BMW · X5 · 2006
2
Recalls
194
Complaints
-
Not Rated
The 2006 BMW X5 has 2 recalls and 194 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Most reported issue: air bags (78 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.
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.
Remedy Status
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.com.
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH AN INCORRECTLY MANUFACTURED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION PARKING PAWL GUIDE PLATE.
Remedy Status
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.
Anytime I have a passenger in the car the seatbelt warning light goes off. My passenger is wearing the seatbelt. I put the car in park and tell my passenger to take the seatbelt off then back on. It's off for a bit then the light for the seatbelt comes by on.
The contact owns a 2006 BMW X5. The contact stated that while depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle hesitated to increase in speed. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic who suggested that the failure was possibly related to a power train failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was aware of the failure and confirmed the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 05V504000 (Power Train). The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to file a safety complaint. The failure mileage was 274,000.
When I switch on my driver seat for the heated seat it became so hot that the coils burned through my seat and make two round burn holes in the seat and burned my leg
I have recently received a message from my city’s social media page stating that bmw vehicles 17-22 years or older with over 99,000 miles have had complaints of default airbags exploding which are injuring/killing people out of nowhere and was told to get it changed at no cost at all!.
The contact owns a 2006 BMW X5. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, there was an electrical burning odor inside the vehicle. The ABS, brakes, and other unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and was able to restart the vehicle and the vehicle was driven to the residence. On another occasion, the contact had to redirect the steering wheel into a different lane while driving. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who changed the oil and replaced the alternator; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed. The vehicle was taken to another independent mechanic and was diagnosed with multiple electrical failures. The vehicle was then taken to a dealer and a diagnostic test was pending. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 193,000.
The brake vacuum pump has leaked a small amount of lubricating oil into the hose. This contamination resulted in a loss of power assist braking. The loss of power assist in braking has increased stopping distance and lead to a near vehicle crash. No indicator lights were present. Repair: Replacement of the brake vacuum line with one that contains a check valve, eliminating the possibility that oil will reach the brake booster; as well as the brake booster and brake master cylinder will also be replaced.
Was driving at 35-40 mph when suddenly where locked and the car stopped causing skid marks. Car had to be dragged out of the road by tow truck. Car will not move in neutral, reverse or drive but engine is on.
The contact owns a 2006 BMW X5. The contact stated that he initially received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 08V384000 (Air Bags). The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the recall repair was performed. Three years later, with the passenger’s side front seat unoccupied, the passenger’s side air bag light illuminated and a warning chime was audible. The passenger’s side seat belt had to be engaged to correct the failure. The dealer was notified of the failure and provided an estimate for a diagnostic test. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure and referred the contact back to the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.
Airbag light on, passenger airbag off light illuminated. Diagnostic scan showed faulty Front Passenger seat occupancy detector. BMW Issued recall campaign 13V-564 for vehicles manufactured from DEC 05 to sept 06. My vehicle was manufactured 06/06 and is displaying all the symptoms from recall 13v-564 yet BMW USA claims my vehicle is not effected.
The contact owns a 2006 BMW X5. The contact stated that the driver’s and passenger’s side air bags warning lights were illuminated. The contact had initially notified the dealer about the defect and was referred to the manufacturer. The manufacturer informed the contact that there were no recalls on the Vin. The contact was referred to the dealer for the repair. The contact was informed that he might be entitled to a reimbursement if the Vin gets added to a recall. Upon investigation, the contact linked the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V564000 (Air Bags) however, the vin was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.
This car has relatively few miles (85k), and has always been operated by a single person. The passenger seat cushion has a sensor mat that activates the passenger airbag. With relatively fewer miles and very few passengers, the passenger seat didn't experience the normal use as likely modeled by BMW. However, during the fall of 2020, (during the height of covid), a warning light stating the passenger air bag had a malfunction. We were in the midst of nursing and the warning light then went out during the first three months of 2021. When it came on again in May, 2021, I asked BMW about it as was told, "That's Campaign 13V-564. The front passenger airbag seat occupancy sensor mat isn't working. This means, if there's an accident, the airbag protecting the passenger won't deploy." Apparently there as a "safety check" on this in 2014 and the recall closed as of January 2021....so, I was four months past the expiration date of their safety check for this important malfunctioning seat cushion. As advised by a BMW representative, I requested "goodwill assistance" with covering all or some of this repair (estimated at approx $2k). I was just told that BMW will not provide any goodwill assistance with this and there is apparently no one within BMW Customer Relations I can escalate this to. So, I am reaching-out to the NHTSA in hopes someone can assist me in navigating this. It seems to me, an important safety item such as a passenger sensor for airbag deployment on a car with fewer miles (and passengers) than average, experiencing a brief warning that didn't repeat during covid when we were unable to get to a BMW dealership, and for a "safety check" issue that just ended prior to us contacting BMW to repair is something I don't think BMW should be able to dodge.
MY HEATED SEAT CAUGHT ON FIRE AND BURNED ME AND MY COAT. I VERY RARELY USED IT AT ALL. I STARTED USING IT AND IT WAS PROBABLY THE 10TH TIME I USED IT WHEN IT OCCURRED.
MY VEHICLE WENT ON LIMP MODE I'M PRETTY SURE IT HAS TO DO WITH THE TRANSMISSION GEARS. MY PASSENGER SIDE DOOR LOOKS LIKE THE AIR BAG WANTS TO POP OUT.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND PROPERLY. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO RICHMOND BMW (8710 W BROAD ST, RICHMOND, VA 23294) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE BRAKES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER AND THE BRAKE BOOSTER WERE REPLACED. THE CONTACT RELATED THE FAILURE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V446000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 214,000.
