← New search

2006 BMW X5

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2006 BMW X5 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 100.5.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

132 reports with mileage · 36 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Air Bags. Review the 83 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Seats. Review the 25 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes. Review the 21 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

5 crash reports11 fire reports12 injury reports

Engine And Engine Cooling complaints

7 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Nov 29, 2016
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingExterior Lighting

2006 X5 VIN [XXX] WHILE IN MOTION ON A CITY STREET AND HWY! 1. BRAKE BOOSTER / VACUUM LINE FAILURE SAME AS RECALLED 2007-2010 ISSUE. WHY IS MY 2006 X5 BMW NOT COVERED WHEN THERE IS CLEARLY A SYSTEMIC FAILURE OF THIS SAME SYSTEM? I SEEK IMMEDIATE RELIEF AND DEMAND UPON YOU A RECALL FOR MY SPECIFIC BMW NOW TODAY. [XXX] CALL ME! …

Read full complaint

2006 X5 VIN [XXX] WHILE IN MOTION ON A CITY STREET AND HWY! 1. BRAKE BOOSTER / VACUUM LINE FAILURE SAME AS RECALLED 2007-2010 ISSUE. WHY IS MY 2006 X5 BMW NOT COVERED WHEN THERE IS CLEARLY A SYSTEMIC FAILURE OF THIS SAME SYSTEM? I SEEK IMMEDIATE RELIEF AND DEMAND UPON YOU A RECALL FOR MY SPECIFIC BMW NOW TODAY. [XXX] CALL ME! 2. ALTERNATOR FAILURE X5 ACTED POSSESSED WITH ALL LIGHTS GOING ON AND OFF BEFORE SHUTTING THE CAR DOWN ON A FREEWAY WHILE AT MAX LEGAL SPEED. ALTERNATOR IS PLACED LOW ON THE LEFT SIDE WHERE OIL LEAKS INTO IT CAUSING A FAILURE MODE. THE SAME OIL LEAKS CAUSE OTHER RUBBER COMPONENTS TO SWELL UP CRACK AND FAIL SUCH AS BOOTS AND RUBBER BUSHINGS ON ARMS. WHERE IS THE RECALL?? 2006 WHERE IS IT?? 3. BRAKE LIGHT SYSTEM FAILURE BACK R/H AND CHANGING LIGHT BULBS DIDN'T BRING IT TO WORKING CONDITION. BMW USED A SCREW DRIVER TO MAKE IT WORK AGAIN AFTER THE AIRBAG AND ALTERNATOR REPAIR THEY DID..I PAID FOR THE ALTERNATOR BUT IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL ITEM! NOW MY BRAKE LIGHTS DON'T WORK BACK R/H SIDE. 5. 1 HEAD LIGHT OUT 6. ENGINE LEAKS OIL ON THE SIDE ONTO MY X5 RUBBER COMPONENTS AND I ALREADY HAD TO PAY FOR A NEW BOOT AND ARM! OTHER RUBBER ITEMS ARE ALL BAD AND GETTING WORSE! WHERE IS THE RECALL? WHY ARE THESE SAFETY ITEMS NOT BEING RECALLED BY YOUR GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATION? INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10928444

108,000 miles · Nov 12, 2014
Engine And Engine CoolingService BrakesSteering

I ALREADY FILED COMPLAINTS FOR A FAILED BRAKE BOOSTER, MASTER CYLINDER PUMP, WATER PUMP LEAKING COOLANT, POWER STEERING PUMP LEAKING OIL. I FAILED TO MENTION THAT THE VALVE GASKET COVER ALSO NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AS OIL WAS SPEWING ALL OVER THE ENGINE. AT THIS POINT, THIS VEHICLE SHOULD BE RECALLED IN ITS ENTIRETY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10654616

134,000 miles · Jun 2, 2014
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline

COMPLETE BMW DIAGNOSTIC DONE IN OCTOBER 2013, REPAIRS DONE EXCEPT BRAKES. WHILE STOPPED AT RED LIGHT AT NORTHSIDE DR. & 8TH STREET(APPROX.) MY X5 SHUT OFF & WOULD NOT CRANK UNTIL 10 MINUTES LATER. FIRE TRUCK WAS ON AN EMERGENCY & MY X5 BLOCKED IT'S MOTION. IMMEDIATELY TOOK X5 TO AUTO REPAIR, RENTED A CAR & NO PROBLEM DIAGNOSED. …

