NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2006 BMW 5 Series. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 530XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SAFETY RESTRAINT SYSTEM WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V384000 (AIR BAGS). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 71,000.
WE HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE SINCE 2007 AND HAVE NOT HAD TOO MANY ISSUES WITH IT. HOWEVER, RECENTLY IT DEVELOPED AN OIL LEAK WHICH BMW HAS REFUSED TO FIX. WHAT HAS HAPPENED IS THAT FOUR ALUMINUM BOLTS THAT HOLD THE TOP OF THE ENGINE BLOCK ON TO THE ENGINE HAVE BROKEN FOR NO APPARENT REASON. ACCORDING TO THE REPAIR SHOP I TOOK IT TO, BMW KNOWS THIS IS A DEFECT. THEY SHOULD HAVE NEVER USED ALUMINUM BOLTS AS FASTENERS FOR THIS ENGINE. I HAVE HAD TO SPEND $2900.00 TO HAVE THESE BOLTS REPLACED BY AN AUTHORIZED BMW REPAIR SHOP. THIS HAS STOPPED THE LEAK. THE DEALER WANTED $4300.00 TO DO THE SAME REPAIR. THIS IS NOT RIGHT. MY MECHANIC SAID THAT THIS OIL LEAK COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ENGINE FIRE IF I HAD LET IT GO. ANY HELP YOU CAN BE ON THIS MATTER WOULD BE GREAT. *TR
MY 530I BMW HAS AT LEAST ONE BROKEN CYLINDER HEAD BOLT. THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE BMW N52 ENGINES. I WAS QUOTED $4500 FOR THE REPAIR. AS I MENTIONED THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM, A KNOWN PROBLEM BY BMW, BUT BMW ISN'T WILLING TO OFFER ME ANY ASSISTANCE. I FEEL A NEED TO REPORT THIS EXPENSIVE AND COMMON PROBLEM, AND BMW'S UNWILLINGNESS TO RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE SPENT HOURS WITH BMWUSA AND MY LOCAL BMW STEVENS CREEK DEALERSHIP AND SO FAR ALL I HAVE DONE IS WASTED MANY HOURS OF MY TIME. BMW NEEDS TO ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR SOMETHING THAT IS OBVIOUSLY A DETECT IN THEIR DESIGN. *TR
MY SON WAS DRIVING THE CAR TO WORK AND IT ONLY GOT ABOUT 8 BLOCKS FROM OUR HOUSE WHEN THE CAR STALLED AND LOST COMPLETE POWER. HE COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND FROM THE LOOKS WHEN I ARRIVED THE SERPENTINE TENSION BELT HAD BROKEN WE TURNED THE KEY OVER AND THE ENGINE WAS IN A FREE SPIN. WE HAD IT TOWED TO A LOCAL SERVICE SHOP AND THEY REPLACED THE BELT BUT STATED THE ENGINE HAD NO COMPRESSION TOWED CAR TO A SECOND SHOP AND GOT THE SAME OPINION THE ENGINE HAD NO COMPRESSION. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHTS OR MESSAGES ON THE DASH. THE CAR JUST STOPPED OPERATING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD AND GAVE NO WARNING. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 535XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WATER LEAKED THROUGH THE SUNROOF AND CAUSED THE ELECTRONICS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL TO BLINK AND NOT OPERATE PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT WATER HAD LEAKED INTO THE VEHICLE FROM A CLOGGED DRAIN THAT WAS ATTACHED TO THE SUNROOF. THE DEALER CLEANED THE DRAIN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 48,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW M5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V384000. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
BMW IS RECALLING 200,000 MY 2006 3 SERIES SPORT SEAT, MY 2004-2006 5 SERIES STANDARD AND SPORT SEAT, AND MY 2004-2006 X3 PASSENGER VEHICLES. DEPENDING ON THE MANNER AND FREQUENCY OF THE FRONT PASSENGER'S ENTRY AND EXIT, SMALL CRACKS HAVE DEVELOPED IN THE MAT. IF THIS OCCURS, THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAGS, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE HEAD PROTECTION SYSTEM, WILL BE DEACTIVATED AND THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP AS WELL AS THE PASSENGER AIR BAG "ON-OFF" LAMP WILL BE ILLUMINATED. CONSEQUENCES: IN THIS SITUATION THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY EVEN IF A SUFFICIENTLY SEVERE ACCIDENT WOULD OCCUR AND OCCUPANT PROTECTION PROVIDED BY THE SYSTEM WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE. REMEDY: DEALERS WILL REWORK THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR MAT SO THAT EXTERNAL FORCE APPLICATION TO THE SEAT DOES NOT CAUSE A CRACK TO THE MAT. