint #11300209 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 190,000 milesCharlottesville, VA
AIR BAGS
THERE HAS ALREADY BEEN A MAJOR RECALL FOR MOST 2006 326XI MODELS THAT NEEDS TO BE ALSO EXTENDES TO MY VEHICLE. IT IS OBVIOUSLY AN ISSUE ON OTHER MODELS, AND THE MANUFSCTURER NEEDS TO CORRECT THIS BEFORE PEOPLE ARE HARMED SINCE BY DEFAULT THE MODULE ASSUMES NOONE IS SITTING THERE AND WILL NOT DEPLOY.
NHTSA complaint #11243133 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bear, DE
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 325XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AN UNKNOWN WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED, THE VEHICLE HESITATED WHILE DRIVING, AND THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE WHEN THE ENGINE WAS STARTED. THE CONTACT REACHED OUT TO UNION PARK BMW (1900 PENNSYLVANIA AVE, WILMINGTON, DE 19806, (302) 658-7245) SEVERAL TIMES PERTAINING TO THE FAILURES. A TECHNICIAN WAS SENT TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V676000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE CONTACT WAS UNCERTAIN IF THERE WAS AN INTERNAL ELECTRICAL FAILURE, WHICH COULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO POTENTIALLY STALL AND/OR CATCH ON FIRE. THE TECHNICIAN INDICATED THAT THE MICRO-FILTER NEEDED TO BE CHANGED, BUT THE PART WAS NOT REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #11162222 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bear, DE
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 325XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AN UNKNOWN WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED, THE VEHICLE HESITATED WHILE DRIVING, AND THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE WHEN THE ENGINE WAS STARTED. THE CONTACT REACHED OUT TO UNION PARK BMW (1900 PENNSYLVANIA AVE, WILMINGTON, DE 19806, (302) 658-7245) SEVERAL TIMES PERTAINING TO THE FAILURES. A TECHNICIAN WAS SENT TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V676000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE CONTACT WAS UNCERTAIN IF THERE WAS AN INTERNAL ELECTRICAL FAILURE, WHICH COULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO POTENTIALLY STALL AND/OR CATCH ON FIRE. THE TECHNICIAN INDICATED THAT THE MICRO-FILTER NEEDED TO BE CHANGED, BUT THE PART WAS NOT REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #11162222 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 152,000 milesRaleigh, NC
AIR BAGS
TAKATA AIR BAGS MY AIR BAG LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON, MY CAR IS EFFECTED BY THE RECALL BUT WHEN I RUN THE VIN # IT'S NOT SHOWING UP. IT'S A SAFETY PROBLEM AND I'M AFRAID THE AIR BAGS WILL DEPLOY WHILE DRIVING.
NHTSA complaint #11153367 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Washington, NC
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 325XI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V676000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. SALE BMW (1053 US-258, KINSTON, NC 28504, (252) 520-2380) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS UNABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #11103468 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Swansea, MA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
LEFT BLINKER REPEATEDLY KEEPS NOT WORKING, HAVE HAD IT REPAIRED NUMEROUS TIMES AND IT KEEPS NOT WORKING?
NHTSA complaint #11083740 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 135,000 milesSAN Anselmo, CA
STRUCTURE:BODY
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 complaint #11066578 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 131,000 milesSacramento, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 325XI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V676000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). 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 DEALER (NIELLO BMW, 2020 FULTON AVE, SACRAMENTO, CA 95825, (916) 486-1011) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS UNABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT NOTICED A BURNING ODOR INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 131,000. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #11057361 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,002 milesDetroit, MI
VISIBILITY/WIPER
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
NHTSA complaint #11057111 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 55,000 milesSouthbury, CT
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 325XI. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE AIR BAG SENSOR INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED, WHICH INDICATED A POSSIBLE FAILURE WITH THE AIR BAGS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE OCCUPANCY SENSOR MAT WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT LATER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V564000 (AIR BAGS) FOR THE SAME FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE LOCAL DEALER (HOFFMAN BMW IN WATERTOWN, CT) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000.
NHTSA complaint #11048048 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Urbandale, IA
AIR BAGS
PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM - MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHT JUST CAME ON. FOUND NUMEROUS ARTICLES ON INTERNET AND NHTSA RECALLS FOR "FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT DEFECT". I CONTACTED BMW AND WAS ADVISED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR MY VIN, HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM APPEARS TO BE IDENTICAL TO THE NUMEROUS OTHER COMPLAINTS.
NHTSA complaint #11044278 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Statesville, NC
AIR BAGS
THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR IN MY 2006 BMW IS DEFECTIVE WHETHER THE CAR IS IN MOTION OR STATIONARY BUT ONLY WHEN THE CAR IS ON. MAKING THE PASSENGER AIRBAGS TURNED OFF DURING THE EVENT OF A CRASH, MANY OTHER 2006 BMWS LIKE MINE ARE AFFECTED WITH THIS ISSUE. A RECALL HAS BEEN DONE FOR BMWS FOR MODELS 2007 AND NEWER BUT NOT FOR THE 2006 MODEL YEAR. A RECALL NEEDS TO BE DONE FOR THIS YEAR MAKE TO INSURE THE SAFETY OF PEOPLE AND PASSENGERS RIDING IN THIS CAR.
NHTSA complaint #11043124 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 210,000 milesGalion, OH
STEERING
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 complaint #11014804 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.