BMW · M5 · 2006
1
Recall
38
Complaints
-
Not Rated
The 2006 BMW M5 has 1 recall and 38 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Most reported issue: air bags (15 reports).
Source: NHTSA Public Records · Updated Apr 28, 2026
The 2006 BMW M5 page works best as a research starting point. Complaint totals show how much owner-reported activity exists, while recalls and investigations help show whether any of that activity turned into formal safety action.
Because this is a newer-era vehicle page, it usually helps to compare this year against nearby model years before deciding whether a complaint pattern looks isolated or persistent. On this page, the most prominent complaint area is air bags with 15 reported complaints.
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
If you are researching a used vehicle, start with the complaint categories, compare them against the recall list, and then check nearby model years to see whether the same issue profile repeats. That usually produces a better buying or research signal than treating the raw complaint total as a standalone safety ranking.
BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2010 5-SERIES, MODEL YEAR 2004-2010 6-SERIES, MODEL YEAR 2006-2010 M5, AND MODEL YEAR 2007-2010 M6 VEHICLES. THE INSULATED BULKHEAD CONNECTOR FOR THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE MAY HAVE BEEN INCORRECTLY ATTACHED TO THE TRUNK FLOOR PANEL, WHICH CAN LEAD TO A LOOSENING OF THE BOLT CONNECTION. AS IT LOOSENS, AN INCREASE IN ELECTRICAL RESISTANCE AT THIS CABLE CONNECTION IS POSSIBLE AND COULD CAUSE THE CABLE CONNECTION TO OVERHEAT.
Remedy Status
BMW WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND SECURE THE BATTERY BOLT CABLE CONNECTION AS NECESSARY, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 30, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND SERVICES AT 1-800-525-7417.
CLEARANCE FAILURE ON S85 ENGINE TO ROD BEARINGS CAUSES OIL STARVATION. THIS IN TURN CAUSES ENGINE CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. IF DRIVING THIS WILL EFFECT POWER BREAKING, POWER STEERING AND ALL COMPONENTS REQUIRING THE ENGINE TO BE RUNNING. THIS IS A VERY COMMON ISSUE, I NOW HAVE SYMPTO...
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UPON STARTING MY CAR, I RECEIVED AN ERROR MESSAGE " FAULT IN PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM AFFECTING AIR BAGS, BELT TENSIONER OR BELT FORCE LIMITER" THE MESSAGE CONTINUES TO SHOW UP EVERY DAY.. THIS IS THE SAME ISSUE THAT HAS A RECALL IN ALL OTHER 5 SERIES MODELS FOR THIS YEAR, 2006...
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THE EARLY M5 WITH THE SMG (SEQUENTIAL MANUAL GEARBOX) 7 SPEED HAVE NUMEROUS TSB'S AND WARRANTY CAMPAIGNS. THE SHIFTING OF THE GEARBOX IS UP EXECUTED BY PRESSURE FROM THE HYDRUALIC PUMP THAT STORES AAPRX 80PSI IN THE ACCUMULATER. THIS ACCUMULATOR OR PUMP HAS A HI CHANCE OF FAILI...
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STEERING WHEEL LOCK MALFUNCTIONS AND KEEPS STEERING WHEEL LOCKED, WILL NOT RELEASE INTERMITTENTLY.
THE CAR HAS AN ISSUE WITH PASSENGER AIRBAG OCCUPANCY SENSOR, WHEN SOMEONE SITS ON THE PASSANGER SEAT THE AIRBAG TURNS ON, THESE BMWS HAS MANY RECALLS FOR THIS ISSUE, FOR SOME REASON MINE DOES NOT FALL INTO THE RECALL. I HAVE SCANNED THE COMPUTER AND CONFIRMED THAT THE SENSOR IS T...
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MALFUNCTION IN PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM. WARNING MESSAGE STATING "FAULT IN PASSENGER - RESTRAINT SYSTEM AFFECTING AIRBAG, BELT TENSIONER OR BELT FORCE LIMITER" IS ACTIVATED EVERY FEW MINUTES THAT CAR IS IN DRIVE. WAS INFORMED THAT THE PASSENGER AIRBAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY IN T...
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WELL DOCUMENTED (ON THE INTERNET) PROBLEM WITH THE PASSENGER SIDE ACTIVE RESTRAINT SYSTEM FAILING, TYPICALLY DUE TO THE PASSENGER SIDE OCCUPANCY MAT. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN DOCUMENTED IN ALMOST EVERY MODEL MANUFACTURED SINCE 2000, BUT HAS ONLY BEEN ADDRESSED IN A FEW, SELECT, VEH...
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SEAT SENSOR MAT FOR THE PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG DISENGAGES WHEN PASSENGER IS SEATED. THE DISENGAGING OF THE PASSENGER AIR BAG POSES A GREAT DANGER FOR THE PASSENGER DUE TO THE PASSENGER AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY IN A ACCIDENT CAUSING INJURY OR DEATH. BMW IS AWARE OF THIS ONGOING PRO...
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THE VEHICLE WARNING SYSTEM DISPLAYED A PASSENGER RESTRAINT FAULT WHICH DISABLES THE PASSENGER AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. THE PROBLEM WAS INITIALLY INTERMITTENT, BUT WITHIN ONE WEEK IS NOW PERMANENTLY DISPLAYED. A DIAGNOSTIC SCAN BY MY DEALER INDICATES A FAULT WITH THE PASSENGER SEAT OCC...
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FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR MAT, THE PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION 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...
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Showing 10 recent complaints from 38 total
View Full Complaint LogThe strongest comparison flow is usually: exact vehicle-year page, then nearby years of the same model, then other 2006 BMW models. That sequence helps separate one-off year spikes from broader make-wide patterns.
The 2006 BMW M5 has 1 recall recorded by NHTSA.
NHTSA has received 38 owner-reported complaints for the 2006 BMW M5.
NHTSA has not published a safety rating for the 2006 BMW M5.
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2006 BMW M5 are air bags (15 reports), air bags,seat belts (6 reports), power train (4 reports).
Yes. NHTSA has 1 recall on record for the 2006 BMW M5. Scroll up to review the published recall summaries, consequences, and remedies. To check for unrepaired recalls on your specific vehicle, use your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Look up recalls and complaints for any year, make, and model.
This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.