2006 BMW X5 Problems

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 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.

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.

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.

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

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 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.

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.

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.

2006 X5 VIN [XXX] WHILE IN MOTION ON A CITY STREET AND HWY! 1. BRAKE BOOSTER / VACUUM LINE FAILURE SAME AS RECALLED 2007-2010 ISSUE. WHY IS MY 2006 X5 BMW NOT COVERED WHEN THERE IS CLEARLY A SYSTEMIC FAILURE OF THIS SAME SYSTEM? I SEEK IMMEDIATE RELIEF AND DEMAND UPON YOU A RECALL FOR MY SPECIFIC BMW NOW TODAY. [XXX] CALL ME! 2. ALTERNATOR FAILURE X5 ACTED POSSESSED WITH ALL LIGHTS GOING ON AND OFF BEFORE SHUTTING THE CAR DOWN ON A FREEWAY WHILE AT MAX LEGAL SPEED. ALTERNATOR IS PLACED LOW ON THE LEFT SIDE WHERE OIL LEAKS INTO IT CAUSING A FAILURE MODE. THE SAME OIL LEAKS CAUSE OTHER RUBBER COMPONENTS TO SWELL UP CRACK AND FAIL SUCH AS BOOTS AND RUBBER BUSHINGS ON ARMS. WHERE IS THE RECALL?? 2006 WHERE IS IT?? 3. BRAKE LIGHT SYSTEM FAILURE BACK R/H AND CHANGING LIGHT BULBS DIDN'T BRING IT TO WORKING CONDITION. BMW USED A SCREW DRIVER TO MAKE IT WORK AGAIN AFTER THE AIRBAG AND ALTERNATOR REPAIR THEY DID..I PAID FOR THE ALTERNATOR BUT IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL ITEM! NOW MY BRAKE LIGHTS DON'T WORK BACK R/H SIDE. 5. 1 HEAD LIGHT OUT 6. ENGINE LEAKS OIL ON THE SIDE ONTO MY X5 RUBBER COMPONENTS AND I ALREADY HAD TO PAY FOR A NEW BOOT AND ARM! OTHER RUBBER ITEMS ARE ALL BAD AND GETTING WORSE! WHERE IS THE RECALL? WHY ARE THESE SAFETY ITEMS NOT BEING RECALLED BY YOUR GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATION? INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

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.

AIR BAG SIGNAL AND SEAT BELT WARNING WERE LIT ON THE DASH, EVEN AFTER THE PASSENGER WAS OUT OF THE CAR. THE SEAT BELT WARNING CHIMES WHEN PASSENGER LEAVES, TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC AND HE TOLD ME THAT THE SENSOR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. TOOK IT TO BMW ON 06/10/2014 THEY TOLD ME, THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR MY CAR DUE TO MY VIN. CONSIDERING THE FACT THAT OTHER VEHICLES ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS, AND ARE BEING REPAIRED, THIS IS VERY DISAPPOINTING THAT MY CAR CAN NOT BE FIXED, WHEN THIS IS A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. *TR

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.

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.

WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE IN HIGH SPEED LANE ENGINE SUDDENLY LOST POWER CREATING DANGER OF REAR END COLLISION. IN MOVING TO BREAK DOWN LANE ENGINE CONTINUED TO RUN BUT WOULD NOT PROPEL THE VEHICLE OVER 5 MPH. THIS PROBLEM HAD OCCURRED TWO WEEKS PREVIOUSLY WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO BMW DEALER FOR SERVICE. AT THAT TIME THE VEHICLE WAS ELECTRONICALLY DIAGNOSED AND NO FAULTS WERE FOUND OR REPAIRS MADE.THE VEHICLE WAS AGAIN TOWED TO THE BMW DEALER AND NO ELECTRONIC FAULTS WERE FOUND. THIS TIME A MECHANICAL DIAGNOSIS WAS PERFORMED AND FUEL PRESSURE WAS FOUND TO BE 12 PSI RATHER THAT THE 55 PSI SPECIFIED. SUBSEQUENTLY THE CONTACTS IN THE FUEL PUMP RELAY WERE FOUND TO BE BURNED, THE FUEL FILTER AND PRESSURE REGULATOR WERE FOUND TO CONTAIN METAL SHARDS, THE FUEL PUMP SHOWED NO EXTERNAL SIGNS OF DAMAGE. ALL ITEMS WERE REPLACED AT WHICH TIME FUEL PRESSURE RETURNED TO 55 PSI AND THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE DRIVEN NORMALLY. THE CONCLUSION IS THAT THE FUEL PUMP CAN FAIL INTERNALLY WHICH CANNOT BE DETECTED BY ELECTRONIC DIAGNOSIS AND RETURNING A CAR TO THE ROAD WITHOUT PERFORMING THE MECHANICAL DIAGNOSES SPECIFIED IN THE FACTORY SERVICE LITERATURE IS A DANGEROUS AND NEGLIGENT PRACTICE BY THIS PARTICULAR BMW DEALER'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND MAY INDICATE AN INHERENT FLAW IN THE MANUFACTURE OF THE FUEL PUMP. PARTS REPLACED: 61 36 8 373 700 RELAY 16 12 6 754 016 FUEL FILTER PRESSURE REGULATOR 16 11 6 768 357 FUEL PUMP