I PURCHASED A 2006 X5 4.4I (N62B44 ENGINE)USED WITH 138,000 MILES. WENT TO LEAVE DRIVEWAY, CAR WAS IN REVERSE, PRESSES BRAKES TO ADJUST MIRRORS, LET OFF TO KEEP BACKING OUT, HAD TO PRESS AGAIN FOR ANOTHER ADJUSTMENT, I LOOKED UP AND I WAS DRIVING THROUGH THE BUSHES IN MY FRONT YARD. BRAKES WERE PUSHED BUT NOT ENGAGING. I THOUGHT THAT TO BE ODD, SO I WANTED TO RUN TO A CERTIFIED BMW REPAIR FACILITY. I WAS IN TRAFFIC GOING ABOUT 40 AND HAD TO UTILIZE THE BREAKS AGAIN, THE CAR STOPPED. WITHIN ONE MINUTE I HAD TO PRESS AGAIN AND THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP, I PUMPED THE BREAKS AND THE PEDAL WAS SO HARD THERE WAS NO GIVE. I PLOWED THROUGH A RED LIGHT ALMOST CAUSING A SEVERAL CAR PILE UP, AND WAS FINALLY ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE TO STOP. AT THE REPAIR SHOP, I WAS TOLD THE VACUUM PUMP WAS LEAKING OIL EVERYWHERE BECAUSE IT WAS BUSTED, THE OIL WAS BACKING UP INTO THE MASTER CYLINDER AND HAD MIXED WITH THE BREAK FLUID AND THE BREAK BOOSTER WAS BAD. I AM HAVING TO PAY 2400 FOR THE SERVICE WHEN IT WAS JUST PURCHASED 3 DAYS AGO. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ON AT TIME OF PURCHASE WHICH WOULD HAVE KEPT ME FROM PURCHASING WITH CASH. THERE ARE STILL NO WARNING LIGHTS ALTHOUGH I HAVE TAKEN DOWN SEVERAL BUSHES BECAUSE THE X5 WOULD NOT STOP AND ALMOST CAUSED A HEAD ON COLLISION BECAUSE THE X5 WOULD NOT STOP AGAIN. THE 2007 X5 HAS BEEN RECALLED TO THE EXACT SAME ISSUE WITH THE EXACT SAME DIAGNOSIS AND SYMPTOMS, THE 5 SERIES FROM THAT YEAR WAS ALSO RECALLED. JUST NOT THE X5 DUE TO AN OBVIOUS OVERSITE. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS VEHICLE WHEN IT IS OPERATED WITHOUT BEING REPAIRED. THE VACUUM PUMP, BREAK BOOSTER AND MASTER CYLINDER ARE ALL PART OF THE RECALL, WHICH IS EXACTLY WHAT A BMW CERTIFIED MECHANIC STATED NEEDED TO BE REPLACED ON MINE. I
THE BRAKES PEDAL BECOMES HARD AND IS UNABLE TO STOP VEHICLE. THIS OCCUR WHILE THE VEHICLE IS MOVING. IN ADDITION THE BRAKE PEDAL IS HARD WHILE STATIONARY AS WELL
MY VEHICLES BATTERY KEEP DRAINING WHEN NOT DROVE FOR TWO DAYS. I HAVE REPLACED THE BATTERY AND IT STILL WONT FIRE AFTER 2 DAYS. I SAW THE RECALL ABOUT MOISTURE GETTING INTO THE VEHICLES POSITIVE CRANK CASE VENTILATION VALVE HEATER AND THOUGHT THIS MIGHT BE HAPPENING WITH MY VEHICLE CAUSING MY BATTERY TO BE DRAINED. HOWEVER, I FIND THAT MY VEHICLE IS NOT ON THE RECALLED LIST. IT STILL CONTINUES TO DO THIS.
WHEN USING THE HEATED DRIVER SEAT, IT BEGINS TO SMOKE AND GIVE OFF A BURNING SMELL. I DON'T KNOW IF IT WOULD CATCH ON FIRE, I TURNED IT OFF AS SOON AS I REALIZED IT WAS THE SEAT BURNING AND SMOKING. I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE USED AND JUST THOUGHT THE SEAT WAS A BIT WORN IN THAT SPOT. I CHECKED FOR RECALLS ON THIS YEAR AND THERE AREN'T ANY. MY CAR WAS STATIONARY WHEN THIS OCCURRED, PARKED IN A PARKING LOT.
OCCUPANCY SEAT SENSOR FAILURE AFTER RECALL CAMPAIGN 17V-605 COMPLETED. THE SENSOR MAT FAILED WITHIN 16 MONTHS OF THE REPAIR WHICH MEANS THE PARTS USED FOR THE CAMPAIGN ARE FAULTY AS WELL. BMW REFUSES TO FIX THE ISSUE. THIS FAILURE WILL RESULT IN THE PASSENGER FRONT AIR BAG TO NOT DEPLOY AS SO STATED IN THE ORIGINAL RECALL CAMPAIGN.
MY VEHICLE HAS HAD THE RECALL FOR THE AIR BAG COMPLETED. THE LIGHT CONTINUES TO COME BACK FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE SRS. WHY CAN'T BMW FIX THIS RECALL ONCE AND FOR ALL?
Showing 1–20 of 25 complaints
The 2006 BMW X5 has 2 recalls recorded by NHTSA.
NHTSA has received 194 owner-reported complaints for the 2006 BMW X5.
NHTSA has not published a safety rating for the 2006 BMW X5.
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2006 BMW X5 are air bags (78 reports), service brakes (24 reports), seats (13 reports).
Yes. NHTSA has 2 recalls on record for the 2006 BMW X5. 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.