Read full complaint

COMPLETE BMW DIAGNOSTIC DONE IN OCTOBER 2013, REPAIRS DONE EXCEPT BRAKES. WHILE STOPPED AT RED LIGHT AT NORTHSIDE DR. & 8TH STREET(APPROX.) MY X5 SHUT OFF & WOULD NOT CRANK UNTIL 10 MINUTES LATER. FIRE TRUCK WAS ON AN EMERGENCY & MY X5 BLOCKED IT'S MOTION. IMMEDIATELY TOOK X5 TO AUTO REPAIR, RENTED A CAR & NO PROBLEM DIAGNOSED. 06/02/14, ON MY WAY TO BIBLE STUDY, STOPPED AT LIGHT, STUTTERED UPON GAS PETAL PUSH TO DRIVE. DROVE UP HILL & X5 SHUT OFF THEN DASH LIGHT READ STOP! OIL PRESSURE, COASTED TO NEAREST LOT. OIL ADDED THEN DROVE FOR 5 MORE MINUTES, STOPPED FOR OFFICER TO DIRECT SCHOOL ZONE TRAFFIC, SHUT OFF AGAIN. ENGINE TURNS ON BUT WON'T COMPLETELY START. POLICE PUSHED ME INTO NEAREST PARKING LOT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10595655

88,601 miles · Feb 29, 2012
Engine And Engine Cooling

WHILE DRIVING MY TRUCK ON A VERY COLD DAY (0 DEGREES) IN CHICAGO, WHITE SMOKE BEGAN EMITTING FROM THE EXHAUST AND THE TRUCK TOTALLY STOPPED RUNNING IN THE MIDDLE OF HEAVY TRAFFIC. IT WOULD NOT RESTART AND IT HAD TO BE TOWED. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE CRANCKCASE BREATHER BOX/OIL SEPARATOR STOPPED WORKING CAUSING OIL TO SPEW EV…

Read full complaint

WHILE DRIVING MY TRUCK ON A VERY COLD DAY (0 DEGREES) IN CHICAGO, WHITE SMOKE BEGAN EMITTING FROM THE EXHAUST AND THE TRUCK TOTALLY STOPPED RUNNING IN THE MIDDLE OF HEAVY TRAFFIC. IT WOULD NOT RESTART AND IT HAD TO BE TOWED. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE CRANCKCASE BREATHER BOX/OIL SEPARATOR STOPPED WORKING CAUSING OIL TO SPEW EVERYWHERE WITHIN MY EXHAUST. THIS ALSO RUINED MY SPARK PLUGS. THIS IS A WELL DOCUMENTED DEFECT IN THE X5, AND THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL RELATED TO THIS. IT SEEMS TO OCCUR AS SOON AS THE MANUFACTURER OR EXTENDED WARRANTY EXPIRES AND IT IS RELATED TO COLD WEATHER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10449703

73,000 miles · Feb 28, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline

OIL SEPARATOR PROBLEM WITH 2006 BMW X5, CAUSED ENGINE TO SHUT DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY. I'M TOLD THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM WHEN DRIVING IN COLD WEATHER AND THERE IS NOTHING I CAN DO TO FIX IT. $1500 REPAIR AND STILL NO ASSURANCE IT WON'T HAPPEN AGAIN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10384723

85,000 miles · Feb 1, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

THE ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON AND STAYED ON THEREFORE MADE AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEALER. I DID NOT NOTICE ANY CHANGES ON THE CAR EXCEPT THE FUEL CONSUMPTION WHERE IT CONSUMED MORE THAN USUAL. WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, THEY TOLD ME THAT THE OIL VAPOR SEPARATOR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED, THAT I WAS LUCKY THAT THE CAR DID NOT DIE ON …

Read full complaint

THE ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON AND STAYED ON THEREFORE MADE AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEALER. I DID NOT NOTICE ANY CHANGES ON THE CAR EXCEPT THE FUEL CONSUMPTION WHERE IT CONSUMED MORE THAN USUAL. WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, THEY TOLD ME THAT THE OIL VAPOR SEPARATOR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED, THAT I WAS LUCKY THAT THE CAR DID NOT DIE ON ME. THEY ARE CHARGING 1400 TO FIX THE PROBLEM. AS I RESEARCHED ON THE INTERNET, THIS PART HAS BEEN FAILING FOR PEOPLE THAT DO NOT DRIVE THEIR CAR FAR ENOUGH. THE CONDENSATION COAGULATES IN THE OIL PASSAGES. ONE OF THOSE PASSAGES IS THE TUBE FROM THE OIL SEPARATOR WHICH GOES BACK INTO THE OIL PAN. OVER TIME, THE REPEATED DRIVING ON SHORT TRIPS CAUSES THE COAGULATED OIL AND CONDENSATION TO BUILD UP INSIDE THE PASSAGE WHICH RUNS FROM THE OIL SEPARATOR TO THE OIL PAN. WHEN ENOUGH CONDENSATION GATHERS IN THE OIL SEPARATOR AFTER THE ENGINE IS SHUT OFF IN TEMPERATURES BELOW FREEZING - HYDROLOCK MAY BE CAUSED BY OIL INGESTION. DUE TO THIS, THE SUV CAN JUST STOP ANYWHERE, I AM ONE OF THE LUCKY ONES THAT MADE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP THAT DID NOT HAVE TO COMPROMISE MY SAFETY. I CALLED BMW AND THEY SAID, THE CAR IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY AND IT IS NOT CONSIDERED A DEFECT. *LN

