The 2006 BMW 335i has 3 recalls, the most serious being a driver's airbag inflator that can explode during deployment, sending sharp metal fragments into the cabin and potentially causing serious injury or death.
Two separate recalls address this airbag inflator danger, one covering the original factory-installed inflator and one covering vehicles where the steering wheel may have been replaced with a sport or M-sport wheel carrying a similarly defective inflator. Prior repair attempts did not fully resolve the issue for all affected vehicles, which is why both filings remain open. In either case, the physical risk is the same: the inflator ruptures with enough force to scatter metal shards through the cabin. The third recall involves the wiring and electrical connectors that control airflow through the heating and air conditioning system. These connectors can overheat and melt, raising the risk of a fire that can start even when the car is parked and unattended.
At a glance
What can fail
The driver's air bag inflator in certain replacement sport or M-sport steering wheels can explode when the air bag deploys.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and replace the driver's air bag module at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
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At a glance
What can fail
The driver frontal air bag inflator may explode due to chemical breakdown after prolonged exposure to humidity, heat, and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Replace the driver air bag inflator. On X5 and X6 models, only the inflator is replaced. Repair is free.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The wiring and electrical connectors that control airflow in the heating and air conditioning system may overheat.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the wiring and electrical connectors at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
