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2006 BMW 530XI

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

78 reports with mileage · 13 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 48 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 19 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Seat Belts. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

2 crash reports6 fire reports1 injury reports

What owners actually said

91 reports
135,000 miles · Nov 20, 2017
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 530XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER AIR BAG SEAT MAP OCCUPANT INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SCHOMP BMW (1190 PLUM VALLEY LN, HIGHLANDS RANCH, CO 80129) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE PASSENGER AIR BAG SEAT MAP OCCUPANT LIGHT WAS NOT WORKING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 530XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER AIR BAG SEAT MAP OCCUPANT INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SCHOMP BMW (1190 PLUM VALLEY LN, HIGHLANDS RANCH, CO 80129) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE PASSENGER AIR BAG SEAT MAP OCCUPANT LIGHT WAS NOT WORKING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000.

NHTSA ODI #11047584

137,594 miles · Oct 23, 2017
Air Bags

TAKATA RECALL, I CONTACTED BMW OF FREEPORT I HAD AN APPOINTMENT ON JUNE AT 9:00 AM. WHEN I TOOK THE CAR IN FOR THE RECALL, THEY INDICATED THAT THEY COULD NOT DO ANYTHING AT THE TIME, THE CAR WAS AN OLD MODEL AND THEY DID NOT HAVE THE PARTS IN STOCK AND THEY WOULD ORDER AND GET BACK TO ME. YOUR APPOINTMENT TIME SATURDAY, JUNE 1…

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TAKATA RECALL, I CONTACTED BMW OF FREEPORT I HAD AN APPOINTMENT ON JUNE AT 9:00 AM. WHEN I TOOK THE CAR IN FOR THE RECALL, THEY INDICATED THAT THEY COULD NOT DO ANYTHING AT THE TIME, THE CAR WAS AN OLD MODEL AND THEY DID NOT HAVE THE PARTS IN STOCK AND THEY WOULD ORDER AND GET BACK TO ME. YOUR APPOINTMENT TIME SATURDAY, JUNE 18 AT 9:00AM REPAIR SERVICES: FACTORY RECALL CAMPAIGN NOTE: REPAIR TIMES AND COSTS VARY BASED UPON THE NATURE OF THE REPAIR, PARTS AVAILABILITY, YOUR WARRANTY STATUS, AND OTHER FACTORS. ONCE YOUR VEHICLE IS IN THE SHOP, WE WILL DIAGNOSE YOUR PROBLEM AND CONTACT YOU AS SOON AS WE CAN TO PROVIDE DETAILS AND SPECIFIC TIME AND COST ESTIMATE. DIAGNOSTIC AND/OR REPAIR FEES MAY APPLY IF WORK TO BE PERFORMED IS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. SERVICE AGENT ANY ADVISOR SERVICES REPAIRS FACTORY RECALL CAMPAIGN REPAIR NOTE: REFER TO SI B65 07 14 B61 14 12, BATTERY CABLE CONNECTION 2006 BMW 530XI 137,594 MILES BMW OF FREEPORT 100 CLEVELAND AVE FREEPORT, NEW YORK 11520-4053 (516) 868-4554 NO ONE GOT BACK TO ME, I CALLED AND LEFT MESSAGES AND SENT AND EMAIL ON THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT TO YBASANTES@BMWOFFREEPORT.COM ON THURSDAY OCT 13,2016 AT 11:51 AM HI, I AM FOLLOWING UP ON THIS. I CAME IN FOR SERVICE FOR RECALL ON MY 530X1 BMW PASSENGER AIRBAGS. RECALL 13V564000 YOU WERE UNABLE TO FIX IT AT THE TIME OF SERVICE AND SOMEONE FROM YOUR OFFICE WAS SUPPOSED TO CONTACT ME WHEN THE PART WAS AVAILABLE. IT'S BEEN MONTHS AND I HAVEN'T HEARD FROM ANY ONE. PLEASE LET ME KNOW THE STATUS OF THIS. THANKS STILL TO THIS DAY HAVE NOT HEARD FROM ANYONE REGARDING THIS RECALL.

NHTSA ODI #11035605

119,400 miles · Oct 12, 2017
Air Bags

THE AIRBAG LIGHT HAS BEEN ON IN MY VEHICLE SINCE I BOUGHT IT IN NOVEMBER 2016. DURING MY STATE INSPECTION IN OCTOBER 2017, MY MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT THE OPERATION OF THE AIRBAG SYSTEM IS BROKEN AND IT CANNOT TELL WHEN TO DEPLOY AIRBAGS IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. I BELIEVE THIS PROBLEM HAS ALREADY BEEN IDENTIFIED IN A A RECAL…

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THE AIRBAG LIGHT HAS BEEN ON IN MY VEHICLE SINCE I BOUGHT IT IN NOVEMBER 2016. DURING MY STATE INSPECTION IN OCTOBER 2017, MY MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT THE OPERATION OF THE AIRBAG SYSTEM IS BROKEN AND IT CANNOT TELL WHEN TO DEPLOY AIRBAGS IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. I BELIEVE THIS PROBLEM HAS ALREADY BEEN IDENTIFIED IN A A RECALL APPLICABLE TO THE SAME MAKE, MODEL, AND YEAR AS MY VEHICLE (RECALL 17V-428) BUT MY VIN IS NOT SHOWING UP AS ONE OF THE VEHICLES DETECTED.

