YearToAvoid

2006 BMW 3 Series Engine Problems

NHTSA has 20 owner complaints about engine problems in the 2006 BMW 3 Series, 10% of all 202 complaints for this model year. That is #2 highest engine complaint count among 10 3 Series model years. These complaints report 2 crashes and 4 injuries. Median mileage at failure: 79,000 miles.

Engine complaints
20
10% of 202
Crashes reported
2
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
4
Median mileage
79,000 mi
Related recalls
1

When 2006 BMW 3 Series engine complaints were filed

First complaint Apr 30, 2007, latest Jun 30, 2019.

2006 BMW 3 Series engine complaints: complaints filed per month2Apr 2007Jul 2010Jul 2012Sep 2013Feb 2014Apr 2015Dec 2016Jan 2018
20 complaints filed with NHTSA from Apr 2007 to Jun 2019; peak Mar 2010 (2).

Engine recalls for the 2006 BMW 3 Series

  1. NHTSA 22V119000Mar 2, 2022Engine917,106 vehicles

    Engine and engine cooling:exhaust system:emission control:crankcase (pcv)

    BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 1 Series Coupe (128i); 2007-2013 3 Series Coupe (328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive); 2007-2010 X3 SAV (X3 3.0si, X3 xDrive30i); 2008-2013 1 Series Convertible (128i); 2006-2011 3 Series Sedan (325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 330i, 330xi); 2006-2012 3 Series Wagon (328i, 328i xDrive); 2007-2013 3 Series Convertible (328i); 2006-2010 5 Series Sedan (525i, 525xi, 528i, 528xi, 530i, 530xi); 2006-2007 5 Series Wagon (530xi); 2007-2010 X5 SAV (X5 3.0si, X5 xDrive30i); 2006-2008 Z4 Coupe (Z4 3.0si); and 2006-2011 Z4 Roadster (Z4 3.0i, Z4 3.0si, Z4 sDrive30i) vehicles. The heater for the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve may short circuit.

    Risk: An electrical short can cause the PCV valve heater to overheat, increasing the risk of a fire while driving or, soon after driving when parked.

    Remedy: This recall supersedes and expands previous NHTSA recalls 17V-683 and 19V-273. Dealers will install an electrical wiring harness with fuse protection for the PCV Valve heater in potentially affected vehicles, free of charge. This recall supersedes and expands previous NHTSA recalls 17V-683 and 19V-273. Vehicles previously repaired under the prior recalls will need to come back for the new recall remedy. The remedy is currently being developed. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed on April 1, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 22, 2022. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Engine complaints by 3 Series model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 20051 (4%)
  2. 200620 (10%)
  3. 200726 (23%)
  4. 200818 (26%)
  5. 20098 (15%)
  6. 20108 (27%)
  7. 20111 (100%)
  8. 20123 (43%)
  9. 20139 (43%)
  10. 20230 (0%)

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2006 BMW 3 Series have engine problems?
NHTSA has 20 owner complaints about the engine in the 2006 BMW 3 Series, 10% of all complaints for this model year, including 2 that report a crash. Median mileage at failure is 79,000 miles.
Which BMW 3 Series year has the most engine complaints?
The 2007 BMW 3 Series has the most engine complaints (26), compared with 20 for the 2006.
Is there a engine recall for the 2006 BMW 3 Series?
Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for the 2006 BMW 3 Series concerns the engine: 22V119000.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.