KnownCarProblems2006 BMW X5 Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 168 complaints with NHTSA about the 2006 BMW X5, most often about the air bags (49% of complaints, typically around 70,000 miles). It is 5th of 27 X5 model years by number of complaints and has 2 recalls.
Most common 2006 BMW X5 problems
Air bags
83 complaints · 49%Half of these problems showed up before 70,000 miles. Parts named most often: frontal, sensor, side/window.
The contact owns a 2006 BMW X5. The contact stated that there was a faulty air bag seat sensor switch on the passenger side that continuously failed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who repaired the vehicle. The manufacturer was contacted but provided no further assistance. The vehicle was not further repaired.…
The contact owns a 2006 BMW X5. The contact stated that the air bag warning light continuously illuminated that the passenger's side air bag was not activated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the technician diagnosed that the air bag sensor needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of…
Brakes
28 complaints · 17%Half of these problems showed up before 96,500 miles. Parts named most often: foundation components, drum.
Very disappointed in BMW this time. My brakes system suddenly failed, causing my vehicle to crash into a poll in the street parking. Front bumper was completely damaged. Right after, we found out that the brakes were not working properly, has to keep full force on brake to keep at full stop. We called BMW service they…
The contact owns a 2006 BMW X5. The contact stated that after parking the vehicle, the vehicle continued to move forward although the brake pedal was depressed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnosis. The technician was unable to locate a failure. The vehicle has not been repaired. The manufacturer was…
Seats
25 complaints · 15%Half of these problems showed up before 76,000 miles. Parts named most often: front assembly.
The driver side heated seat overheats and becomes too hot to touch. I have experience discoloration in some of my clothing due to the excessive heat, and I experienced a slight burned on my thigh when the heated seat is turned on. The issue occurs while the car is in motion or stationary. The leather most affected by…
Tl contact owns a 2006 BMW X5. While driving approximately 60 MPH on normal road conditions, the passenger seat occupancy sensor and air bag warning indicators illuminated on the instrument panel. The indicators remained illuminated until the engine was turned off. In addition, the seat belt system chime sensor was…
Electrical
20 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 92,500 miles. Parts named most often: wiring.
Driver's side heated seat shorted while driving. It caused a small fire and burned a hole through the leather seat when heated seat was turned on.
The passenger side air bag off warning light came on and stays on. The dealer reset the computer. Light went off. The failure recurred again in a few months. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the sensor needed to be replaced. I was informed that my VIN did not meet the recall for…
Engine
14 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 85,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, exhaust system.
The engine light went on and stayed on therefore made an appointment with the dealer. I did not notice any changes on the car except the fuel consumption where it consumed more than usual. When I took it to the dealer, they told me that the oil vapor separator needs to be replaced, that I was lucky that the car did…
The contact owns a 2006 BMW X5. The contact stated that while driving 45 MPH, burning oil could be smelled and smoke emitted from the engine compartment. The vehicle was moved to the shoulder where it was discovered that the engine was covered in motor oil. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was determined…
Seat belts
8 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 59,500 miles.
Tl contact owns a 2006 BMW X5. While driving 30 MPH, another vehicle crashed into the rear of the contact's vehicle. The bumper, muffler, and trunk were damaged. The driver's seat belt failed and released prematurely. The front air bags failed to deploy. The contact was uninjured. The vehicle was towed to a local…
Air bag signal and seat belt warning were lit on the dash, even after the passenger was out of the car. The seat belt warning chimes when passenger leaves, took it to a mechanic and he told me that the sensor needs to be replaced. Took it to BMW on 06/10/2014 they told me, there were no recalls for my car due to my…
Transmission
7 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 74,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission.
The contact owns a 2006 BMW X5. The contact stated that while driving approximately 5 MPH the contact noticed a grinding noise coming from the front end of the vehicle and the transmission failure light illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact heard a loud bang in the rear of the vehicle and noticed blue smoke…
Brake booster and master cylinder failed in june. Not covered under recall since a recall had not been issued for the 2006 models. Shortly thereafter the water pump began leaking coolant. Again, not covered for 2006 models. Now there is a severe leak in the power steering pump. All should be recalled. Already spent…
Fuel system
5 complaints · 3%Half of these problems showed up before 106,000 miles.
While driving on interstate in high speed lane engine suddenly lost power creating danger of rear end collision. In moving to break down lane engine continued to run but would not propel the vehicle over 5 MPH. This problem had occurred two weeks previously when the vehicle was towed to BMW dealer for service. At that…
Approximately 1 month after having our BMW serviced for an oil change at our local dealer, the "check engine oil level" light illuminated. We immediately called the dealer, and upon them looking at it, it was determined that the crankcase vent valve (oil separator), needs to be replaced, at a cost of $1,300. We 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 X5 recalls
Air bags: occupant classification
Risk: Should the system fail, in the event of a crash, the front passenger air bag would be deactivated, increasing the risk of personal injury.
Fix: Bmw will notify owners with an interim notification letter in january 2014 since parts are not currently available. When parts are available, bmw sent a second letter in august and dealers will repair the occupant detection mat to eliminate the possibility that it may crack, free of charge. Additionally, owners of model year 2006-2007 3 series with standard seats, 5 series with comfort seats, and z4 models, will receive an extended warranty on their front passenger seat occupant detection mat. Owners may contact bmw customer relations at 1-800-525-7417 or email bmw at customerrelations@bmwusa.
Full defect summary
Bmw of north america llc (bmw) is recalling certain model year 2006 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi sedans and 325xi sports wagons, model year 2007 328i, 328xi, 335i, 335xi sedans and 328i and 328xi sports wagons, model year 2006-2007 525i, 525xi, 530i, 530xi, 550i sedans and 530xi sports wagons, model year 2006 760i sedans, model year 2006-2007 750i, 750li, and 760li sedans, and model year 2006 x5 sports activity vehicles, equipped with certain seat types. The front passenger seat occupant detection mat that determines if and how the passenger frontal air bag should deploy in a crash may fatigue and develop cracks which could lead to a system failure.
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/
Questions about the 2006 BMW X5
- What are the most common problems with the 2006 BMW X5?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: air bags (83 complaints, typically around 70,000 miles); brakes (28 complaints, typically around 96,500 miles); seats (25 complaints, typically around 76,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2006 BMW X5 have?
- 2 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from November 12, 2013 (air bags). 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 X5?
- It is 5th of 27 X5 model years by number of complaints, with 168 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.