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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.

Counts are not adjusted for sales, age, mileage exposure or reporting. A lower count does not establish that a car is problem-free.

About this comparison →
39Owner complaints

Model-year median: 2

1Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

View investigation details →

Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗ Model-level counts do not show whether a particular VIN is affected or repaired.

Inspection summary

2006 BMW M5

NHTSA snapshot: September 18, 2026. 39 owner complaints · 1 recall campaigns · 0 investigations.

Counts are not failure probabilities and are not adjusted for sales, age, mileage exposure or reporting. One report may name several categories. Comparison method and limitations.

Top reported categories (up to 5)

  • Air Bags: 25 reports
  • Seat Belts: 7 reports
  • Power Train: 5 reports
  • Electrical System: 3 reports
  • Engine: 3 reports

Full reported-category list and vehicle report

Recall links

Check a VIN with NHTSA. Model-level history does not establish whether a particular VIN is affected or repaired.

Print the top reported categories, recall links, snapshot date and comparison limits.

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
3
200339
20066
20076
20080
2009
Compare all M5 years →

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

What owners reported most

Air Bags
25Seat Belts
7Power Train
5Electrical System
3Engine
3
All reported categories
Seats
3Engine And Engine Cooling
2Exterior Lighting
1Fuel/propulsion System
1Steering
1Unknown Or Other
1Vehicle Speed Control
1

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

Exterior Lighting complaints

1 reports
Clear category filter
40,500 miles · Jul 15, 2013
Exterior Lighting

HEADLIGHT WENT OFF WHILE DRIVING, WHEN I WENT TO REPLACE THE BULB DISCOVERED THAT ALL THE WIRING INSIDE THE HEADLIGHTS HAVE THE INSULATION CRUMBLING OFF CAUSING EXPOSED BARE WIRES TO SHORT TOGETHER. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE ON A CAR THAT IS ONLY 7 YEARS OLD. I RESEARCHED ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND THAT IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON BMWS. IF…

Read full complaint

HEADLIGHT WENT OFF WHILE DRIVING, WHEN I WENT TO REPLACE THE BULB DISCOVERED THAT ALL THE WIRING INSIDE THE HEADLIGHTS HAVE THE INSULATION CRUMBLING OFF CAUSING EXPOSED BARE WIRES TO SHORT TOGETHER. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE ON A CAR THAT IS ONLY 7 YEARS OLD. I RESEARCHED ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND THAT IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON BMWS. IF YOUR WARRANTY EXPIRED BMW WILL NOT FIX IT. THIS IS ESPECIALLY DANGEROUS AT NIGHT WENT THE HEADLIGHT START TO FLICKER ON AND OFF. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10524976

Recall campaigns

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 ↗

Defect investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.

An investigation is not a finding of a defect, and closure does not prove a vehicle is problem-free.