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 6, 2008. BMW WILL ALSO EXTEND THE WARRANTY ON THESE VEHICLES TO 10 YEARS FROM FIRST REGISTRATION WITHOUT ANY MILEAGE LIMIT. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-525-7417. I HAVE CONTACTED BMW AND THEY SAY MY VIN IS NOT PART OF THIS RECALL, HOWEVER I AM EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUE AS THE RECALLED VEHICLES. I AM WORRIED ABOUT PASSENGER SAFETY! PLEASE HELP! *TR
WE HAVE A 2006 BMW 530I IN JANUARY OF 2013 WE HAD A IGNITION COIL GO OUT WITH AROUND 75000 MILES WHICH WAS ABOUT A 275.00$ TO GET FIXED. THEN ON 6/26/13 WE HAD 2 MORE IGNITION COILS GO OUT AT 78000 MILES, THAT TIME IT WAS 507.00 $ TO FIX, THIS MUST BE A FAULTY PART BECAUSE NOW 12/16/13 WITH 82000 MILES IT HAS HAPPENED AGAIN! I AM GOING TO PAY FOR THE REMAINING 3 TO BE CHANGED. WHEN I CALLED BMW THERE WAS A RECALL APPARENTLY FROM 2002-2004 FOR THIS. BY WAY OF MY VIN.# I FOUND OUT MY CAR WAS MADE 9/2005 I FEEL THIS PROBLEM NEVER GOT FIXED OR SIMPLY JUST CHANGING THE BRAND OF THE COIL WAS NOT THE ANSWER TO THE PROBLEM! BECAUSE ITS NOT FIXED. I HAVE NEVER OWNED A CAR WITH ISSUES LIKE THIS. WHEN I SPOKE TO A INDEPENDENT CERTIFIED BMW MECHANIC I WAS TOLD IT HAS BEEN A PROBLEM! *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 525XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED AN OIL LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC, WHO DETERMINED THAT THE ENGINE CYLINDER HEAD WAS FRACTURED AND CAUSING THE OIL LEAK. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER BUT WAS PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,000.
THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE FOR THE PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM. NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: EA08001 THE DEALERS ARE REFUSING TO FIX THE PROBLEM AT NO COSTS TO ME AND BMW NORTH AMERICA SAYS THERE IS NO RECALL ON MY VEHICLE. *TR
I HAVE RECEIVED A WARNING ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS THAT THERE IS A MALFUNCTION IN THE PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM. I TOOK THE CAR IN FOR REPAIR AT THE BMW DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT I NEED TO REPLACE THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR. THERE IS A RECALL FOR MY 2004-2006 BMW 5-SERIES FOR THIS ISSUE (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID 08V384000), HOWEVER I WAS TOLD MY CAR WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL. *TR
MY BMW 525I HAS A PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM WARNING; FAULT IN PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM EFFECTING AIRBAG, BELT TENSIONER, OR BELT FORCE LIMITER. THIS HAS CAUSED THE AIRBAG SYSTEM IN THE PASSENGER SIDE TO BE PERMANENTLY TURNED OFF AND ACKNOWLEDGES FAULTS IN THE RESTRAINT SYSTEM. I FEEL THIS IS EXTREMELY UNSAFE FOR PASSENGERS IN MY VEHICLE. A MECHANIC HAS TOLD ME THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT WHICH APPEARS DEFECTIVE. I OBSERVED THAT THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL ON A SIMILAR ISSUE WITH THE BMW VEHICLE (RECALL ID 08V38400). I ATTEMPTED TO CONTACT THE DEALERSHIP, NORTH SCOTTSDALE BMW AND BMW COSTUMER SERVICE BUT BOTH SAID THE RECALL DIDNT INVOLVE MY VEHICLE EVEN THOUGH IT INCLUDED THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL WITH THE SAME ISSUE. *TR
PASSENGER AIRBAG SENSOR. WARNING LIGHT SYSTEM FAILURE. *TR
