IllustrationTHE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG HAS GONE OUT FOR THIRD TIME IN THE NINE YEARS THAT I HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE.
2006 BMW X5
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2006 BMW X5 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 100.5.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all X5 years →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
100–25K
1225–50K
3650–75K
3075–100K
34100–150K
10150K+
132 reports with mileage · 36 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 83 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Seats. Review the 25 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Service Brakes. Review the 21 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
5 crash reports11 fire reports12 injury reports
Air Bags complaints
83 reportsI HAVE BEEN INFORMED WHILE CAR SHOPPING THAT MY 2006 BMW X5 HAS A RECALL FOR THE SEAT BELTS BUT I HAVE NEVER BEEN NOTIFIED OF THAT RECALL. I AM DISAPPOINT THAT THE MANUFACTURER SEEM TO BE TAKING THIS RECALL LIGHTLY BUT LIVES ARE AT RISK. WHAT IS THE PLAN TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE?
MY VEHICLE / VIN SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL CAMPAIGN NO. 13V-564: "FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR MAT." MY VEHICLE IS PART OF THE MODEL YEAR 2006 X5 SAV'S THAT HAS THE DEFECT. BUT MY VIN IS NOT BEING RECOGNIZED IN THE RECALL AND IS EXPERIENCING THE EXACT DEFECT. THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP ON THE INSTRUMENT CLU…
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MY VEHICLE / VIN SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL CAMPAIGN NO. 13V-564: "FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR MAT." MY VEHICLE IS PART OF THE MODEL YEAR 2006 X5 SAV'S THAT HAS THE DEFECT. BUT MY VIN IS NOT BEING RECOGNIZED IN THE RECALL AND IS EXPERIENCING THE EXACT DEFECT. 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. THE SENSOR HAS BECOME DAMAGED OVER TIME DUE TO THE FREQUENCY OF FRONT PASSENGER SEAT USAGE. BMW AG HAS DECIDED THAT THE DEFECT, WHICH RELATES TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY, EXISTS IN THE MODEL YEAR 2006 X5'S. WHEN I CONTACTED BMW USA THEY TOLD ME MY VEHICLE WAS PART OF THE RECALL BUT THEY HAD THE LAST DIGIT IN MY VIN AS A "2" INSTEAD OF A "3". THE REST OF THE VIN WAS THE SAME. THE VIN WITH THE LAST DIGIT AS A "2" WAS THE EXACT MODEL AS MY VEHICLE (YEAR, COLOR, INSIDE AND OUT, AND EQUIPMENT). BUT FOR SOME REASON MY VIN IS MISSING FROM THE RECALL. WHY IS MY VIN NOT PART OF THE RECALL IF IT IS THE SAME VEHICLE (YEAR AND MODEL) AS OTHERS THAT ARE PART OF THE RECALL? HOW DO I HAVE MY VEHICLE / VIN ADDED TO THE RECALL CAMPAIGN NO. 13V-564? *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW X5. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED A FLAT TIRE. UPON DRIVING TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO CHECK THE TIRE, THE PASSENGER SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAG INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TOWED AND WAS ABLE TO BE DRIVEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNO…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW X5. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED A FLAT TIRE. UPON DRIVING TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO CHECK THE TIRE, THE PASSENGER SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAG INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TOWED AND WAS ABLE TO BE DRIVEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG SENSOR RECALLED SEVERAL YEARS AGO BY BMW. WAS TOLD THAT I WOULD BE ADVISED WHEN PARTS ARE AVAILABLE. TO DATE BMW HAS NOT MADE THE PARTS AVAILABLE TO THE DEALERSHIPS SO THE PROBLEM CANNOT BE CORRECTED. THIS HAS BEEN CLOSE TO TWO YEARS.
PASSENGER AIRBAG IS OFF AND REMAINS OFF WITH A PASSENGER WEARING SEATBELTS, I AM THE NEW OWNER AND IT WAS LIKE THIS WHEN I GOT IT, PREVIOUS OWNER NEVER HAD PASSENGERS SO WASNT AWARE IT WAS NOT WORKING, LOOKED UP RECALL INFO AND THERE IS A RECALL FOR THAT YEAR AND MODEL IS THERE ANYWAY I CAN GET IT FIXED UNDER THE RECALL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW X5. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG OFF WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHEN THE SEAT WAS OCCUPIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN N…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW X5. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG OFF WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHEN THE SEAT WAS OCCUPIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V564000 (AIR BAGS). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,999.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW X5. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE AIR BAG LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG DETECTION MAT WAS DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED APPROXIMATELY 4 1/2 YEARS LATER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAI…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW X5. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE AIR BAG LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG DETECTION MAT WAS DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED APPROXIMATELY 4 1/2 YEARS LATER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V564000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE LISTED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED A SECOND TIME. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,407.
PASSENGER AIR BAG SENSOR DEFECTIVE RELATED TO RECALL 13V564000. DEFECTIVE SENSOR MAT CAUSES AIRBAG TO BE TURNED OFF AT ALL TIMES. CALLED BMW THEY STATED TO TAKE VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP BEFORE THE END OF 2015. DEALER WOULD NOT HONOR RECALL FOR THIS VEHICLE.
THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG OFF WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYS ON. THE DEALER RESET THE COMPUTER. LIGHT WENT OFF. THE FAILURE RECURRED AGAIN IN A FEW MONTHS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I WAS INFORMED THAT MY VIN DID NOT MEET THE RECALL FOR REPLACING THE FAILE…
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THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG OFF WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYS ON. THE DEALER RESET THE COMPUTER. LIGHT WENT OFF. THE FAILURE RECURRED AGAIN IN A FEW MONTHS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I WAS INFORMED THAT MY VIN DID NOT MEET THE RECALL FOR REPLACING THE FAILED MAT SENSOR ALTHOUGH OTHER 2006 BMW X5S WERE RECALLED FOR THAT SAME FAILURE. THE WARNING LIGHT IS PRESENTLY ON. I HAVE READ OF MANY EXAMPLES OF THE SAME PROBLEM. THE AGING MAT BECOME BRITTLE AND CRACKS BREAKING THE CIRCUIT. BMW NEEDS TO SEND ME A LETTER AND REPLACE MY PASSENGER SEAT MAT SENSOR FOR FREE BEFORE I HAVE AN ACCIDENT AND THE PASSENGER IS INJURED.
Official recalls
213V564000 · 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.
05V504000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission
Nov 1, 2005
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH AN INCORRECTLY MANUFACTURED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION PARKING PAWL GUIDE PLATE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD CAUSE THE PARKING LOCK SYSTEM NOT TO ENGAGE, AFTER THE TRANSMISSION IS PLACED IN THE PARK ("P") POSITION. IF THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON AN INCLINE, AND THE PARKING BRAKE WAS NOT ENGAGED, THIS COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE ROLLAWAY CONDITION.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPAIR AND REPLACE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION GUIDE PLATE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 30, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-332-4269.
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
1EA08001 · BMW Airbag Light Illumination
Opened Jan 4, 2008 · Closed Dec 31, 2008
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags; Air Bags:frontal; Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE
BMW IS CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN ON APPROXIMATELY 200,000 MY04 THROUGH MY06 SUBJECT VEHICLES BUILT THROUGH 11/30/05 TO CORRECT THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT. THE SPECIFIC VEHICLES INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AREMY04- 06/ 5-SERIES WITH STANDARD AND SPORT SEATS, MY04-06/ X3-SERIES AND MY06/ 3-SERIES WITH SPORT SEATS. IN ADDITION, BMW WILL EXTEND THE WARRANTY COVERAGE OF THE PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT TO 10-YEAR/UNLIMITED MILEAGE ON APPROXIMATELY 120,000 REMAINING MY04-06 SUBJECT VEHICLES BUILT THROUGH 11/30/05. THE SPECIFIC VEHICLES INCLUDED IN THE EXTENDED WARRANTY ARE MY 06/ 6 SERIES, MY 06/ 3-SERIES WITH STANDARD SEATS, MY04-05/ Z4, MY04-06/ 7 SERIES, MY 06/ X5, AND MY04-06/ 5-SERIES WITH COMFORT SEATS.THE AVERAGE FREQUENCY OF FAILURES AMONG THE EXTENDED WARRANTY GROUPS WAS LESS THAN 1/7TH OF THE RECALL VEHICLE GROUPS.PLEASE SEE BMW'S 08V-384 RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR FURTHER DETAILSDEPENDING ON SEAT CONFIGURATION AND VEHICLE GEOMETRY, THE OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT CAN FATIGUE DURING USE DEPENDING ON THE MANNER AND FREQUENCY OF THE FRONT PASSENGER'S ENTRY AND EXIT.SPECIFICALLY, OVER TIME, MICRO-CRACKS COULD DEVELOP IN THE SIDE FLANKS OF THE MAT CAUSING A BROKEN CIRCUIT.A BROKENCIRCUIT CAN LEAD TO THE DEACTIVATION OF THE PASSENGER AIR BAG AND THE ILLUMINATION OF BOTH THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT AND THE PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT.
