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2006 BMW M5 Owner Complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full

Data refreshed

Complaints on fileComplaints 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.
38
Latest May 24, 2020
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
1
Filed in the last 12 monthsReports filed with NHTSA in the trailing 365 days. Recent volume reflects attention and vehicle age as much as anything else.
0
Reports on file since Dec 5, 2006

What this page shows

Our database holds 38 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2006 BMW M5. Each one is a report filed by an owner or driver and published by NHTSA without most of them being verified. A complaint is not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. Narratives are shown exactly as filed.

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

Complaints, most recent first

Showing 1–25 of 38 · page 1 of 2

Engine
Filed May 24, 2020

CLEARANCE FAILURE ON S85 ENGINE TO ROD BEARINGS CAUSES OIL STARVATION. THIS IN TURN CAUSES ENGINE CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. IF DRIVING THIS WILL EFFECT POWER BREAKING, POWER STEERING AND ALL COMPONENTS REQUIRING THE ENGINE TO BE RUNNING. THIS IS A VERY COMMON ISSUE, I NOW HAVE SYMPTOMS REQUIRING A CHANGE OF ROD BEARINGS. *TR

NHTSA ID
11325743
Incident
May 22, 2020
Mileage
102,156 mi
Airbags
Filed Aug 3, 2017

UPON STARTING MY CAR, I RECEIVED AN ERROR MESSAGE " FAULT IN PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM AFFECTING AIR BAGS, BELT TENSIONER OR BELT FORCE LIMITER" THE MESSAGE CONTINUES TO SHOW UP EVERY DAY.. THIS IS THE SAME ISSUE THAT HAS A RECALL IN ALL OTHER 5 SERIES MODELS FOR THIS YEAR, 2006 AND HAS A RECALL FOR THOSE VEHICLES. THIS MODEL SHOULD BE ADDED SINCE ITS THE SAME ISSUE. SEE ATTACHED.

NHTSA ID
11012472
Incident
Jul 24, 2017
Mileage
72,812 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Feb 17, 2017

THE EARLY M5 WITH THE SMG (SEQUENTIAL MANUAL GEARBOX) 7 SPEED HAVE NUMEROUS TSB'S AND WARRANTY CAMPAIGNS. THE SHIFTING OF THE GEARBOX IS UP EXECUTED BY PRESSURE FROM THE HYDRUALIC PUMP THAT STORES AAPRX 80PSI IN THE ACCUMULATER. THIS ACCUMULATOR OR PUMP HAS A HI CHANCE OF FAILING AND WHEN IT DOES THE CAR SHUTS DOWN WITHOUT WARNING. MY CAR SHUT DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION JUST RECENTLY. AND I HAVE HAD THIS PUMP REPLACE TWICE OUT OF WARRANTY AND ONCE WITHIN WARRANTY. A MAJOR FLAW OF THE GETRAG SMG 7SPD. BMW DISCONTINUED THIS TRANSMISSION BUT CONTINUES TO RAISE PRICES ON THE REPLACEMENT PUMPS AS THEY KNOW THERE IS A HIGH TURNOVER OF REPAIRS. PLEASE VISIT THE BMW M FORUMS AS THIS TOPIC IS HEAVILY DISCUSSED

NHTSA ID
10955356
Incident
Jan 26, 2017
Mileage
95,000 mi
Steering
Filed Apr 14, 2016

STEERING WHEEL LOCK MALFUNCTIONS AND KEEPS STEERING WHEEL LOCKED, WILL NOT RELEASE INTERMITTENTLY.

NHTSA ID
10855608
Incident
Apr 14, 2016
Mileage
48,900 mi
Airbags
Filed Dec 10, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW M5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED WHILE A PASSENGER OCCUPIED THE SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BASE OF THE SEAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000.