A RECENT RAIN STORM FLOODED THE SPARE TIRE WELL COMPARTMENT AND FRIED ALL THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS STORED UNDERNEATH THE TIRE. LUCKILY I WASN'T DRIVING THE WAGON THAT DAY AND THE CAR WAS PARKED ON THE DRIVEWAY. OTHERWISE, THE CAR WOULD HAD SHUT DOWN IF IT WAS MOVING AND COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT (HAPPENED TO SOMEONE AS DISCUSSED IN THE BIMMER FORUM). APPARENTLY, BMW HAVE KNOWN ABOUT THIS SAFETY ISSUE AS WELL AS THE SUNROOF DRAINAGE & TIRE WELL DESIGN DEFECTS FOR QUITE SOME TIME. THEY EVEN GENERATED A TECHNICAL SERVICE/SERVICE INFORMATION BULLETIN (SIB54-06-06 & 61-13-06 ON SPECIAL ROOFS) FOR THEIR SERVICE DEPARTMENT TO USE. HOWEVER, BMW KEEPS DENYING ANY DAMAGE LIABILITY AND REFUSING TO ADMIT ANY DESIGN DEFECTS. BMW NA, PUBLIC RELATIONS AND THE SF BMW DEALERSHIP RESPONDED TO ME THAT IT IS DUE TO "EXTERNAL FACTORS" (RAINS) AND THEREBY THEY HAVE NO RESPONSIBILITY TO THE DAMAGED VEHICLE. THE SERVICE ADVISER TOLD ME THAT THE REPAIR COST WOULD RUN INTO $15K. I AM FILING THE SAID COMPLAINT AND AM SEEKING AN ATTORNEY FOR A POSSIBLE CLASS ACTION SUIT AGAINST BMW NA. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 530XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MAJOR ELECTRICAL FAILURE WARNING MESSAGE ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE DRAIN IN THE SUNROOF FAILED, CAUSING MOISTURE TO REACH THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 70,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 525I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE STARTED THE VEHICLE AND THE PASSENGER AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE DID NOT TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.
ONE DAY WHILE DRIVING, MY CAR HAD AN ALERT COME ON THE I DRIVE SAYING THE PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM WAS MALFUNCTIONING. IT STAYED ON A FEW MONTHS AND THEN WENT AWAY FOR A FEW MONTHS. NOW THE PROBLEM IS OCCURRING AGAIN. *TR
WHILE DRIVING ALONE THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT ABOVE THE PASSENGER SEAT WENT OFF INDICATING THE AIRBAG WAS ON, BUT NO ONE WAS RIDING WITH ME. ALSO, THE SEATBELT LIGHT CAME ON AND THE ALARM SOUNDED BUT NO ONE WAS SITTING IN THE SEAT. AFTER PICKING UP A FRIEND, THE PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHTS WERE GONE UNTIL I HAD DROVE ABOUT 15 MINUTES AND THEN THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHTS BEGAN TO ACT UP AGAIN. I CALLED BMW AND WAS TOLD THAT MY VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE AIRBAG RECALL AND I COULD GET THE REPAIRS DONE AND SAVE MY BMW DEALER RECEIPTS IN CASE ONE DAY IT WOULD BE COVERED. I COULDN'T AFFORD THE $1200 SO MY CAR HAS NOT BEEN FIXED YET. *TR
THE PASSENGER SIDE OCCUPANCY SEAT MAT FOR THE AIRBAG FAILED. BMW HAS BULLETIN SIB 65 75 06, AIRBAG WARNING LAMP FOR OC3 SEAT MAT FAULT, THAT COVERS MY CARS BUILD DATE, BUT BMW STATES MY VIN IS NOT COVERED. THERE IS ALSO A CURRENT RECALL, NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V-384, BUT BMW STATES MY CAR IS NOT COVERED AND REFUSES TO HONOR THE 10 YEAR EXTENDED WARRANTY. MY CAR IS EXPERIENCING THIS SAME ISSUE, AS DIAGNOSED BY A LOCAL BMW DEALERS, BUT THEY HAVE FAILED TO COVER IT. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE THAT IS AFFECTING MANY CARS OUTSIDE OF THE RECALL. THEY ARE MANY PEOPLE POSTING ON VARIOUS BMW FORUMS THAT ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUE. BMW SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE TO FIX ALL THE VEHICLES EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 525I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGOSITIC TESTING. THE MECHANIC STATED THE AIR BAG SENSOR WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE MECHANIC STATED THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V384000 (AIR BAGS: FRONTAL) THAT MAY BE RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,000.
