2006 BMW X5 Sav 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 X5 Sav, 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
- Airbags1545.5%
- Brakes618.2%
- Interior & seats515.2%
- Exterior lighting26.1%
- Electrical26.1%
- Seat belts13.0%
- Heating & air conditioning13.0%
- Fuel system13.0%
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
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
OCCUPANCY SEAT SENSOR FAILURE AFTER RECALL CAMPAIGN 17V-605 COMPLETED. THE SENSOR MAT FAILED WITHIN 16 MONTHS OF THE REPAIR WHICH MEANS THE PARTS USED FOR THE CAMPAIGN ARE FAULTY AS WELL. BMW REFUSES TO FIX THE ISSUE. THIS FAILURE WILL RESULT IN THE PASSENGER FRONT AIR BAG TO NOT DEPLOY AS SO STATED IN THE ORIGINAL RECALL CAMPAIGN.
FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG MAT SENSOR WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. DEFECTIVE MAT SESNOR HAS BEEN REPLACED AND SERVICE AT BMW OF LAS VEGAS ON 2 SEPARATE OCASSIONS AT 44,794 AND 67845 MILES 6-15-2011 AND 5-14-2014 RESPECTIVELY UNDER WARRANTY AND AT OWNERS COST. THIS VEHICLE WAS PRODUCED ON 8-22-2006 BUT WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE CURRENTLY HAS 130,000 MILES.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
I PURCHASED A 2006 X5 4.4I (N62B44 ENGINE)USED WITH 138,000 MILES. WENT TO LEAVE DRIVEWAY, CAR WAS IN REVERSE, PRESSES BRAKES TO ADJUST MIRRORS, LET OFF TO KEEP BACKING OUT, HAD TO PRESS AGAIN FOR ANOTHER ADJUSTMENT, I LOOKED UP AND I WAS DRIVING THROUGH THE BUSHES IN MY FRONT YARD. BRAKES WERE PUSHED BUT NOT ENGAGING. I THOUGHT THAT TO BE ODD, SO I WANTED TO RUN TO A CERTIFIED BMW REPAIR FACILITY. I WAS IN TRAFFIC GOING ABOUT 40 AND HAD TO UTILIZE THE BREAKS AGAIN, THE CAR STOPPED. WITHIN ONE MINUTE I HAD TO PRESS AGAIN AND THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP, I PUMPED THE BREAKS AND THE PEDAL WAS SO HARD THERE WAS NO GIVE. I PLOWED THROUGH A RED LIGHT ALMOST CAUSING A SEVERAL CAR PILE UP, AND WAS FINALLY ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE TO STOP. AT THE REPAIR SHOP, I WAS TOLD THE VACUUM PUMP WAS LEAKING OIL EVERYWHERE BECAUSE IT WAS BUSTED, THE OIL WAS BACKING UP INTO THE MASTER CYLINDER AND HAD MIXED WITH THE BREAK FLUID AND THE BREAK BOOSTER WAS BAD. I AM HAVING TO PAY 2400 FOR THE SERVICE WHEN IT WAS JUST PURCHASED 3 DAYS AGO. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ON AT TIME OF PURCHASE WHICH WOULD HAVE KEPT ME FROM PURCHASING WITH CASH. THERE ARE STILL NO WARNING LIGHTS ALTHOUGH I HAVE TAKEN DOWN SEVERAL BUSHES BECAUSE THE X5 WOULD NOT STOP AND ALMOST CAUSED A HEAD ON COLLISION BECAUSE THE X5 WOULD NOT STOP AGAIN. THE 2007 X5 HAS BEEN RECALLED TO THE EXACT SAME ISSUE WITH THE EXACT SAME DIAGNOSIS AND SYMPTOMS, THE 5 SERIES FROM THAT YEAR WAS ALSO RECALLED. JUST NOT THE X5 DUE TO AN OBVIOUS OVERSITE. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS VEHICLE WHEN IT IS OPERATED WITHOUT BEING REPAIRED. THE VACUUM PUMP, BREAK BOOSTER AND MASTER CYLINDER ARE ALL PART OF THE RECALL, WHICH IS EXACTLY WHAT A BMW CERTIFIED MECHANIC STATED NEEDED TO BE REPLACED ON MINE. I
