KnownCarProblems2006 BMW 5 Series Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 85 complaints with NHTSA about the 2006 BMW 5 Series, most often about the air bags (42% of complaints, typically around 69,500 miles). It is the 2nd most complained-about 5 Series model year since 2000 and has 7 recalls.
Most common 2006 BMW 5 Series problems
Air bags
36 complaints · 42%Half of these problems showed up before 69,500 miles. Parts named most often: frontal.
The contact owns a 2006 BMW m5. The contact stated that the passenger's side air bag warning light illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and was informed that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 08v384000. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was made aware of the…
I bought the car it had an oil leak, radiator leak, developed an air bag malfunction, the engine stopped running, tar is accumulating on top of the sunroof every time I open it, the heater fan makes noise, the transmission makes noise after four attempts it is still leaking oil. All of my friends who own BMW's have…
Electrical
19 complaints · 22%Half of these problems showed up before 51,500 miles. Parts named most often: instrument cluster/panel, software.
Tl contact owns a 2006 BMW 525i. While driving between 25-30 and 60-65 MPH, the vehicle stalls. The entire I-drive (computer system) freezes and the vehicle has to be pulled over and restarted. Currently, the stalling occurs weekly, whereas initially, it occurred every few months. The dealer keeps the vehicle for at…
The sunroof drain clogged in my 2006 BMW 530xi station wagon causing water to pool in the car and short out the electrical system while I was driving, which resulted in the loss of power to the dashboard including the speedometer. I had the car towed to the dealership and the tow truck driver told me that this was the…
Transmission
8 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 61,500 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission.
The automatic transmission of my 2006 BMW 525i, with app 65,000 miles, failed and the dealer tell me that I have to pay for a replacement. I feel that a transmission should last more than 65,000 mile and thus should be replaced at BMW's expense. My research indicates that these are an anusually high rate of…
On start-up from a near stop the transmission jerked hard back into first gear. Felt as if someone had hit me from the rear end. This has happened repeatedly and is very disturbing, causing unfamiliar reactions from the driver and passenger. Could cause an accident.
Engine
8 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 77,000 miles.
I bought the car it had an oil leak, radiator leak, developed an air bag malfunction, the engine stopped running, tar is accumulating on top of the sunroof every time I open it, the heater fan makes noise, the transmission makes noise after four attempts it is still leaking oil. All of my friends who own BMW's have…
The passenger seat airbag malfunctioned casing the seat to have to be removed and sensor replaced. There was a recall on this but my car, and 2 of my friends cars were not included on the recall, my friends were charged by the dealership. My engine leaks oil onto the exhaust manifold causing smoke in the cab and…
Brakes
7 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 101,000 miles. Parts named most often: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip.
Brake vacuum pump has leaked lubricating oil into brake booster, causing booster to fail, causing power assist braking to be compromised, making braking difficult to impossible.
The contact owns a 2006 BMW 5 Series. The contact stated that the vehicle leaked oil and the brakes failed while driving at low speeds. The brakes worked normally when applied at high speeds. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that a new power brake booster and vacuum pump needed to be…
Lights
7 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 82,000 miles. Parts named most often: hazard flashing warning lights, headlights, tail lights.
The contact owns a 2006 BMW 535xi. The contact stated that the brake light assembly shorted out. The vehicle was taken to a dealer who decided to replace all three rear brake lights, rear driver side reverse light and both turn signals in the rear. In addition, the contact stated that the doors on the vehicle appear…
The panoramic sunroof on e60 BMW wagons has a faulty design of the drains which re-directs water into the rear of the car (spare tire area) causing multiple electrical components to fail while driving: lights, windshield wipers, door locks, speedometer, etc. In my case, the failure occurred twice in a period of 18…
Wheels and tires
7 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 39,000 miles. Parts named most often: rim, pressure monitoring and regulating systems.
I purchased a set of kumho escta spt, size 245/35-19 tires from my retailer on jan.12 2009. On march 28, 2009, I had 1 tire replaced due to separation of the sidewall. On sept 19th, 2009, I experienced another tire failure while at freeway speed. 2 additional tires were replaced as well, as they were showing signs of…
Tl contact owns a 2006 BMW 525i. While driving 35 MPH, the contact drove over a pothole and the rear passenger side rim split in half. The tire was completely shredded into two pieces. She pulled over and had the vehicle towed to the dealer. The mechanic stated that the driver was at fault because they were not…
Visibility and wipers
7 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 68,000 miles. Parts named most often: sun/moon roof assembly, windshield.
I bought a used BMW from long island auto find. Before picking it up I told nick certain things needed to be done there was a drafty sound coming from the moon roof the center rims were corroded, bolts were missing from the valve cover. I was called three days in a row by nick who claimed everything was done and the…
I bought the car it had an oil leak, radiator leak, developed an air bag malfunction, the engine stopped running, tar is accumulating on top of the sunroof every time I open it, the heater fan makes noise, the transmission makes noise after four attempts it is still leaking oil. All of my friends who own BMW's have…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2006 BMW 5 Series recalls
Engine: crankcase (pcv)
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.
Fix: 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,
Full defect summary
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.
Electrical: cables
Risk: Overheating could lead to a fire, even while the vehicle is not in use. As a precaution, owners are advised to park outside until the remedy has been made.
