2006 BMW 325CI: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 36 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is air bags (66% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Jan 2020
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 36 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The headlights in my car both went out because of this wiring issue. The wiring insulation inside the headlight is very prone to cracking and subsequently breaking which causes the headlight to not function. I have repaired this issue myself on both headlights for almost every wire going into the igniter. No headlights is a major safety issue at night, and due to the cracking along all of the wiring, it could go out at any time again. I had this issue looked at by the dealership and they tried to sell me new bulbs instead. In the picture you can see the 3 repaired wires already and the 4th needed repair, the black wire, got severed.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Jul 2024
“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 vehicle with PCV valve heater failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 142,000.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Feb 2022
“Drivers side low beam started flashing when car hit bumps and while turning the steering wheel to the right. Opened bulb access cover to check the bulb and found that the majority of the wiring inside the headlight assembly has hardened and flaking insulation, exposing bare copper wire and allowing it to short out. Removed the headlight assembly for a more through inspection and discovered the same damage on the high beam wiring and deterioration on the entire wiring harness inside the light. Serious safety risk as well as fire risk.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Feb 2020
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2006 bmw 325ci. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 20v018000 (air bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. Bmw of louisville (2200 blankenbaker pkwy, louisville, ky 40299, (502) 287-1501) was contacted and confirmed that the part was not available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jan 2020
“My dealer said a rear spring in my used bmw is cracked. The other rear spring has been replaced with an after market spring. I see on the internet that my type bmw has many problems with rear cracked springs. A manufacturing defect? The after market spring most likely replacing another cracked rear spring”Owner report · Suspension · May 2017
“Upon receiving a safety recall for both airbags back in november 2016, I have requested repeatedly to my local dealer (bmw of atlantic city) to remedy this for over a year now. At first I called the service department and was told I would be contacted once the parts arrived. Then, and after months of waiting I called back and got the same response. I called their main office at that point and got the same line from them. Finally I email them early january and month has passed with no reply.... Please advise on how to replace my faulty airbags....thank you...john”Owner report · Air Bags · Nov 2016
“Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2006 bmw 325ci. The contact received a notice for NHTSA campaign number: 15v318000 (air bags), however, the parts needed were not available. The contact believed that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the parts to become available. The dealer and manufacturer were contacted regarding the delay. The contact had not experienced the failure. Parts distribution disconnect.”Owner report · Air Bags · Aug 2016
“Takata recall. I received a letter from bmw dated august 2016 regarding the recall no. 15v-318 driver's air bag module and 13v-172/14v-42b passenger's air bag module. I have contacted dealer advantage bmw midtown - 713-289-1200 for months and they indicate they are still waiting on the part. Meanwhile, I am driving around in an unsafe car. *tr”Owner report · Air Bags · Aug 2016
“Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2006 bmw 325ci. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15v318000 (air bags). The part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer 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. ...updated 09/14/16 *bf *js”Owner report · Air Bags · Jul 2016
“Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2006 bmw 325ci. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15v318000 (air bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.”Owner report · Air Bags · May 2016
When filing, owners marked a crash in 1 of these complaints and injuries in 0 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
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.
Remedy: 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 Activity vehicle from this recall. Those vehicles were mistakenly identified as including the air bags that are subject to this recall.
CERTAIN CARDONE MASTER CYLINDERS WITH PART NUMBERS 10-2925, 10-2987, 10-2987MZA, 10-3083, 11-3015, 11-3042, 11-3044, 11-3045, 11-3047, 11-3064, AND 11-3156, AND WITH DATE CODES LOWER THAN DCA7078 SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE SEAL ON MASTER CYLINDER CAN FAIL AND LEAK BRAKE FLUID.
Remedy: CARDONE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE ANY DEFECTIVE MASTER CYLINDERS. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING APRIL 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT CARDONE AT 1-800-777-4780.
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.
Remedy: 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.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2006 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact 325CI by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2006 BMW 325CI reliable?
NHTSA has 36 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 2006 BMW 325CI. The most complained-about area is air bags (66% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2006 BMW 325CI problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 49,342 miles or less.
Does the 2006 BMW 325CI have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.