Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
60–25K
225–50K
950–75K
1275–100K
28100–150K
11150K+
68 reports with mileage · 16 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Air Bags. Review the 32 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 16 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine. Review the 15 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
1 crash reports4 fire reports2 injury reports
What owners actually said
84 reports
182,000 miles · Jun 5, 2017
Unknown Or Other
THE IDRIVE NAVIGATION SCREEN GOES OUT AND KEEPS FLASHING. AT NIGHT IT'S A BIG DISTRACTION - AS IF A FLASHLIGHT HITS YOUR PERIPHERAL VISION INTERMITTENTLY. THERE ARE MANY WHO HAVE FACED THIS ISSUE OR ARE FACING THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT IN MY VIEW. I THINK IT'S ABOUT TIME THAT WE, AMERICANS HAVE A SHARP BIT…
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THE IDRIVE NAVIGATION SCREEN GOES OUT AND KEEPS FLASHING. AT NIGHT IT'S A BIG DISTRACTION - AS IF A FLASHLIGHT HITS YOUR PERIPHERAL VISION INTERMITTENTLY. THERE ARE MANY WHO HAVE FACED THIS ISSUE OR ARE FACING THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT IN MY VIEW. I THINK IT'S ABOUT TIME THAT WE, AMERICANS HAVE A SHARP BITE AS FAR AS FOREIGN CAR MAKERS CREATE EXPENSIVE REPAIRS DUE TO ITS OWN FAILURES. THE MAIN ISSUE IS THAT IDRIVE CONTROL - AC - RADIO - NAVIGATION AND VERY IMPORTANTLY HEAT AND WARNING MESSAGES. WITHOUT IT WORKING YOU CAN'T KNOW WHAT'S WRONG UP TO A GREATER EXTENT. MOST OF THE CARS IMPORTANT ASPECTS ARE CONTROLLED BY THIS COMPUTER BASED SYSTEM.
NHTSA ODI #10993210
130,000 miles · Nov 28, 2016
Engine
MY CAR HAS BEEN LEAKING ENGINE OIL FOR ABOUT THREE MONTHS. AFTER I HAD IT CHECKED, I WAS TOLD THAT ONE BOLT ON THE ENGINE WAS BROKEN. I FOUND THAT THE SAME PROBLEM HAPPENED COMMON. I THINK BMW SHOULD SOLVE THIS PROBLEM THROUGH RECALL, BECAUSE THIS PROBLEM IS A MANUFACTURE DEFECT.
NHTSA ODI #10928255
Mileage unknown · Nov 14, 2016
Air Bags
FAULT IN PASS RESTRAIN SYSTEM AFECTING AIRBAG BELT TENSIONER OR BELT FORCE LIMITER
NHTSA ODI #10926053
Mileage unknown · Aug 30, 2016
Air BagsElectrical System
INSULATION AROUND THE WIRING IN THE HEADLIGHTS HAS COMPLETELY CRUMBLED OFF AND BARE WIRE IS EXPOSED, COULD POSSIBLE TOUCH AND CAUSE A FIRE. PASSENGER AIR BAG SENSOR IN THE SEAT IS FAULTY AND I RECIEVED A RECALL NOTICE BUT BMW SAYS THERE IS NO RECALL ON MY CAR AND REFUSES TO FIX.
NHTSA ODI #10899604
Mileage unknown · Jun 13, 2016
Service Brakes
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 530I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED, IT WAS DIFFICULT TO DEPRESS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10873859
141,000 miles · Jun 7, 2016
Air Bags
THE PASSENGER AIG BAG/SEAT BELT RESTRAINT ERROR AIR BACK WILL NOT DEPLOY BECAUSE IT THINKS THERE IS NO ONE IN THE PASSENGER SEAT
NHTSA ODI #10873124
160,000 miles · May 18, 2016
Steering
MY STEERING WHEEL IS LOCKED AND SO THE CAR WILL NOT START.
NHTSA ODI #10865675
142,141 miles · May 17, 2016
Electrical SystemExterior LightingVehicle Speed Control
INTERNAL HEADLIGHT WIRING INSULATION FLAKING OFF EXPOSING COPPER WIRE CAUSING FAILURE OF PARKING AND DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS AND FAILURE OF THE FRONT HEADLIGHT SYSTEM AS WELL AS THE RISK OF FIRE. ALSO HAVING ISSUES WITH INTERMITTENT CRUISE CONTROL, POWER PORTS AND FAN INSIDE THE CAR.