Fix: Bmw will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and secure the battery bolt cable connection as necessary, free of charge. The safety recall began on april 30, 2012. Owners may contact bmw customer relations and services at 1-800-525-7417.
Full defect summary
Bmw is recalling certain model year 2004-2010 5-series, model year 2004-2010 6-series, model year 2006-2010 m5, and model year 2007-2010 m6 vehicles. The insulated bulkhead connector for the positive battery cable may have been incorrectly attached to the trunk floor panel, which can lead to a loosening of the bolt connection. As it loosens, an increase in electrical resistance at this cable connection is possible and could cause the cable connection to overheat.
Brakes: vacuum
Risk: Power assist braking performance could be adversely affected. In extreme cases there could be a complete loss of power assist braking. An unexpected reduction or loss in power braking assist may increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Bmw will notify owners and dealers will repair the vehicles free of charge. The safety recall began on november 24, 2010. Owners may contact bmw at 1-800-525-7417.
Full defect summary
Bmw is recalling certain model year 2004-2010 5-series, 6-series, and model year 2002-2008 7-series vehicles. A check valve of the brake vacuum pump may leak a small amount of lubricating oil. Over time this could result in contamination of the brake booster.
Air bags: frontal
Risk: In this situation the front passenger air bags will not deploy even if a sufficiently severe accident would occur and occupant protection provided by the system would not be possible.
Fix: Dealers will rework the front passenger seat sensor mat so that external force application to the seat does not cause a crack to the mat. The recall began on november 6, 2008. Bmw will also extend the warranty on these vehicles to 10 years from first registration without any mileage limit. Owners may contact bmw at 1-800-525-7417.
Full defect summary
Bmw is recalling 200,000 my 2006 3 series sport seat, my 2004-2006 5 series standard and sport seat, and my 2004-2006 x3 passenger vehicles. Depending on the manner and frequency of the front passenger's entry and exit, small cracks have developed in the mat. If this occurs, the front passenger air bags, with the exception of the head protection system, will be deactivated and the air bag warning lamp as well as the passenger air bag "on-off" lamp will be illuminated.
Suspension: shock absorber
Risk: The bushing could loosen and over time could separate from its housing. The driver will experience impaired vehicle handling and control increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the rear shock absorber free of charge. The recall began on september 13, 2006. Owners may contact bmw at 1-800-831-1117.
Full defect summary
On certain passenger vehicles, the lower rubber mount of the rear shock absorbers may not have been manufactured to specifications and may not adhere correctly to its housing within the shock absorber.
Suspension: control arm
Risk: Vehicle handling and control could compromise increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will retighten the front axle control arm and tension strut nuts to the correct specifications free of charge. The recall began on june 28, 2006. Owners may contact bmw at 1-800-831-1117.
Full defect summary
On certain passenger vehicles, the nuts which secure the front axle control arm and tension strut to the front wheel hub may not have been tightened to specification. Over time the nuts could loosen and the control arm and tension strut could be damaged.
Transmission: automatic transmission
Risk: This could cause the parking lock system not to engage, after the transmission is placed in the park ("p") position. If the vehicle was parked on an incline, and the parking brake was not engaged, this could result in a vehicle rollaway condition.
Fix: Dealers will repair and replace the automatic transmission guide plate free of charge. The recall began on november 30, 2005. Owners may contact bmw at 1-800-332-4269.
Full defect summary
Certain passenger vehicles may have been built with an incorrectly manufactured automatic transmission parking pawl guide plate.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Bmw airbag light illumination
Summary
Bmw is conducting a safety recall campaign on approximately 200,000 my04 through my06 subject vehicles built through 11/30/05 to correct the front passenger seat air bag occupant detection mat. The specific vehicles included in the recall aremy04- 06/ 5-series with standard and sport seats, my04-06/ x3-series and my06/ 3-series with sport seats. In addition, bmw will extend the warranty coverage of the passenger seat air bag occupant detection mat to 10-year/unlimited mileage on approximately 120,000 remaining my04-06 subject vehicles built through 11/30/05. The specific vehicles included in the extended warranty are my 06/ 6 series, my 06/ 3-series with standard seats, my04-05/ z4, my04-06/
Bmw airbag light illumination
Summary
In certain my 2005 through my 2006 bmw vehicles, the occupant classification system (ocs) for the passenger frontal airbag may malfunction and render the passenger airbag inoperative.in june 2006, bmw issued a technical service bulletin (si b 72 02 06) regarding the illumination of the airbag warning light and the passenger airbag status lamp.illumination of these lights warn that an open electrical circuit may be present within the passenger seat mat sensor.when both of the lights are illuminated, the passenger frontal air bag will not deploy in a frontal crash.certain bmw vehicles in addition to the subject vehicles contain the same seat mat sensor.these are the my 2004 5-series, 7-series
Questions about the 2006 BMW 5 Series
- What are the most common problems with the 2006 BMW 5 Series?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: air bags (36 complaints, typically around 69,500 miles); electrical (19 complaints, typically around 51,500 miles); transmission (8 complaints, typically around 61,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2006 BMW 5 Series have?
- 7 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from March 2, 2022 (engine). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2006 a bad year for the BMW 5 Series?
- It is the 2nd most complained-about 5 Series model year since 2000, with 85 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.