NHTSA ID
10809451
Incident
Dec 7, 2009
Mileage
35,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Aug 11, 2015

THE CAR HAS AN ISSUE WITH PASSENGER AIRBAG OCCUPANCY SENSOR, WHEN SOMEONE SITS ON THE PASSANGER SEAT THE AIRBAG TURNS ON, THESE BMWS HAS MANY RECALLS FOR THIS ISSUE, FOR SOME REASON MINE DOES NOT FALL INTO THE RECALL. I HAVE SCANNED THE COMPUTER AND CONFIRMED THAT THE SENSOR IS THE ISSUE, I WOULD LIKE THIS ISSUE TO BE RECALLED ON MY CAR BECAUSE THIS A COMMON ISSUE FOR THESE, I HAVE READ MANY OTHER PEOPLE WITH THIS ISSUE, ON FORUMS, BUT A RECALL HAS NOT BEEN ISSUED, I THINK ITS IMPORTANT TO DO THIS RECALL BECAUSE IT IS NOT SAFE FOR MY PASSANGER, IN CASE SOME SORT OF ACCIDENT HAPPENS AND THE AIRBAG DOES NOT DEPLOY.

NHTSA ID
10747870
Incident
Aug 8, 2015
Mileage
75,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Jan 21, 2015

MALFUNCTION IN PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM. WARNING MESSAGE STATING "FAULT IN PASSENGER - RESTRAINT SYSTEM AFFECTING AIRBAG, BELT TENSIONER OR BELT FORCE LIMITER" IS ACTIVATED EVERY FEW MINUTES THAT CAR IS IN DRIVE. WAS INFORMED THAT THE PASSENGER AIRBAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. DEALERSHIP INFORMED ME THAT THIS WAS NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY AND MY EXTENDED WARRANTY PROVIDER (HENDRICKS AUTOGUARD) HAS REFUSED TO HONOR ITS OBLIGATIONS BY CLAIMING THE PART IS A NON-COVERED ELECTRICAL COMPONENT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10677013
Incident
Dec 3, 2014
Mileage
51,115 mi
AirbagsSeat belts
Filed Dec 15, 2014

WELL DOCUMENTED (ON THE INTERNET) PROBLEM WITH THE PASSENGER SIDE ACTIVE RESTRAINT SYSTEM FAILING, TYPICALLY DUE TO THE PASSENGER SIDE OCCUPANCY MAT. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN DOCUMENTED IN ALMOST EVERY MODEL MANUFACTURED SINCE 2000, BUT HAS ONLY BEEN ADDRESSED IN A FEW, SELECT, VEHICLES. THIS IS THE MOST COMMON COMPLAINT FOR THIS MODEL ON CARSAFETY.GOV AND HAS NOT BEEN ACKNOWLEDGED BY BMW OF NORTH AMERICA. THIS PROBLEM, IN ITSELF, CAN LEAD TO A VARIETY OF MALFUNCTIONS IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT CAUSING SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. THE PROBLEM HAS ALSO LED TO A LARGE MARKET OF "DUMMY SENSORS" BEING SOLD ON EBAY AND SIMILAR SITES, WHICH TRICK THE COMPUTER INTO THINKING THE AIRBAG SENSOR IS CORRECTLY FUNCTIONING. THESE DUMMY SENSORS DO NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM AND CAN LEAD TO AN INCREASED RISK OF INJURY OR DEATH. SYNOPSIS: AIRBAG SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT AND RESTRAINT SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT APPEAR IN INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. IDRIVE SYSTEM READS: PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION. SEAT SENSOR MAT FOR THE PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG DISENGAGES WHEN PASSENGER IS SEATED. THE DISENGAGING OF THE PASSENGER AIR BAG POSES A GREAT DANGER FOR THE PASSENGER DUE TO THE PASSENGER AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY IN A ACCIDENT CAUSING INJURY OR DEATH. BMW IS AWARE OF THIS ONGOING PROBLEMS WITH THE M5 E60 SERIES, BUT WILL NOT ADDRESS THIS ISSUE OF SAFETY. BMW CHARGES THE OWNER UP TO 5000.00 DOLLARS TO FIX THIS SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10664215
Incident
Dec 1, 2014
Mileage
85,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Nov 1, 2014

