BMW · 7 Series · 2006
3
Recalls
317
Complaints
-
Not Rated
The 2006 BMW 7 Series has 3 recalls and 317 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Most reported issue: power train (76 reports).
Source: NHTSA Public Records · Updated Apr 22, 2026
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
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 the fan assembly motor circuit board to overheat and short.
Remedy Status
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.
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.
Remedy Status
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.
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.
Remedy Status
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.
The contact owns a 2006 BMW 750Li. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the check engine warning light was illuminated, and the message "Transmission Fault - Drive Moderate" was displayed. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where the contact was advised that the vehicle would need to be kept over the weekend, but the contact declined. The vehicle was taken to Pep Boys, where it was diagnosed that the transmission had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 159,857.
The contact owns a 2006 BMW 750I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V328000 (Latches/Locks/Linkages). The contact stated that the passenger's side rear door had failed to function as intended and failed to open. Additionally, the handle on the driver's side rear door intermittently failed to function as intended and required to be hit to function as intended. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the dealer was unable to perform the recall repair because the door latch system on the vehicle was old. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
The drivers side (soft close door) motor or components is malfunctioning and not closing. It’s making a grinding noise.
The contact owns a 2006 BMW 750LI. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the gear shifter independently shifted into park. The contact also stated that water was entering the trunk of the vehicle. The contact stated that the battery had been replaced twice. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.
The contact owns a 2006 BMW 750LI. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, several unknown warning lights illuminated. Additionally, there was oil leaking onto the ground and also onto the engine. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the brake vacuum pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA. The failure mileage was approximately 129,000.
THE TRANSMISSION IS VERY DANGEROUS, WHEN PRESSING ON THE ACCELERATOR IT WILL REV THE ENGINE HIGH, THEN JUMP INTO GEAR AND LUNGE FORWARD. IF STOPPED AT A LIGHT, IT WOULD DEFINITELY KILL SOMEONE, AND WHEN STOPPING THE VEHICLE, IT FEELS LIKE YOU ARE GETTING REAR-ENDED. ON THIS DATE, THE TRANSMISSION LAUNCHING THE VEHICLE FORWARD ALMOST CAUSED A CASE OF WHIPLASH.
MY VEHICLE HAS THIS WHITE SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE EXHAUST AFTER IT SITS FOR LIKE A FEW MINUTES. SMOKE DOES NOT COME OUT WHEN I'M DRIVING ONLY WHEN I SIT. SO IF I'M AT A RED LIGHT LONG ENOUGH IT WILL SMOKE. THIS JUST START HAPPENING OUT OF NOWHERE AND AFTER LOOKING IT UP EVERYBODY WHO HAS THESE CARS ALMOST HAVE THE SAME ISSUE.
THE DOORS FROM INSIDE DON'T OPEN UP WHEN THE CAR LOSES POWER YOU ARE LOCKED INSIDE ALSO THE ENGINE SMOKES EVEN WHEN THE GASKETS AND SEALS HAVE BEEN REPLACED.THE CAR SUSPENSION IN THE REAR IS TERRIBLE ALSO AIR BAG LIGHT GOES ON AND OFF EVEN WHEN THE DEALER RAN DIAGNOSIS ON THE CAR CAR IS PARKED
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 750LI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND WAS FIRM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT EXTRA EFFORT WAS NEEDED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED BY AN UNKNOWN SOURCE THAT THE BRAKE BOOSTER AND VACUUM PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 154,000.
CAR DOORS DO NOT LATCH DOORS FLY OPEN , CAR HAS ROLLED OUT OF PARK, BRAKES DO NOT ENGAGE RUFF STOPPING SEAT BELT LIGHTS ON ALL THE TIME. PROBLEMS WITH ELECTRICAL SEATS. *TR
ABS IS COMPLETELY MESSED UP CAR SLIDES AT EVERY TURN/MOVE! IF BRAKES ARE PRESSED A LITTLE TO FAST BRAKES BLOCK AND DOESN'T STOP THE CAR! WHICH CAUSED ME TO CRASH INTO ANOTHER CAR!
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 750LI. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION FAILURE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE VEHICLE OR DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. HERRIN-GEAR BMW OF JACKSON (1685 HIGH ST, JACKSON, MS 39202, (601) 354-2269) WAS CONTACTED BY PHONE AND INFORMED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO HAVE IT PROPERLY DIAGNOSED; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT DECLINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 138,000. *BF *JS
CAR SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING AND CHANGES GEARS FROM DRIVE TO NEUTRAL ON ITS OWN. HARD TIME RESTARTING ENGINE AFTER INCIDENTS. CAR DOES NOT START ENGINE BUT WILL POWER ALL ELECTRONIC DEVICES INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE CAR. CAR SUDDENLY SHUT OFF WHILE TURNING INTO A BUSY STREET LEAVING ME IN THE MIDDLE OF INCOMING TRAFFIC, PLACING MY FAMILY IN VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION.
