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2006 BMW M5

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

38 reports with mileage · 1 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 25 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Seat Belts. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 5 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 reports0 fire reports1 injury reports

Air Bags complaints

25 reports
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61,256 miles · Mar 10, 2014
Air BagsSeat Belts

FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR MAT, THE PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED ON ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE…

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FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR MAT, THE PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED ON ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000. PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT ON, SHOWING AIR BAG OFF. "IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL" NOTE: FOR CURRENT RECALL JANUARY 2014, BMW STATES: "THE RECALL INVOLVES THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR MAT, OVER TIME, DUE TO THE FREQUENCY OF FRONT PASSENGER SEAT USAGE, THE SENSOR CAN BECOME DAMAGED. IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR, DEACTIVATION OF THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG COULD RESULT, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. IF THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG BECAME DEACTIVATED, THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AND THE FRONT "PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF" LAMP IN THE OVERHEAD CONSOLE ARE ILLUMINATED AT THE SAME TIME." NOTE 2: THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT'S SHOWING. IT WAS OFF YESTERDAY AND NOW ITS ON. THE 2006 E60 M5 IS NOT INCLUDED, BUT THE OTHER 2006-2007 5 SERIES ARE, AND THERE ARE NUMEROUS CASES OF THE ERROR OCCURRING WITH THIS VEHICLE. WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER ITS A SEAT SENSOR AND THE WHOLE SEAT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED FOR $2000+. I THINK BMW SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY, IN ENSURING THE ISSUE IS RESOLVED FOR OWNERS OF THESE OTHER AFFECTED VEHICLES, BY THIS SEAT SENSOR ISSUE. CAR WAS MANUFACTURED PRIOR ON OR BEFORE NOV/2005. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10568314

43,200 miles · Mar 10, 2014
Air Bags

FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR MAT, THE PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED ON ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. PAS…

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FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR MAT, THE PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED ON ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT ON, SHOWING AIR BAG OFF. "IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL" NOTE: FOR CURRENT RECALL JANUARY 2014, BMW STATES: "THE RECALL INVOLVES THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR MAT, OVER TIME, DUE TO THE FREQUENCY OF FRONT PASSENGER SEAT USAGE, THE SENSOR CAN BECOME DAMAGED. IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR, DEACTIVATION OF THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG COULD RESULT, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. IF THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG BECAME DEACTIVATED, THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AND THE FRONT "PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF" LAMP IN THE OVERHEAD CONSOLE ARE ILLUMINATED AT THE SAME TIME." NOTE 2: THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT'S SHOWING. IT WAS OFF YESTERDAY AND NOW ITS ON. THE 2006 E60 M5 IS NOT INCLUDED, BUT THE OTHER 2006-2007 5 SERIES ARE THAT USE THE SAME AFFECTED PART ARE, AND THERE ARE NUMEROUS CASES OF THE ERROR OCCURRING WITH THIS VEHICLE. WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER ITS A SEAT SENSOR AND THE WHOLE SEAT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED FOR $2000+. I THINK BMW SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY, IN ENSURING THE ISSUE IS RESOLVED FOR OWNERS OF THESE OTHER AFFECTED VEHICLES, BY THIS SEAT SENSOR ISSUE. CAR WAS MANUFACTURED ON 2/06. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10568164

56,200 miles · Jan 24, 2014
Air Bags

FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR MAT, THE PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED ON ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE…

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FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR MAT, THE PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED ON ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 56,200. PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT ON, SHOWING AIR BAG OFF. "IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL" NOTE: FOR CURRENT RECALL JANUARY 2014, BMW STATES: "THE RECALL INVOLVES THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR MAT, OVER TIME, DUE TO THE FREQUENCY OF FRONT PASSENGER SEAT USAGE, THE SENSOR CAN BECOME DAMAGED. IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR, DEACTIVATION OF THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG COULD RESULT, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. IF THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG BECAME DEACTIVATED, THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AND THE FRONT "PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF" LAMP IN THE OVERHEAD CONSOLE ARE ILLUMINATED AT THE SAME TIME." NOTE 2: THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT'S SHOWING. IT WAS OFF YESTERDAY AND NOW ITS ON. THE 2006 E60 M5 IS NOT INCLUDED, BUT THE OTHER 2006-2007 5 SERIES ARE, AND THERE ARE NUMEROUS CASES OF THE ERROR OCCURRING WITH THIS VEHICLE. WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER ITS A SEAT SENSOR AND THE WHOLE SEAT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED FOR $2000+. I THINK BMW SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY, IN ENSURING THE ISSUE IS RESOLVED FOR OWNERS OF THESE OTHER AFFECTED VEHICLES, BY THIS SEAT SENSOR ISSUE. CAR WAS MANUFACTURED PRIOR ON OR BEFORE NOV/2005. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10561417

