2006 BMW 5 SERIES — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
125
Owner Complaints
8
Recalls
10
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 2006 BMW 5 SERIES
The 2006 BMW 5 SERIES has received a total of 125 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 8 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CRANKCASE (PCV), ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES. 10 technical service bulletins have been issued by BMW of North America, LLC for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Air Bags (21 complaints), Electrical System (18 complaints), and Air Bagsfrontal (13 complaints).
Recalls for the 2006 BMW 5 SERIES
NHTSA has recorded 8 recalls for the 2006 BMW 5 SERIES, potentially affecting up to 1,695,645 vehicles.
Recall 22V119000 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CRANKCASE (PCV)
| 917,106 vehicles affected
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...
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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...
View full details →Recall 12E029000 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN
| 585 vehicles affected
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...
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
View full details →Recall 12V126000 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES
| 367,682 vehicles affected
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...
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
View full details →Recall 10V446000 — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM
| 198,352 vehicles affected
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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
View full details →Recall 08V384000 — AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
| 200,000 vehicles affected
Defect: 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,...
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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...
View full details →Recall 06V277000 — SUSPENSION:REAR:SHOCK ABSORBER
| 11,640 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
View full details →Recall 06V187000 — SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM
| 40 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: VEHICLE HANDLING AND CONTROL COULD COMPROMISE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: 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.
View full details →Recall 05V504000 — POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
| 240 vehicles affected
Defect: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH AN INCORRECTLY MANUFACTURED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION PARKING PAWL GUIDE PLATE.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 2006 BMW 5 SERIES
125 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2006 BMW 5 SERIES. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
Most Recent Complaints
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 REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,932. *DT
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 REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,932. *DT
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 EXPENDED $1.5K TO REMEDY THIS SAFETY ISSUE. THIS SEAT MAT ISSUE IS A KNOWN BMW PROBLEM THAT BMW AND NHTSA HAVE NOT ADDRESSED. VIN: [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
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.
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.
Safety Rating for the 2006 BMW 5 SERIES
NHTSA has not yet tested the 2006 BMW 5 SERIES in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2006 BMW 5 SERIES
BMW of North America, LLC has issued 10 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2006 BMW 5 SERIES. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
SIB-01-09-14 — AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
BMW: SEE DOCUMENT SEARCH BUTTON FOR OWNER LETTER. LIMITED WARRANTY HAS BEEN EXTENDED, UP TO 15 YEARS, ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, WITHOUT MILEAGE LIMITATION FOR FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR (OC3) (MATERIALS AND WORKMANSHIP). MODEL 2006-2007 E60 (5 SERIES SEDAN, E61 (5 SERIES SPORTSWAGON), E85 (Z4 ROADSTER), E90 (3...
SI-B61-13-06 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
BMW VEHICLE: VARIOUS ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS CAUSED BY WATER INGRESS. WATER INGRESS IN LUGGAGE COMPARTMENT MAY CAUSE VARIOUS ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS OR FAULTS ASSOCIATED WITH MPM (MICRO POWER MODULE); PDC (PARK DISTANCE CONTROL); M-ASK (MULTI AUDIO SYSTEM CONTROLLER). IN MOST CASES, THE WATER COLLECTS IN THE SPARE WHEEL RECESS. MODEL YEARS UNKNOWN....
SIB-24-03-09REV — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
BMW: ONE OR A COMBINATION OF THE FOLLOWING SITUATIONS MAY EXIST: INTERMITTENT HARSH 4-3, 3-2 OR 2-1 DOWNSHIFT (JOLT) WHEN COMING TO A STOP WITH LIGHT BRAKE APPLICATION; JOLTS AND/OR JERKS FELT WHEN REACCELERATING AFTER COASTING; AND JUDDER WHEN GENTLY ACCELERATING (MOST NOTICEABLE AT AN ENGINE SPEED BELOW 2,000 RPM)....
SIB-24-03-09REV — POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
BMW: ONE OR A COMBINATION OF THE FOLLOWING SITUATIONS MAY EXIST: INTERMITTENT HARSH 4-3, 3-2 OR 2-1 DOWNSHIFT (JOLT) WHEN COMING TO A STOP WITH LIGHT BRAKE APPLICATION; JOLTS AND/OR JERKS FELT WHEN REACCELERATING AFTER COASTING; AND JUDDER WHEN GENTLY ACCELERATING (MOST NOTICEABLE AT AN ENGINE SPEED BELOW 2,000 RPM)....
SIB-24-03-09REV — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
BMW: ONE OR A COMBINATION OF THE FOLLOWING SITUATIONS MAY EXIST: INTERMITTENT HARSH 4-3, 3-2 OR 2-1 DOWNSHIFT (JOLT) WHEN COMING TO A STOP WITH LIGHT BRAKE APPLICATION; JOLTS AND/OR JERKS FELT WHEN REACCELERATING AFTER COASTING; AND JUDDER WHEN GENTLY ACCELERATING (MOST NOTICEABLE AT AN ENGINE SPEED BELOW 2,000 RPM)....
SI-B-11-05-05 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
BMW VEHICLE: VEHICLES MAY BE DIFFICULT TO START, RUN ROUGH AND HAVE THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LAMP ILLUMINATED. THE VANOS SOLENOID VALVE IS JAMMED OR STICKING. *PE
SI-B12-18-08 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
BMW: THE ENGINE OIL LEVEL DISPLAYED IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER MAY BE TOO HIGH OR TOO LOW. OIL LEVEL COULD BE LOWER THAN WHAT IS DISPLAYED AND THE LOW OIL LEVEL WARNING IS NOT PROMPTLY SHOWN. E60, E61, E82, E90, E92 & E93 MODELS. *PE
SIB-12-09-07 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
BMW VEHICLE: SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT ILLUMINATED: S85-VARIOUS VANOS RELATED FAULTS STORED. (E60 (5SERIES), E63 & E64 (6SERIES). NO MODEL YEARS LISTED. *PE
SIB-11-14-07 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OTHER FUEL TYPES:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER
BMW VEHICLE: N54 TURBOCHARGER WASTE GATE CONTROL NOISES AND OPERATION. AFTER TURNING OFF ENGINE, A SLIGHT RATTLE NOISE IS HEARD FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THIS NOISE IS SIMILAR TO A MECHANICAL TYPEWRITER. IN ADDITION, THE COMPLAINTS OF A SLIGHT REDUCTION OF POWER SIMILAR TO AN INCREASED TURBO LAG. THE VACUUM...
SIB-25-03-07 — POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
BMW VEHICLE: SPORT TRANSMISSION PADDLE SHIFTERS INOPERATIVE-DIAGNOSIS. THE DIRECT COMMUNICATION INPUT LINE BETWEEN THE PADDLE SHIFTERS AND THE EGS TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE IS INTERRUPTED. NO MODEL YEARS LISTED. *PE
NHTSA Investigations for the 2006 BMW 5 SERIES
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the BMW 5 SERIES
- 2001 BMW 5 SERIES — 4 complaints
- 2002 BMW 5 SERIES — 10 complaints
- 2003 BMW 5 SERIES — 19 complaints
- 2004 BMW 5 SERIES — 89 complaints
- 2005 BMW 5 SERIES — 26 complaints
- 2006 BMW 5 SERIES (current)
- 2007 BMW 5 SERIES — 22 complaints
- 2008 BMW 5 SERIES — 140 complaints
- 2009 BMW 5 SERIES — 12 complaints
- 2010 BMW 5 SERIES — 9 complaints
- 2011 BMW 5 SERIES — 96 complaints