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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.

About this comparison →
39Owner complaints

Model-year median: 2

1Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

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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 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

Vehicle Speed Control complaints

1 reports
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29,000 miles · Apr 27, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW M5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, WHETHER THE VEHICLE WAS IDLE OR TRAVELING AT LOW SPEEDS, THERE WAS A SUDDEN ENGAGEMENT THAT CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SURGE FORWARD INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER MADE TEN ATTEMPTS TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE BUT TO NO AVAIL. THEY ADVISED THE …

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW M5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, WHETHER THE VEHICLE WAS IDLE OR TRAVELING AT LOW SPEEDS, THERE WAS A SUDDEN ENGAGEMENT THAT CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SURGE FORWARD INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER MADE TEN ATTEMPTS TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE BUT TO NO AVAIL. THEY ADVISED THE CONTACT TO KEEP HIS FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL UP TO THE POINT OF ACTUAL ACCELERATION. THE CONTACT DID NOT INFORM THE MANUFACTURER OF THE FAILURE NOR WAS THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 39,500 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 29,000.

NHTSA ODI #10398059

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.