RoadVitals

2006 BMW 530I Engine Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the engine system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Engine reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
23
Latest Jan 19, 2023
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
27%
of 84 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
1
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2006 BMW 530I submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 23 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming engine

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Engine
Filed Jan 19, 2023

The contact owns a 2006 BMW 530I. The contact received notification of the NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The local dealer was notified of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that on multiple occasions while the vehicle was idling, the vehicle lunged forward with the check engine warning light intermittently illuminated. The contact stated that a certified mechanic inspected the vehicle and determined that an O2 sensor, coil, and other unknown failures were affected by the recall. Additionally, the contact stated that she had to add a quart of oil every 400 miles. The contact also noticed a burning odor throughout the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 156,000.

NHTSA ID
11502574
Incident
Jan 18, 2023
Mileage
156,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jan 1, 2023

My serpentine belt broke causing my car to shut down. Apparently only BMW’s have a terrible design that the belt gets sucked into the engine and then the engine is gone. No other cars have this design. There are thousands of this model vehicle that are dead cars being sold online. This seems to be a problem

NHTSA ID
11499668
Incident
Mar 10, 2022
Engine
Filed Dec 12, 2022

The contact owns a 2006 BMW 530I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ID
11497050
Incident
Dec 12, 2022
Engine
Filed Jun 14, 2022

The contact owns a 2006 BMW 530i. The contact stated that while driving, the engine temperature was extremely hot. While the vehicle was parked inside the garage, the cooling fan continued to run. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the heat pump and thermostat were placed. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. VIN tool confirms parts not available. The failure mileage was approximately 43,000.

NHTSA ID
11469182
Incident
Jan 1, 2008
Mileage
43,000 mi
AirbagsEngineSeat belts
Filed May 27, 2022

The contact owns a 2006 BMW 530i. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V273000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) and 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The contact stated that air bag and seat belt warning lights were illuminated. the contact took the vehicle to the dealer and was informed that air bag and seat belt needed to be repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage 100,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ID
11466417
Incident
Apr 27, 2022
Mileage
100,000 mi
Engine
Filed May 25, 2022

The contact owns a 2006 BMW 530i. The contact stated upon coming to a complete stop, the vehicle would shudder significantly. Additionally, the contact stated that the engine was misfiring while driving. The transmission warning light and another unknown warning light illuminated. The contact stated that upon parking the vehicle in the driveway, he smelled a strong burning plastic odor. The contact turned off the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact later received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 217,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ID
11466049
Incident
Dec 25, 2021
Mileage
217,000 mi
Engine
Filed May 20, 2022

2006 BMW 5 SERIES. CONSUMER WITES SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT FOR VEHICLE REPAIRS RELATED TO SAFTEY RECALL 22V-119.

NHTSA ID
11465397
Incident
May 20, 2022
Engine
Filed May 16, 2022

The contact owns a 2006 BMW 530i. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle was smoking and came to a complete stop. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the residence and then to a local dealer. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle with engine and transmission failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ID
11464838
Incident
Apr 28, 2022
Engine
Filed Apr 27, 2022
Fire reported

The contact owns a 2006 BMW 530i. The contact stated while driving at approximately 65 MPH, the contact observed an unspecified "yellow" warning light on the dash and heard a small explosion sound issue from the engine compartment. The contact stated that smoke began to come out from under the hood. The contact turned the vehicle off and set the transmission to "neutral" coasted off the roadway onto the left shoulder and stopped. The vehicle was on fire in the engine compartment. The contact extinguished the flames with a fire extinguisher. The contact had the vehicle towed to his residence. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a dealer or an independent mechanic. The contact received a recall letter and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.

NHTSA ID
11462477
Incident
Jul 11, 2021
Mileage
150,000 mi
Engine
Filed Apr 26, 2022

The contact owns a 2006 BMW 530i. The contact stated while driving approximately 15 MPH, the vehicle started smoking from the engine and steering wheel. There was no fire in the vehicle. The check engine light illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact pulled over safely to the side of the road. The vehicle was cooled down and then was driven to an independent mechanic who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 2,000.

