Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full
Data refreshed
Our database holds 167 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2006 BMW X5. 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.
Showing 1–25 of 167 · page 1 of 7
Anytime I have a passenger in the car the seatbelt warning light goes off. My passenger is wearing the seatbelt. I put the car in park and tell my passenger to take the seatbelt off then back on. It's off for a bit then the light for the seatbelt comes by on.
The contact owns a 2006 BMW X5. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, there was an electrical burning odor inside the vehicle. The ABS, brakes, and other unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and was able to restart the vehicle and the vehicle was driven to the residence. On another occasion, the contact had to redirect the steering wheel into a different lane while driving. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who changed the oil and replaced the alternator; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed. The vehicle was taken to another independent mechanic and was diagnosed with multiple electrical failures. The vehicle was then taken to a dealer and a diagnostic test was pending. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 193,000.
The contact owns a 2006 BMW X5. The contact stated that while depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle hesitated to increase in speed. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic who suggested that the failure was possibly related to a power train failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was aware of the failure and confirmed the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 05V504000 (Power Train). The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to file a safety complaint. The failure mileage was 274,000.
When I switch on my driver seat for the heated seat it became so hot that the coils burned through my seat and make two round burn holes in the seat and burned my leg
I have recently received a message from my city’s social media page stating that bmw vehicles 17-22 years or older with over 99,000 miles have had complaints of default airbags exploding which are injuring/killing people out of nowhere and was told to get it changed at no cost at all!.
The brake vacuum pump has leaked a small amount of lubricating oil into the hose. This contamination resulted in a loss of power assist braking. The loss of power assist in braking has increased stopping distance and lead to a near vehicle crash. No indicator lights were present. Repair: Replacement of the brake vacuum line with one that contains a check valve, eliminating the possibility that oil will reach the brake booster; as well as the brake booster and brake master cylinder will also be replaced.
The contact owns a 2006 BMW X5. The contact stated that he initially received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 08V384000 (Air Bags). The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the recall repair was performed. Three years later, with the passenger’s side front seat unoccupied, the passenger’s side air bag light illuminated and a warning chime was audible. The passenger’s side seat belt had to be engaged to correct the failure. The dealer was notified of the failure and provided an estimate for a diagnostic test. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure and referred the contact back to the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.
Was driving at 35-40 mph when suddenly where locked and the car stopped causing skid marks. Car had to be dragged out of the road by tow truck. Car will not move in neutral, reverse or drive but engine is on.
This car has relatively few miles (85k), and has always been operated by a single person. The passenger seat cushion has a sensor mat that activates the passenger airbag. With relatively fewer miles and very few passengers, the passenger seat didn't experience the normal use as likely modeled by BMW. However, during the fall of 2020, (during the height of covid), a warning light stating the passenger air bag had a malfunction. We were in the midst of nursing and the warning light then went out during the first three months of 2021. When it came on again in May, 2021, I asked BMW about it as was told, "That's Campaign 13V-564. The front passenger airbag seat occupancy sensor mat isn't working. This means, if there's an accident, the airbag protecting the passenger won't deploy." Apparently there as a "safety check" on this in 2014 and the recall closed as of January 2021....so, I was four months past the expiration date of their safety check for this important malfunctioning seat cushion. As advised by a BMW representative, I requested "goodwill assistance" with covering all or some of this repair (estimated at approx $2k). I was just told that BMW will not provide any goodwill assistance with this and there is apparently no one within BMW Customer Relations I can escalate this to. So, I am reaching-out to the NHTSA in hopes someone can assist me in navigating this. It seems to me, an important safety item such as a passenger sensor for airbag deployment on a car with fewer miles (and passengers) than average, experiencing a brief warning that didn't repeat during covid when we were unable to get to a BMW dealership, and for a "safety check" issue that just ended prior to us contacting BMW to repair is something I don't think BMW should be able to dodge.
The contact owns a 2006 BMW X5. The contact stated that the driver’s and passenger’s side air bags warning lights were illuminated. The contact had initially notified the dealer about the defect and was referred to the manufacturer. The manufacturer informed the contact that there were no recalls on the Vin. The contact was referred to the dealer for the repair. The contact was informed that he might be entitled to a reimbursement if the Vin gets added to a recall. Upon investigation, the contact linked the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V564000 (Air Bags) however, the vin was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.
Airbag light on, passenger airbag off light illuminated. Diagnostic scan showed faulty Front Passenger seat occupancy detector. BMW Issued recall campaign 13V-564 for vehicles manufactured from DEC 05 to sept 06. My vehicle was manufactured 06/06 and is displaying all the symptoms from recall 13v-564 yet BMW USA claims my vehicle is not effected.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND PROPERLY. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO RICHMOND BMW (8710 W BROAD ST, RICHMOND, VA 23294) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE BRAKES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER AND THE BRAKE BOOSTER WERE REPLACED. THE CONTACT RELATED THE FAILURE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V446000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 214,000.
MY HEATED SEAT CAUGHT ON FIRE AND BURNED ME AND MY COAT. I VERY RARELY USED IT AT ALL. I STARTED USING IT AND IT WAS PROBABLY THE 10TH TIME I USED IT WHEN IT OCCURRED.
