2006 BMW 5 Series Complaint Log

WATER PUMP WAS REPLACED TWICE THE THIRD TIME I WAS DRIVING CITY STREET CAR STOPPED HAD TO TOW IT HOME.

ELV FAULT AND NOW CAR WON'T START. THERE ARE MANY REPORTS OF THIS HAPPENING ON THIS MAKE AND YEAR OF CALL.. THIS SHOULD BE A RECAL!! *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 530XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT FLASHED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V564000 (AIR BAGS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

GOT AN ERROR CODE SAYING - "FAULT IN PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM AFFECTING AIRBAG, BELT TENSIONER OR BELT-FORCE LIMITER." IT SEEMS THERE HAVE BEEN VARIOUS RECALLS SURROUNDING THIS PROBLEM, BUT WHEN I CALLED BMW OF NORTH HAVEN CT THEY SAID THERE WERE NO OPEN RECALLS FOR THIS. *TR

MY 06 BMW 550I IS HAVING AN ELECTRIC WHEEL LOCK FAULT JUST LIKE THOUSANDS OF OTHERS THIS AS YOU KNOW COULD POSSIBLY LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT BMW HAS ISSUED A SERVICE BULLETIN ACKNOWLEDGING THE ISSUE. ANY ASSISTANCE IS GREATLY APPRECIATED. *TR

THE WIRING INSULATION IS PEELING AROUND ALL OF THE WIRES IN THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY. THIS IS NOT A SERVICEABLE PART, BUT THE LIGHT BULBS ARE SERVICEABLE. THIS SEEMS TO POSE A FIRE RISK BECAUSE BARE CONDUCTORS OF OPPOSITE POLARITY ARE EXPOSED TO ONE ANOTHER. *TR

AFTER TRAVELING FOR SEVERAL WEEKS, MY 2006 BMW 530I WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVE WAY. WHEN I RETURNED HOME, I OPENED BY DOOR TO FIND MOLD GROWING ALL OVER THE SEATS , INTERIORS SURFACES, AND A BAD ODOR. I OPENED THE BACK DOOR AND FOUND 4 INCHES OF WATER STANDING IN THE FLOOR BOARD. I IMMEDIATELY USED MY WET/DRY VAC TO SUCK ALL THE STANDING WATER OUT. AS I LOOKED AROUND MOLD HAD GROWN ALL OVER THE LEATHER SEATS, INTERIOR TRIM ,AND CARPET. I STARTED TO DO SOME RESEARCH ON BIMMER FORUMS TO SEE WHAT MIGHT THE CULPRIT. THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH MANY BMW SUNROOFS OF THIS VINTAGE. I WAS ABLE TO REMOVE THE BACK SEAT AND I FOUND THAT THE CLOTH BETWEEN TRUNK AND REAR SEAT WAS ALSO SATURATES WITH WATER, MOLD, MOISTURE. I HAD READ TO PULL BACK THE CARPET AND I FOUND AT LEASE 2 INCHES OF STANDING WATER IN BOTH REAR FLOOR BOARD AREAS. I ALSO NOTICED MANY ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS WERE UNDER WATER. MY ALARM WAS CONSTANTLY GOING OFF. I WOULD RESET IT FROM THE KEY REMOTE AND IT WOULD STARTING SOUNDING OFF LIKE THE ALARM WAS SET OFF. I HAD TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY TERMINAL TO GET THIS TO STOP. SO IT IS CLEARLY A SHORT IN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. I AM JUST RETURNING FORM A BUSINESS TRIP AND PLAN TO GET IT TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP TO GET AN ESTIMATE TO REPLACE THE CARPET, DEAL WITH THE MOLD THAT I AM NOT SURE HOW WILL BE TREATED. AND ADDRESS ALL THE ELECTRICAL ISSUES SINCE I DO NOT HAVE A WAY TO DRIVE IT NOW. I HAVE OWNED 6 OTHER BMW AND THIS ONE FOR 5 YEARS. I HAVE NEVER SEEN ANY KIND OF FLOODING LIKE THIS. *TR

AIR CONDITIONING STOP WORK CAUSING MOTOR TO HEAT

A MESSAGE ON THE VEHICLE DISPLAY SCREEN INDICATED THAT THE RIGHT-SIDE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT WAS MALFUNCTIONING. I REMOVED THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY TO REPLACE THE BULB AND FOUND THE WIRING INSULATION IS CRUMBLING TO THE TOUCH, RESULTING IN A SHORT CIRCUIT. THE HEADLIGHT BULB IS NOT ACTUALLY BURNED OUT. THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ON THE BMW FORUMS BUT BMW AND THE HEADLIGHT MANUFACTURER, HELLA, REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM OR DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 530I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED ATTEMPTING TO ADJUST THE SEAT, THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER AND WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

