ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
2006 BMW 650I
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Overview
Our database contains 20 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2006 BMW 650I, most frequently naming the brakes, interior & seats and airbags categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 44 manufacturer communications are on file.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Complaint activity over time
When owners filed reports about this model year
View as table
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Nov 2007 | 1 | 1 |
| Dec 2010 | 1 | 2 |
| Aug 2011 | 1 | 3 |
| Jul 2012 | 1 | 4 |
| Sep 2012 | 1 | 5 |
| Jan 2013 | 1 | 6 |
| Nov 2014 | 1 | 7 |
| Dec 2014 | 1 | 8 |
| Mar 2015 | 1 | 9 |
| Jul 2015 | 1 | 10 |
| Dec 2015 | 1 | 11 |
| Feb 2016 | 1 | 12 |
| Apr 2016 | 1 | 13 |
| Jul 2016 | 1 | 14 |
| Aug 2016 | 1 | 15 |
| Dec 2016 | 1 | 16 |
| Jan 2017 | 1 | 17 |
| Oct 2017 | 1 | 18 |
| Jul 2021 | 1 | 19 |
| Dec 2021 | 1 | 20 |
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
- Brakes521.7%
- Interior & seats417.4%
- Airbags313.0%
- Tires & wheels313.0%
- Seat belts28.7%
- Steering28.7%
- Engine14.3%
- Fuel system14.3%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Safety recalls
1 campaign cover this model year
Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.
Check a VIN on NHTSA.govSafety investigations
NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.
BMW AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATION
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.
Recent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
Leak from fuel pump located under passenger rear side (right rear). Gasoline pooling next to electrical connection and excess gasoline dripping into interior and exterior. Explosion risk. Gasoline fumes.
- NHTSA ID
- 11443562
- Incident
- Dec 12, 2021
Constant malfunctions of convertible top. Top won’t stay in locked position. Once top malfunctions windows won’t operate. This has been an ongoing problem. Has been in shop for repair of this item multiple times. Research shows many owners having same issues. Warning sign from BMW says drive slow and report to nearest BMW shop. BMW refuses to address the issue…. After spending hundreds if not thousands to get this issue resolved the latest BMW shop said replace the hydraulic system at a cost of 4400.00. The 2006 650 I convertible top has a manufacturing issue in my opinion. Please investigate.
- NHTSA ID
- 11426317
- Incident
- Jun 3, 2021
THE ACTIVE STEERING SYSTEM OPERATES ON AND OFF. STEERING IS NORMAL THEN THE ACTIVE STEERING SYSTEM SHUTS OFF. STEERING BECOMES VERY HEAVY. THE WARNINGS LIGHT NOW STAYS ON ALL THE TIME THIS IS UNDER ALL DRIVING CONDITIONS AND ROADS.
- NHTSA ID
- 11032224
- Incident
- Oct 7, 2017
- Mileage
- 118,000 mi
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY WHEN I SMELLED SOMETHING FUNNY. A MINUTE LATER I FELT AN EXTREMELY HOT SENSATION ON MY LEFT LEG. I REACHED DOWN AND THE SEAT WAS SO HOT THAT IT BURNT MY HAND FROM THE BRIEF CONTACT. I PULLED OVER TO FIND THAT THE HEATED SEAT ELEMENT HAD BURNT A HOLE IN THE LEATHER SEAT AS WELL AS BURNT A HOLE IN MY WOOL COAT. IRONICALLY, THIS OCCURRED IN MY LAST BMW AS WELL, A 2004 3-SERIES, JUST TO A LESSER EXTENT. I DID NOT RECEIVE BURNS FROM THAT INCIDENT, IT JUST MELTED THE LEFT SIDE OF MY SEAT. *TR
- NHTSA ID
- 10946314
- Incident
- Jan 19, 2017
- Mileage
- 85,000 mi
PASSENGER SEATBELT/AIRBAG WARNING AS FOLLOWS: "PASS. RESTRAINT SYSTEM - FAULT ON PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM AFFECTING AIRBAG, BELT TENSIONER OR BELT-FORCE LIMITER. CONTINUE TO WEAR THE SAFETY BELT." NOTE: THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY WITH A MECHANIC WHO HAS CONFIRMED THIS IS THE "PASSENGER SEAT MAT SENSOR." I CALLED BMW OF NORTH AMERICA TODAY TO REPORT THE PROBLEM AND CHECK FOR RECALLS. I WAS INFORMED I SHOULD GO TO A BMW DEALERSHIP TO GET A "FORMAL DIAGNOSIS FROM THE DEALER" AND TO "CONFIRM IF THE ISSUE COULD'VE BEEN INCLUDED IN PRIOR RECALL." NOTE: I SEARCHED THE NHTSA WEBSITE FOR MY YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL VEHICLE AND FOUND THIS EXACT SAME ISSUE WAS UNDER "INVESTIGATION" FROM JAN. 4, 2008 TO DEC. 31, 2008. THE INVESTIGATION SUBJECT IS "BMW AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATION". THE SUMMARY STATES THAT IT WAS FOR BMW MODELS FROM 2004 TO 2006 AND STATES THE 2006 MODELS WERE RECALLED FOR THE X3 SERIES AND 3-SERIES WITH SPORT SEATS. IT FURTHER STATES "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." THEREFORE, I BELIEVE MY VEHICLE SHOULD BE INCLUDED BASED ON THE LATER STATEMENT. MY INCIDENT FIRST OCCURRED ON THANKSGIVING DAY, NOV. 24, 2016. THE WARNING LIGHT HAS NOT TURNED OFF SINCE THEN. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY WITH THE MECHANIC FOR A LARGE UNRELATED TO THIS SENSOR MAT ISSUE. I EXPECT I WILL HAVE THE VEHICLE BACK IN 1-2 WEEKS, AT WHICH TIME I WILL TAKE IT TO A DEALER TO FURTHER INVESTIGATE BMW'S RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS SAFETY ISSUE. SPECIFICALLY, THE ISSUE OCCURRED WHILE MY MOM WAS TRYING TO PUT ON HER SEATBELT WHILE SITTING IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT ON THANKSGIVING DAY. THE WARNING HAS CONTINUED SINCE THEN WHETHER OR NOT SOMEONE IS SITTING THERE. *TR
- NHTSA ID
- 10929475
- Incident
- Nov 24, 2016
- Mileage
- 75,998 mi
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 650I CONVERTIBLE. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE AIR BAG AND SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED CONSTANTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 124,000.
- NHTSA ID
- 10894188
- Incident
- Sep 14, 2014
- Mileage
- 124,000 mi
ELV ROBLEM
- NHTSA ID
- 10885328
- Incident
- Jun 1, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2006 BMW 650I. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH AND COMING TO A STOP, THE BRAKES FAILED TO RESPOND. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS SOFT AND TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE HARDER THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED, THE FURTHER TO THE FLOOR IT WENT WITHOUT A RESPONSE. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. IN TURN, THE OTHER VEHICLE STRUCK THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO BOTH LEGS, THE LEFT HAND, AND BREASTS, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S HOME. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,000.
- NHTSA ID
- 10860425
- Incident
- Apr 5, 2016
- Mileage
- 106,000 mi
Manufacturer communications
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few years. This has led to increased demands being placed on the battery. This document covers important information for the dealer on how to handle âÂÂdischarged batteryâ complaints.
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:DISC; STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
Diagnosis of Compound Brake System Complaints in M Vehicles: 1. Visible cracks are caused by high thermal stresses during rapid heating and cooling of the brake discs. Braking from high speed with cold brake components (less than 212 degrees F) increases the likelihood of cracks to form.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT; EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
Discharged Battery Energy Diagnosis Must Be Performed: The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few years. This has led to increased demands being placed on the battery. This document covers important information for the dealer on how to handle "discharged battery" complaints. In order to properly repair the vehicle the first time in the workshop, it is very important that the diagnostic test plans are performed to completion, with all results taken into consideration. Without performing the energy diagnosis test plan, the root cause of the discharged battery cannot be identified. This increases the chances of a repeat repair.
EQUIPMENT
CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT SETTLEMENT: 6 SERIES (E64) CONVERTIBLE TOP FUNCTION AND OPERATIONAL ISSUES. INFORMATION BULLETIN PROVIDES THE DCSNET CLAIM SUBMISSION INFORMATION.
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM)
NAVIGATION SYSTEM: REPORTING MISSING OR INCORRECT ROAD MAP DATA: The route guidance is inaccurate and therefore irritating to the customer; or it is not possible to locate certain addresses, for instance:
Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.
Compare model years
Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model
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. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.