48,000 miles · Jun 26, 2013
Air Bags

THE AIRBAG SENSOR MAT UNDER THE OCCUPANTS SEAT MALFUNCTIONS MAKING THE AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATE. ACCORDING TO WHAT I HAVE READ REGARDING THIS, THE AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT EVEN IF SOMEBODY IS OCCUPYING THAT SEAT. THERE WAS A RECALL ISSUED BY BMW FOR THIS ISSUE IN MARCH OF 2009, BUT MY VIN WAS NOT LISTED. MY MANUFACTU…

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THE AIRBAG SENSOR MAT UNDER THE OCCUPANTS SEAT MALFUNCTIONS MAKING THE AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATE. ACCORDING TO WHAT I HAVE READ REGARDING THIS, THE AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT EVEN IF SOMEBODY IS OCCUPYING THAT SEAT. THERE WAS A RECALL ISSUED BY BMW FOR THIS ISSUE IN MARCH OF 2009, BUT MY VIN WAS NOT LISTED. MY MANUFACTURE DATE ON THE CAR SAYS DEC/2005, BUT WHEN I ENTER THE VIN ON BMW'S WEBSITE IT STATES NOV/2005. ACCORDING TO THE SERVICE BULLETINS FROM BMW THEY STATE THAT THE 5 SERIES 2006 WITH A BUILD DATE OF NOVEMBER 2005 AND PRIOR ARE AFFECTED WITH THE DEFECTIVE SENSOR MAT. THIS IS AN EXPENSIVE REPAIR. IF YOU GOOGLE THIS ISSUE FOR BMW, YOU WILL FIND THAT MANY BMW OWNERS HAVE THIS EXACT SAME SAFETY ISSUE AND HAVE BEEN OMITTED FROM THE RECALL. THIS RECALL NEEDS TO BE REOPENED AS BMW IS TAKING A NEGATIVE STANCE TOWARDS THE OWNERS THAT WERE OMITTED FROM THE RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10521813

63,000 miles · Feb 1, 2013
Air BagsSeat Belts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW M5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT AND PASSENGER AIR BAG WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. A DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT WHILE IT WAS A COMMON COMPLAINT, THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE MANUF…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW M5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT AND PASSENGER AIR BAG WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. A DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT WHILE IT WAS A COMMON COMPLAINT, THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 63,000.

NHTSA ODI #10496083

78,000 miles · Jan 11, 2013
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW M5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED ON ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED.…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW M5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED ON ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 88,000.

NHTSA ODI #10492257

85,500 miles · Aug 22, 2012
Air BagsSeat BeltsSeats

PASSENGER OCCUPANCY SENSOR IS BAD. THIS CAUSES A WARNING MESSAGE TO OCCUR THAT STATES THAT THE RESTRAINT SYSTEM IS MALFUNCTIONING. AFTER FURTHER RESEARCH, IF THIS MESSAGE IS DISPLAYED, THE AIRBAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10471903

48,000 miles · Jul 13, 2012
Air Bags

THIS VEHICLE MAKE/MODEL/YEAR HAS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR FAILING. THIS SENSOR FAILS SHORTLY AFTER THE WARRANTY PERIOD EXPIRES AND PREVENTS THE PASSENGER FRONT SEAT AIRBAG FROM DEPLOYING IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION, THEREBY INCREASING THE LIKELIHOOD OF SERIOUS BODILY INJURY TO, OR DEATH OF,…

