IllustrationTAKATA RECALL WHITE SMOKE COMES FROM EXHAUST PIPES WHEN DRIVING AND FILLS THE STREETS WHILE DRIVING ON CITY STREETS IN TRAFFIC AND AT IDLE. OTHER DRIVERS BEHIND ME CAN'T SEE DUE TO THE SMOKE COMING FROM THE EXHAUST.
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
Engine complaints
7 reportsTL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 (NA) BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED AND VARIOUS WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER AND AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE REPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER…
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TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 (NA) BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED AND VARIOUS WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER AND AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE REPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 07V479000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE CONTACT ALSO RECEIVED NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE BEYOND A REASONABLE TIME FRAME. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW X5. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING, THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM THE PASSENGER EXHAUST PIPE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BOTH A DEALER AND INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE VALVE STEM HAD A LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW X5. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING, THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM THE PASSENGER EXHAUST PIPE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BOTH A DEALER AND INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE VALVE STEM HAD A LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
CCV (CRANK CASE VENTILATION) SYSTEM FROZE LEADING TO VCG (VALVE COVER GASKET) FAILURE. BMW ISSUED A SIB FOR THIS IN 2009 SO THEY ACKNOWLEDGED THE PROBLEM AND REVISED THE PARTS FOR COLD WEATHER CLIMATES. UNFORTUNATELY I AM WAY OUT OF WARRANTY AND THIS IS OUT OF POCKET AT $1000++. THIS WAS/IS A DESIGN FLAW BECAUSE I HAD THE COL…
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CCV (CRANK CASE VENTILATION) SYSTEM FROZE LEADING TO VCG (VALVE COVER GASKET) FAILURE. BMW ISSUED A SIB FOR THIS IN 2009 SO THEY ACKNOWLEDGED THE PROBLEM AND REVISED THE PARTS FOR COLD WEATHER CLIMATES. UNFORTUNATELY I AM WAY OUT OF WARRANTY AND THIS IS OUT OF POCKET AT $1000++. THIS WAS/IS A DESIGN FLAW BECAUSE I HAD THE COLD WEATHER CCV AND IT STILL FAILED. THEY BLAME IT ON NOT GETTING THE VEHICLE UP TO OPERATING TEMPERATURE DUE TO SHORT TRIPS! RIDICULOUS ON WHAT WAS A $54K CAR WHEN NEW. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE FAILED AND EXHIBITED EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION. IN ADDITION, SMOKE WAS SEEN COMING FROM THE EXHAUST. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER AND THEY WERE TOLD THAT THE CYLINDERS FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE M…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE FAILED AND EXHIBITED EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION. IN ADDITION, SMOKE WAS SEEN COMING FROM THE EXHAUST. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER AND THEY WERE TOLD THAT THE CYLINDERS FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 82,000. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, BURNING OIL COULD BE SMELLED AND SMOKE EMITTED FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS MOVED TO THE SHOULDER WHERE IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE ENGINE WAS COVERED IN MOTOR OIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, BURNING OIL COULD BE SMELLED AND SMOKE EMITTED FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS MOVED TO THE SHOULDER WHERE IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE ENGINE WAS COVERED IN MOTOR OIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE CRANK CASE RELEASE VALVE FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
APPROXIMATELY 1 MONTH AFTER HAVING OUR BMW SERVICED FOR AN OIL CHANGE AT OUR LOCAL DEALER, THE "CHECK ENGINE OIL LEVEL" LIGHT ILLUMINATED. WE IMMEDIATELY CALLED THE DEALER, AND UPON THEM LOOKING AT IT, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE CRANKCASE VENT VALVE (OIL SEPARATOR), NEEDS TO BE REPLACED, AT A COST OF $1,300. WE HAVE BEEN HAVIN…
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APPROXIMATELY 1 MONTH AFTER HAVING OUR BMW SERVICED FOR AN OIL CHANGE AT OUR LOCAL DEALER, THE "CHECK ENGINE OIL LEVEL" LIGHT ILLUMINATED. WE IMMEDIATELY CALLED THE DEALER, AND UPON THEM LOOKING AT IT, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE CRANKCASE VENT VALVE (OIL SEPARATOR), NEEDS TO BE REPLACED, AT A COST OF $1,300. WE HAVE BEEN HAVING THIS LIGHT COME ON NUMEROUS TIMES OVER THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS, AND ALWAYS CALL THE DEALER WHEN IT DOES. EVERY TIME WE CALL, THEY EITHER TELL ME TO TOP THE OIL OFF MYSELF, OR WE BRING IT TO THE DEALER FOR THEM TO TOP OFF. NOT ONCE DID SOMEONE MENTION THAT THIS ISSUE COULD BE A PROBLEM, AND THEY CONTINUED TO LET US DRIVE EVEN THOUGH THE ENGINE COULD HAVE BEEN DAMAGED IN DOING SO. A VERY QUICK INTERNET SEARCH REVEALS THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLES, AND BMW'S IN GENERAL, AND I THINK THEY SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE AND THE PART SHOULD BE COVERED. I NOW HAVE TO GET THIS DONE IMMEDIATELY, DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE CAR IS BURNING SO MUCH OIL DAILY, AROUND A QUART PER 1,000 MILES. I AM REACHING OUT TO HELP GET A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE. IF THERE IS ANY OTHER INFORMATION I CAN PROVIDE, PLEASE DO NOT HESITATE TO CONTACT ME. THANK YOU. *TR
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.