Total Complaints
40 filings
BMW 325CI · model year
40 NHTSA complaints, 1 crash report, and 3 active recalls for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2006BMW325CI carries 40 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 1 crash, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2006 325CI is air bags with 23 filings, followed by exterior lighting (4) and engine (2). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 3 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.
NHTSA currently has 34 investigation files overlapping the 2006 325CI. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
Total Complaints
40 filings
Crashes Reported
1 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| AIR BAGS | 23 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 4 |
| ENGINE | 2 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 2 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | 1 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 1 |
| AIR BAGS:FRONTAL | 1 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 1 |
| POWER TRAIN | 1 |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 1 |
| SUSPENSION | 1 |
| SEAT BELTS | 1 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CRANKCASE (PCV) | 1 |
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
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 FAI
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
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,
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
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 PS
Internal Adaptive bi-xenon headlight wiring insulation flaking off exposing bare wire, thus causing headlight to fail
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.
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.
Mileage: 142,000
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.
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.
Mileage: 116,000
BMW 325CI 2006 FRONT LEFT ADAPTIVE HEADLIGHT WIRING DETERIORATES OVER TIME. THIS CAUSE THE WIRING TO CRACK AND FAIL. THE FRONT LEFT HEADLIGHT FAILED WHILE DRIVING, CREATING A DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR THE DRIVER AND OTHERS ON THE ROAD. WHEN THE WIRING FAILS THE DRIVER CANNOT DISPLAY TURN SIGNALS, USE HIGH BEAMS OR ANY HEADLIGHT FUNCTIONS. BMW DOES NOT PROVIDE A SOLUTION OR HELP TO FIX THE ISSUE. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AT NIGHT WHEN THE HEADLIGHT FAILED. THE PART IS THE FRONT HEADLIGHT IGNITER WIRING HARNESS. THE FAILURE HAPPENED INSIDE A SEALED COMPARTMENT AND IS NOT EXPOSED TO ANY OUTSIDE ELEMENTS. THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE, A GOOGLE SEARCH WILL BRING UP MULTIPLE OTHER CASES OF FAILURE IN OTHER CARS WITH PICTURES. BMW 335CI 2006 REAR TAIL LIGHTS SHORT OUT FREQUENTLY WHILE DRIVING AND DO NOT DISPLAY TURN SIGNALS. A FAULT IS SHOWN ON THE DASHBOARD. THIS HAPPENED AT NIGHT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AND DOES NOT GO AWAY. THE WARNING LIGHT IS ONLY DISPLAYED AFTER THE TURN SIGNAL IS
Mileage: 83,000
BMW 325CI 2006 FRONT LEFT ADAPTIVE HEADLIGHT WIRING DETERIORATES OVER TIME. THIS CAUSE THE WIRING TO CRACK AND FAIL. THE FRONT LEFT HEADLIGHT FAILED WHILE DRIVING, CREATING A DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR THE DRIVER AND OTHERS ON THE ROAD. WHEN THE WIRING FAILS THE DRIVER CANNOT DISPLAY TURN SIGNALS, USE HIGH BEAMS OR ANY HEADLIGHT FUNCTIONS. BMW DOES NOT PROVIDE A SOLUTION OR HELP TO FIX THE ISSUE. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AT NIGHT WHEN THE HEADLIGHT FAILED. THE PART IS THE FRONT HEADLIGHT IGNITER WIRING HARNESS. THE FAILURE HAPPENED INSIDE A SEALED COMPARTMENT AND IS NOT EXPOSED TO ANY OUTSIDE ELEMENTS. THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE, A GOOGLE SEARCH WILL BRING UP MULTIPLE OTHER CASES OF FAILURE IN OTHER CARS WITH PICTURES. BMW 335CI 2006 REAR TAIL LIGHTS SHORT OUT FREQUENTLY WHILE DRIVING AND DO NOT DISPLAY TURN SIGNALS. A FAULT IS SHOWN ON THE DASHBOARD. THIS HAPPENED AT NIGHT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AND DOES NOT GO AWAY. THE WARNING LIGHT IS ONLY DISPLAYED AFTER THE TURN SIGNAL IS
Mileage: 83,000
BMW 325CI 2006 FRONT LEFT ADAPTIVE HEADLIGHT WIRING DETERIORATES OVER TIME. THIS CAUSE THE WIRING TO CRACK AND FAIL. THE FRONT LEFT HEADLIGHT FAILED WHILE DRIVING, CREATING A DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR THE DRIVER AND OTHERS ON THE ROAD. WHEN THE WIRING FAILS THE DRIVER CANNOT DISPLAY TURN SIGNALS, USE HIGH BEAMS OR ANY HEADLIGHT FUNCTIONS. BMW DOES NOT PROVIDE A SOLUTION OR HELP TO FIX THE ISSUE. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AT NIGHT WHEN THE HEADLIGHT FAILED. THE PART IS THE FRONT HEADLIGHT IGNITER WIRING HARNESS. THE FAILURE HAPPENED INSIDE A SEALED COMPARTMENT AND IS NOT EXPOSED TO ANY OUTSIDE ELEMENTS. THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE, A GOOGLE SEARCH WILL BRING UP MULTIPLE OTHER CASES OF FAILURE IN OTHER CARS WITH PICTURES. BMW 335CI 2006 REAR TAIL LIGHTS SHORT OUT FREQUENTLY WHILE DRIVING AND DO NOT DISPLAY TURN SIGNALS. A FAULT IS SHOWN ON THE DASHBOARD. THIS HAPPENED AT NIGHT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AND DOES NOT GO AWAY. THE WARNING LIGHT IS ONLY DISPLAYED AFTER THE TURN SIGNAL IS
Mileage: 83,000
HEADLIGHT WIRING INSULATION IS DETERIORATING AND FALLING APART. RIGHT SIDE HEADLIGHT WIRING IS COMPLETELY DAMAGED AND HEADLIGHT DOES NOT WORK.
Mileage: 110,000
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 325CI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. HILTON HEAD BMW (1230 FORDING ISLAND RD, BLUFFTON, SC 29910) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
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
Mileage: 83,600
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
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
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.
TAKATA RECALL - I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR OVER A YEAR OR MORE TO HAVE THE AIRBAG REPLACED. THE DEALER IS UNABLE TO GET THE PARTS TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THE AIRBAG HAS ALREADY BEEN REPLACED ONCE, BUT I WAS TOLD IT WAS NOT THE CORRECT ONE. THE CAR IS BASICALLY WORTHLESS BECAUSE NO DEALER OR INDIVIDUAL WILL BUY IT WITH AN OPEN RECALL. I WOULD LIKE TAKATA TO BUY THE VEHICLE FOR MARKET PRICE.
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 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. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. UPDATED 12/13/16*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE AIR BAGS WERE REPLACED. UPDATED 12/15/16.*JB
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 325CI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS) AND 14V428000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIRS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
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.
"TAKATA RECALL"
TAKATA RECALL
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.