STEERING WHEEL MALFUNCTION LOCKS PREVENTING THE VEHICLE TO START STEERING WHEEL LOCKS WHILE DRIVING

HEAD BOLTS TO THE ENGINE ARE MADE OF ALUMINUM. THESE BOLT THE UPPER PORTION OF THE HEAD GASKET. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM. AT LEAST 1 ALUMINUM CYLINDER HEAD BOLT IS BROKEN AND THERE MAY BE 3 MORE BROKEN IN MY CAR. IT IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THIS E61 TOURING VEHICLE. BMW HAS DESIGNED AN ALUMINUM HEAD BOLT THAT IS KNOWN TO BREAK AT THE TENSIONS THEY SPECIFY IN THEIR MANUALS WHEN THEY CREATED THE CAR. CURRENTLY, UNLESS THE BROKEN BOLT PIECES ARE RECOVERED THE ENGINE MAY HAVE COMPLETE FAILURE WHILE DRIVING AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. IN ORDER TO REPLACE THE BROKEN BOLT, THE DEALER MUST CHECK THE 3 ADDITIONAL BOLTS AND RECOVER THE BROKEN BOLT PIECE SOMEWHERE IN THE ENGINE AND THIS REQUIRES A MINIMUM OF 7 HOURS OF LABOR PLUS THERE NEEDS TO BE A NEW HEAD GASKET BECAUSE THE VALVE COVER MUST BE REMOVED TO RETRIEVE/VIEW THE HEAD BOLTS. $3800 AT AN INDEPENDENT DEALER FOR A KNOWN DEFECT BY BMW. *TR

PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM BELT TENSIONER OR BELT FORCE LIMITER FAULT. AIRBAG LIGHT ON. *TR

PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM FAULT LIGHT HAS STARTED SHOWING ON MY BMW, THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL REPORTED ON THE SAME COMPONENT "STATEMENT ON VOLUNTARY RECALL INVOLVING FRONT PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR MAT ON U.S.A. MODEL BMWS - AUGUST 13, 2008". I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM BUT MY VIN IS NOT SHOWING UP IN THE RECALL. I TOOK THE CAR TO DEALER AND DEALER SAYS ITS EXACTLY THE SAME PART BUT I AM NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL WARRANTY. *TR

DEFECTIVE ELV STEERING LOCK PREVENTS THE CAR FROM STARTING. THE LOCK CAN'T BE DISABLED. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL. THE LOCK IS UNNNECSSARY FOR SAFE OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE. THE LOCK CAN'T BE DISABLED. AT THE VERY LEAST, THE OWNER SHOULD BE ABLE TO DISABLE IT.

FAILURES OF MULTIPLE WIRES/ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS IN THE TAILGATE/REAR WINDOW WIRING HARNESSES. SEARCH FOR BMW E61 TAILGATE WIRING PROBLEMS. THE FAILURES ARE CAUSED BY A POOR DESIGN WHERE THE WIRES ENTERING THE HINGE GUIDES (4) FOR THE GLASS AND TAILGATE ARE REPEATEDLY FLEXED AT A SHARP ANGLE UNTIL THE INSULATION, THEN THE COPPER WIRE BREAKS. SAFETY ISSUES - POSSIBLE ELECTRICAL SHORT CIRCUIT LEADING TO FIRES (HIGHEST LOAD IS FOR REAR DEFROSTER); LIGHTING FAILURES (REAR HIGH BRAKE LIGHT, LICENSE PLATE LAMPS AND OTHERS); REDUCED VISIBILITY DUE TO LOSS OF WIPER/WASHER/DEFROSTER; REAR GLASS LATCH OPENING WHILE UNDERWAY, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN LOSS OF CARGO OR INGRESS OF EXHAUST FUMES. THIS IS NOT AN EASILY REPAIRED PROBLEM AND HAS COST OVER $2000 SO FAR. I'M WORRIED ABOUT DRIVING THIS CAR AS IT IS THE MAIN TRANSPORTATION FOR MY CHILDREN AND THEIR FRIENDS.I DISCOVERED IT WHEN THE REMOTE LOCK/UNLOCK USING THE KEY FOBS FAILED, THE TRUNK INOPERABLE AND UNCLOSEABLE, THE RADIO STOPPED WORKING, THE LIGHTS IN THE REAR OF THE CAR STAYED ON PERMANENTLY AND I HAD TO DRIVE HOME ONE NIGHT WITH THE TRUNK WIDE OPEN BECAUSE THE WIRING HAD STOPPED WORKING AND IT COULD NOT BE CLOSED. AS I INVESTIGATED I FOUND MANY BROKEN GROUND WIRES, ALONG WITH SEVERAL OTHERS WITH BROKEN INSULATION, SOME WITH BROKEN COPPER STRANDS ETC. I HAVE ALREADY HAD THE RIGHT AND LEFT WIRE HARNESSES REPLACED AT AN INDEPENDENT DEALER FOR ABOUT $2200. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND I'M WORRIED THAT MORE WILL COME. *TR