NHTSA ODI #11033047

64,000 miles · Sep 28, 2017
Air Bags

THE CAR SUFFERED A FAILURE OF THE "FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR MAT". A RECALL(13V-564:) WAS ISSUED FOR THIS MODEL BEGINNING WITH CAR MANUFACTURED AFTER DEC 1, 2005. MY CAR WAS MANUFACTURED BEFORE THIS DATE, ON 9/3/200, AND THEREFORE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE ISSUE I AM HAVING IS THE EXACT ISSUE IN THE REC…

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THE CAR SUFFERED A FAILURE OF THE "FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR MAT". A RECALL(13V-564:) WAS ISSUED FOR THIS MODEL BEGINNING WITH CAR MANUFACTURED AFTER DEC 1, 2005. MY CAR WAS MANUFACTURED BEFORE THIS DATE, ON 9/3/200, AND THEREFORE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE ISSUE I AM HAVING IS THE EXACT ISSUE IN THE RECALL. HAVE ANY OTHER OWNERS OF PRE-DEC 1, 2005, MANUFACTURE CARS REPORTED SIMILAR ISSUES? OTHER RECALLS OF THE SAME ISSUE ARE 17V-428 AND 08V-384

NHTSA ODI #11030396

50,000 miles · Sep 26, 2017
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 530XI. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL DEALER (BMW OF BROOKLYN, 622 2ND AVE, BROOKLYN, NY 11220) TO BE REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V4728000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE ON BACKORDER. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AND THE SOFTWARE WAS UPDATED; HOWEVER, DUE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 530XI. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL DEALER (BMW OF BROOKLYN, 622 2ND AVE, BROOKLYN, NY 11220) TO BE REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V4728000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE ON BACKORDER. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AND THE SOFTWARE WAS UPDATED; HOWEVER, DUE TO DEALER ERROR, THE AIR BAGS WERE DISABLED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO CALL ANOTHER DEALER. NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

NHTSA ODI #11029947

136,000 miles · Aug 1, 2017
Air Bags

MY FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG FAULT LIGHT WENT ON. THR DEALER , BMW OF CHARLOTTESVILLE REPLACED THE FAULTY PASSEBGER SEAT OCCUPANCY DETECTION MAT AT A COST OF $867.05. I HAVE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FROM YOU AND YET MY VIN NUMBER DOES NOT SHOW UP. CAN YOU EXPLAIN THIS TO ME? IT LOOKS LIKE I SHOULD BE COVERD GIVEN THE MODEL YE…

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MY FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG FAULT LIGHT WENT ON. THR DEALER , BMW OF CHARLOTTESVILLE REPLACED THE FAULTY PASSEBGER SEAT OCCUPANCY DETECTION MAT AT A COST OF $867.05. I HAVE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FROM YOU AND YET MY VIN NUMBER DOES NOT SHOW UP. CAN YOU EXPLAIN THIS TO ME? IT LOOKS LIKE I SHOULD BE COVERD GIVEN THE MODEL YEAR AND GIVEN THAT MY CAR CLEARLY HAD THE DEFECT. IT APPEARS MY VEHICLE SHOULD BE COVERED AND THST BMW SHOULD REIMBURDE ME.

NHTSA ODI #11012071

85,125 miles · Jul 12, 2017
Engine

BROKEN HEAD BOLTS AT 85K MILES IN NORMAL USE

NHTSA ODI #11004774

100,000 miles · May 22, 2017
Air Bags

MY VEHICLE'S PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR MAT HAS FAILED, LIKELY FROM A CRACK, AND HAS RESULTED IN THE PASSENGER AIRBAGS BEING COMPLETELY DISABLED. THIS INTERMITTENTLY STARTED HAPPENING AROUND 2014 BUT HAS SINCE COMPLETELY BROKEN. THERE IS AN OPEN RECALL FOR THIS (SEE: 13V564000) HOWEVER BMW STATES THAT MY PARTICULAR VIN IS N…

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MY VEHICLE'S PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR MAT HAS FAILED, LIKELY FROM A CRACK, AND HAS RESULTED IN THE PASSENGER AIRBAGS BEING COMPLETELY DISABLED. THIS INTERMITTENTLY STARTED HAPPENING AROUND 2014 BUT HAS SINCE COMPLETELY BROKEN. THERE IS AN OPEN RECALL FOR THIS (SEE: 13V564000) HOWEVER BMW STATES THAT MY PARTICULAR VIN IS NOT COVERED AND IS REFUSING TO COVER THE REPAIR. BMW IS OBVIOUSLY AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND THE LIFE THREATENING RISKS IT POSES TO FRONT PASSENGERS BUT CANNOT BE BOTHERED TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI #10991057

129,702 miles · Mar 16, 2017
Air Bags

WHILE DRIVING ON A STRAIGHTAWAY ON THE EXPRESSWAY WITH A PASSENGER WHO WAS ADJUSTING THE SEAT, WE HEARD A LOUD BANG LIKE A ROCK HITTING THE GLASS, BUT THE NOISE WAS IN THE CAR AND SEEMED TO COME FROM UNDER THE PASSENGER SEAT. ALMOST IMMEDIATELY, MY DASHBOARD LIGHT SUDDENLY INDICATED THAT MY PASSENGER AIR BAG HAS MALFUNCTIONED.

NHTSA ODI #10966390

109,000 miles · Mar 5, 2017
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

THE WIRING HARNESS INSIDE THE HEADLIGHTS IS CRUMBLING AWAY CAUSING LIGHTS TO INTERMITTENTLY NOT WORK. THE WIRES SPARK WHEN THEY TOUCH TOGETHER. THIS IS A FIRE HAZARD.

NHTSA ODI #10958703

Official recalls

3

19V273000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:emission Control:crankcase (pcv)

Apr 4, 2019

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.

17V428000 · Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification

Jul 6, 2017

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.

13V564000 · Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification

Nov 12, 2013

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.