MY VEHICLE WENT ON LIMP MODE I'M PRETTY SURE IT HAS TO DO WITH THE TRANSMISSION GEARS. MY PASSENGER SIDE DOOR LOOKS LIKE THE AIR BAG WANTS TO POP OUT.
MY VEHICLES BATTERY KEEP DRAINING WHEN NOT DROVE FOR TWO DAYS. I HAVE REPLACED THE BATTERY AND IT STILL WONT FIRE AFTER 2 DAYS. I SAW THE RECALL ABOUT MOISTURE GETTING INTO THE VEHICLES POSITIVE CRANK CASE VENTILATION VALVE HEATER AND THOUGHT THIS MIGHT BE HAPPENING WITH MY VEHICLE CAUSING MY BATTERY TO BE DRAINED. HOWEVER, I FIND THAT MY VEHICLE IS NOT ON THE RECALLED LIST. IT STILL CONTINUES TO DO THIS.
TAKATA RECALL WHITE SMOKE COMES FROM EXHAUST PIPES WHEN DRIVING AND FILLS THE STREETS WHILE DRIVING ON CITY STREETS IN TRAFFIC AND AT IDLE. OTHER DRIVERS BEHIND ME CAN'T SEE DUE TO THE SMOKE COMING FROM THE EXHAUST.
THE BRAKES PEDAL BECOMES HARD AND IS UNABLE TO STOP VEHICLE. THIS OCCUR WHILE THE VEHICLE IS MOVING. IN ADDITION THE BRAKE PEDAL IS HARD WHILE STATIONARY AS WELL
MY VEHICLE HAS HAD THE RECALL FOR THE AIR BAG COMPLETED. THE LIGHT CONTINUES TO COME BACK FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE SRS. WHY CAN'T BMW FIX THIS RECALL ONCE AND FOR ALL?
WHEN USING THE HEATED DRIVER SEAT, IT BEGINS TO SMOKE AND GIVE OFF A BURNING SMELL. I DON'T KNOW IF IT WOULD CATCH ON FIRE, I TURNED IT OFF AS SOON AS I REALIZED IT WAS THE SEAT BURNING AND SMOKING. I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE USED AND JUST THOUGHT THE SEAT WAS A BIT WORN IN THAT SPOT. I CHECKED FOR RECALLS ON THIS YEAR AND THERE AREN'T ANY. MY CAR WAS STATIONARY WHEN THIS OCCURRED, PARKED IN A PARKING LOT.
SUDDEN LOSS OF BRAKE FUNCTION AND LEAKING BRAKE FLUID DURING NORMAL WEATHER AD ROAD OPERATIONS. AFTER DOING RESEARCH THERE IS A LARGE GROUP OF SIMILAR YEAR MAKE AND MODEL WITH THIS SAME ISSUE.
WHEN DRIVING A LOT OF WHITE SMOKE COMES OUT OF THE BACK EXHAUST PIPES AND FILLS THE STREETS UP WITH SMOKE WHY PASSENGERS CARS ARE BEHIND ME IN TRAFFIC. OTHER CARS CAN NOT SEE AND IT'S VERY DANGEROUS. THIS IS DUE TO CAR HAVING A UNSAFE BAD ENGINE VALVE SEAL LEAK. BMW KNOWS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM FOR A LONG TIME AND THEY FAIL TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM UNTIL SOMEONE DIES DUE TO THE VALVE SEALS LEAKING AND CAUSING SMOKE IN TRAFFIC.
HELLO, I HAVE A 2006 BMW X5 [XXX] THAT HAS A TRANSMISSION ISSUE. IT HAS STARTED BY ROLLING ON HILLS AND SHIFTING FUNNY BOTH IN CITY AND ON HIGHWAY. IT THEN STARTED NOT MOVING MUCH WHEN ACCELERATING AS I WAS COMING OFF A HIGHWAY EXIT AND CONTINUED THROUGH TOWN. IT HAS 120,000 MILES. HAVING DONE RESEARCH, ATTACHED BELOW IS A LINK TO 4 RELATED RECALLS. PLEASE ADVISE ME AS TO WHICH RECALL THIS IS AND HOW TO PROCEED TO GETTING IT REPAIRED. I LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING FROM YOU SOON. THANK YOU, [XXX] HTTPS://WWW.TRANSMISSIONREPAIRCOSTGUIDE.COM/BMW-X5-TRANSMISSION-PROBLEMS/ INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
BRAKE BOOSTER FAILED WHILE STOPPED WITHOUT ANY WARNING LIGHTS
MY PASSENGER AIRBAG IS DEFECTIVE DUE TO MICRO CRACKS IN THE WEIGHT SENSOR MAT.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW X5. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE BOOSTER, CYLINDER, AND VACUUM FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V446000 (SERVICE BRAKES). IN ADDITION, THE BRAKE PADS WERE REPLACED A YEAR AGO. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE VIN AND THAT IT WOULD BE AN OUT OF POCKET EXPENSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
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.
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own
Data on this page last refreshed .