NHTSA ODI #10379866

4,900 miles · Nov 16, 2006
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT DOWNSHIFT PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED, BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. ALSO, THE ENGINE REVVED WHILE AT A STOP. THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE A PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS A 2006 BMW X5.*AK UPDATED 01/10/07. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10173657

Official recalls

2

13V564000 · Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification

Nov 12, 2013

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Should the system fail, in the event of a crash, the front passenger air bag would be deactivated, increasing the risk of personal injury.

Remedy: 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.

05V504000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission

Nov 1, 2005

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH AN INCORRECTLY MANUFACTURED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION PARKING PAWL GUIDE PLATE.

Consequence & remedy

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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

EA08001 · BMW Airbag Light Illumination

Opened Jan 4, 2008 · Closed Dec 31, 2008

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags; Air Bags:frontal; Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE

BMW IS CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN ON APPROXIMATELY 200,000 MY04 THROUGH MY06 SUBJECT VEHICLES BUILT THROUGH 11/30/05 TO CORRECT THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT. THE SPECIFIC VEHICLES INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AREMY04- 06/ 5-SERIES WITH STANDARD AND SPORT SEATS, MY04-06/ X3-SERIES AND MY06/ 3-SERIES WITH SPORT SEATS. IN ADDITION, BMW WILL EXTEND THE WARRANTY COVERAGE OF THE PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT TO 10-YEAR/UNLIMITED MILEAGE ON APPROXIMATELY 120,000 REMAINING MY04-06 SUBJECT VEHICLES BUILT THROUGH 11/30/05. THE SPECIFIC VEHICLES INCLUDED IN THE EXTENDED WARRANTY ARE MY 06/ 6 SERIES, MY 06/ 3-SERIES WITH STANDARD SEATS, MY04-05/ Z4, MY04-06/ 7 SERIES, MY 06/ X5, AND MY04-06/ 5-SERIES WITH COMFORT SEATS.THE AVERAGE FREQUENCY OF FAILURES AMONG THE EXTENDED WARRANTY GROUPS WAS LESS THAN 1/7TH OF THE RECALL VEHICLE GROUPS.PLEASE SEE BMW'S 08V-384 RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR FURTHER DETAILSDEPENDING ON SEAT CONFIGURATION AND VEHICLE GEOMETRY, THE OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT CAN FATIGUE DURING USE DEPENDING ON THE MANNER AND FREQUENCY OF THE FRONT PASSENGER'S ENTRY AND EXIT.SPECIFICALLY, OVER TIME, MICRO-CRACKS COULD DEVELOP IN THE SIDE FLANKS OF THE MAT CAUSING A BROKEN CIRCUIT.A BROKENCIRCUIT CAN LEAD TO THE DEACTIVATION OF THE PASSENGER AIR BAG AND THE ILLUMINATION OF BOTH THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT AND THE PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT.

Additional source detail variants (3)

Air Bags

BMW IS CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN ON APPROXIMATELY 200,000 MY04 THROUGH MY06 SUBJECT VEHICLES BUILT THROUGH 11/30/05 TO CORRECT THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT. THE SPECIFIC VEHICLES INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AREMY04- 06/ 5-SERIES WITH STANDARD AND SPORT SEATS, MY04-06/ X3-SERIES AND MY06/ 3-SERIES WITH SPORT SEATS. IN ADDITION, BMW WILL EXTEND THE WARRANTY COVERAGE OF THE PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT TO 10-YEAR/UNLIMITED MILEAGE ON APPROXIMATELY 120,000 REMAINING MY04-06 SUBJECT VEHICLES BUILT THROUGH 11/30/05. THE SPECIFIC VEHICLES INCLUDED IN THE EXTENDED WARRANTY ARE MY 06/ 6 SERIES, MY 06/ 3-SERIES WITH STANDARD SEATS, MY04-05/ Z4, MY04-06/ 7 SERIES, MY 06/ X5, AND MY04-06/ 5-SERIES WITH COMFORT SEATS.THE AVERAGE FREQUENCY OF FAILURES AMONG THE EXTENDED WARRANTY GROUPS WAS LESS THAN 1/7TH OF THE RECALL VEHICLE GROUPS.PLEASE SEE BMW'S 08V-384 RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR FURTHER DETAILSDEPENDING ON SEAT CONFIGURATION AND VEHICLE GEOMETRY, THE OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT CAN FATIGUE DURING USE DEPENDING ON THE MANNER AND FREQUENCY OF THE FRONT PASSENGER'S ENTRY AND EXIT.SPECIFICALLY, OVER TIME, MICRO-CRACKS COULD DEVELOP IN THE SIDE FLANKS OF THE MAT CAUSING A BROKEN CIRCUIT.A BROKENCIRCUIT CAN LEAD TO THE DEACTIVATION OF THE PASSENGER AIR BAG AND THE ILLUMINATION OF BOTH THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT AND THE PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT.

