- The 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.
- The 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.
- The fix
- 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.
Vehicle safety record
2006 BMW X3 Problems, complaints & recalls
No owner complaints about the 2006 BMW X3 have been filed with NHTSA. It is covered by 2 recalls, the latest in September 2017 for the occupant classification.
NHTSA data checked
AFar fewer problems than a typical X3 year, for its age
- Complaints
- 0
- Recalls
- 2
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
2006 BMW X3 recalls 2
Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do
- The 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.
- The 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.
- The fix
- 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 say
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No complaints about the 2006 BMW X3 yet
No owner has filed a complaint about this vehicle with NHTSA. If yours has a problem, share it here and report it to NHTSA.
BMW X3: every year compared
All X3 years2006 BMW X3 vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 BMW X3 | 0 | 2 | A | |
| 2006 Acura MDX | 87 | 11 | B | Compare |
| 2006 Land Rover Range Rover | 56 | 2 | D | Compare |
| 2006 Porsche Cayenne | 55 | 3 | F | Compare |
| 2006 Volvo XC90 | 53 | 3 | F | Compare |
| 2006 Land Rover Range Rover Sport | 26 | 6 | C | Compare |
| 2006 Lexus RX | 0 | 1 | A | Compare |
| 2006 BMW X5 | 0 | 2 | A | Compare |
| 2006 BMW 3 Series | 1,243 | 4 | F | Compare |
More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.
Questions about the 2006 BMW X3
Does the 2006 BMW X3 have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2006 BMW X3: occupant classification (September 2017); frontal (August 2008). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.
How many complaints has the 2006 BMW X3 had?
None have been filed with NHTSA so far.
Is the 2006 BMW X3 a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 87 out of 100 (grade A: far fewer problems than a typical BMW X3 year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.
What should I do if my 2006 BMW X3 has a problem?
If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data