TL-THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW M5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HE COULD SMELL STRONG FUEL ODOR AFTER FILLING THE FUEL. THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THE FUEL TANK HAD A CRACK INSIDE THE PLASTIC. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 21,000. NE

NHTSA ID
10651813
Incident
Oct 3, 2011
Mileage
21,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Sep 6, 2014

SEAT SENSOR MAT FOR THE PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG DISENGAGES WHEN PASSENGER IS SEATED. THE DISENGAGING OF THE PASSENGER AIR BAG POSES A GREAT DANGER FOR THE PASSENGER DUE TO THE PASSENGER AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY IN A ACCIDENT CAUSING INJURY OR DEATH. BMW IS AWARE OF THIS ONGOING PROBLEMS WITH THE M5 E60 SERIES, BUT WILL NOT ADDRESS THIS ISSUE OF SAFETY. BMW CHARGES THE OWNER UP TO 5000.00 DOLLARS TO FIX THIS SAFETY ISSUE. I HAVE A CAR THAT'S UNSAFE FOR MY FAMILY OR ANY PASSENGER. *TR

NHTSA ID
10631207
Incident
Jul 16, 2014
AirbagsInterior & seats
Filed Jul 13, 2014

THE VEHICLE WARNING SYSTEM DISPLAYED A PASSENGER RESTRAINT FAULT WHICH DISABLES THE PASSENGER AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. THE PROBLEM WAS INITIALLY INTERMITTENT, BUT WITHIN ONE WEEK IS NOW PERMANENTLY DISPLAYED. A DIAGNOSTIC SCAN BY MY DEALER INDICATES A FAULT WITH THE PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR(S). THIS SAME PROBLEM RESULTED IN A RECALL FOR OTHER MODELS/YEARS, BUT APPARENTLY NOT THIS ONE FOR SOME REASON. THE DEALER QUOTED $2500 FOR THE REQUIRED REPAIR/REPLACEMENT. MEANWHILE, ANY PERSON IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT IS NOT PROTECTED BY THE AIR BAG. *TR

NHTSA ID
10610232
Incident
Jun 16, 2014
Mileage
110,000 mi
AirbagsSeat belts
Filed May 22, 2014

MY VEHICLE IS REPORTING A PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION AS REPORTED IN THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V384000. I HAVE CONTACTED BMW NA MULTIPLE TIMES AND THE STATE MY VIN IS NOT LISTED IN THE RECALL. I FIND THIS VERY ALARMING AND UNSAFE. MY VEHICLE FITS ALL PARAMETERS AS STATED BY THE RECALL DOCUMENTATION BUT I AM STILL LEFT IN THIS POSSIBLY UNSAFE SITUATION WHEN A PROBLEM HAS BEEN DOCUMENTED AND RECALLED. PLEASE ASSIST IF POSSIBLE. THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR TIME. *TR

NHTSA ID
10593426
Incident
Mar 1, 2014
Mileage
75,000 mi
AirbagsSeat belts
Filed May 5, 2014

