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2006 Bmw M3

The Verdict

51 Proceed with Caution

The 2006 Bmw M3 has 216 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are electrical (135 complaints) and body (56 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 51/100, it earns a "Proceed with Caution" rating. If you're shopping for a Bmw M3, consider the 2022 model year which has 99% fewer complaints.

Safe Bet

The 2022 has 99% fewer complaints

View the 2022 Bmw M3 dashboard →

51

Klunk Score: Proceed with Caution

About average for complaint volume. Research the specific issues before buying.

How is this calculated?

The Klunk Score ranks this vehicle year against all others in our database based on total owner complaints filed with NHTSA. 100 = fewest complaints (top tier), 0 = most complained-about. Scores above 60 are better than average; below 40 means more problems than most.

Recalls 2

Active safety recalls from NHTSA for this vehicle year.

17V676000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2006-2011 323i, 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi and M3, 2007-2011 328i xDrive, 335i xDrive and 335is and 2009-2011 335d vehic...

Risk

Wiring that overheats could cause the electrical connectors to melt, and increase the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is unattended.

Remedy

BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the wiring and electrical connectors, free of charge. Interim letters were mailed on November 27, 2017. Owners will receive a second notice when t...

Reported Apr 10, 2026

20V017000 AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 128i and 135i Convertibles, 128i, 135i, and M Coupes, 2007-2010 X3 30si and X3 xDrive30i, 2013-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i and X1 ...

Risk

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

Remedy

BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver air bag. On X5 and X6 vehicles, only the inflator will be replaced. All repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began Mar...

Reported Apr 10, 2026

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Under the Hood

Each number is a complaint. Darker = bigger problem.

YearBodyBrakesElectricalEngineTransmission
200151134
2005612532
2006563135184
200822162635
20091014624
201001941
20113114203
201200420
201300742
201510030
201610031
201700111
201810070
202120100
202200001
202520000

By Category

Electrical
135
Body
56
Engine
18
Transmission
4
Brakes
3

By Severity

1
108
2
100
3
1
4
7

Worst Problems

Complaints

Body 2

FIRESTONE FIREHAWK INDY 500 TIRE FAILED ON SIDEWALL

63mo ago
Engine 1

COOLANT HOSES RELEASED AND RADIATOR SPLIT OPEN -- APPEARED WHILE DRIVING --- FLUID RELEASED ONTO WINDSHIELD

85mo ago
Electrical 4

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE GLOVE BOX DEPARTMENT CAUGHT ON FIRE.

90mo ago
Electrical 2

I WAS RECEIVING A IMAGINE ON THE ON BOARD COMPUTER SAYING THAT MY HEADLIGHTS WERE NOT WORKING. UPON INSPECTION INSIDE THE HEADLIGHT'S CASING, I SAW THAT ALL OF THE WIRING'S PROTECTION HAD COMPLETELY FELL OFF (PROBABLY DUE TO THE HUMID SOUTHERN CLIMATE OF NORTH TEXAS) LEAVING ALMOST ALL OF THE WIRING ON BOTH SIDES OF MY HEADLIGHTS (DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE) COMPLETELY EXPOSED. THE COPPER WIRING INSIDE IS ALMOST ALL EXPOSED. OBVIOUSLY THIS IS CAUSING THE HEADLIGHTS TO SHORT AND LEAVING ME WITH NO VISIBILITY WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. THIS IS A MODEL WITHOUT ANGEL EYES, SO MY DRL DO NOT WORK WHAT SO EVER. THESE HEADLIGHTS ARE COMPLETELY STOCK, SO THIS IS A FACTORY FAULT. VERY UNHAPPY WITH THIS. THANKS BMW FOR THE "FANTASTIC" ENGINEERING! SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER A RECALL.

90mo ago
Engine 2

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.

92mo ago
Electrical 2

RECALL 17V-676: BLOWER MOTOR WIRING BURNING HOT AIR FROM THE VENT IS IN WITH OR WITHOUT FAN ON (MOTION OR PARKING). IT IS OVERDUE AND NO RESPONSE FROM BMW OF AMERICA, LLC AS I KEPT ON CALLING THE OFFICE MANY TIMES SINCE 12/16/2017 LETTER RECEIVED. 1/19/2018 6/5/2018 8/20/2018 10/12/2018 TO NHTSA 11/5/2018

93mo ago
Electrical 2

ELECTRONIC STEERING WHEEL LOCK. THIS IS IN THE STEERING COLUMN WHEN IT FAILS THE CAR WILL NOT START. IT SEEMS TO BE A PRETTY COMMON PROBLEM. I WAS HOPING THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE, BUT CAN NOT FIND ONE.