NHTSA ID
11462320
Incident
Apr 1, 2022
Mileage
2,000 mi
Engine
Filed Apr 4, 2022

The contact owns a 2006 BMW 530i. The contact stated upon taking the vehicle to an independent mechanic to be serviced, he was informed that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced excessive oil consumption. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The low engine oil pressure warning light was illuminated. The failure mileage was approximately 8,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ID
11459547
Incident
Mar 28, 2022
Mileage
8,000 mi
ElectricalEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Jul 28, 2019

MY AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON FOR NO REASON ONE DAY AND WILL NOT GO OFF I INITIALLY GOT A RECALL PAPER FOR IT BUT WAS UNABLE TO TAKE IT TO THE SHOP I VAN NO LONGER FIND THE PAPER BUT THE TRANSMISSION IS TRASH

NHTSA ID
11240218
Incident
Jul 28, 2019
Engine
Filed Jul 24, 2019

MANUFACTURES RECALL VEHICLE WAS RELOCATED AND NOW UNKNOWN

NHTSA ID
11234386
Incident
Oct 16, 2018
EnginePowertrain (other)Seat belts
Filed Mar 23, 2018

"TAKATA RECALL" THE CAR OVERHEAT, THE DASHBOARD SHOW SAFETY BELT MALFUNCTION, WHEN PUSH THE GAS PEDAL SOMETIMES JUMP, THE CAR SMELL GASOLINE ALL HE TIME, ALL THE TIME SHOW LOW LIMITS OF OIL BUT THE LEVEL OF OIL IS CORRECT.

NHTSA ID
11081128
Incident
Sep 1, 2006
Mileage
10,000 mi
Engine
Filed Nov 28, 2016

MY CAR HAS BEEN LEAKING ENGINE OIL FOR ABOUT THREE MONTHS. AFTER I HAD IT CHECKED, I WAS TOLD THAT ONE BOLT ON THE ENGINE WAS BROKEN. I FOUND THAT THE SAME PROBLEM HAPPENED COMMON. I THINK BMW SHOULD SOLVE THIS PROBLEM THROUGH RECALL, BECAUSE THIS PROBLEM IS A MANUFACTURE DEFECT.

NHTSA ID
10928255
Incident
Nov 27, 2016
Mileage
130,000 mi
Engine
Filed Nov 12, 2015

DURING A BMW SPONSORED VEHICLE INSPECTION I WAS INFORMED THAT ONE OF MY VALVE COVER BOLTS WAS BROKEN AND OIL WAS LEADING ON THE ENGINE (FIRE HAZARD). THE BMW MECHANIC STATED THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 530 SERIES AS THE MANUFACTURED USED ALUMINUM BOLTS TO REDUCE WEIGHT ON THE VEHICLE. THE ALUMINUM BOLTS SNAP/BREAK DUE TO HEAT. THIS IS A POSSIBLE FIRE HAZARD AND THE ALUMINUM VALVE COVER BOLTS SHOULD BE RECALLED AND REPLACED BY BMW.

NHTSA ID
10789918
Incident
Nov 11, 2015
Mileage
46,000 mi
Engine
Filed Oct 8, 2014

I HAVE A 2006 BMW 530I THAT HAS BEEN LEAKING OIL FOR 3 YEARS. I HAVE HAD WORK DONE ON THE CAR FROM AN AUTHORIZED BMW SHOP AND THE LEAK WAS NOT FIXED. I HAVE HAD EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION TO WHERE I HAVE HAD TO EITHER PUT OIL IN THE CAR MYSELF BECAUSE IT WAS AT THE MINIMUM LEVEL, OR TAKE IT IN TO THE DEALERSHIP (IF I'M IN THE AREA) FOR THEM TO TOP IT OFF. I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP 4 DIFFERENT TIMES AND THEY HAVE TOLD ME THAT THEY COULD NOT FIND AN OIL LEAK. RECENTLY I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND THEY TOLD ME I HAD A LEAK IN 3 DIFFERENT PLACES. SINCE I HAVE BEEN TOLD DIFFERENT SCENARIOS, I ESCALATED THE ISSUE TO HIGHER MANAGEMENT AND ASKED FOR AN ANSWER AS TO WHY TWO DIFFERENT MECHANICS AT A DEALERSHIP THAT SPECIALIZE IN THE "ULTIMATE DRIVING MACHINE" GAVE ME THREE DIFFERENT DIAGNOSTICS. THEY THEN TOLD ME THAT MY CAR HAS A BROKEN BOLT WHICH IS COMMON FOR THIS MODEL, BUT REFUSE TO RECTIFY THE SITUATION AND THE VEHICLE IS UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY AND NEITHER WILL PAY THE COST. *TR