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW X5. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING, THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM THE PASSENGER EXHAUST PIPE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BOTH A DEALER AND INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE VALVE STEM HAD A LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY ABOUT 50 MPH, NO VEHICLES NEAR US, NO TREES, NOT EVEN A BRIDGE AROUND US AND WE HEARD LOUD GUNSHOT-TYPE EXPLOSION AND THE SMALL WINDOW TO THE PANORAMIC SUNROOF JUST EXPLODED. THERE WAS NOT AN IMPACT OF ANY KIND FROM THE OUTSIDE. THE GLASS IS BROKE FROM THE INSIDE WITH NO PUNCTURE WHATSOEVER. GLASS IS NOW FALLING AND ALSO BLOWING OFF THE CAR. THE COVER SHADE IS CURRENTLY KEEPING IT FROM COMING IN THE CAR, BUT NOT FOR LONG.

MY VEHICLES REAR DOORS WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. THE LOCK GOES UP AND DOWN, BUT THE DOORS WILL NOT OPEN. THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR STOPPED WORKING ON THE 12TH OF DECEMBER 2012 AND THE REAR DRIVER SIDE DOOR STOPPED WORKING TODAY 18 DECEMBER 2012. THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR STOPPED WORKING THIS MORNING WHEN I DROPPED MY DAUGHTER OFF FOR SCHOOL. SHE WAS UNABLE TO GET OUT OF THE BACK SEAT AFTER MULTIPLE UNLOCKING ATTEMPTS OF THE REAR DRIVER SIDE DOOR. I HAD TO HAVE HER CLIMB INTO THE FRONT SEAT IN ORDER TO GET OUT OF THE CAR. THAT IS TERRIFYING TO THINK THAT SHE WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO GET OUT IN AN EMERGENCY, FIRE, OR ACCIDENT. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH ONLINE I FOUND THAT THIS SEEMS TO BE AN ONGOING ISSUE WITH THIS MODEL AND OTHER BMW MODELS. I AM ASSUMING AND CONCERNED THAT MY FRONT DRIVER SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE DOOR WILL DO THE SAME. MYSELF AND FAMILY NEED TO BE ABLE TO GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE ALONG WITH ALL THE OTHER CONSUMERS THAT OWN THESE VEHICLES. ITS JUST NOT SAFE. I HAVE HAD OTHER VEHICLES THAT WERE OLDER WITH MORE MILEAGE AND NEVER HAD AN ISSUE WITH DOORS NOT OPENING. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND HAZARD. I HAVE CONTACTED BMW AND I AM WAITING ON A REPLY ON HOW THEY PLAN TO RECTIFY THIS ISSUE. *TR

2006 X5 VIN [XXX] WHILE IN MOTION ON A CITY STREET AND HWY! 1. BRAKE BOOSTER / VACUUM LINE FAILURE SAME AS RECALLED 2007-2010 ISSUE. WHY IS MY 2006 X5 BMW NOT COVERED WHEN THERE IS CLEARLY A SYSTEMIC FAILURE OF THIS SAME SYSTEM? I SEEK IMMEDIATE RELIEF AND DEMAND UPON YOU A RECALL FOR MY SPECIFIC BMW NOW TODAY. [XXX] CALL ME! 2. ALTERNATOR FAILURE X5 ACTED POSSESSED WITH ALL LIGHTS GOING ON AND OFF BEFORE SHUTTING THE CAR DOWN ON A FREEWAY WHILE AT MAX LEGAL SPEED. ALTERNATOR IS PLACED LOW ON THE LEFT SIDE WHERE OIL LEAKS INTO IT CAUSING A FAILURE MODE. THE SAME OIL LEAKS CAUSE OTHER RUBBER COMPONENTS TO SWELL UP CRACK AND FAIL SUCH AS BOOTS AND RUBBER BUSHINGS ON ARMS. WHERE IS THE RECALL?? 2006 WHERE IS IT?? 3. BRAKE LIGHT SYSTEM FAILURE BACK R/H AND CHANGING LIGHT BULBS DIDN'T BRING IT TO WORKING CONDITION. BMW USED A SCREW DRIVER TO MAKE IT WORK AGAIN AFTER THE AIRBAG AND ALTERNATOR REPAIR THEY DID..I PAID FOR THE ALTERNATOR BUT IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL ITEM! NOW MY BRAKE LIGHTS DON'T WORK BACK R/H SIDE. 5. 1 HEAD LIGHT OUT 6. ENGINE LEAKS OIL ON THE SIDE ONTO MY X5 RUBBER COMPONENTS AND I ALREADY HAD TO PAY FOR A NEW BOOT AND ARM! OTHER RUBBER ITEMS ARE ALL BAD AND GETTING WORSE! WHERE IS THE RECALL? WHY ARE THESE SAFETY ITEMS NOT BEING RECALLED BY YOUR GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATION? INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

