There are 6 owner-reported powertrain & transmission complaints for the 2006 BMW X5in NHTSA's database. These are unverified consumer reports and may not reflect confirmed defects.
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.
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.
HELLO, I HAVE A 2006 BMW X5 [XXX] THAT HAS A TRANSMISSION ISSUE. IT HAS STARTED BY ROLLING ON HILLS AND SHIFTING FUNNY BOTH IN CITY AND ON HIGHWAY. IT THEN STARTED NOT MOVING MUCH WHEN ACCELERATING AS I WAS COMING OFF A HIGHWAY EXIT AND CONTINUED THROUGH TOWN. IT HAS 120,000 MILES. HAVING DONE RESEARCH, ATTACHED BELOW IS A LINK TO 4 RELATED RECALLS. PLEASE ADVISE ME AS TO WHICH RECALL THIS IS AND HOW TO PROCEED TO GETTING IT REPAIRED. I LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING FROM YOU SOON. THANK YOU, [XXX] HTTPS://WWW.TRANSMISSIONREPAIRCOSTGUIDE.COM/BMW-X5-TRANSMISSION-PROBLEMS/ INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
BRAKE BOOSTER AND MASTER CYLINDER FAILED IN JUNE. NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL SINCE A RECALL HAD NOT BEEN ISSUED FOR THE 2006 MODELS. SHORTLY THEREAFTER THE WATER PUMP BEGAN LEAKING COOLANT. AGAIN, NOT COVERED FOR 2006 MODELS. NOW THERE IS A SEVERE LEAK IN THE POWER STEERING PUMP. ALL SHOULD BE RECALLED. ALREADY SPENT OVER $4K IN REPAIRS FOR A VEHICLE THAT, GIVEN ITS PRICE AND CLAIMS OF EXTRAORDINARY GERMAN ENGINEERING, SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN NECESSARY. VERY DISAPPOINTED. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH THE CONTACT NOTICED A GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE AND THE TRANSMISSION FAILURE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD BANG IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED BLUE SMOKE EMITTING FROM THE TAIL PIPE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACTS HOME AND LATER DRIVEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSE THAT THE TRANSFER CASE ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,000.
AFTER DRIVING FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD, INTERMITTENTLY THE TRANSMISSION GEAR SLIPS WITH BIG JOLT WHEN ACCELERATING FROM 5-10 MILES UPHILL. *TR
Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA. A high complaint count may reflect vehicle popularity, not defect severity. Data sourced from NHTSA public records.
Data synced from NHTSA on Apr 26, 2026