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THIS VEHICLE MAKE/MODEL/YEAR HAS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR FAILING. THIS SENSOR FAILS SHORTLY AFTER THE WARRANTY PERIOD EXPIRES AND PREVENTS THE PASSENGER FRONT SEAT AIRBAG FROM DEPLOYING IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION, THEREBY INCREASING THE LIKELIHOOD OF SERIOUS BODILY INJURY TO, OR DEATH OF, THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10465555

38,000 miles · Jun 28, 2012
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMN M5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG AND SEATBELT WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE AIR BAG SENOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MI…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMN M5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG AND SEATBELT WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE AIR BAG SENOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 38,000...UPDATED 08-10-12 *BF UPDATED 08/16/2012 *JS

NHTSA ODI #10463484

78,000 miles · Apr 12, 2012
Air BagsElectrical SystemSeats

THE PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM, AIRBAG, SEAT BELT, BELT TENSIONER WARNING SHOWED UP IN THE CAR COMPUTER. WENT TO THE DEALER AND DEALER SAID THAT THEY WILL NEED TO REPLACE THE PASSENGER SEAT MAT SENSOR AND BATTERY SAFETY TERMINAL. THE COST IS AROUND $3500. WHEN I SEARCHED ONLINE I FOUND THAT THE BMW 5 SERIES 2004 - 2006 HAS A …

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THE PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM, AIRBAG, SEAT BELT, BELT TENSIONER WARNING SHOWED UP IN THE CAR COMPUTER. WENT TO THE DEALER AND DEALER SAID THAT THEY WILL NEED TO REPLACE THE PASSENGER SEAT MAT SENSOR AND BATTERY SAFETY TERMINAL. THE COST IS AROUND $3500. WHEN I SEARCHED ONLINE I FOUND THAT THE BMW 5 SERIES 2004 - 2006 HAS A RECALL ON THIS ITEM ALREADY - PLEASE LINK. (HTTP://WWW-ODI.NHTSA.DOT.GOV/CARS/PROBLEMS/RECALLS/RECALLSUMMARY.CFM?RCL_CAMPAIGN_ID=08V384000&PROD_ID=113225&MODULETYPE=VEHICLE&MAKE=BMW&MODEL=5%20SERIES&VEH_MODEL_YEAR=2004&SEARCHTYPE=DRILLDOWN). HOWEVER, MY 2006 M5 EVEN THOUGH IS AN E60 AND THE SAME CHASIS AND MODEL AS THE 2004-2006 BMW 5 SERIES IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THAT'S THE REASON THAT THE DEALER IS ASKING ME FOR THE FULL PRICE. THIS FAULT WHICH IS ALREADY A RECALL FOR THE 5 SERIES CAR SHOULD BE ADDED FOR THE BMW M5 MODEL AS WELL. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE AS THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WON'T DEPLOY UNLESS THIS IS FIXED. ON TOP OF THIS, BMW HAS THIS PART IN BACK ORDER AND THE PART WON'T BE AVAILABLE UNTIL 11/5/2012. I FIND THIS RIDICULOUS AS I AM SUPPOSED TO BE DRIVING AROUND A CAR WITH A FAULTY PASSENGER AIR BAG FOR OVER 8 MONTHS!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10455045

Official recalls

1

12V126000 · Electrical SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V Battery:cables

Mar 26, 2012

BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2010 5-SERIES, MODEL YEAR 2004-2010 6-SERIES, MODEL YEAR 2006-2010 M5, AND MODEL YEAR 2007-2010 M6 VEHICLES. THE INSULATED BULKHEAD CONNECTOR FOR THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE MAY HAVE BEEN INCORRECTLY ATTACHED TO THE TRUNK FLOOR PANEL, WHICH CAN LEAD TO A LOOSENING OF THE BOLT CONNECTION. AS IT LOOSENS, AN INCREASE IN ELECTRICAL RESISTANCE AT THIS CABLE CONNECTION IS POSSIBLE AND COULD CAUSE THE CABLE CONNECTION TO OVERHEAT.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: OVERHEATING COULD LEAD TO A FIRE, EVEN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS NOT IN USE. AS A PRECAUTION, OWNERS ARE ADVISED TO PARK OUTSIDE UNTIL THE REMEDY HAS BEEN MADE.

Remedy: BMW WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND SECURE THE BATTERY BOLT CABLE CONNECTION AS NECESSARY, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 30, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND SERVICES AT 1-800-525-7417.

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.