WHILE DRIVING NEAR HOME ON A RAINY DAY ON 10/18/2012 WHEN I APPLIED MY BRAKES AT A ROAD CURVE, THE BRAKES DID NOT RESPOND AND I HIT A SIDEWALK, DAMAGING THE REAR BUMPER ON ITS RIGHT HAND SIDE (PASSENGER'S SIDE). I SEARCHED THE INTERNET FOR BRAKE FAILURES ON MY 2006 BMW 550I AND FOUND A RECALL ID #87954, RELATED TO A "COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER ASSIST BRAKING, OR UNEXPECTED REDUCTION OR LOSS IN POWER BRAKING ASSIST...". WHEN I CALLED BMW NUMBER SHOWING IN THE RECALL NOTICE, THEY TOLD ME MY CAR VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE FACTORY RECALL. A TOTAL OF POTENTIAL UNITS AFFECTED IN THE RECALL WAS 198,352, BUT MY VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED ! I'M REQUESTING NHTSA TO REVIEW THIS CASE AND EXTEND THIS RECALL TO ADDITIONAL VIN NUMBERS, INCLUDING MINE TO GET POWER ASSIST BRAKING SYSTEM REPAIRED ON MY VEHICLE FREE OF CHARGE. ALSO, THIS SHOULD PREVENT CRASH ACCIDENTS ON THIS MODEL CAR. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 530XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THE POWER SUPPLY AND BATTERY WERE REPLACED. AFTER THE REPAIR WAS PERFORMED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND OTHER GAUGES BECAME INOPERATIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED FOR THE MOST RECENT FAILURES. THE MANUFACTURER ISSUED A RECALL FOR THE 2007-2011 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 13V044000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) BUT NOT FOR THE 2006 MODEL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
BRAKES BECAME HARD TO PRESS AND STOPPING TAKES MORE EFFORT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. CONDITION LISTED AS RECALL 10V-446 BY BMW . *TR
RESTRAINT SYSTEM FAILURE,THE AIRBAGS ON MY PASSANGER SEAT WILL NOT GO OFF IN CASE OF A CRASH.THIS IS A BMW FACTORY ISSUE.W
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 530XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG SENSOR WAS DEFECTIVE, INDICATING THE SEAT WAS NOT OCCUPIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT SEAT SENSOR MAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
WHEN I CAME TO RED LIGHT AND WENT TO PUSH MY BRAKE A WARNING LIGHT APPEARED ON DASH WITH THE MESSAGE LEFT BRAKE LAMP MALFUNCTION AND MY BRAKE WOULD NOT PUSH DOWN. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES SINCE LAST WEEK AND I FOUND AN OPEN RECALL THAT FITS MY CAR EXACTLY BUT MY CAR IN NOT COVERED. WHY???? *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 525I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS BEING DEPRESSED, IT ABNORMALLY TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD, CAUSING A BRAKING FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THAT THE BRAKE WAS LEAKING OIL AND CONTAMINATED THE BRAKE BOOSTER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED WHO ADVISED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE FAILURE UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V446000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC: POWER ASSIST: VACUUM) HOWEVER, THE CONTACT'S VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000. UPDATED 10/15/12 *CN UPDATED 10/22/12
THIS BMW 530XI WAGON SUFFERED A COMPLETE ELECTRICAL FAILURE AFTER THE SUNROOF DRAINAGE SYSTEM DRAINED RAIN WATER INTO THE COMPARTMENTS WHERE THE BATTERY, FUSES, VARIOUS WIRING HARNESSES AND COMPUTER MODULES ARE STORED. APPROXIMATELY 7 HOURS AFTER THE RAIN STORM, THE OWNER (WITH NO KNOWLEDGE OF THE IMPROPERLY DRAINED WATER) ATTEMPTED TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE. DURING THE DRIVE, THE CAR DISPLAYED TWO SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONS, FOLLOWED SHORTLY THEREAFTER BY THE MESSAGE "ELECTRONIC SYSTEM MALFUNCTION. CONTINUED DRIVING NOT POSSIBLE" AND MULTIPLE WARNING LIGHTS AND SOUNDS. THE CAR WAS PARKED IN A SAFE AREA AND LATER TOWED TO THE BMW DEALER. THE BMW DEALER CONFIRMS THAT THE SUNROOF DRAINED RAIN WATER INTO THE ELECTRONICS COMPARTMENTS, SHORTING OUT AT LEAST FOUR COMPUTER MODULES, AND DESTROYED THE BATTERY AND MULTIPLE SWITCHES, RELAYS, AND WIRING HARNESSES. CERTAIN SYSTEM COMPONENTS, INCLUDING AN AIR BAG CONTROL UNIT, SHOWED EVIDENCE OF A FIRE (PRESUMABLY DUE TO A SHORT CAUSED BY THE RAIN WATER.) THE BMW DEALER STATES THAT REPLACING ELECTRONICS MODULES AND THE BATTERY (APPROXIMATELY $4,000) ARE REQUIRED BEFORE FURTHER DIAGNOSTICS CAN BE PERFORMED TO DETERMINE IF THERE IS DAMAGE TO OTHER VEHICLE COMPONENTS. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 525I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF LAMP ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PERSONAL MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONTACT OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V384000 (AIR BAGS:FRONTAL ). THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE AND ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 75,500.