BMW X5 BRAKE BOOSTER FAILED. I WAS DRIVING IN TOWN AND ATTEMPTED TO STOP AND NOTICED THAT THE TRUCK NEEDED MORE BRAKE PEDAL PRESSURE THE LONGER I APPLIED THE BRAKES. THE PEDAL BEGAN TO RISE AND THE TRUCK WOULD BEGIN TO CREEP FORWARD UNLESS MORE PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE PEDAL. I DROVE TO THE BMW DEALERSHIP TO HAVE A RECALL PERFORMED ON THE PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY MAT. DURING THAT VISIT I INFORMED THE SERVICE WRITER OF THE BRAKE ISSUE AND ASKED IF IT WOULD BE CORRECTED UNDER A RECALL AS WELL. I WAS TOLD THAT MY VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED BY ANY OTHER RECALLS. I RESEARCHED IT AND FOUND THAT SOME BMW X5'S WE'RE EXPERIENCING SOME ISSUES WITH THE BRAKES AND WERE BEING RECALLED BUT NOT MY VEHICLE. I ORDERED ALL NECESSARY PARTS AND REPLACED THEM MYSELF. WHICH CONSISTED OF A NEW UPDATED PUMP, ALL UPDATED OEM LINES WITH CHECK VALVES AND A NEW TRW OEM BRAKE BOOSTER. RESEARCH SHOWS THAT ENGINE OIL VAPOR TRAVELS INTO THE LINES AND UP TO THE BOOSTER WHICH CAUSED THE RUBBER DIAPHRAM TO FAIL IN THE BRAKE BOOSTER. THESE ARE ALL THE SAME PARTS MENTIONED IN THE RECALLS ON OTHER BMW X5'S COVERED BY THE RECALLS.
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
OCCUPANCY SEAT SENSOR FAILURE AFTER RECALL CAMPAIGN 17V-605 COMPLETED. THE SENSOR MAT FAILED WITHIN 16 MONTHS OF THE REPAIR WHICH MEANS THE PARTS USED FOR THE CAMPAIGN ARE FAULTY AS WELL. BMW REFUSES TO FIX THE ISSUE. THIS FAILURE WILL RESULT IN THE PASSENGER FRONT AIR BAG TO NOT DEPLOY AS SO STATED IN THE ORIGINAL RECALL CAMPAIGN.
WE RECEIVED AN IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL FROM BMW IN JUNE 2016 THAT WE NEEDED TO REPLACE THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT AIR BAG IMMEDIATELY AS THE AIR BAG DOES NOT WORK AS PART OF THE "RECALL CAMPAIGN NO. 13V-564: FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR MAT." WE IMMEDIATELY CONTACTED THE PERILLO BMW DEALERSHIP IN CHICAGO (1035 NORTH CLARK STREET, CHICAGO, IL 60610, (312) 981-0000) WHERE WE PURCHASED THE CAR. OVER THE FOLLOWING SIX MONTHS, WE CALLED MONTHLY TO INQUIRE ABOUT WHETHER THEY HAD THE REPLACEMENT SEAT TO FIX THE CAR. PERILLO ACTUALLY HAD US BRING THE CAR IN TWO SEPARATE TIMES ONLY TO TELL US EACH TIME THAT THEY DIDN'T HAVE THE PART NEEDED FOR OUR TYPE OF REPAIR. WE HAPPENED TO HAVE THE WORST POSSIBLE OUTCOME WHERE THE SENSOR MAT IS BROKEN AND THE AIR BAG IS DISABLED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONDITION OF THE CAR MAKES IT VERY DANGEROUS FOR ANYONE TO SIT IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. WE LIVE IN CHICAGO AND THEREFORE DRIVE ON HIGHWAYS AND IN HEAVY TRAFFIC FREQUENTLY. I AM NOW PREGNANT WITH OUR SECOND CHILD SO WE ABSOLUTELY HAVE TO HAVE THIS FIXED BEFORE THE NEW BABY COMES IN APRIL 2015. SINCE WE LAST BROUGHT THE CAR IN THIS FALL, WE HAVE CALLED PERILLO NON STOP TO INQUIRE AND EACH TIME THEY SAY THEY DON'T HAVE THE PART. IT IS NOT ONLY A TERRIBLE CUSTOMER SERVICE EXPERIENCE BUT IT PUTS OUR FAMILY AT RISK EVERY TIME WE DRIVE THE CAR. PERILLO REMAINS UNHELPFUL AND UNRESPONSIVE SO WE ARE FILING A REPORT NATIONALLY. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY PASSENGER SIDE LIGHT KEEPS BURNING OUT CAUSING MY BRAKE LIGHT NOT TO WORK.WHEN I WENT HOME MY HUSBAND FOUND OUT THE SOCKET THAT HOLDS THE LIGHT WAS BURNT. THERE ARE MANY X5 OWNERS WITH THIS PROBLEM, THIS COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR THESE VEHICLES WITH THESE UNSAFE RECURRING PROBLEMS!! *TR
