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
What owners actually said
168 reports
56,000 miles · Dec 30, 2008
Air BagsSeat BeltsCrash
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…
Read full complaint
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.
NHTSA ODI #10253174
27,000 miles · Nov 25, 2008
SeatsFireInjury
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ELECTRIC SEAT HEATER ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE CAUGHT FIRE. WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT, HE NOTICED THAT THE SEAT WAS SMOKING AND HIS LEG WAS BURNED. THE SEAT HEATER WAS ACTIVATED PRIOR TO NOTICING THE FAILURE. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, WHERE IT CURRENTLY REMAINS. …
Read full complaint
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ELECTRIC SEAT HEATER ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE CAUGHT FIRE. WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT, HE NOTICED THAT THE SEAT WAS SMOKING AND HIS LEG WAS BURNED. THE SEAT HEATER WAS ACTIVATED PRIOR TO NOTICING THE FAILURE. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, WHERE IT CURRENTLY REMAINS. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF THE ISSUE; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE WAS A RESULT OF THE RISK OF HAVING SEAT HEATERS. THEY ALSO STATED THAT THEY WOULD REPAIR THE VEHICLE FOR FREE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 27,000.
NHTSA ODI #10249841
12,000 miles · Apr 16, 2008
Service Brakes, Air
STEERING WHEEL VIBRATIONS ON HIGH SPEED ON HIGHWAYS. WHEN BRAKING CAR MERGES TO LEFT. I AM NOT SURE OF THE DATE BUT IM SURE THE DEALER COMPUTERS WILL HAVE THE HISTORY OF MAINTENANCE. THIS HAPPENED 3 TIMES FROM THEY DAY I GOT THE CAR TILL TODAY. THE CAR DEALER ALWAYS TOOK CARE OF THE SERVICE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10224757
Mileage unknown · Mar 13, 2008
SuspensionInjury
SUSPENSION PROBLEMS. VERY, VERY BUMPY, ROUGH RIDE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10220994
21,600 miles · Dec 28, 2007
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
BRAKE PADS WEAR OUT WITHIN 35,000 KLM ON BMW X5. NOT COVERED UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY AND THE AVERAGE FOR PERFORMANCE BRAKES LIKE THESE ARE SUPPOSE TO BE 50,000 KLM. BMW WILL NOT REPLACE THE BRAKE PADS WITHOUT REPLACING ALL 4 ROTORS AT THE DEALERSHIP LEVEL. ALL OTHER VEHICLES WITH PERFORMANCE BRAKES ON SPORTS CARS HAVE LASTED OVE…
Read full complaint
BRAKE PADS WEAR OUT WITHIN 35,000 KLM ON BMW X5. NOT COVERED UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY AND THE AVERAGE FOR PERFORMANCE BRAKES LIKE THESE ARE SUPPOSE TO BE 50,000 KLM. BMW WILL NOT REPLACE THE BRAKE PADS WITHOUT REPLACING ALL 4 ROTORS AT THE DEALERSHIP LEVEL. ALL OTHER VEHICLES WITH PERFORMANCE BRAKES ON SPORTS CARS HAVE LASTED OVER 50,000 TO 90,000 WITHOUT REPLACEMENT OF BRAKES. WE'RE NOT HARD ON BRAKES IF YOU TAKE A LOOK AT OUR LAST 2 VEHICLES WITH PERFORMANCE STYLE BRAKES ON SPORTS CARS... *TR
NHTSA ODI #10213091
19,000 miles · Nov 29, 2007
Air BagsCrashInjury
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW X5. WHILE DRIVING 3 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE FRONT SIDE QUARTER PANEL OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE OTHER VEHICLE WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE CAME EQUIPPED WITH SIDE AIR BAGS. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATOR LIGHTS PRESENT. A POLIC…
Read full complaint
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW X5. WHILE DRIVING 3 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE FRONT SIDE QUARTER PANEL OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE OTHER VEHICLE WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE CAME EQUIPPED WITH SIDE AIR BAGS. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATOR LIGHTS PRESENT. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED FROM THE SCENE AND HAS NOT YET BEEN INSPECTED. THE DRIVER WAS TAKEN TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM IN AN AMBULANCE BECAUSE HER HEAD HIT THE DOOR WINDOW. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 19,000.
NHTSA ODI #10210313
4,900 miles · Nov 16, 2006
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT DOWNSHIFT PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED, BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. ALSO, THE ENGINE REVVED WHILE AT A STOP. THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE A PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS A 2006 BMW X5.*AK UPDATED 01/10/07. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10173657
Mileage unknown · Jun 15, 2006
Exterior Lighting
HID LIGHTS FROM OTHER CARS ARE BLINDING ME FROM BEHIND. *JB
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.
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
1
EA08001 · 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.
2006 BMW X5 Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
Illustration