Air Bags:frontal

BMW IS CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN ON APPROXIMATELY 200,000 MY04 THROUGH MY06 SUBJECT VEHICLES BUILT THROUGH 11/30/05 TO CORRECT THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT. THE SPECIFIC VEHICLES INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AREMY04- 06/ 5-SERIES WITH STANDARD AND SPORT SEATS, MY04-06/ X3-SERIES AND MY06/ 3-SERIES WITH SPORT SEATS. IN ADDITION, BMW WILL EXTEND THE WARRANTY COVERAGE OF THE PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT TO 10-YEAR/UNLIMITED MILEAGE ON APPROXIMATELY 120,000 REMAINING MY04-06 SUBJECT VEHICLES BUILT THROUGH 11/30/05. THE SPECIFIC VEHICLES INCLUDED IN THE EXTENDED WARRANTY ARE MY 06/ 6 SERIES, MY 06/ 3-SERIES WITH STANDARD SEATS, MY04-05/ Z4, MY04-06/ 7 SERIES, MY 06/ X5, AND MY04-06/ 5-SERIES WITH COMFORT SEATS.THE AVERAGE FREQUENCY OF FAILURES AMONG THE EXTENDED WARRANTY GROUPS WAS LESS THAN 1/7TH OF THE RECALL VEHICLE GROUPS.PLEASE SEE BMW'S 08V-384 RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR FURTHER DETAILSDEPENDING ON SEAT CONFIGURATION AND VEHICLE GEOMETRY, THE OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT CAN FATIGUE DURING USE DEPENDING ON THE MANNER AND FREQUENCY OF THE FRONT PASSENGER'S ENTRY AND EXIT.SPECIFICALLY, OVER TIME, MICRO-CRACKS COULD DEVELOP IN THE SIDE FLANKS OF THE MAT CAUSING A BROKEN CIRCUIT.A BROKENCIRCUIT CAN LEAD TO THE DEACTIVATION OF THE PASSENGER AIR BAG AND THE ILLUMINATION OF BOTH THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT AND THE PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT.

Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE

BMW IS CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN ON APPROXIMATELY 200,000 MY04 THROUGH MY06 SUBJECT VEHICLES BUILT THROUGH 11/30/05 TO CORRECT THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT. THE SPECIFIC VEHICLES INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AREMY04- 06/ 5-SERIES WITH STANDARD AND SPORT SEATS, MY04-06/ X3-SERIES AND MY06/ 3-SERIES WITH SPORT SEATS. IN ADDITION, BMW WILL EXTEND THE WARRANTY COVERAGE OF THE PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT TO 10-YEAR/UNLIMITED MILEAGE ON APPROXIMATELY 120,000 REMAINING MY04-06 SUBJECT VEHICLES BUILT THROUGH 11/30/05. THE SPECIFIC VEHICLES INCLUDED IN THE EXTENDED WARRANTY ARE MY 06/ 6 SERIES, MY 06/ 3-SERIES WITH STANDARD SEATS, MY04-05/ Z4, MY04-06/ 7 SERIES, MY 06/ X5, AND MY04-06/ 5-SERIES WITH COMFORT SEATS.THE AVERAGE FREQUENCY OF FAILURES AMONG THE EXTENDED WARRANTY GROUPS WAS LESS THAN 1/7TH OF THE RECALL VEHICLE GROUPS.PLEASE SEE BMW'S 08V-384 RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR FURTHER DETAILSDEPENDING ON SEAT CONFIGURATION AND VEHICLE GEOMETRY, THE OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT CAN FATIGUE DURING USE DEPENDING ON THE MANNER AND FREQUENCY OF THE FRONT PASSENGER'S ENTRY AND EXIT.SPECIFICALLY, OVER TIME, MICRO-CRACKS COULD DEVELOP IN THE SIDE FLANKS OF THE MAT CAUSING A BROKEN CIRCUIT.A BROKENCIRCUIT CAN LEAD TO THE DEACTIVATION OF THE PASSENGER AIR BAG AND THE ILLUMINATION OF BOTH THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT AND THE PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT.