2006 Bmw M5 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Air Bags (14) · Seat Belts (6) · Seats (3)
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
38 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (1)
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 bulletins (60)
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.
Visibility:power Window Devices And Controls 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.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic 2023-10-13 · B340714 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
functional noises (squealing/honking) when braking shortly before the vehicle comes to a stop. cause material-
Equipment:electrical 2022-09-01 · B662419 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
vehicle cannot be opened or closed using comfort access, engine start is not possible, and the vehicle may not start when placing the key against the steering column.
Engine And Engine Cooling 2022-09-01 · B170222 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
coolant is leaking from under the car which is equipped with the s63 engine. a low coolant warning might also be displayed (cc message id166).
Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar 2021-04-01 · B340414 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
diagnosis of compound brake system complaints in m vehicles: 1. visible cracks are caused by high thermal stresses during rapid heating and cooling of the brake discs. braking from high speed with cold brake components (less than 212 degrees f) increases the likelihood of cracks to form.
Showing the 6 most recent of 60 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-08-19 · Electrical System · 97,000 mi“the contact owns a 2006 bmw m5. the contact stated that while opening the trunk of the vehicle, the positive terminal on the battery was fully melted and was very hot. the contact believed that the issue was a fire hazard and was lucky to have found the issue before any other damage could occur. the contact referenced nhtsa campaign number: 12v1260…”
2020-05-24 · Engine · 102,156 mi“clearance failure on s85 engine to rod bearings causes oil starvation. this in turn causes engine catastrophic failure. if driving this will effect power breaking, power steering and all components requiring the engine to be running. this is a very common issue, i now have symptoms requiring a change of rod bearings. *tr…”
2017-08-03 · Air Bags · 72,812 mi“upon starting my car, i received an error message " fault in passenger restraint system affecting air bags, belt tensioner or belt force limiter" the message continues to show up every day.. this is the same issue that has a recall in all other 5 series models for this year, 2006 and has a recall for those vehicles. this model should be added since…”
2017-02-17 · Power Train · 95,000 mi“the early m5 with the smg (sequential manual gearbox) 7 speed have numerous tsb's and warranty campaigns. the shifting of the gearbox is up executed by pressure from the hydrualic pump that stores aaprx 80psi in the accumulater. this accumulator or pump has a hi chance of failing and when it does the car shuts down without warning. my car shut …”
2016-04-14 · Steering · 48,900 mi“steering wheel lock malfunctions and keeps steering wheel locked, will not release intermittently.…”
2015-12-10 · Air Bags · 35,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2006 bmw m5. the contact stated that the air bag light remained illuminated while a passenger occupied the seat. the vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the base of the seat needed to be replaced. the vehicle was not repaired. the manufacturer was notified of the failure. the vin was unavailable. the app…”
2015-08-11 · Air Bags · 75,000 mi“the car has an issue with passenger airbag occupancy sensor, when someone sits on the passanger seat the airbag turns on, these bmws has many recalls for this issue, for some reason mine does not fall into the recall. i have scanned the computer and confirmed that the sensor is the issue, i would like this issue to be recalled on my car because thi…”
2015-01-21 · Air Bags · 51,115 mi“malfunction in passenger restraint system. warning message stating "fault in passenger - restraint system affecting airbag, belt tensioner or belt force limiter" is activated every few minutes that car is in drive. was informed that the passenger airbags will not deploy in the event of a crash. dealership informed me that this was not covered…”
2014-12-15 · Seat Belts · 85,000 mi“well documented (on the internet) problem with the passenger side active restraint system failing, typically due to the passenger side occupancy mat. this problem has been documented in almost every model manufactured since 2000, but has only been addressed in a few, select, vehicles. this is the most common complaint for this model on carsafety.…”
2014-11-01 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 21,000 mi“tl-the contact owns a 2006 bmw m5. the contact stated that the he could smell strong fuel odor after filling the fuel. the independent mechanic diagnosed the fuel tank had a crack inside the plastic. the vehicle had not been repaired. the manufacturer was notified of the failure. the approximate failure mileage was 21,000. ne …”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.