THE DASHBOARD AIR BAG AND SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHTS WOULD ACTIVATE WHENEVER ANYONE WOULD SIT IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. THEY EVENTUALLY WOULD GO OUT, BUT NOW ARE PERMANENTLY ON. THE CENTRAL COMPUTER DISPLAY ALSO PUTS OUT A SIMILAR TEXT WARNING MESSAGE WHENEVER I START UP THE CAR. IT CLAIMS THAT THE SEAT BELT AND AIRBAG ARE MALFUNCTIONING FOR THE FRONT PASSENGER AND I PRESUME ARE NOW DISABLED. LOOKING INTO THIS, IT IS A FAULTY SENSOR MAT WITHIN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. THIS PARTICULAR MAKE AND MODEL (E60) IS PLAGUED WITH THIS ISSUE, AND BMW OFFERED A RECALL ON EARLY (2005 BUILD?) CARS, BUT HAS REFUSED COVERAGE FOR ANYONE ELSE ALTHOUGH IT IS THE EXACT SAME ISSUE. MY CAR IS A 04/2006 BUILD. THE JOB HAS BEEN QUOTED FOR SOME AT THE DEALERSHIP UP TO $3,500 IN PARTS AND LABOR AND REQUIRES A WHOLE NEW SEAT BOTTOM (WHICH CONTAINS COMPLICATED HEATING, COOLING, ADJUSTMENT MECHANISMS, AND LEATHER). A FRIEND WITH A MUCH EARLIER MODEL (1999 BMW M3 COUPE) E36 HAD THE EXACT SAME ISSUE IN < 100K MI, SO THIS IS NOT NEW TO BMW. *TR

NHTSA ID
10586556
Incident
Sep 13, 2013
Mileage
90,000 mi
Engine
Filed May 3, 2014

MY FAMILY AND I WERE HEADING HOME ON THE FREEWAY AND THE CARS ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE ENGINE WENT INTO LIMP HOME MODE ALONG WITH A LOUD KNOCKING FROM THE ENGINE. THE NEXT DAY I HAD TO CAR TOWED TO BMW OF HONOLULU. THE DEALERSHIP CONTACTED ME AND TOLD ME THAT I NEEDED A ENGINE WHICH THEY QUOTED ME A PRICE OF $35K FOR A NEW ENGINE. I THEN CALLED GETZINGER MOTORWERKES WHICH IS ANOTHER SHOP THAT WORKS ON BMW'S JUST TO GET A SECOND OPINION. AFTER DIAGNOSING MY CAR THE OWNER OF THE SHOP TOLD ME THAT IT WAS CRANK BEARINGS AND SINCE THEY WENT BAD THE MEDAL SHAVING WENT INTO MY ENGINE AND ALSO CAUSED THE VANOS PUMP TO GO BAD, HE THEN STATED THAT HE WAS JUST READING ABOUT THAT SAME ISSUE THAT HAS BEEN HAPPENING WITH A LOT OF 2006 M5;S DUE TO THE FACT THAT ITS A BAD ENGINE DESIGN AND THAT THOSE PARTS WOULD GO BAD EVERY 60,000 MILES. TO REPLACE THOSE PARTS IT WOULD COST $8,000 IN PARTS ALONE. SO NOW I AM STUCK PAYING FOR A CAR THAT I CAN'T EVEN DRIVE. I NOW LIVE IN ANOTHER STATE AND MY CAR IS STUCK IN HAWAII BECAUSE THE SHIPPING COMPANY WILL NOT SHIP IT IN THE CONDITION THAT ITS IN. *TR

NHTSA ID
10586304
Incident
Nov 20, 2013
Mileage
64,500 mi
Airbags
Filed Mar 25, 2014

MY VEHICLE HAS A LIGHT ON FOR AN AIR BAG HAVING A FAULT. AFTER VISITING THE BMW DEALERSHIP, THEY HAVE INFORMED ME THAT THIS IS A USUAL PROBLEM ON THIS VEHICLE. THE SPECIFIC PROBLEM IS THE SENSOR ON THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE SENSOR DETECTS IF THERE IS A PASSENGER SITTING OR THE SEAT IS VACANT. BMW HAS INFORMED ME THAT ITS A SIMPLE SENSOR, AND USUALLY WOULD HAVE A MINIMAL COST. BUT INSTEAD BMW WANTS TO CHARGE YOU FOR REPLACING THE ENTIRE SEAT. SO THE $20 SENSOR TURNS INTO A $4000 JOB. THE MOST INTERESTING THING, IS THAT BMW KNOWS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND DOES NOT WANT TO DO ANYTHING TO RECTIFY IT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10574760
Incident
Mar 27, 2013
Mileage
52,000 mi
AirbagsSeat belts
Filed Mar 10, 2014

FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR MAT, THE PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED ON ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000. PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT ON, SHOWING AIR BAG OFF. "IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL" NOTE: FOR CURRENT RECALL JANUARY 2014, BMW STATES: "THE RECALL INVOLVES THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR MAT, OVER TIME, DUE TO THE FREQUENCY OF FRONT PASSENGER SEAT USAGE, THE SENSOR CAN BECOME DAMAGED. IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR, DEACTIVATION OF THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG COULD RESULT, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. IF THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG BECAME DEACTIVATED, THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AND THE FRONT "PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF" LAMP IN THE OVERHEAD CONSOLE ARE ILLUMINATED AT THE SAME TIME." NOTE 2: THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT'S SHOWING. IT WAS OFF YESTERDAY AND NOW ITS ON. THE 2006 E60 M5 IS NOT INCLUDED, BUT THE OTHER 2006-2007 5 SERIES ARE, AND THERE ARE NUMEROUS CASES OF THE ERROR OCCURRING WITH THIS VEHICLE. WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER ITS A SEAT SENSOR AND THE WHOLE SEAT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED FOR $2000+. I THINK BMW SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY, IN ENSURING THE ISSUE IS RESOLVED FOR OWNERS OF THESE OTHER AFFECTED VEHICLES, BY THIS SEAT SENSOR ISSUE. CAR WAS MANUFACTURED PRIOR ON OR BEFORE NOV/2005. *TR

NHTSA ID
10568314
Incident
Mar 10, 2014
Mileage
61,256 mi
Airbags
Filed Mar 10, 2014

FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR MAT, THE PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED ON ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT ON, SHOWING AIR BAG OFF. "IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL" NOTE: FOR CURRENT RECALL JANUARY 2014, BMW STATES: "THE RECALL INVOLVES THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR MAT, OVER TIME, DUE TO THE FREQUENCY OF FRONT PASSENGER SEAT USAGE, THE SENSOR CAN BECOME DAMAGED. IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR, DEACTIVATION OF THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG COULD RESULT, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. IF THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG BECAME DEACTIVATED, THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AND THE FRONT "PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF" LAMP IN THE OVERHEAD CONSOLE ARE ILLUMINATED AT THE SAME TIME." NOTE 2: THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT'S SHOWING. IT WAS OFF YESTERDAY AND NOW ITS ON. THE 2006 E60 M5 IS NOT INCLUDED, BUT THE OTHER 2006-2007 5 SERIES ARE THAT USE THE SAME AFFECTED PART ARE, AND THERE ARE NUMEROUS CASES OF THE ERROR OCCURRING WITH THIS VEHICLE. WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER ITS A SEAT SENSOR AND THE WHOLE SEAT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED FOR $2000+. I THINK BMW SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY, IN ENSURING THE ISSUE IS RESOLVED FOR OWNERS OF THESE OTHER AFFECTED VEHICLES, BY THIS SEAT SENSOR ISSUE. CAR WAS MANUFACTURED ON 2/06. *TR

NHTSA ID
10568164
Incident
Feb 20, 2013
Mileage
43,200 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Feb 23, 2014

WITH AN SMG TRANSMISSION, WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A COMPLETE STOP, THERE IS A LOUD THUMP IN THE REAR OF THE CAR AS IF SOMEBODY HIT YOU FROM BEHIND. IT IS VERY STARTLING AND I AM SURE SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THE CAR. THIS IS A COMMON COMPLAINT AMONG ALL BMW M5 DRIVERS. I AM SURPRISED NOBODY PLACED A COMPLAINT ABOUT THIS YET. *TR