97mo ago
Body 2

DOORS WILL NOT UNLOCK, SERIOUS HAZARD IN EMERGENCY SITUATION IF DOORS WON'T UNLOCK. DOORS LOCK/UNLOCK PROBLEM, I'VE HAD TO EXIT THRU WINDOWS. NO MANUAL UNLOCK FROM INSIDE VEHICLE. MECHANISM IS OPERATIONAL, MUST BE COMPUTER PROBLEM. FUSE REPLACED,CKD MANY THREADS WITH SAME ISSUE. WWW.BIMMERFEST.COM / 3 + TIMES HAPPENED TO ME.

98mo ago
Electrical 2

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 3 SERIES. WHEN THE CONTACT PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FROM ONE SOURCE MOTORS (10633 NORTHLAND DR NE, ROCKFORD, MI 49341, (616) 951-7068), HE WAS NOT INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS) AND NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V676000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). SHARPE BMW (1010 28TH ST SE, GRAND RAPIDS, MI 49508, (616) 452-5101) SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT AND INDICATED THAT THE AIR BAG REPAIR HAD BEEN COMPLETED, BUT DID NOT ADDRESS THE REPAIR FOR THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE PART WAS UNAVAILABLE AND HAD NOT PROVIDED A TIME FRAME TO PROVIDE THE PART TO THE DEALER. IN ADDITION, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED, WHICH WAS A SAFETY CONCERN. SHARPE BMW DIAGNOSED THAT THE FLOORMAT SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER BOTH STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY AIR BAG RECALLS TO COVER THE FLOORMAT SENSOR FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V676000 AND PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000.

99mo ago
Transmission 2

THE SMG TRANSMISSION INTERMITTENTLY COMES OUT OF GEAR IN ANY SITUATION AND IS VERY DANGEROUS WHEN IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AND/OR ON A HIGHWAY AND LOOSE ALL POWER. I HAVE HAD SEVERAL CLOSE CALL ACCIDENTS AT HIGH SPEEDS. I HAVE READ MANY ARTICLES STATING THE SAME ISSUE WITH MANY OWNERS FOR THIS TYPE OF TRANSMISSION WITH A POSSIBLE DEFECTIVE HEAT SENSOR ON THE HYDRAULIC PUMP. BMW REFUSES TO RECOGNIZE THIS IS A FACTORY DEFECT AND FORCING OWNERS TO PAY OUT OF POCKET $3000 TO $4000 FOR A PUMP REPLACEMENT WITHOUT A GUARANTEE OF FIXING THE ISSUE. I AM STUCK WITH AN UNSAFE CAR AND CANNOT SELL IT THIS WAY.

100mo ago
Electrical 1

COMPLETE LOSS OF ELECTRICAL POWER WHILE DRIVING, USUALLY FROM 30 TO 70 MPH, ON A CITY STREET, COUNTRY ROAD AND INTERSTATE HIGHWAY. THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES SINCE BUYING THE CAR SECOND HAND IN JULY 2017 TO THE PRESENT JANUARY 2018. WE WILL NO LONGER DRIVE THE CAR SINCE IT IS QUITE FRIGHTENING TO LOSE POWER WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY IN TRAFFIC. ALSO, SEVERAL TIMES THERE IS NO ELECTRICAL POWER AT ALL IN THE CAR AFTER STOPPING THE CAR AND TRYING TO RESTART IT. THE BATTERY HAS BEEN TESTED AND IS CHARGED AND WORKING NORMALLY. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE POSITIVE BATTERY CONNECTION AND CABLE TO THE TERMINAL CONNECTION AT THE CABIN FUSE BOX WHICH CAN WEAR OUT AND FAIL FOR BMWS STARTING IN 2007 THAT CAUSE THE SAME PROBLEMS. OUR CAR HAS THE SAME PROBLEM BUT WHY IS IT NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ?

103mo ago
Engine 2

OIL KEEP LEAKING OUT OF TRAINING. IT WAS FIXED TWICE SO FAR. BACK BRAKE LINE KEEPS BREAKING WHEN YOU DRIVE IN SNOW.