Additional source detail variants (3)
Air Bags
BMW IS CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN ON APPROXIMATELY 200,000 MY04 THROUGH MY06 SUBJECT VEHICLES BUILT THROUGH 11/30/05 TO CORRECT THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT. THE SPECIFIC VEHICLES INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AREMY04- 06/ 5-SERIES WITH STANDARD AND SPORT SEATS, MY04-06/ X3-SERIES AND MY06/ 3-SERIES WITH SPORT SEATS. IN ADDITION, BMW WILL EXTEND THE WARRANTY COVERAGE OF THE PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT TO 10-YEAR/UNLIMITED MILEAGE ON APPROXIMATELY 120,000 REMAINING MY04-06 SUBJECT VEHICLES BUILT THROUGH 11/30/05. THE SPECIFIC VEHICLES INCLUDED IN THE EXTENDED WARRANTY ARE MY 06/ 6 SERIES, MY 06/ 3-SERIES WITH STANDARD SEATS, MY04-05/ Z4, MY04-06/ 7 SERIES, MY 06/ X5, AND MY04-06/ 5-SERIES WITH COMFORT SEATS.THE AVERAGE FREQUENCY OF FAILURES AMONG THE EXTENDED WARRANTY GROUPS WAS LESS THAN 1/7TH OF THE RECALL VEHICLE GROUPS.PLEASE SEE BMW'S 08V-384 RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR FURTHER DETAILSDEPENDING ON SEAT CONFIGURATION AND VEHICLE GEOMETRY, THE OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT CAN FATIGUE DURING USE DEPENDING ON THE MANNER AND FREQUENCY OF THE FRONT PASSENGER'S ENTRY AND EXIT.SPECIFICALLY, OVER TIME, MICRO-CRACKS COULD DEVELOP IN THE SIDE FLANKS OF THE MAT CAUSING A BROKEN CIRCUIT.A BROKENCIRCUIT CAN LEAD TO THE DEACTIVATION OF THE PASSENGER AIR BAG AND THE ILLUMINATION OF BOTH THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT AND THE PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT.
Air Bags:frontal
BMW IS CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN ON APPROXIMATELY 200,000 MY04 THROUGH MY06 SUBJECT VEHICLES BUILT THROUGH 11/30/05 TO CORRECT THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT. THE SPECIFIC VEHICLES INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AREMY04- 06/ 5-SERIES WITH STANDARD AND SPORT SEATS, MY04-06/ X3-SERIES AND MY06/ 3-SERIES WITH SPORT SEATS. IN ADDITION, BMW WILL EXTEND THE WARRANTY COVERAGE OF THE PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT TO 10-YEAR/UNLIMITED MILEAGE ON APPROXIMATELY 120,000 REMAINING MY04-06 SUBJECT VEHICLES BUILT THROUGH 11/30/05. THE SPECIFIC VEHICLES INCLUDED IN THE EXTENDED WARRANTY ARE MY 06/ 6 SERIES, MY 06/ 3-SERIES WITH STANDARD SEATS, MY04-05/ Z4, MY04-06/ 7 SERIES, MY 06/ X5, AND MY04-06/ 5-SERIES WITH COMFORT SEATS.THE AVERAGE FREQUENCY OF FAILURES AMONG THE EXTENDED WARRANTY GROUPS WAS LESS THAN 1/7TH OF THE RECALL VEHICLE GROUPS.PLEASE SEE BMW'S 08V-384 RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR FURTHER DETAILSDEPENDING ON SEAT CONFIGURATION AND VEHICLE GEOMETRY, THE OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT CAN FATIGUE DURING USE DEPENDING ON THE MANNER AND FREQUENCY OF THE FRONT PASSENGER'S ENTRY AND EXIT.SPECIFICALLY, OVER TIME, MICRO-CRACKS COULD DEVELOP IN THE SIDE FLANKS OF THE MAT CAUSING A BROKEN CIRCUIT.A BROKENCIRCUIT CAN LEAD TO THE DEACTIVATION OF THE PASSENGER AIR BAG AND THE ILLUMINATION OF BOTH THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT AND THE PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT.
Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE
BMW IS CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN ON APPROXIMATELY 200,000 MY04 THROUGH MY06 SUBJECT VEHICLES BUILT THROUGH 11/30/05 TO CORRECT THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT. THE SPECIFIC VEHICLES INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AREMY04- 06/ 5-SERIES WITH STANDARD AND SPORT SEATS, MY04-06/ X3-SERIES AND MY06/ 3-SERIES WITH SPORT SEATS. IN ADDITION, BMW WILL EXTEND THE WARRANTY COVERAGE OF THE PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT TO 10-YEAR/UNLIMITED MILEAGE ON APPROXIMATELY 120,000 REMAINING MY04-06 SUBJECT VEHICLES BUILT THROUGH 11/30/05. THE SPECIFIC VEHICLES INCLUDED IN THE EXTENDED WARRANTY ARE MY 06/ 6 SERIES, MY 06/ 3-SERIES WITH STANDARD SEATS, MY04-05/ Z4, MY04-06/ 7 SERIES, MY 06/ X5, AND MY04-06/ 5-SERIES WITH COMFORT SEATS.THE AVERAGE FREQUENCY OF FAILURES AMONG THE EXTENDED WARRANTY GROUPS WAS LESS THAN 1/7TH OF THE RECALL VEHICLE GROUPS.PLEASE SEE BMW'S 08V-384 RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR FURTHER DETAILSDEPENDING ON SEAT CONFIGURATION AND VEHICLE GEOMETRY, THE OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT CAN FATIGUE DURING USE DEPENDING ON THE MANNER AND FREQUENCY OF THE FRONT PASSENGER'S ENTRY AND EXIT.SPECIFICALLY, OVER TIME, MICRO-CRACKS COULD DEVELOP IN THE SIDE FLANKS OF THE MAT CAUSING A BROKEN CIRCUIT.A BROKENCIRCUIT CAN LEAD TO THE DEACTIVATION OF THE PASSENGER AIR BAG AND THE ILLUMINATION OF BOTH THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT AND THE PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT.