2006 BMW 325XI Complaints and Recall Information
The 2006 BMW 325XI has 1 complaint and 7 recalls filed with NHTSA. Owners most frequently report issues related to the occupant detection system in the front passenger seat. The complaint describes the occupant detection sensor activating incorrectly when the seat is empty, which is considered a safety concern.
Common Issues
- Occupant detection malfunction. The front passenger seat sensor may register as active even when no occupant is present, raising safety concerns about airbag deployment.
There are 7 recalls affecting multiple systems, including airbag components, engine emission controls, and electrical wiring. These recalls address safety defects such as airbag inflator explosions, occupant detection mat failures, electrical shorts, and wiring overheating.
Recalls
- Occupant classification sensor. Recall 13V564000 affects 76,565 vehicles and involves cracking of the occupant detection mat in the front passenger seat. Cracks can cause system failure, potentially deactivating the passenger airbag during a crash. BMW provided interim notification in 2014 and later repaired or replaced the mat free of charge.
- Driver airbag inflator module. Recall 24V513000 covers 394,029 vehicles including the 2006 325XI. The defect occurs when sport or M-sport steering wheels with inflators installed may explode on deployment, risking injury or death from metal fragments. Dealers inspect and replace airbag modules at no cost to owners; notifications were sent in August 2024.
- Crankcase ventilation valve heater. Recall 19V273000 affects 184,505 vehicles. The positive crankcase ventilation valve heater may short circuit and melt internal parts, increasing fire risk even when parked. Repairs involve replacing the PCV valve heater for free, and the recall began in May 2019.
- Occupant classification sensor. Recall 17V428000 pertains to 2,158 affected vehicles with sport seat options. The occupant detection mat may crack and fail, deactivating the front passenger airbag in a crash. Repairs were provided free of charge starting September 2017.
- Driver airbag inflator replacement. Recall 20V017000 impacts 59,965 vehicles with interim remedy inflators containing PSAN propellant that can degrade and explode. This can cause serious injury or death from metal fragments. BMW replaces driver airbags or inflators free of charge; the recall started in March 2020.
- Electrical wiring for HVAC system. Recall 17V676000 involves 702,965 vehicles. Wiring and connectors controlling heating and air conditioning airflow may overheat and melt, increasing fire risk even when the vehicle is parked. BMW notifies owners and replaces components free of charge. Interim notifications began November 2017.
Owners facing repeated repairs or unresolved safety recalls may want to explore their rights under their state’s lemon law. Legal assistance can help navigate potential claims involving ongoing defects or recall-related issues.
2006 BMW 325XI Summary
2006
Model Year
1
Total Complaints
6
Total Recalls
1420187
Vehicles Affected
Recalls
2006 BMW 325XI
394029 vehicles affected
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2006-2011 3 Series Sedan (324i, 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi), 2006-2012 3 Series Sportswagon (325xi, 328i, 328xi), and 2009-2011 3 Series Sedan (335d) vehicles. The original steering wheel may have been replaced with a sport or M-sport steering wheel equipped with an inflator that can explode during deployment.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
2006 BMW 325XI
59965 vehicles affected
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 xDrive35i, 2007-2013 328i, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335is, 335i xDrive and M3 Coupes, 2006-2011 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive and M3, 2009-2011 335D, 2006-2012 325xi, 328i, 328xi and 328i xDrive, 2010-2011 X6 ActiveHybrid, 2007-2013 328i, 335i, 335is, M3 Coupes, X5 30si, X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 48i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5 M, 2009-2013 X5 xDrive35d and 2008-2014 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6M vehicles equipped with non-desiccated driver frontal air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) 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.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
2006 BMW 325XI
184505 vehicles affected
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CRANKCASE (PCV)
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2006 525i, 525xi, 530i, 530xi, 530xi Sports Wagon, 325i, 325xi, 325xi Sports Wagon, 330i, 330xi, Z4 3.0i and Z4 3.0si vehicles. The heater for the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve may short circuit.
Risk: An electrical short can cause the parts within the PCV valve to melt, increasing the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is not in use.
2006 BMW 325XI
702965 vehicles affected
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 vehicles. The wiring and electrical connectors for the system that controls air flow for the heating and air conditioning system may overheat.
Risk: Wiring that overheats could cause the electrical connectors to melt, and increase the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is unattended.
2006 BMW 325XI
2158 vehicles affected
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION
BMW of North America, Inc. (BMW) is recalling certain 2006 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi, 525i, 525xi, 530i, 530xi, and 550i vehicles equipped with the Sport Seat option and certain 2006 525i, 525xi, 530i, 530xi, 550i vehicles with standard seats. 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.
2006 BMW 325XI
76565 vehicles affected
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION
BMW of North America LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2006 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi sedans and 325xi sports wagons, model year 2007 328i, 328xi, 335i, 335xi sedans and 328i and 328xi sports wagons, model year 2006-2007 525i, 525xi, 530i, 530xi, 550i sedans and 530xi sports wagons, model year 2006 760i sedans, model year 2006-2007 750i, 750Li, and 760Li sedans, and model year 2006 X5 sports activity vehicles, equipped with certain seat types. 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.
Complaints
2006 BMW 325XI
ID: 2054610AIR 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)