2006 Bmw 5 Series problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Air Bags (16) · Air Bags:frontal (12) · Electrical System (6)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Bmw 5 Series model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
79 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (4)
Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:emission Control:crankcase (Pcv) 2022-03-02 · campaign 22V119000 · 917,106 vehicles
Defect: 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 SA
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 ow
Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System:fan 2012-08-10 · campaign 12E029000 · 585 vehicles
Defect: This recall involves aftermarket parts sold by Valeo. Valeo is recalling certain engine cooling fans, part numbers 696121, 696273, and 696275, used as service replacement parts for model year 2008-2011 BMW 1-Series, 2006-2011 BMW 3-Series, 2000-2009 BMW 5-Series, 2004-2005 BMW 6-Series, and 2006-2007 BMW 7-Series vehicles. A metal-oxide semiconductor may overheat due to insufficient screwing of the semiconductor on the aluminum heat sink. This primary failure could cause adjacent components on
Risk: This condition could cause the fan motor to become inoperative, or cause the motor circuit board in the assembly to overheat, potentially leading to a fire in the engine compartment.
Fix: Valeo will notify owners and replace the fans free of charge. The safety recall began on August 22, 2012. This recall is being conducted by Valeo, not by BMW. For further information, owners may contact Valeo at 1-888-718-2536.
Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery:cables 2012-03-26 · campaign 12V126000 · 367,682 vehicles
Defect: 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.
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.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:vacuum 2010-10-01 · campaign 10V446000 · 198,352 vehicles
Defect: 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.
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.
Service bulletins (57)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Electrical System 2024-01-16 · B510819 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
the basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.
Electrical System 2024-01-11 · B611305 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
the electrical system of bmw vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few years. this has led to increased demands being placed on the battery. this document covers important information for the dealer on how to handle ã¢ââdischarged batteryã¢ââ complaints.
Fuel System, Gasoline 2023-12-20 · B160623 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
engine will crank but not start. there is no communication with the integrated fuel module (tfe) whendiagnosing with ista. the following two fault codes will be stored in the dme: 032b43 - low fuel pressure system, electric fuel pump: pressure value too low cda594 - message (- 0x33e) missing, rec
Equipment 2023-11-22 · B653423 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
customers may state that the alarm system (dwa) is not active after locking their unoccupied vehicle. depending on the vehicleã¢ââs equipment and settings, no acoustic or optical confirmation (folding the mirrors/blinking confirmation) is noticeable. additionally, the red anti-theft alarm led in
Vehicle Speed Control 2023-10-19 · B660523 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
various functions of the camera-based driver assistance systems (adcam system) can lead to customer complaints.
Equipment Adaptive/Mobility 2020-10-01 · B611305 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
discharged battery energy diagnosis must be performed: the electrical system of bmw vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few years. this has led to increased demands being placed on the battery. this document covers important information for the dealer on how to
Showing the 6 most recent of 57 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2019-05-24 · Service Brakes · 104,932 mi“tl* 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 installed. the vehicle was repa…”
2017-09-18 · Air Bags · 74,000 mi“front passenger seat occupancy detection mat had to be replaced as it was defective. though not in previous recalls in similar bmws and similar years, the error presented a safety issue that would disable the front passenger air bags and increase the risk of injury during a crash. with this error, i was forced to repair the seat mat and expende…”
2017-05-08 · Unknown Or Other · 200,000 mi“navigation display reboots constantly. works periodically. this display gives me access to all of the cars features including warnings and malfunctions with the vehicle. if the display works when the car is on it may not work if you turn off the card and turn it back on.…”
2017-04-20 · Exterior Lighting · 140,000 mi“head lights angle lights wires getting very dry from the heat of the light and the insulation coming off the optical wires, lights go out, possible shorting and become very unsafe.…”
2017-01-05 · Seats · 69,000 mi“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 potential fire hazard. on every bm …”
2016-03-13 · Air Bags · 80,000 mi“my passenger air bag warning light came on about a month ago for apparent reason and stay on ever since. i contacted the local bmw dealer and was told my vin was not on the recall list. i was very disappointed and dont understand why some cars were on the recall and some were not. apparently this is a common problem with all bmws and a very seri…”
2015-07-29 · Steering · 100,000 mi“steering wheel malfunction locks preventing the vehicle to start steering wheel locks while driving…”
2015-07-29 · Engine · 103,000 mi“air conditioning stop work causing motor to heat…”
2015-02-14 · Exterior Lighting · 138,570 mi“a message on the vehicle display screen indicated that the right-side low beam headlight was malfunctioning. i removed the headlight assembly to replace the bulb and found the wiring insulation is crumbling to the touch, resulting in a short circuit. the headlight bulb is not actually burned out. there are many complaints about this on the b…”
2015-01-21 · Engine · 120,000 mi“the 2006 bmw 5 series used aluminum head and valve cover bolts which were over-torqued during assembly and break after approximately 80k. bmw admits this problem exists but refuses to issue a recall. bmw's repair cost is ~$6000. these bolts are non serviceable and should never be removed, when broken they cause massive oil leaks and possibly fi…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.