NHTSA ODI #10865336
59,800 miles · Feb 15, 2016
Exterior Lighting
THE WIRING ITHIN THE XENON ADAPTIVE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY ON THE LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE OF THE 2006 BMW 530I HAS EXTREME WIRING INSULATION ROT. THE EXPOSED WIRING IS EXTENSIVE ON ALL WIRES WITHIN THE ASSEMBLY ON BOTH SIDES WITH MOST OF THE WIRES NOW BARE. THIS IS CREATING A SEVERE AND DANGEROUS SAFETY AND FIRE HAZARD. I WILL UPLOAD P…
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THE WIRING ITHIN THE XENON ADAPTIVE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY ON THE LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE OF THE 2006 BMW 530I HAS EXTREME WIRING INSULATION ROT. THE EXPOSED WIRING IS EXTENSIVE ON ALL WIRES WITHIN THE ASSEMBLY ON BOTH SIDES WITH MOST OF THE WIRES NOW BARE. THIS IS CREATING A SEVERE AND DANGEROUS SAFETY AND FIRE HAZARD. I WILL UPLOAD PHOTOS WHEN I DISASSEMBLE THE CAR HEADLIGHTS AGAIN. THE FIRE HAZARD WAS FOUND WHEN REPLACING AN ANGEL EYE HEADLAMP.
NHTSA ODI #10836268
168,000 miles · Feb 8, 2016
Exterior Lighting
INTERNAL HEADLIGHT WIRING INSULATION FLAKING OFF EXPOSING COPPER WIRE CAUSING FAILURE OF PARKING AND DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS AND POSSIBLE FAILURE OF THE FRONT HEADLIGHT SYSTEM AS WELL AS THE RISK OF FIRE
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2006 525i, 525xi, 530i, 530xi, 530xi Sports Wagon, 325i, 325xi, 325xi Sports Wagon, 330i, 330xi, Z4 3.0i and Z4 3.0si vehicles. The heater for the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve may short circuit.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An electrical short can cause the parts within the PCV valve to melt, increasing the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is not in use.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the PCV valve heater, free of charge. The recall began May 30, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Note: This recall is an expansion to recall 17V-683.
BMW of North America, Inc. (BMW) is recalling certain 2006 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi, 525i, 525xi, 530i, 530xi, and 550i vehicles equipped with the Sport Seat option and certain 2006 525i, 525xi, 530i, 530xi, 550i vehicles with standard seats. The front passenger seat occupant detection mat that determines if, and how, the passenger frontal air bag should deploy in a crash may fatigue and develop cracks which could lead to a system failure.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Should the system fail, in the event of a crash, the front passenger air bag would be deactivated, increasing the risk of personal injury.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will repair the occupant detection mat to eliminate the possibility that it may crack, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began September 1, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
BMW of North America LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2006 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi sedans and 325xi sports wagons, model year 2007 328i, 328xi, 335i, 335xi sedans and 328i and 328xi sports wagons, model year 2006-2007 525i, 525xi, 530i, 530xi, 550i sedans and 530xi sports wagons, model year 2006 760i sedans, model year 2006-2007 750i, 750Li, and 760Li sedans, and model year 2006 X5 sports activity vehicles, equipped with certain seat types. The front passenger seat occupant detection mat that determines if and how the passenger frontal air bag should deploy in a crash may fatigue and develop cracks which could lead to a system failure.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Should the system fail, in the event of a crash, the front passenger air bag would be deactivated, increasing the risk of personal injury.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners with an interim notification letter in January 2014 since parts are not currently available. When parts are available, BMW sent a second letter in August and dealers will repair the occupant detection mat to eliminate the possibility that it may crack, free of charge. Additionally, owners of model year 2006-2007 3 Series with standard seats, 5 Series with comfort seats, and Z4 models, will receive an extended warranty on their front passenger seat occupant detection mat. Owners may contact BMW customer relations at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
2006 BMW 530I Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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