103mo ago
Electrical 1

YESTERDAY (01/06/17) - WHILE DRIVING IN MOTION, 2 SIDE AIRBAGS SPONTANEOUSLY EXPLODED, THROWING LOOSE PLASTIC MATERIAL INTO THE CABIN AND INTO MY FACE. CABIN FILLED WITH SMOKE AND BURNING SMELL. I PULLED THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TURNED OFF ENGINE FOR SMOKE TO DISAPPEAR. I AM GOING TO TAKE MY CAR TO BMW DEALER TOMORROW MORNING FOR EVALUATION

103mo ago
Body 2

THIS LETTER IS IN REFERENCE TO TWO MICHELIN PILOT SPORT A/S 3+ 255/35ZR19 96Y TIRES WHICH BOTH FAILED WITHIN 1,130 MILES OF EACH OTHER FROM IDENTICAL FAILURES. THESE TWO FAILURES WERE ON THE INTERIOR SIDEWALL OF THE TIRES. THESE TWO TIRES WERE PURCHASED AND INSTALLED ON THE SAME DAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2016, BY A DEALER. THE CAR HAD 104,775 MILES ON IT AT THE END OF THIS SERVICE. ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 21, WHILE DRIVING TO OHIO FOR THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY I EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE FAILURE OF THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR TIRE (ONE OF THE ABOVE PILOT SPORT TIRES) AT HIGHWAY SPEED AT 121,801 MILES. THE TIRE SEPARATED FROM THE INTERIOR SIDEWALL COMPLETELY. ON DECEMBER 8, 2017, AT 122,934 MILES THE OTHER MICHELIN PILOT SPORT TIRE FROM THE ABOVE SET ALSO FAILED. WHILE IN THE PARKING LOT I HEARD THE PASSENGER REAR TIRE VENTING AIR AND IT QUICKLY WENT FLAT. THE INTERIOR SIDEWALL HARD A LARGE CRACK CIRCLING ALMOST HALF THE TIRE. THESE TWO FAILURES OCCURRED ONLY 1,130 MILES APART IN THE SAME PART OF THE TIRE. THESE TWO TIRES HAD 17,026 AND 18,159 MILES RESPECTIVELY, FAR UNDER THE WARRANTED LIFE AND THE TYPICAL LIFE. THE SECOND FAILURE WAS ACKNOWLEDGED BY MICHELIN IN A CASE I OPENED BASED ON AN EVALUATION OF THE TIRE BY A MICHELIN AUTHORIZED DEALER. MICHELIN HAS NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THE FIRST FAILURE BECAUSE I NO LONGER HAVE THE TIRE.

104mo ago
Electrical 1

TAKATA RECALL. THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR IN MY 2006 BMW IS DEFECTIVE MAKING THE PASSENGER AIRBAGS TURNED OFF DURING THE EVENT OF A CRASH WHEN CAR IS ON OR RUNNING AIRBAG AND SEATBELT LIGHT TURN ON. 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. I USE THIS CAR AS A DAILY DRIVER WITH MY 5 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER. PLEASE UPDATE NEW INFO ASAP

105mo ago
Body 2

STEERING WHEEL LOCK UP LIGHT COME ON AND LOCK UP SOME TIME.

106mo ago
Electrical 2

PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM FAULT. RECEIVED WARNING MESSAGE WHEN PASSENGER SITS IN FRONT SEAT. LIGHT STAYS ON MOST OF TIME.

106mo ago
Electrical 1

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW M3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V428000 AND 15V318000 (AIR BAGS). 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 CONTACT CALLED THE LOCAL DEALER (ADVANCED VALENCIA BMW, 23435 VALENCIA BOULEVARD, VALENCIA, CA 91355) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

106mo ago
Engine 2

ENGINE BOLTS - ALUMINUM BOLT HEADS WERE FOUND BY MECHANIC IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT. ALTHOUGH MECHANIC HAS STATED THIS DOES NOT POSE SAFETY RISK, SEEMS NUMEROUS CUSTOMERS WITH A BMW 3 SERIES 2006 HAVE EXPERIENCED THE ALUMINUM BOLT SHEERING OFF ISSUE.

107mo ago
Electrical 1

BMW CONTINUES TO DRAG ITS FEET ON FIXING RECALL. I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO DRIVE MY VEHICLE FOR OVER 6 MONTHS NOW. CALLED DEALER IN CHARLOTTE NC (HENDRICK BMW ON E. INDEPENDENCE BOULEVARD) MULTIPLE TIMES AND EACH TIME THEY EITHER DO NOT HAVE THE PART OR NEED TO ORDER IT.

107mo ago

216 total

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