I NOTICED MY CAR START TO JERK OR MOVING FORWARD WHEN I COME TO STOP. THIS IS VERY CONCERN FOR ME THAT I COULD CAUSE TO HIT SOMEONE IN FRONT OF ME. PLEASE HELP ME. THANK YOU IN ADVANCED FOR YOUR UNDERSTAND. *TR
ON TUESDAY MAY 29TH WE HAD A RAIN STORM, THE NEXT DAY I GOT INTO MY VEHICLE WITH MY HUSBAND AND TWO CHILDREN TO GO TO A SOCCER GAME. FIVE MINUTES BEFORE ENTERING THE MASSACHUSETTS TURNPIKE MY VEHICLE WENT INTO TOTAL ELECTRICAL FAILURE AND MY STEERING LOCKED. LUCKILY I WAS ONLY TRAVELING AT 25MPH AND WAS ABLE TO PULL MY VEHICLE OVER. I HAD IT TOWED TO OUR LOCAL BMW DEALER WHICH FOUND THAT THE CASSETTE ON THE PANORAMIC SUNROOF TO BE DEFECTIVE....THAT CAUSED A GREAT DEAL OF WATER TO GET INTO THE VEHICLE AND GO UNDER THE SPARE TIRE IN THE REAR WHERE ALL THE ELECTRICAL IS. I PUT A COMPLAINT INTO BMW OF NORTH AMERICA BECAUSE A. THE ELECTRICAL SHOULD NOT BE PUT UNDER THE SPARE TIRE WHERE WATER COULD GET IN AND B. I WAS ABOUT TO GET ON THE TURNPIKE WHERE THE SPEED LIMIT IS 65 MPH, I AM EXTREMELY LUCKY BECAUSE IF I WAS ON THE MASS PIKE THERE COULD HAVE BEEN A TERRIBLE ACCIDENT. IT WAS 2498 TO FIX THE ISSUE, BMW WAS WILLING TO PAY HALF AND RELOCATE ALL THE ELECTRICAL TO A SAFER MORE DRYER PLACE. I AM WRITING THIS LETTER BECAUSE I FEEL THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE, BMW NEEDS TO RELOCATE THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS TO A SAFER AREA THAN UNDERNEATH THE SPARE TIRE. BMW OF NORTH AMERICA WAS EXTREMELY RUDE WHEN I TOLD THEM ABOUT THIS ISSUE, IT WAS BASICALLY "NOTHING HAPPENED TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY, SO WE KNOW IT"S A PROBLEM, SO WE WILL PAY FOR HALF OF IT". I HOPE SOMETHING CAN BE DONE ABOUT THIS ISSUE TO SAFEGUARD OTHER BMW DRIVERS WHO HAVE SIMILAR VEHICLES. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 530XI WAGON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A PRIVATE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT FOUR BOLTS WERE DETACHED FROM THE ENGINE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 101,000.
WHEN I DRIVE MY CAR BACK TO HOME, SUDDEN NOISE FROM THE FRONT OF THE ENGINE AND FOUND OUT THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND BELTS WERE OFF AND SHEARED OFF SOME BOLTS AROUND THE HOLDING. AFTER THE REPAIR AT THE TIME ON 5/1/2012, ENGINE STARTS DISCOVERING OIL LEAK AROUND THE FRONT CYLINDER HEAD HOUSING. KEEPING THE OIL LEVEL UP TO THE REQUIRE LEVEL FOR THE PAST YEAR. AS OF TODAY 11/21/2013, I DISCOVERED THE REASON WHY THE CYLINDER HEAD HOUSING IS LEAKING OIL IS 2 SHEARED OFF BOLTS ON TOP OF THE HEAD HOUSING. I DRIVE NORMALLY AND ALUMINUM SCREWS ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE FOR A HIGH PERFORMANCE CAR AND IT BROKE OFF THAT EASY WITH NORMAL DRIVING CONDITION. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 525. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER RESTRAIN SYSTEM BELT TENSIONER AND AIR BAG WARNING LIGHTS REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V384000 (AIR BAGS: FRONTAL) AND DENIED ASSISTANCE WITH THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71,800 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 72,300.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 525I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, SHE APPLIED THE BRAKES BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT SLOW DOWN. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS SO THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE DEALER NOTICED THAT LUBRICATING OIL WAS LEAKING FROM THE BRAKE VACUUM. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VACUUM PUMP, BRAKE BOOSTER, AND MASTER CYLINDER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER ALSO INFORMED THE CONTACT OF THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 10V446000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM), BUT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 525I. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED HE NEEDED A NEW SENSOR IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED OF THE RECALL FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V384000 ( AIR BAGS:FRONTAL) BUT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 110,000. UPDATED 11/28/12*LJ UPDATED 12/03/12
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 530XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE BLEW. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS LOCATED AT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE COIL SPRING, WHICH FRACTURED AND PUNCTURED THE TIRE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 77,000.