NHTSA ID
10565541
Incident
May 1, 2013
Mileage
50,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Jan 24, 2014

FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR MAT, THE PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED ON ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 56,200. PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT ON, SHOWING AIR BAG OFF. "IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL" NOTE: FOR CURRENT RECALL JANUARY 2014, BMW STATES: "THE RECALL INVOLVES THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR MAT, OVER TIME, DUE TO THE FREQUENCY OF FRONT PASSENGER SEAT USAGE, THE SENSOR CAN BECOME DAMAGED. IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR, DEACTIVATION OF THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG COULD RESULT, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. IF THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG BECAME DEACTIVATED, THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AND THE FRONT "PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF" LAMP IN THE OVERHEAD CONSOLE ARE ILLUMINATED AT THE SAME TIME." NOTE 2: THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT'S SHOWING. IT WAS OFF YESTERDAY AND NOW ITS ON. THE 2006 E60 M5 IS NOT INCLUDED, BUT THE OTHER 2006-2007 5 SERIES ARE, AND THERE ARE NUMEROUS CASES OF THE ERROR OCCURRING WITH THIS VEHICLE. WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER ITS A SEAT SENSOR AND THE WHOLE SEAT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED FOR $2000+. I THINK BMW SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY, IN ENSURING THE ISSUE IS RESOLVED FOR OWNERS OF THESE OTHER AFFECTED VEHICLES, BY THIS SEAT SENSOR ISSUE. CAR WAS MANUFACTURED PRIOR ON OR BEFORE NOV/2005. *TR

NHTSA ID
10561417
Incident
Jan 24, 2014
Mileage
56,200 mi
Engine
Filed Jul 29, 2013

I WAS PULLING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY WHEN MY CAR HAD A SMELL OF BURNING OIL SO I STOPPED, AS I STOPPED MY CAR BEGAN SMOKING FROM THE HOOD. I LOST OIL ALL DOWN THE STREET AND MY DRIVEWAY, AFTER,I STOPPED MY CAR AND PUSHED IT INTO MY GARAGE AND I SAW WERE IT WAS DRIPPING FROM UNDERNEATH THE CAR SO I TOOK OFF THE UNDER PANEL AND SAW A HOLE IN THE PRESSURE HOSE(VANOS PRESSURE HOSE ASSEMBLY). THERE HAD BEEN A RECALL WHEN THE CAR FIRST CAME OUT ON THE LINES BUT MY CAR WAS A MONTH OUT OF THE RECALL RANGE. MY CAR IS AN 06 WITH JUST AT 40K MILES...THE CAR IS USED BY THE WAY. *TR

NHTSA ID
10532435
Incident
Jul 20, 2013
Mileage
40,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Jul 15, 2013

HEADLIGHT WENT OFF WHILE DRIVING, WHEN I WENT TO REPLACE THE BULB DISCOVERED THAT ALL THE WIRING INSIDE THE HEADLIGHTS HAVE THE INSULATION CRUMBLING OFF CAUSING EXPOSED BARE WIRES TO SHORT TOGETHER. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE ON A CAR THAT IS ONLY 7 YEARS OLD. I RESEARCHED ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND THAT IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON BMWS. IF YOUR WARRANTY EXPIRED BMW WILL NOT FIX IT. THIS IS ESPECIALLY DANGEROUS AT NIGHT WENT THE HEADLIGHT START TO FLICKER ON AND OFF. *TR

NHTSA ID
10524976
Incident
Jul 10, 2013
Mileage
40,500 mi
Airbags
Filed Jun 26, 2013