TAIL LIGHTS ASSEMBLY (SOCKETS) ON BOTH SIDES BURNS AND MELTS EASILY CAUSING BULBS TO DIE. *TR
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
FIRE HAZARD, POTENTIAL ENGINE SHUTTING OF UNEXPECTEDLY: BATTERY CABLE AT CHARGE POINT UNDER HOOD MELTED AND CHARRED . DISCOVERY PRECEDED BY NOTICEABLE BURNING SMELL IDLING IN TRAFFIC. PLASTIC TERMINAL MOUNTING BASE MELTED AND CHARRED, TERMINAL DISCONNECTED FROM BASE, PLASTIC INSULATION AROUND CABLE TERMINAL CRIMP CHARRED AND MISSING. PARTS AFFECTED: 12 42 7 531 720 MAIN POWER CABLE CHARGE POINT TO ALTERNATOR; 12 52 1 439 674 BASE B+; 61 13 8 371 016 COVER BASE B+. EXAMINATION OF THE CRIMPED TERMINAL CONNECTING THE CABLE TO THE CHARGE POINT BOLT SHOWS THE CABLE NOT FULLY INSERTED IN THE TERMINAL BEFORE CRIMPING AND THE TERMINAL NOT COMPLETELY SOLDERED TO THE CABLE RESULTING IN A HIGH ELECTRICAL RESISTANCE AT THE TERMINAL AND EXCESSIVE HEATING WHEN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM UNDER LOAD WHEN THE ENGINE IS RUNNING. POSSIBLE CONSEQUENCES OF OVERHEATING OF THE CABLE INCLUDE THE POSSIBILITY OF FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, FAILURE OF THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND UNEXPECTED SHUT DOWN OF THE ENGINE AND ALL POWER ASSISTED SYSTEMS WHILE DRIVING.
TAIL LIGHTS ASSEMBLY (SOCKETS) ON BOTH SIDES BURNS AND MELTS EASILY CAUSING BULBS TO DIE. *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
WHEN A PASSENGER IS SEATED IN THE RIGHT FRONT SEAT, THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT STAYS ON AND THE PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF LIGHT STAYS ON. ALSO, SEATBELT WARNING DOES NOT WORK FOR PASSENGER OR DRIVER SEAT
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Heating & air conditioning
Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.
From owner reports, verbatim
2006 BMW X5. SEAT HEATER TURNED ON. SMELL OF BURNING RUBBER IN CABIN. SMOKE. BURN TO DRIVER BACK LEG. *TR
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
THE CAR SHOWED NO SIGNS OF ANY FAILURES, NO WARNING OR SERVICE LIGHTS, AND AS I WAS BACKING OUT OF A CROWDED PARKING LOT THE CAR STARTED EMITTING WHITE SMOKE OUT OF BOTH TAIL PIPES AND STALLED SUDDENLY. THE CAR WOULD NOT IMMEDIATELY RESTART AND I HAD TO PUSH IT BACK INTO A PARKING SPOT TO AVOID OTHER TRAFFIC. THE CAR WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED AFTER 10 MINUTES AND AGAIN EMITTED CLOUDS OF HEAVY WHITE SMOKE. AT THIS POINT I CALLED A TOW TRUCK AND HAD IT TOWED TO MY LOCAL BMW DEALER. I WAS INFORMED THAT THE CRANK CASE VENT VALVE APPARENTLY FROZE UP AND NEEDS REPLACING. THIS PART ALSO CALLED PCV VALVE HEATER IS UNDER RECALL FOR MODEL YEARS 2007-2011. MY CAR IS A 2006 AND FROM ONLINE SEARCHES IT APPEARS OTHER 2006 AND OLDER BMW X5S ALSO HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME ISSUE IDENTIFIED IN THE RECALL (17V-683, ISSUED IN DEC 2017). I AM TOLD THIS PROBLEM COULD CAUSE THE CAR TO CATCH FIRE IF CONTINUED IN OPERATION AND EVEN AT IDLE OR OFF. HOW CAN THE RECALL BE EXPANDED TO INCLUDE OTHER IMPACTED MODEL YEARS?
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 .