THE AIRBAG WARNING LAMP COMES ON PERIODICALLY. THERE WAS A RECALL, BUT IT ONLY COVERED TO NOVEMBER 22 OF 2005 PRODUCTION AND MY CAR WAS PRODUCED IN DECEMBER OF 2005. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 525I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE REPAIRS WOULD ONLY BE COVERED PARTIALLY UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 13V564000 (AIR BAGS). THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000.
BRAKES STOPPED FUNCTIONING AS PER DOCUMENT 10V446000 HAS BEEN DETERMINED THAT IT WAS THE BRAKE BOOSTER. I CONTACTED BMW USA AND WAS TOLD THAT MY VEHICLE DOES NOT APPLY TO THIS CAMPAIGN. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 5 SERIES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BATTERY FAILED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE BATTERY UNDER WARRANTY. THE FAILURE RECURRED WITHIN ONE MONTH. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE BATTERY AND DID NOT NOTIFY THE DEALER OR THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000 AND THE CURRENT 40,936.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 525I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO BRAKE, THE BRAKES DID NOT ENGAGE AND THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO A STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC, WHO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND LOCATED THE FAILURE AT THE BRAKE VACUUM BOOSTER VALVE. THE VALVE WAS DAMAGED BY AN OIL LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 161,000. UPDATED 03/23/12*LJ
THE AIRBAG SENSOR IN THE PASSENGER SEAT IS DEFECTIVE. MY CAR IS TWO MONTHS OUTSIDE THE EXISTING RECALL. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 525. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACRT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V384000 (AIR BAGS:FRONTAL); HOWEVER THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 38,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 530I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE WARNING MAT SENSOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, INDICATING THAT THE AIR BAG WOULD NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO REPLACE THE MAT SENSOR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT FAILED TO OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V384000 (AIR BAGS:FRONTAL). NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,800 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 105,300.
THERE IS A RECALL INVOLVING THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR MAT, WHICH CAUSE THE AIRBAG NOT TO WORK IN SOME MODELS. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V384000 HOWEVER, SINCE MY VEHICLE'S PROD. DATE WAS 01/2006 IT IS NOT COVERED. THERE IS MANY VEHICLES UP TO 2007 I'VE HEARD, WITH THE SAME ISSUE. IT WOULD BE FAIR TO REVISIT THE RECALL AND DO THE NEEDED CHANGES IN ORDER TO COVER THESE VEHICLES. IT IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE AROUND WITH A FRONT AIRBAG NOT WORKING. AND UNFAIR THAT BECAUSE OF THREE MONTHS DIFFERENCE IN THE PRODUCTION DATES, SOMEONE HAS TO PAY ANYWHERE AROUND $1800 OUT OF POCKET FOR THE SAME ISSUE THAT OTHER OWNERS ARE GETTING FIXED FREE OF CHARGE. *KB
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 525. WHILE PARKED, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE SEAT OCCUPANCY DETECTION SENSOR MAT WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V384000 (AIR BAGS:FRONTAL) BUT WAS ADVISED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000. UPDATED 7/11/12 *CN ADDED VIN. 07/12/12. *JB
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 525I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE MICRO POWER MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, THE TECHNICIAN DISCOVERED THAT THE MICRO POWER MODULE WIRES WERE MELTED AND BURNED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 139,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 525-I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING OIL ONTO THE BRAKES BOOSTER, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LOSE BRAKE PRESSURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO CONFIRMED THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE WHO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS AND OFFERED NO ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 129,000.
STEERING FAILURE LOCK LITE COME EVERY TIME YOU START CAR. *TR
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026