How many recalls does the 2006 BMW M3 have?

The 2006 BMW M3 has 5 NHTSA safety recall campaigns on record.

How do I check if my 2006 BMW M3 has an open recall?

Enter your 17-character VIN at NHTSA's official recall lookup (nhtsa.gov/recalls) to see open, unrepaired recalls for your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are free.

What do owners complain about most on the 2006 BMW M3?

Of 14 NHTSA complaints on file, the most-reported component is air bags.

2006 BMW M3 Recalls

Recalls on record Updated July 2026

The 2006 BMW M3 has 5 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 2,049,120 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 14 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the air bags. Last updated July 5, 2026.

Recall campaigns

AIR BAGS 20V018000 2020-01-15 292,948 affected

Defect

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…

Consequence

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

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.

AIR BAGS 20V017000 2020-01-15 59,965 affected

Defect

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,…

Consequence

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy

BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver air bag. On X5 and X6 vehicles, only the inflator will be replaced. All repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began March 11, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

AIR BAGS 14V428000 2018-06-11 574,007 affected

Defect

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2000 323i sedans, coupes, convertibles, and Sports Wagons; 2000 328i sedans and coupes; 2001-2005 325i sedans, coupes, convertibles, and Sport Wagons; 2001-2005 325xi sedans and Sports Wagons; 2006 325i coupes and convertibles; 2001-2006 330i sedans,…

Consequence

In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure could cause rupturing of the inflator resulting in metal fragments striking and potentially seriously injuring the passenger seat occupant or other occupants.

Remedy

Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until they have been repaired. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger side frontal air bag, free of charge. An interim notice was mailed to owners in September 2014. A second notice was mailed when an adequate supply of parts became available,…

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 17V676000 2017-10-25 702,965 affected

Defect

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…

Consequence

Wiring that overheats could cause the electrical connectors to melt, and increase the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is unattended.

Remedy

BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the wiring and electrical connectors, free of charge. Interim letters were mailed on November 27, 2017. Owners will receive a second notice when the remedy becomes available. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

AIR BAGS 15V318000 2015-05-28 419,235 affected

Defect

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…

Consequence

In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

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…

Complaints by component

AIR BAGS

TIRES

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

POWER TRAIN

POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

Total complaints14

What owners report

Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.

“Firestone firehawk indy 500 tire failed on sidewall”

TIRES · reported 2021-05-01

“Yesterday (01/06/17) - while driving in motion, 2 side airbags spontaneously exploded, throwing loose plastic material into the cabin and into my face. Cabin filled with smoke and burning smell. I pulled the car to the side of the road and turned off engine for smoke to disappear. I am going to…”

AIR BAGS · reported 2018-01-06

“This letter is in reference to two michelin pilot sport a/s 3+ 255/35zr19 96y tires which both failed within 1,130 miles of each other from identical failures. These two failures were on the interior sidewall of the tires. These two tires were purchased and installed on the same day, september 15,…”

TIRES · reported 2017-11-21

“The smg transmission intermittently comes out of gear in any situation and is very dangerous when in heavy traffic and/or on a highway and loose all power. I have had several close call accidents at high speeds. I have read many articles stating the same issue with many owners for this type of…”

POWER TRAIN · reported 2017-11-15

“Takata recall: your site improperly shows no recalls when vin used, and confuses 2006 m3 (e46) with the 2006 3 series successor (e90?), even though the recall notice rcrit-14v428-8638 shows "model year 2000-2006 bmw 3 series (e46) - incl-m"”

AIR BAGS · reported 2017-06-19

“Driving approximately 20-30mph on local street in a straight direction. Driver-side, side airbag deployed without warning. No prior instrument lights were on. Never had any airbag lights on in the history of owning the vehicle. Replaced passenger side airbag as part of recall in 2014. Awaiting…”

AIR BAGS · reported 2016-10-30

“Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2006 bmw m3. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign numbers: 14v428000 (air bags) and 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…”

AIR BAGS · reported 2016-09-01

“Takata recall I received a letter from bmw of north america in july 2015 about a drive-side airbag recall for my 2006 bmw m3. (the passenger-side airbag had already been replaced under recall.) we are now 9 months since I received that notice and I have had no further communication from bmw. When…”

AIR BAGS · reported 2015-07-01