UPON REPLACING A HEAD LIGHT BULB I NOTICE THAT THE HEADLIGHT WIRING INSIDE THE HEADLIGHT HOUSING WAS EXPOSED AND THE INSULATION CRUMBLING TO THE TOUCH. MANY WIRES ARE EXPOSED WITHOUT INSULATION THUS CREATING A SHORT CIRCUIT POTENTIAL AND FIRE HAZARD, I HAVE RESEARCHED ABOUT THIS AND IT SEEMS IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH BMWS, THERE ARE MANY OWNERS WITH THIS ISSUE. I FEEL THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR THIS BEFORE SOMEONE CAR CATCHES FIRE AND\OR SOMEONE DIES, BMWNA DOESN'T SEEM TO WANT TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE BASED ON ALL THE OWNERS COMPLAINTS AND THEIR NEGATIVE RESPONSE. *TR

CAR SCREEN SHOWS DEFECTIVE PASSENGER RESTRAINT AND AIRBAGS FOR SEVERAL WEEKS. I CONTACTED BMW USA AND THEY SAID THERE IS NO RECALL ON THIS CAR. THE OTHER BMW 2001 BMW 325I/[XXX] WAS SENT A LETTER OF RECALL THIS PAST SUMMER BUT BMW HAS NOT TOLD US WHAT TO DO ABOUT HAVING THE DEFECT CORRECTED.CAN YOU HELP? INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

WHEN I STARTED MY CAR THE IDRIVE DISPLAYED THE "INCREASED BATTERY DISCHARGE" MESSAGE. I THEN SMELLED A STRONG ODOR OF SMOKE AND MELTED PLASTIC, AND THE IDRIVE STOPPED WORKING ALTOGETHER. I COULDN'T FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM UNTIL I SEARCHED THIS WEBSITE AND SEVERAL BMW DEVOTED MESSAGE BOARDS TO DISCOVER THAT THE PROBLEM COULD BE TRACED TO A DEFECTIVE DESIGN RELATED TO THE MICRO PROCESSOR MODULE THAT CONTROLS THE IDRIVE. APPARENTLY, BMW THOUGHT IT WAS A GOOD IDEA TO INSTALL THE MPM, AN IMPORTANT AND SENSITIVE ELECTRICAL COMPONENT, IN THE SPARE TIRE WHEEL-WELL WHERE LIQUID CAN GATHER EASILY. A SMALL AMOUNT OF WATER SPILLED IN MY TRUNK, AND THE MPM BURNED AND MELTED ALONG WITH THE ATTACHED WIRING HARNESS. OBVIOUSLY, THIS IS A SERIOUS AND DANGEROUS DESIGN DEFECT. AND MINE IS NOT THE FIRST INSTANCE OF THIS HAPPENING - WHY HASN'T A RECALL BEEN REQUIRED? IT ALSO SEEMS THAT BMW ISSUED AT LEAST ONE SERVICE BULLETIN REGARDING THIS ISSUE, AND DIRECTED ITS DEALERS TO RELOCATE THE MPM TO A SAFER LOCATION. MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES SINCE THE BULLETIN WAS ISSUED - AT LEAST TWICE FOR PROBLEMS WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - BUT THE DEALER NEVER MENTIONED THE BULLETIN OR SUGGESTED THAT THEY SHOULD RELOCATE IT. *TR

