2006 BMW 650I Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2006 BMW 650I, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Brakes521.7%
- Interior & seats417.4%
- Airbags313.0%
- Tires & wheels313.0%
- Seat belts28.7%
- Steering28.7%
- Engine14.3%
- Fuel system14.3%
- Body & structure14.3%
- Electrical14.3%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 650I. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT HAD TO PLACE AN ABNORMAL AMOUNT OF PRESSURE ON THE BRAKE PEDAL IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE HOSE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT OF OTHER REPAIRS THAT NEEDED TO BE COMPLETED FOR THE BRAKE SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V446000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE REMEDY FOR THE RECALL STATED THAT ANY REPAIRS WOULD BE DONE AND DECIDED UPON BY THE DEALER FREE OF CHARGE; HOWEVER, THE DEALER ONLY COMPLETED ONE NECESSARY REPAIR FREE OF CHARGE. THE VEHICLE'S REPAIR WAS NOT COMPLETE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 145,000. UPDATED 02/18/16*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE RECALL REPAIR WAS COMPLETED. UPDATED 12/14/2017*JS
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 650I EQUIPPED WITH BRIDGESTONE TIRES, TIRE LINE: POTENZA RE050A, TIRE SIZE: 275/35/R19 AND DOT NUMBER: EJ9HDJH4311. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE OBSERVER A BLISTER IN THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR TIRE SIDEWALL. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THE TIRE WAS ALWAYS FLAT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE VEHICLE AND TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 92,132.
SIDEWALL IS SEPARATING AFTER LESS THAN 1 YEAR, 15,000 MILES. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
ELV ROBLEM
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 650I. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH DURING COLD WEATHER, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE THERMOSTAT AND THE HOSES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 07V479000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 650I. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED THE CONTACT NOTICED A LIGHT ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL INDICATING THE CONVERTIBLE TOP WAS NOT LOCKED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO OPEN THE WINDOWS IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE CONVERTIBLE TOP SENSOR FAILED AND WAS REPLACED THREE TIMES. THE FAILURE CONTINUED AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED. THE CURRENT FAILURE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
COOL EVENING, ENGAGE DRIVER SIDE SEAT HEATER, STARTED SMELLING FOUL SMELL, SHORT DRIVE 3-5 MINUTES. FOUND THAT SEAT HEATER MUST OF HAD A SHORT, BURNED HOLE THROUGH SEAT PADDING, LEATHER SEAT COVER, MY SHORTS AND I WAS SAVED BY MY WALLET THAT HAD A HOLE BURNED INTO IT. NOTE : CAR IS IN NE OHIO FOR SUMMER
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .