IllustrationAnytime I have a passenger in the car the seatbelt warning light goes off. My passenger is wearing the seatbelt. I put the car in park and tell my passenger to take the seatbelt off then back on. It's off for a bit then the light for the seatbelt comes by on.
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
Seat Belts complaints
8 reportsAIR BAG SIGNAL AND SEAT BELT WARNING WERE LIT ON THE DASH, EVEN AFTER THE PASSENGER WAS OUT OF THE CAR. THE SEAT BELT WARNING CHIMES WHEN PASSENGER LEAVES, TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC AND HE TOLD ME THAT THE SENSOR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. TOOK IT TO BMW ON 06/10/2014 THEY TOLD ME, THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR MY CAR DUE TO MY VIN. CONSIDER…
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AIR BAG SIGNAL AND SEAT BELT WARNING WERE LIT ON THE DASH, EVEN AFTER THE PASSENGER WAS OUT OF THE CAR. THE SEAT BELT WARNING CHIMES WHEN PASSENGER LEAVES, TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC AND HE TOLD ME THAT THE SENSOR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. TOOK IT TO BMW ON 06/10/2014 THEY TOLD ME, THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR MY CAR DUE TO MY VIN. CONSIDERING THE FACT THAT OTHER VEHICLES ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS, AND ARE BEING REPAIRED, THIS IS VERY DISAPPOINTING THAT MY CAR CAN NOT BE FIXED, WHEN THIS IS A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CONTINUED TO FLASH OFF AND ON WHEN A PASSENGER WAS EITHER OCCUPYING THE SEAT OR WHEN THERE WAS NO PASSENGER. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE SEAT BELT WARNING CHIME WAS ACTIVATED WHEN THE PASSENGER WAS SECURED USING THE SEAT BEL…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CONTINUED TO FLASH OFF AND ON WHEN A PASSENGER WAS EITHER OCCUPYING THE SEAT OR WHEN THERE WAS NO PASSENGER. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE SEAT BELT WARNING CHIME WAS ACTIVATED WHEN THE PASSENGER WAS SECURED USING THE SEAT BELT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 13V564000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME DEFECT LISTED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,000.
SINCE 2010, MY BMW X5, 3.0, 2006 SEAT BELT CONTINUALLY SOUNDS THE ALARM CHIME EVEN THOUGH THERE IS NO PASSENGER IN THE SEAT. THIS ISSUE ONLY HAPPENS IN THE PASSENGER FRONT SEAT. THE SEAT BELT MUST REMAIN FASTENED AT ALL TIMES TO AVOID THE WARNING INDICATOR FROM ALARM. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THE OCCUPANCY DETECTION MAT WHICH WAS LOCATED IN THE PASSENGER OR DRIVER SEAT THAT INFORMS THE COMPUTER THAT A PERSON WAS IN THE SEAT FAILED. THE FAILURE RENDERED THE AIR BAGS INOPERABLE AND ALSO CAUSED THE SEAT BELT LIGHTS TO ILLUMINATE AS IF A PERSON WAS SITTING IN THE SEA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THE OCCUPANCY DETECTION MAT WHICH WAS LOCATED IN THE PASSENGER OR DRIVER SEAT THAT INFORMS THE COMPUTER THAT A PERSON WAS IN THE SEAT FAILED. THE FAILURE RENDERED THE AIR BAGS INOPERABLE AND ALSO CAUSED THE SEAT BELT LIGHTS TO ILLUMINATE AS IF A PERSON WAS SITTING IN THE SEAT WHEN IT WAS UNOCCUPIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION AND THEY PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST BUT THE COMPUTER DISPLAYED NO CODES; THEREFORE, THEY COULD NOT REPAIR THE FAILURE OR DUPLICATE IT. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED HIM TO TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER BUT THEY WOULD NOT HONOR THE REQUEST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,000 THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 67,000.
1) CRUISE WILL NOT TAKE INTO ACTION WHEN LESS THEN 15 MPH--- AND YOU HAVE TO BE IN ACCELERATE TO ENGAGE CRUISE- CAUSES PROBLEMS IN SCHOOL ZONE. ESPECIALLY TO SET THE CRUISE AT 19MPH IS A CHALLENGE. 2) SEAT BELT WARNING EVEN AFTER I HAVE THE SEAT BELT ON. AND THE BEEP COMES AFTER I DRIVE ABOUT 2 BLOCKS ...SO I HAVE TO TAKE OFF T…
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1) CRUISE WILL NOT TAKE INTO ACTION WHEN LESS THEN 15 MPH--- AND YOU HAVE TO BE IN ACCELERATE TO ENGAGE CRUISE- CAUSES PROBLEMS IN SCHOOL ZONE. ESPECIALLY TO SET THE CRUISE AT 19MPH IS A CHALLENGE. 2) SEAT BELT WARNING EVEN AFTER I HAVE THE SEAT BELT ON. AND THE BEEP COMES AFTER I DRIVE ABOUT 2 BLOCKS ...SO I HAVE TO TAKE OFF THE BELT AND PUT IT BACK ON. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW X5. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR AND AIR BAG WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE INDICATORS REMAINED ILLUMINATED UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. IN ADDITION, THE SEAT BELT SYSTEM CHIME SENSOR WAS INOPER…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW X5. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR AND AIR BAG WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE INDICATORS REMAINED ILLUMINATED UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. IN ADDITION, THE SEAT BELT SYSTEM CHIME SENSOR WAS INOPERATIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE MALFUNCTIONS. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 67,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW X5. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE BUMPER, MUFFLER, AND TRUNK WERE DAMAGED. THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT FAILED AND RELEASED PREMATURELY. THE FRONT AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT WAS UNINJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAI…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW X5. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE BUMPER, MUFFLER, AND TRUNK WERE DAMAGED. THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT FAILED AND RELEASED PREMATURELY. THE FRONT AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT WAS UNINJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AND REPAIRED. THE CONTACT HAS A COPY OF THE POLICE REPORT. THE MANUFACTURER COULD NOT PROVIDE AN EXPLANATION FOR THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 56,500.
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.