2006 BMW X5 Problems, Recalls & Reliability
221 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 2006 BMW X5, alongside 2 recall campaigns and 1 defect investigation. It scores 69/100 on the trouble index — one of the years to avoid for this model. Airbags leads the reports, typically around 73,500 miles.
Avoid this year if you can. The 2006 BMW X5 sits at the top of this model's complaint rankings. Quieter picks in the same family: 2000.
Avoid
Where 2006 sits among all X5 years
What owners report
“My vehicle has had the recall for the air bag completed. The light continues to come back for the passenger side srs. Why can't bmw fix this recall once and for all?”— owner report to NHTSA, 2006 X5
“The brakes pedal becomes hard and is unable to stop vehicle. This occur while the vehicle is moving. In addition the brake pedal is hard while stationary as well”— owner report to NHTSA, 2006 X5
“My heated seat catched on fire. Driver side seat left side rear. I got burned as i was driving on a parking lot. I realized that my pants have a whole as well as of the seat”— owner report to NHTSA, 2006 X5
Mileage when trouble shows up
Among the 171 reports that include an odometer reading, problems most often appear around 87,000 miles. Half of those reports fall between 58,000 and 108,000 miles — a useful range to weigh against the mileage of the exact car you're looking at.
Recalls (2)
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…
Fix: 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…
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH AN INCORRECTLY MANUFACTURED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION PARKING PAWL GUIDE PLATE.
Fix: 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.
Federal defect investigations
Led to recall campaign 08V384000.
Technical service bulletins
107 manufacturer communications — service bulletins, the biggest share on electrical and engine — are on file for the 2006 BMW X5. A TSB is factory repair guidance, not a recall — the repair is not automatically free.
Complaint history for this model year
When owners filed their reports — a long tail means problems kept surfacing for years.
Questions buyers ask
Is the 2006 BMW X5 reliable?
The 2006 BMW X5 drew 221 complaints in federal safety records — one of the years to avoid for this model. Its trouble index is 69/100, scored against the model's worst year (2011).
What are the most common 2006 BMW X5 problems?
The top reported problems for the 2006 BMW X5 are airbags (88 complaints), brakes & stability (30), and seats & interior (25).
At what mileage do 2006 BMW X5 problems show up?
Owners most often report 2006 BMW X5 problems around 87,000 miles. Half of all reports that include an odometer reading fall between 58,000 and 108,000 miles.
Does the 2006 BMW X5 have recalls?
2 recall campaigns apply to the 2006 BMW X5. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer.
Every number on this page is a count of records in the federal complaint, recall, and investigation files published by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. Check any specific vehicle's open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.