MY CAR IS NOT ON THE AIRBAG RECALL LIST BUT I HAVE HAD THIS ERROR FOR AWHILE NOW & IT APPEARS TO BE RELATED TO THE AIRBAG ISSUE (NOT SURE IF MY CAR HAS A TEKATA.) THE MESSAGE COMES UP ON THE SCREEN- PASS. RESTRAINT SYSTEM- FAULT IN PASSENGER-RESTRAINT SYSTEM AFFECTING AIRBAG, BELT TENSIONER OR BELT FORCE LIMITER. CONTINUE TO WEAR THE SAFETY BELT. I ALSO HAVE A PICTURE OF THE ERROR. *TR

STEERING MALFUNCTION ISSUE AND RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION MESSAGE. I'M AWARE THAT BMW HAD RECALLS ON THESE ISSUES THAT I AM HAVING HOWEVER I CALLED BMW USA AND MY VIN NUMBER THEY SAY WASN'T INVOLVED IN THE RECALL. HOWEVER I'M HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. *TR

WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON A STREET ROAD MY STIRRING WHEEL GOT STUCK AND I LOST CONTROL OF MY CAR SWERVED INTO OTHER LANE AND NEARLY CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. I PUSHED THE WHEEL BACK HARD AND BOUGHT MY CAR ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD . A MECHANIC FOUND THAT NEARLY TWO INCHES OF WATER HAD ACCUMULATED IN THE TRUNK OF MY CAR, THE WATER DAMAGE CAUSED ELECTRICAL FAILURE MAKING THE CAR TO BECOME INOPERABLE. BY SHODDY CONSTRUCTION. THE MODULES, ARE INSTALLED IN THE SPARE TIRE WELL AND INSUFFICIENTLY PROTECTED FROM MOISTURE, MAKING THEM ESPECIALLY PRONE TO WATER DAMAGE THAT CAN BE CAUSED THROUGH THE NORMAL AND ORDINARY USE OF THE VEHICLE. MY LIFE WAS PUT IN DANGER BECAUSE OF THIS SHODDY CONSTRUCTION BY BMW. WHEN I NOTIFIED THEM, THEY DENIED AND REFUSED TO PAY OR FIX. THEY LITERALLY PUT MY LIFE AS WELL AS OTHER DRIVERS LIFE IN DANGER, BECAUSE MY CAR SWERVED UNCONTROLLABLY.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2006 BMW 530XI. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 TO 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE HAD AN ABNORMAL ODOR. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER AT A FUEL STATION, OPENED THE TRUNK, AND NOTICED FLAMES. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED BY A PATRON. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 12V126000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND 08V384000 (AIR BAGS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,000. UPDATED 11/02/16*LJ *TR

AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AND WON'T GO OUT. *TR

Inside headlight wiring insulation became brittle and falls off leading to potential shorts and equipment failure. Additional wiring throughout engine compart shows similar degradation and failure. Split wire housing to protect wires from engine heat also show signs of decay, exposing wires to excess heat and inducing failure of insulation. This is not a turbocharged engine and has lower engine compartment temperatures. This problem started 7-8 years ago and has gotten worse.

I WAS REPLACING A PARKING (ANGEL EYE) BULB IN THE DRIVERS SIDE OF MY 2006 BMW 530I AND NOTICED THAT THE WIRING FOR THE PARKING AND HIGH BEAM BULB WAS SO BRITTLE THAT THE WAS FALLING OFF EXPOSING THE BARE WIRING AND I ALSO NOTED A SMELL OF BURNT PLASTIC. I CHECKED THE FORUMS AND OTHER OWNERS WITH THE SAME HEADLIGHTS 2004-2010 5 SERIES WERE REPORTING THE SAME ISSUE. BMW IS NOT OFFERING A TSB OR A RECALL FOR THIS. THE LIGHTS IN THIS CASE ARE THE BI-XENON ADAPTIVE LIGHTS. IT APPEARS THE HEAT CREATED BY THE HID UNIT IS CAUSING THE WIRES TO BECOME BRITTLE. I EMAILED BMW USA DIRECTLY AND I WAS JUST REFERRED TO A DEALER. FOR THE TIME BEING I HAVE WRAPPED THE WIRING IN ELECTRICAL TAPE UNTIL I CAN AFFORD TO REPLACE EACH UNIT. I AM AFRAID TO USE MY HIGH BEAMS BECAUSE I DO NOT WANT TO BLOW ANYMORE BULBS, SHORT OUT MY LIGHTING SYSTEM OR POSSIBLY EVEN START A FIRE. I HAVE CONSIDERED DOWNGRADING THE TYPE OF LIGHTING SYSTEM IN MY CAR BUT THAT WOULD ENTAIL HAVING TO REWIRE THE CAR AND REPROGRAM THE COMPUTER TO RECOGNIZE THE NEW TYPE OF LIGHTING. *TR