In 2009, we bought this 2006 BMW 750Li as pre-owned and certified warranty from BMW of Tenafly, New Jersey. We have registration address maintained in New Jersey, and have not updated, even though we moved to Chicago, Illinois in summer of 2011. BMW issued 6 recalls for 7-series manufactured between 2005 and 2008. The recalls on manufacturer defects on electric and transmission in 2012 and 2013, and again in 2017. We missed all of the notices for these recalls. The vehicle was driven for less than 50,000 miles, from 2009 to 2019. The vehicle was inspected, and in good mechanical conditions, as well as body, since the vehicle has been garaged most of times. Since 2019, the vehicle has been in shops for repairs for electric and transmission and engine. It has been more than 3 years for our vehicle in the shops, and over $21,000 spent, there is no sign that the vehicle can be driven. Thus, we checked the online and found out the BMW recalls on this vehicle in 2012 and 2013. We called BMW Customer Relations & Services, multiple times. BMW denied the recalls. We checked with the attorneys, including the ones who filed class action suits against BMW with billion dollars win for the customers on BMW defects. All said BMW shall honor their recalls. Further, the recalls will never be expired. Now BMW has declined taking calls, responding email, and recently shifting the failing repair to a BMW dealer. What shall we do? We have sent letter to their legal department. A shop who tried to repair over 2 years reported to us that this 2006 BMW 750Li has a very bad reputation on electric and transmission. He said this is a common agreement among BMW dealers. Since BMW customer relations and services now shut us out, what department within BMW shall we go to. Shall we find an attorney for another class action suit, which occurred already? The consumer is requesting reimbursement of $21k for repairs made as well as payment made to purchase the vehicle.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 750LI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT OIL WAS LEAKING ALL OVER THE ENGINE. IN ADDITION, WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, ALL THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS ON THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING AND THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURES WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V502000 (POWER TRAIN, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V564000 (AIR BAGS). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS. NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 165,000.
On Oct 29, 2012, BMW recalled its 7-Series luxury cars due to reports of transmission control problems. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported in the NHTSA campaign #12V502000 (power train and electric system) has caused at least 14 crashes and possibly 5 injuries, and in the NHTSA campaign #13V564000 (air bags). The recall involved 45,500 cars with model years from 2005 to 2008 that includes 2006 BMW 750LI. Our 2006 BMW 750LI’s VIN is WBAHN83586DT34592. Our purchase was from BMW of Tenafly, 301 County Road, Tenafly, NJ 07670 on 3/19/2009. Odometer reading at the time of the purchase is 45,450 miles. Sale price is $35,777.84. Our BMW 750LI was vocationally used, and mostly garaged, from 2009-2011, in New Jersey; and completely garaged, from 2011-2014, in New Jersey. The vehicle was vocationally used, from 2014-2019, in Chicago. Since 2019, the vehicle has been repaired in shops for electric and transmission failures: 3 years by Bridgeport Transmission (930 W 31st Street, Chicago, IL 60608, Tel 312 842-1887, Richard, the owner), and now already 6 months with Field BMW Northfield (700 Frontage Road, Northfield, IL 60093, Tel: 847-441-5300 x 8396, Chris Goodrich, the service advisor). Except for the electric and transmission issues, our vehicle is in wonderful condition. The body looks new. The current odometer reading is 92,000 miles. Since 2019, we have spent $1,500 for battery (as it was first suspected of the issue) by Field BMW Northfield, $6,500 for electric and transmission by Bridgeport Transmission, $650 for programming by a BMW dealership, and $5,350 for DSC control unit, and multiple tows 4 x $350 = $1,400. Total expenditure is $15,400. Currently, Field BMW Northfield asks additional $8,700 for transmission, but does not guarantee the vehicle can be repaired.
MY 2006 BMW 750LI WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVE ON FRIDAY 7/5/2019 AROUND 11:00 P.M. AND REMAINED THERE. ON SUNDAY MORNING 7/7/2019 AROUND 8:45 A.M. MY CAR ALARM SOUNDED AND WHEN I LOOK OUTSIDE MY CAR WAS ON FIRE. THE BLAZE FROM THE FIRS NOT ONLY BURNED UP MY BMW BUT ALSO MY DAMAGED MY SUV AND DAMAGED MY OTHER CAR. THE CAR WAS PARKED FOR OVER 36 HOURS BEFORE THE FIRE BEGAN.
HEADLIGHT WIREING DRY ROOT AND CAN CAUSE FIRE
FUEL IS LEAKING FROM THE FUEL PUMP ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR INTO THE VEHICLE CABIN, APPARENTLY EXTREMELY SIMILAR TO WHAT 5 AND 6 SERIES BMW'S WERE RECALLED FOR (BMW RECALL CAMPAIGN 16V-746)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 750LI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SEAT MAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR BYPASS WAS FAULTY AND THE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. DAYS LATER, THE DRIVER'S SIDE MAT WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CLASSIC BMW (6800 DALLAS PKWY, PLANO, TX 75024, (214) 778-2600) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE MAT SENSOR NEEDED TO REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THERE WAS NO REPAIR FOR THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 157,000.
Showing 1–20 of 25 complaints
The 2006 BMW 7 Series has 3 recalls recorded by NHTSA.
NHTSA has received 317 owner-reported complaints for the 2006 BMW 7 Series.
NHTSA has not published a safety rating for the 2006 BMW 7 Series.
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2006 BMW 7 Series are power train (76 reports), air bags (35 reports), latches/locks/linkages (32 reports).
Yes. NHTSA has 3 recalls on record for the 2006 BMW 7 Series. Scroll up to review the published recall summaries, consequences, and remedies. To check for unrepaired recalls on your specific vehicle, use your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Look up recalls and complaints for any year, make, and model.
This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.