THE AIRBAG SENSOR MAT UNDER THE OCCUPANTS SEAT MALFUNCTIONS MAKING THE AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATE. ACCORDING TO WHAT I HAVE READ REGARDING THIS, THE AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT EVEN IF SOMEBODY IS OCCUPYING THAT SEAT. THERE WAS A RECALL ISSUED BY BMW FOR THIS ISSUE IN MARCH OF 2009, BUT MY VIN WAS NOT LISTED. MY MANUFACTURE DATE ON THE CAR SAYS DEC/2005, BUT WHEN I ENTER THE VIN ON BMW'S WEBSITE IT STATES NOV/2005. ACCORDING TO THE SERVICE BULLETINS FROM BMW THEY STATE THAT THE 5 SERIES 2006 WITH A BUILD DATE OF NOVEMBER 2005 AND PRIOR ARE AFFECTED WITH THE DEFECTIVE SENSOR MAT. THIS IS AN EXPENSIVE REPAIR. IF YOU GOOGLE THIS ISSUE FOR BMW, YOU WILL FIND THAT MANY BMW OWNERS HAVE THIS EXACT SAME SAFETY ISSUE AND HAVE BEEN OMITTED FROM THE RECALL. THIS RECALL NEEDS TO BE REOPENED AS BMW IS TAKING A NEGATIVE STANCE TOWARDS THE OWNERS THAT WERE OMITTED FROM THE RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ID
10521813
Incident
Sep 5, 2012
Mileage
48,000 mi
AirbagsSeat belts
Filed Feb 1, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW M5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT AND PASSENGER AIR BAG WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. A DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT WHILE IT WAS A COMMON COMPLAINT, THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 63,000.

NHTSA ID
10496083
Incident
Jan 31, 2013
Mileage
63,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Jan 11, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW M5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED ON ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 88,000.

NHTSA ID
10492257
Incident
Jun 5, 2012
Mileage
78,000 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Nov 30, 2012

ENROUTE FROM PALO ALTO TO MOUNTAIN VIEW AND WAS AT A COMPLETE STOP WAITING AT A STOP LIGHT ON A MAJOR THOROUGHFARE (CENTRAL EXPRESSWAY) WHEN THE CAR STOPPED RUNNING. CARS BEHIND ME PROCEEDED TO PASS ME TO MAKE THE LEFT TURN WHILE MY CAR WAS SHUT DOWN. I WAS ABLE TO RE-START THE CAR AFTER ~5 - 10 MINUTES AND DRIVE ANOTHER 1000 FEET WHEN THE CAR STOPPED RUNNING AGAIN. PRIOR TO BOTH INCIDENTS THE PANEL INDICATED AN ALERT "TRANSMISSION FAIL" AND A "CHECK ENGINE" ALERT. THE CAR WOULD NOT START BACK UP AND HAD TO BE PUSHED THROUGH THE INTERSECTION TO A STREET WHERE IT COULD BE PARKED SAFELY. INITIAL AUTOBODY ELECTRONIC DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIRS RELATED TO BATTERY REPLACEMENT, HOWEVER, TRANSMISSION RELATED FAULT CODES STILL SHOWED UP. FORTES BROTHERS AUTOBODY DISCOVERED "SAFETY" RELATED NOTIFICATIONS ISSUED BY BMW AND THEREFORE RECOMMENDED TAKING CAR TO BMW. CAR WAS THEN TOWED TO BMW MOUNTAIN VIEW DEALERSHIP WHERE SERVICE DEPARTMENT DIAGNOSED AND THEN REPLACED BOTH HYDRAULIC PUMP AND CLUTCH. BASED ON SUBSEQUENT RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET, THERE ARE REFERENCES TO HYDRAULIC PUMP RECALLS BY BMW FOR BMW M5 2005 MODEL. ALTHOUGH MY CAR IS A BMW M5 2006 I AM REQUESTING FOLLOW UP TO CONFIRM THAT THE HYDRAULIC PUMP IS MANUFACTURED TO ALL REQUIRED SPECIFICATIONS AND DOES NOT POSE A SAFETY RISK. *TR

NHTSA ID
10486576
Incident
Nov 18, 2012
Mileage
51,716 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.

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