A LEAK DEVELOPED IN THE POWER BRAKING SYSTEM,CAUSING A VACUUM LOSS AND CONSEQUENT REDUCTION OF POWER BRAKING ASSISTANCE. MECHANICAL BRAKING IS STILL AVAILABLE TO SLOW AND STOP THE VEHICLE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2006 BMW 550I. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH AND ATTEMPTING AVOID CRASHING INTO AN ANIMAL, THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE RIGHT AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BURNS TO THE RIGHT WRIST, FOREHEAD, AND THE LEFT SIDE OF THE NECK WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 550I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH ATTEMPTING TO AVOID CRASHING INTO AN ANIMAL, THE CONTACT SWERVED TO THE RIGHT AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED BUT THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BURNS ON THE NECK AND RIGHT WRIST FROM THE AIR BAG CHEMICALS. THE CONTACT ALSO REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

AS I WAS DRIVING A WARNING CAME ON MY IDRIVE DISPLAY THAT THERE WAS A PARKING LIGHT MALFUNCTION. I LATER REMOVED THE HEADLIGHT TO REPLACE A BULB AND UPON DOING SO I NOTICED BARE COPPER WIRES. I THEN REMOVED THE MAIN COVER AND SAW THAT LITERALLY EVERY WIRE HAD PORTIONS OF THE OUTER WIRE JACKET DETERIORATING. WHEN I REMOVED THE PARKING LAMP ASSY. TO REPLACE THE BULB, THE WIRE JACKET JUST FLAKED OFF. DUE TO THE SEVERITY OF THE DAMAGE I IMMEDIATELY TOOK THE HEADLIGHT TO LAUDERDALE BMW. LAUDERDALE BMW HAD A SPECIALIST LOOK AT THE HEADLIGHT. THE SPECIALIST SAID THAT THOUGH IT DID LOOK VERY BAD UNFORTUNATELY IT WAS JUST DUE TO THE FLORIDA SUN! THERE IS NO SUPPORT FOR THE HEADLIGHT EITHER FROM HELLA NORTH AMERICA (THE ACTUAL MANUFACTURER OF THE HEADLIGHT) OR FROM BMW. NO PARTS CAN BE ORDERED FOR IT. THE ONLY OPTION AVAILABLE IS TO PURCHASE A COMPLETE NEW HEADLIGHT ASSY. AT $1500.00 I WROTE TO HELLA NORTH AMERICA AND THEY REFERRED ME TO BMW GERMANY. I WROTE TO BMWNA AND THEY RESPONDED THAT IT WAS JUST NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. IMAGINE THAT, AN 8 YEAR OLD HEADLIGHT DETERIORATE TO BARE WIRES IS BY BMW'S CONCERN, NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR! THAT'S SHAMEFUL! AT THIS POINT I CANNOT INSTALL THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY BACK INTO THE CAR FOR FEAR OF A DEAD SHORT AND POSSIBLE FIRE! I HAVE A 1995 CHEVROLET S-10 THAT AT 19 YEARS HAS NO WIRING ISSUES AND DEFINITELY NO BARE WIRES! FOR BMW THOUGH IT IS CONSIDERED COMPLETELY ACCEPTABLE AFTER 8 YEARS! YET BOTH VEHICLES SIT SIDE BY SIDE IN THE FLORIDA SUN EVERYDAY! IS IT RIGHT THAT BMW VEHICLE PRICING ON THE AVERAGE IS SO MUCH HIGHER THAN CHEVROLET AND YET BMW'S BUILD QUALITY AND WHAT IS ACCEPTABLE IS SO MUCH LOWER! WHEN THIS HAPPENS, SOMETHING IS TERRIBLY WRONG! *TR