NHTSA ID
10643462
Incident
Sep 10, 2014
Mileage
102,000 mi
ElectricalEngineFuel system
Filed Dec 17, 2013

WE HAVE A 2006 BMW 530I IN JANUARY OF 2013 WE HAD A IGNITION COIL GO OUT WITH AROUND 75000 MILES WHICH WAS ABOUT A 275.00$ TO GET FIXED. THEN ON 6/26/13 WE HAD 2 MORE IGNITION COILS GO OUT AT 78000 MILES, THAT TIME IT WAS 507.00 $ TO FIX, THIS MUST BE A FAULTY PART BECAUSE NOW 12/16/13 WITH 82000 MILES IT HAS HAPPENED AGAIN! I AM GOING TO PAY FOR THE REMAINING 3 TO BE CHANGED. WHEN I CALLED BMW THERE WAS A RECALL APPARENTLY FROM 2002-2004 FOR THIS. BY WAY OF MY VIN.# I FOUND OUT MY CAR WAS MADE 9/2005 I FEEL THIS PROBLEM NEVER GOT FIXED OR SIMPLY JUST CHANGING THE BRAND OF THE COIL WAS NOT THE ANSWER TO THE PROBLEM! BECAUSE ITS NOT FIXED. I HAVE NEVER OWNED A CAR WITH ISSUES LIKE THIS. WHEN I SPOKE TO A INDEPENDENT CERTIFIED BMW MECHANIC I WAS TOLD IT HAS BEEN A PROBLEM! *TR

NHTSA ID
10556400
Incident
Jan 16, 2013
Mileage
75,000 mi
Engine
Filed Sep 14, 2013

WHILE CHANGING MY OIL, NOTICE THAT OIL HAS BEEN SLOWLY LEAKING AROUND THE VALVE COVER. LOOKED ON ONLINE FORUMS AND FOUND THAT THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE WITH THE SAME ISSUE. I INSPECTED THE AREA WHERE THEY HAVE STATED COMMON BROKEN VALVE COVER BOLTS AND SURE ENOUGH THE BOLTS WERE BROKEN. THEY LITERALLY JUST SITTING IN THE VALVE COVER WITH NO PURPOSE. THEY CAME RIGHT OFF WHEN I PULLED THEM UP BY HAND. *TR

NHTSA ID
10543607
Incident
Jun 12, 2013
Mileage
118,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jul 24, 2013

MY 530I BMW HAS AT LEAST ONE BROKEN CYLINDER HEAD BOLT. THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE BMW N52 ENGINES. I WAS QUOTED $4500 FOR THE REPAIR. AS I MENTIONED THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM, A KNOWN PROBLEM BY BMW, BUT BMW ISN'T WILLING TO OFFER ME ANY ASSISTANCE. I FEEL A NEED TO REPORT THIS EXPENSIVE AND COMMON PROBLEM, AND BMW'S UNWILLINGNESS TO RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE SPENT HOURS WITH BMWUSA AND MY LOCAL BMW STEVENS CREEK DEALERSHIP AND SO FAR ALL I HAVE DONE IS WASTED MANY HOURS OF MY TIME. BMW NEEDS TO ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR SOMETHING THAT IS OBVIOUSLY A DETECT IN THEIR DESIGN. *TR

NHTSA ID
10531705
Incident
Feb 1, 2013
Mileage
90,000 mi
Engine
Filed Apr 5, 2013

ALL 3 ALUMINUM HEAD BOLTS WERE BROKEN CAUSING AN OIL LEAK WHICH COULD RESULT IN A FIRE. BOLTS WERE FOUND IN OIL PAN WHICH COULD HAVE DAMAGED ENGINE AND CAUSED FAILURE. THERE ARE NO WARNING LIGHTS OR MESSAGES THAT INDICATE A PROBLEM. THE ONLY WAY TO KNOW THERE IS A PROBLEM IS AN OIL LEAK BENEATH THE CAR. THIS WAS FIXED OUT OF WARRANTY AT A COST OF $2131.78. THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED AGAIN 2.5 YEARS LATER ON MARCH 27, 2013 AT 105,135 MILES AND A COST OF $2236.47. BMW DOESN'T THINK THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM AND SAYS IT IS "TYPICAL" OF A "HIGH PERFORMANCE" ENGINE. TO ME, THIS IS NOT A NORMAL MAINTENANCE ITEM, NOT TO MENTION THE POTENTIAL FOR FIRE AND POSSIBLE INJURY. THERE APPEARS TO BE ONLY ONE OTHER COMPLAINT WITH YOUR OFFICE FOR THIS SPECIFIC PROBLEM FOR THIS SPECIFIC CAR, BUT I THINK YOU WILL FIND SIMILAR PROBLEMS FOR ALL BMW'S WITH 3.0 LITER AND OTHER ENGINES WITH ALUMINUM HEAD BOLTS, INCLUDING THE 325, 330, 528, 730, ETC. *TR

NHTSA ID
10507266
Incident
Oct 6, 2010
Mileage
70,872 mi
Engine
Filed Mar 27, 2013

WE HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE SINCE 2007 AND HAVE NOT HAD TOO MANY ISSUES WITH IT. HOWEVER, RECENTLY IT DEVELOPED AN OIL LEAK WHICH BMW HAS REFUSED TO FIX. WHAT HAS HAPPENED IS THAT FOUR ALUMINUM BOLTS THAT HOLD THE TOP OF THE ENGINE BLOCK ON TO THE ENGINE HAVE BROKEN FOR NO APPARENT REASON. ACCORDING TO THE REPAIR SHOP I TOOK IT TO, BMW KNOWS THIS IS A DEFECT. THEY SHOULD HAVE NEVER USED ALUMINUM BOLTS AS FASTENERS FOR THIS ENGINE. I HAVE HAD TO SPEND $2900.00 TO HAVE THESE BOLTS REPLACED BY AN AUTHORIZED BMW REPAIR SHOP. THIS HAS STOPPED THE LEAK. THE DEALER WANTED $4300.00 TO DO THE SAME REPAIR. THIS IS NOT RIGHT. MY MECHANIC SAID THAT THIS OIL LEAK COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ENGINE FIRE IF I HAD LET IT GO. ANY HELP YOU CAN BE ON THIS MATTER WOULD BE GREAT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10504740
Incident
Feb 1, 2013
Mileage
74,500 mi
Engine
Filed Mar 14, 2013

MY SON WAS DRIVING THE CAR TO WORK AND IT ONLY GOT ABOUT 8 BLOCKS FROM OUR HOUSE WHEN THE CAR STALLED AND LOST COMPLETE POWER. HE COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND FROM THE LOOKS WHEN I ARRIVED THE SERPENTINE TENSION BELT HAD BROKEN WE TURNED THE KEY OVER AND THE ENGINE WAS IN A FREE SPIN. WE HAD IT TOWED TO A LOCAL SERVICE SHOP AND THEY REPLACED THE BELT BUT STATED THE ENGINE HAD NO COMPRESSION TOWED CAR TO A SECOND SHOP AND GOT THE SAME OPINION THE ENGINE HAD NO COMPRESSION. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHTS OR MESSAGES ON THE DASH. THE CAR JUST STOPPED OPERATING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD AND GAVE NO WARNING. *TR

NHTSA ID
10502741
Incident
Jan 29, 2013
Mileage
143,812 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .