Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
100–25K
1225–50K
3650–75K
3075–100K
34100–150K
10150K+
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
What owners actually said
168 reports
Mileage unknown · Nov 14, 2014
Air Bags
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW X5. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V564000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED WAS UNAVAILABLE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO SPECIFY WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW X5. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V564000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED WAS UNAVAILABLE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO SPECIFY WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. UPDATED 12/23/14*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE AIRBAG WAS REPLACED AFTER A YEAR. UPDATED 05/27/15 *JS
NHTSA ODI #10655034
Mileage unknown · Nov 14, 2014
Air Bags
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW X5. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V564000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED TO REMEDY THE VEHICLE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
NHTSA ODI #10654955
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
108,000 miles · Nov 12, 2014
Power TrainService Brakes
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 R…
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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
NHTSA ODI #10654612
160,000 miles · Nov 7, 2014
Vehicle Speed Control
I DRIVE A 2006 BMW X5. THIS MORNING WHILE COMPLETELY STOPPED IN THE DRIVE THRU OF THE BANK AT THE WINDOW, REACHING INTO THE OPEN DRAWER FOR A DEPOSIT SLIP, MY BMW ACCELERATED WIDE OPEN ON ITS OWN. I DISTINCTLY LOOKED DOWN AND MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE. THE CAR WAS MOVING EXTREMELY FAST AND THE ENGINE WAS REVVING AS IF THE GAS WAS…
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I DRIVE A 2006 BMW X5. THIS MORNING WHILE COMPLETELY STOPPED IN THE DRIVE THRU OF THE BANK AT THE WINDOW, REACHING INTO THE OPEN DRAWER FOR A DEPOSIT SLIP, MY BMW ACCELERATED WIDE OPEN ON ITS OWN. I DISTINCTLY LOOKED DOWN AND MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE. THE CAR WAS MOVING EXTREMELY FAST AND THE ENGINE WAS REVVING AS IF THE GAS WAS PRESSED EVEN THOUGH MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE. THE DRIVE THRU OPENED UP INTO A LONG PARKING LOT. I WAS ABLE TO PULL UP THE PARKING BRAKE TO STOP THE CAR. IT WAS SO SCARY AND I WAS AT THE POINT TO MAKE A DECISION TO GET INTO TRAFFIC, IF I COULD MAKE THE TURN OR TO HIT A RETIREMENT BUILDING. ONCE THE CAR STOPPED, I PUT IT IN PARK AND TURNED IT OFF. I CHECKED TO ENSURE THERE WAS NOT ANYTHING ON THE GAS PEDAL AND THERE WAS NOT. THIS IS A MAJOR ISSUE AND I AM SO THANKFUL TO GOD, HE ALLOWED ME TO STOP THIS CAR. THIS HAS TO BE SOME TYPE OF DEFECT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10653414
Mileage unknown · Nov 2, 2014
Air Bags
I BROUGHT CAR IN AFTER I GOT RECALL NOTICE. I WAS TOLD THE PART HAD TO BE ORDERED FROM GERMANY. MY COMPLAINT IS THAT IT IS TAKING LONGER THAN I FEEL IS REASONABLE. BMW REFUSES TO PROVIDE ME WITH A RENTAL. I HAVE NO OTHER CAR TO DRIVE AND I FEEL UNSAFE DRIVING THIS CAR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10651912
Mileage unknown · Oct 15, 2014
Air Bags
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2006 BMW X5. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V564000 (AIR BAGS). HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. T…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2006 BMW X5. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V564000 (AIR BAGS). HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
NHTSA ODI #10644799
Mileage unknown · Oct 9, 2014
Air Bags
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW X5. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V564000 (AIR BAGS). HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW X5. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V564000 (AIR BAGS). HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
NHTSA ODI #10643697
120,000 miles · Oct 3, 2014
Equipment
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE NAVIGATION SCREEN IN THE VEHICLE FAILED TO OPERATE PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
NHTSA ODI #10641149
94,000 miles · Oct 2, 2014
Service Brakes
WHILE SITTING AT A RED LIGHT THE BRAKE PEDAL ALL OF SUDDEN BECAME HARD AND APPLIED A UNREASONABLE AMOUNT OF PRESSURE AGAINST MY LEG. IN ORDER TO MAKE THE CAR STOP I NEEDED TO EXERT A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF PRESSURE IN ORDER TO STOP THE CAR FROM ROLLING FORWARD AND HITTING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL FOR THE 2…
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WHILE SITTING AT A RED LIGHT THE BRAKE PEDAL ALL OF SUDDEN BECAME HARD AND APPLIED A UNREASONABLE AMOUNT OF PRESSURE AGAINST MY LEG. IN ORDER TO MAKE THE CAR STOP I NEEDED TO EXERT A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF PRESSURE IN ORDER TO STOP THE CAR FROM ROLLING FORWARD AND HITTING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL FOR THE 2007 AND NEWER 8 CYL X5 BRAKE BOOSTERS. OBVIOUSLY THIS IS THE SAME PROBLEM AND THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL DONE WITH THIS CAR AS WELL. ANY DENIAL ON THE PART OF BMW THAT THIS IS A PRODUCT DEFECT IS A DENIAL ON THEIR PART. *TR
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.
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.
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