I HAVE A 2006 BMW 530I THAT HAS BEEN LEAKING OIL FOR 3 YEARS. I HAVE HAD WORK DONE ON THE CAR FROM AN AUTHORIZED BMW SHOP AND THE LEAK WAS NOT FIXED. I HAVE HAD EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION TO WHERE I HAVE HAD TO EITHER PUT OIL IN THE CAR MYSELF BECAUSE IT WAS AT THE MINIMUM LEVEL, OR TAKE IT IN TO THE DEALERSHIP (IF I'M IN THE AREA) FOR THEM TO TOP IT OFF. I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP 4 DIFFERENT TIMES AND THEY HAVE TOLD ME THAT THEY COULD NOT FIND AN OIL LEAK. RECENTLY I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND THEY TOLD ME I HAD A LEAK IN 3 DIFFERENT PLACES. SINCE I HAVE BEEN TOLD DIFFERENT SCENARIOS, I ESCALATED THE ISSUE TO HIGHER MANAGEMENT AND ASKED FOR AN ANSWER AS TO WHY TWO DIFFERENT MECHANICS AT A DEALERSHIP THAT SPECIALIZE IN THE "ULTIMATE DRIVING MACHINE" GAVE ME THREE DIFFERENT DIAGNOSTICS. THEY THEN TOLD ME THAT MY CAR HAS A BROKEN BOLT WHICH IS COMMON FOR THIS MODEL, BUT REFUSE TO RECTIFY THE SITUATION AND THE VEHICLE IS UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY AND NEITHER WILL PAY THE COST. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 525XI. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK ON A SLIGHT INCLINE, THE BRAKES FAILED AND THE VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARDS. THE CONTACT HAD TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VACUUM PUMP LEAKED OIL INTO THE BRAKE BOOSTER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 114,000.

THE PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM ALARM CAME ON FOR THE FIRST TIME WHILE SITTING IN A PARKING LOT. BMW SAYS THAT MY VEHICLE, A 2006 BMW 525XI IS NOT CAPTURED UNDER THE CURRENT RECALL 13V564000, WHICH FIXES THIS PROBLEM. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 525I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG AND THE RESTRAINT INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.

MY VEHICLE'S PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR MAT HAS FAILED, LIKELY FROM A CRACK, AND HAS RESULTED IN THE PASSENGER AIRBAGS BEING COMPLETELY DISABLED. THIS INTERMITTENTLY STARTED HAPPENING AROUND 2014 BUT HAS SINCE COMPLETELY BROKEN. THERE IS AN OPEN RECALL FOR THIS (SEE: 13V564000) HOWEVER BMW STATES THAT MY PARTICULAR VIN IS NOT COVERED AND IS REFUSING TO COVER THE REPAIR. BMW IS OBVIOUSLY AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND THE LIFE THREATENING RISKS IT POSES TO FRONT PASSENGERS BUT CANNOT BE BOTHERED TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE.

I DISCOVERED FAILURES OF MULTIPLE WIRES IN THE TAILGATE/REAR WINDOW WIRING HARNESSES. THROUGH RESEARCH ONLINE I HAVE FOUND THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE OVER SEVERAL MODEL YEARS - SEARCH FOR BMW E61 TAILGATE WIRING PROBLEMS. THE FAILURES ARE CAUSED BY A POOR DESIGN WHERE THE WIRES ENTERING THE HINGE GUIDES (4) FOR THE GLASS AND TAILGATE ARE REPEATEDLY FLEXED AT A SHARP ANGLE UNTIL THE INSULATION, THEN THE COPPER WIRE BREAKS. SAFETY ISSUES - POSSIBLE ELECTRICAL SHORT CIRCUIT LEADING TO FIRES (HIGHEST LOAD IS FOR REAR DEFROSTER); LIGHTING FAILURES (REAR HIGH BRAKE LIGHT, LICENSE PLATE LAMPS AND OTHERS); REDUCED VISIBILITY DUE TO LOSS OF WIPER/WASHER/DEFROSTER; REAR GLASS LATCH OPENING WHILE UNDERWAY, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN LOSS OF CARGO OR INGRESS OF EXHAUST FUMES. CENTRAL LOCKING MECHANISM FAILS. IF THERE WERE TO BE AN ACCIDENT AND/OR INTERIOR FIRE ESCAPING THE VEHICLE WOULD BE DIFFICULT THIS IS NOT AN EASILY REPAIRED PROBLEM. IT WOULD BE BEYOND THE CAPABILITIES OF ALL BUT A SKILLED MECHANIC WITH PROPER TOOLS. I DISCOVERED IT WHEN THE REMOTE LOCK/UNLOCK USING THE KEY FOBS FAILED. AS I INVESTIGATED I FOUND THE BROKEN WIRE, ALONG WITH SEVERAL OTHERS WITH BROKEN INSULATION, SOME WITH BROKEN COPPER STRANDS. *TR

AIR BAG AND SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHTS CAME AND STAYED ON. WARNING MESSAGE ON SCREEN "MALFUNCTION RESTRAINT SYSTEM -- AIR BAG MAY NOT DEPLOY SEAT BELT TENSIONER NOT ACTIVATED" *JS

HAD HEARD FROM FRIENDS ABOUT NHTSA RECALL 13V564000 REGARDING THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG SYSTEM ON 2006 BMW 5 SERIES SEDANS AND OTHERS. I NEVER RECEIVED ANY NOTIFICATIONS FROM BMW IN THE MAIL REGARDING THIS RECALL. IN JUNE 2014, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG SENSOR IN MY CAR FAILED AS DESCRIBED IN THE NHTSA RECALL NOTICE. I WENT TO THE BMW DEALER TO INQUIRY ABOUT THE RECALL AND TO FIND OUT WHY I DID NOT RECEIVE A NOTICE IN THE MAIL. I WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE THAT MY PARTICULAR VEHICLE VIN WAS NOT ASSOCIATED WITH THE RECALL. I ASKED THE SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE EXACTLY WHY IT WAS NOT COVERED AT WHICH HE REPLIED "I'M NOT SURE, IT'S JUST NOT ON THE LIST". I THEN PROCEEDED TO CONTACT BMW OF NORTH AMERICA TO INQUIRE ABOUT THE RECALL. THE REPRESENTATIVE FOR BMW ON THE PHONE BASICALLY HAD THE SAME RESPONSE AS THE SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE AT THE DEALERSHIP, SHE WAS UNCERTAIN WHY MY VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED AND WHY CERTAIN VEHICLES OF THE SAME MAKE, MODEL, AND YEAR WERE COVERED BY THE RECALL. THE REPRESENTATIVE AT BMW NORTH AMERICA SUGGESTED THAT I CONTACT NHTSA REGARDING THE ISSUE. PLEASE HELP SHED SOME LIGHT ON WHY MY PARTICULAR BMW IS NOT COVERED EVEN THOUGH IT HAS THE FAILURE AS OUTLINED IN THE RECALL NOTICE. IN ADDITION, WHAT CRITERIA WAS USED TO DETERMINE WHICH VEHICLES AND PARTS WERE RECALLED. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 530I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE POWER STEERING MALFUNCTIONED CAUSING THE STEERING WHEEL TO LOCK AND NO WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE DRIVER HAD TO TURN OFF AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE IN OR FOR THE VEHICLE TO RESUMED NORMAL FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 82,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 525I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 13V564000 (AIR BAGS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.

I WAS SENT A LETTER FROM BMW IN JANUARY 2014 CONCERNING RECALL 13V564: FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR MAT. THE LETTER STATES THAT BMW DOES NOT HAVE SUFFICIENT PARTS TO CONDUCT THE RECALL AND I WOULD BE NOTIFIED WHEN THEY ARE AVAILABLE. IT IS NOW 6 MONTHS LATER (JUNE 2014) AND I HAVE NOT BEEN NOTIFIED; AND I HAVE CALLED MY DEALER (BMW SEATTLE) A FEW TIMES ONLY TO BE TOLD THEY STILL DO NOT HAVE THE PARTS. THIS IS EXTREMELY CONCERNING AS THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP CAME ON RIGHT AFTER I RECEIVED THE LETTER CONCERNING THE RECALL. I APPRECIATE THE COMPANY NOTIFYING ME OF THE RECALL BUT IT IS POINTLESS IF THEY CANNOT CORRECT IT AND IT MAKES THEM LOOK LIKE THEY'VE DONE THEIR DUE DILIGENCE OF NOTIFYING ME BUT OTHER THEN THAT THEY HAVE NO SENSE OF URGENCY. I WOULD THINK FOR A RECALL ON SAFETY EQUIPMENT THEY WOULD EXPEDITE SECURING THE PARTS TO CORRECT THE ISSUE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 525XI. AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AS THE AIR BAG ALARM SOUNDED THROUGHOUT THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 168,000.