THE "CHECK BRAKE LIGHT" WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. IT CONTINUED TO PERSIST EVEN AFTER I REPLACED THE BULB. THIS HAS HAPPENED BEFORE TO BOTH BRAKE LIGHTS (DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDES). I REPLACED BOTH TAILLIGHT ASSEMBLIES 6 MONTHS AGO TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM. THE OCCURRENCE OF THE PROBLEM IS AN INDICATION OF A DESIGN FLAW AND NOT DUE TO POOR MAINTENANCE. IN SEARCHING THE INTERNET THERE SEEMS TO BE A LARGE NUMBER OF X5 OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME ISSUE. PLEASE HELP WITH MAKING IBM RECALL AND FIX THIS ISSUE. THANK YOU, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

I DRIVE A 2006 BMW X5. THIS MORNING WHILE COMPLETELY STOPPED IN THE DRIVE THRU OF THE BANK AT THE WINDOW, REACHING INTO THE OPEN DRAWER FOR A DEPOSIT SLIP, MY BMW ACCELERATED WIDE OPEN ON ITS OWN. I DISTINCTLY LOOKED DOWN AND MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE. THE CAR WAS MOVING EXTREMELY FAST AND THE ENGINE WAS REVVING AS IF THE GAS WAS PRESSED EVEN THOUGH MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE. THE DRIVE THRU OPENED UP INTO A LONG PARKING LOT. I WAS ABLE TO PULL UP THE PARKING BRAKE TO STOP THE CAR. IT WAS SO SCARY AND I WAS AT THE POINT TO MAKE A DECISION TO GET INTO TRAFFIC, IF I COULD MAKE THE TURN OR TO HIT A RETIREMENT BUILDING. ONCE THE CAR STOPPED, I PUT IT IN PARK AND TURNED IT OFF. I CHECKED TO ENSURE THERE WAS NOT ANYTHING ON THE GAS PEDAL AND THERE WAS NOT. THIS IS A MAJOR ISSUE AND I AM SO THANKFUL TO GOD, HE ALLOWED ME TO STOP THIS CAR. THIS HAS TO BE SOME TYPE OF DEFECT. *TR

1) CRUISE WILL NOT TAKE INTO ACTION WHEN LESS THEN 15 MPH--- AND YOU HAVE TO BE IN ACCELERATE TO ENGAGE CRUISE- CAUSES PROBLEMS IN SCHOOL ZONE. ESPECIALLY TO SET THE CRUISE AT 19MPH IS A CHALLENGE. 2) SEAT BELT WARNING EVEN AFTER I HAVE THE SEAT BELT ON. AND THE BEEP COMES AFTER I DRIVE ABOUT 2 BLOCKS ...SO I HAVE TO TAKE OFF THE BELT AND PUT IT BACK ON. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, IT RAINED AND WATER ENTERED THROUGH THE SUNROOF AND CREATED MOISTURE IN THE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT THEN ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATING WAS RELATED TO THE WATER ENTERING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR MECHANIC INDEPENDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

REAR SECTION OF MOON ROOF WILL NOT CLOSE SO CAR CAN NOT BE IN RAIN OR WASHED AS IT WILL COME RIGHT INTO CAR. READING ON THE INTERNET I SEE THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM. *TR

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.

I ALREADY FILED COMPLAINTS FOR A FAILED BRAKE BOOSTER, MASTER CYLINDER PUMP, WATER PUMP LEAKING COOLANT, POWER STEERING PUMP LEAKING OIL. I FAILED TO MENTION THAT THE VALVE GASKET COVER ALSO NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AS OIL WAS SPEWING ALL OVER THE ENGINE. AT THIS POINT, THIS VEHICLE SHOULD BE RECALLED IN ITS ENTIRETY. *TR

SUSPENSION PROBLEMS. VERY, VERY BUMPY, ROUGH RIDE. *TR

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT DOWNSHIFT PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED, BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. ALSO, THE ENGINE REVVED WHILE AT A STOP. THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE A PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS A 2006 BMW X5.*AK UPDATED 01/10/07. *JB

HEATED SEATS WERE GETTING HOTTER THE PAST COUPLE OF USES...UNTIL TODAY WHEN I WARMED UP THE CAR (APPROXIMATELY 3 MINUTES). I WAS PUTTING MY DAUGHTER IN HER SAFETY SEAT IN THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE. WHEN I OPENED THE DOOR, THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE WAS FILLED WITH THICK WHITE SMOKE. I REMOVED MY DAUGHTER AND PROCEED TO ASCERTAIN WHERE THE SMOKE WAS COMING FROM. THERE WAS A SWIRLING FUNNEL OF SMOKE COMING FROM THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE. I OPENED THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR AND OBSERVED THE DRIVER SEAT LEATHER BURNING (FIZZLING AMBER FIRE). I LOOKED OVER TO THE SEAT WARMER LIGHT AND IT WAS ON. I TURNED IT OFF AND HAD TO PUT OUT THE FIRE BY BATTING MY HANDS AGAINST THE FIRE WHILE HOLDING MY DAUGHTER IN THE OTHER. THE FIRE LEFT MY HANDS CHARRED AND THE ENTIRE INTERIOR OF THE CAR SMELLING LIKE SMOKE. *TR