SINCE 2011, I HAVE NEEDED TO HAVE MY, 2006 BMW 530XI, VEHICLE SERVICED. SERVICED FOR TRUNK LEAKAGE, BATTERY CABLE REPLACEMENT, SUNROOF/MOONROOF NON-DRAINAGE ISSUES AND PASSENGER AIRBAG SENSOR ISSUES. I HAVE PAID PERHAPS THREE - TO FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR ALLEGED REPAIRS. NONE OF THOSE REPAIRS WERE PERMANENT AND THE ISSUES CONTINUED ON/OFF UNTIL 5/10/14. ON THAT DAY/DATE I DROVE THE CAR SEVERAL HOURS SHOPPING AND PREPARING FOR MOTHER'S DAY. WHEN I STOPPED THE ENGINE IN MY DRIVEWAY THE CAR SHUT OFF BUT I COULD NOT REMOVE THE KEY FOB FROM THE IGNITION. THERE WAS NO POWER THROUGHOUT THE VEHICLE, E.G. NO DASH LIGHTING, NO INTERNAL LIGHTING, NO ALARM LIGHT FLASHING AND NO ABILITY TO LOCK DOORS OR OPEN THE TRUNK. NEITHER BMW-N.A. NOR DEALERSHIP ACCEPT ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE WATER LEAKAGE OR OTHER REPAIR ISSUES, EVEN THOUGH SOME MANUFACTURER RECALLS WERE ANNOUNCED TO THE PUBLIC FOR THESE ISSUES, THOSE WERE SAID TO ME TO BE ONLY FOR SPECIFIED VIN NUMBERED VEHICLES AND NOT MINE. I WOULD LIKE TO PARTICIPATE IN A CLASS ACTION AGAINST BMW FOR THESE ISSUES AND I HAVE SAVED ALL MY REPAIR RECEIPTS TO VALIDATE MY VEHICLE PROBLEMS. *TR

TL * THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 525I. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE BECAME DIFFICULT TO STOP WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT HAD TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL WITH GREAT FORCE IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE VIBRATED PRIOR TO COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE FAILURE OCCURRED REGULARLY. THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

ALL HEADLIGHT WIRING SHIELDING HAS DETERIORATED IN THE UNIT CAUSING A SHORTAGE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE NOT ONLY DUE TO THE SHIELDING POSSIBLY CAUSING A FIRE, BUT ALSO AN ISSUE FOR SAFE DRIVING AS THE LIGHTS NO LONGER FUNCTION TO DOT REQUIREMENTS. *TR

THE ALUMINUM HEAD BOLT NEAR THE OIL FILTER HAS SHEARED OFF CAUSING A SUBSTANTIAL OIL LEAK IN THE SAME AREA AS THE SHEARED OFF BOLT. I HAVE CONTACTED THE BMW DEALERSHIP ABOUT THE ISSUE AND THEY ADMITTED THAT THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH THE N52 ENGINES. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IN 3 YEARS THAT THE ALUMINUM BOLTS HAVE FAILED. THE FIRST TIME RESULTED IN A NEW VALVE COVER AND GASKETS. THE RECENT CHINA BMW BOLT DEFECT RECALL (HTTP://WWW.BLOOMBERG.COM/NEWS/2014-04-02/BMW-TO-RECALL-232-098-VEHICLES-IN-CHINA-FOR-BOLT-DEFECT.HTML) SEEMS TO HAVE THE SAME BOLT DEFECT AS THE N52 ENGINES. I EXPECT THERE SHALL BE A RECALL FOR THIS DEFECT. *TR

A MESSAGE STATING A PASSENGER RESTRAINT MALFUNCTION KEEPS COMING ON. DID SOME RESEARCH AND IT SAID THERE IS A RECALL FOR MY VEHICLE. AFTER CALLING THE DEALING AND GIVING HIM MY VIN# HE TOLD ME IT WAS NOT COVERED. THIS SEEMS TO BE A SERIOUS OVERSIGHT BY BMW AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 530XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED WITH NO PASSENGER IN THE SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 13V564000(AIR BAGS). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,600. ..UPDATED 05/15/14 *BF

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 530XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE AIR BAG SENSOR WOULD NOT SHUT OFF. THE AIR BAG LIGHT SENSOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE MAT SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE SEVERAL TIMES BUT DID NOT PROVIDE A REMEDY FOR THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THE REPAIR WAS COVERED UNDER A RECALL AND LATER STATED THAT THE PRODUCTION DATE OF THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 13V564000 (AIR BAGS) BUT EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE. THE FAILURE WAS RECURRING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10000. UPDATED 04-23-14 *BF

THE PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG MALFUNCTIONED CASING THE SEAT TO HAVE TO BE REMOVED AND SENSOR REPLACED. THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS BUT MY CAR, AND 2 OF MY FRIENDS CARS WERE NOT INCLUDED ON THE RECALL, MY FRIENDS WERE CHARGED BY THE DEALERSHIP. MY ENGINE LEAKS OIL ONTO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD CAUSING SMOKE IN THE CAB AND POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD. ON EVERY BM I HAVE EVER OWNED THE RADIATOR LEAKS FLUID WHICH IS ENVIRONMENTALLY HAZARDOUS AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED.