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Recalls & complaints · NHTSA data

2006 BMW 5 Series recalls

Every recall campaign and owner complaint NHTSA has on file for the 2006 model year. Not every vehicle is affected by every campaign: check a specific car by VIN below.

Recall campaigns: 12
Park-it warnings: 0
Complaints: 388
Latest campaign: Mar 2, 2022

Recall summary by component12

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h

Component	Campaigns	Latest	Campaign IDs
Engine and engine cooling	4	Mar 2, 2022	22V119000 19V273000 12E029000 07V479000
Air bags	3	Jul 6, 2017	17V428000 13V564000 08V384000
Suspension	2	Jul 26, 2006	06V277000 06V187000
Electrical system	1	Mar 26, 2012	12V126000
Service brakes, hydraulic	1	Oct 1, 2010	10V446000
Power train	1	Nov 1, 2005	05V504000

Safety recalls12

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h

0Park-it warnings

0Fixable over the air

Mar 2, 2022Latest campaign


Mar 2, 202222V119000	Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system emission control An electrical short can cause the PCV valve heater to overheat, increasing the risk of a fire while driving or, soon after driving when parked. DetailsHide details for campaign 22V119000 What's wrong BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 1 Series Coupe (128i); 2007-2013 3 Series Coupe (328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive); 2007-2010 X3 SAV (X3 3.0si, X3 xDrive30i); 2008-2013 1 Series Convertible (128i); 2006-2011 3 Series Sedan (325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 330i, 330xi); 2006-2012 3 Series Wagon (328i, 328i xDrive); 2007-2013 3 Series Convertible (328i); 2006-2010 5 Series Sedan (525i, 525xi, 528i, 528xi, 530i, 530xi); 2006-2007 5 Series Wagon (530xi); 2007-2010 X5 SAV (X5 3.0si, X5 xDrive30i); 2006-2008 Z4 Coupe (Z4 3.0si); and 2006-2011 Z4 Roadster (Z4 3.0i, Z4 3.0si, Z4 sDrive30i) vehicles. The heater for the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve may short circuit. Risk An electrical short can cause the PCV valve heater to overheat, increasing the risk of a fire while driving or, soon after driving when parked. Remedy This recall supersedes and expands previous NHTSA recalls 17V-683 and 19V-273. Dealers will install an electrical wiring harness with fuse protection for the PCV Valve heater in potentially affected vehicles, free of charge. This recall supersedes and expands previous NHTSA recalls 17V-683 and 19V-273. Vehicles previously repaired under the prior recalls will need to come back for the new recall remedy. The remedy is currently being developed. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed on April 1, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 22, 2022. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Filed under 5 Series Campaign NHTSA 22V119000 · Mar 2, 2022
Apr 4, 201919V273000	Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system emission control An electrical short can cause the parts within the PCV valve to melt, increasing the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is not in use. DetailsHide details for campaign 19V273000 What's wrong BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2006 525i, 525xi, 530i, 530xi, 530xi Sports Wagon, 325i, 325xi, 325xi Sports Wagon, 330i, 330xi, Z4 3.0i and Z4 3.0si vehicles. The heater for the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve may short circuit. Risk An electrical short can cause the parts within the PCV valve to melt, increasing the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is not in use. Remedy BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the PCV valve heater, free of charge. The recall began May 30, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Note: This recall is an expansion to recall 17V-683. Filed under 525i, 525xi, 530i, 530xi Campaign NHTSA 19V273000 · Apr 4, 2019
Jul 6, 201717V428000	Air bags: sensor occupant classification Should the system fail, in the event of a crash, the front passenger air bag would be deactivated, increasing the risk of personal injury. DetailsHide details for campaign 17V428000 What's wrong BMW of North America, Inc. (BMW) is recalling certain 2006 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi, 525i, 525xi, 530i, 530xi, and 550i vehicles equipped with the Sport Seat option and certain 2006 525i, 525xi, 530i, 530xi, 550i vehicles with standard seats. 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. Risk 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, and dealers will repair the occupant detection mat to eliminate the possibility that it may crack, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began September 1, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Filed under 525i, 525xi, 530i, 530xi, 550i Campaign NHTSA 17V428000 · Jul 6, 2017
Nov 12, 201313V564000	Air bags: sensor occupant classification Should the system fail, in the event of a crash, the front passenger air bag would be deactivated, increasing the risk of personal injury. DetailsHide details for campaign 13V564000 What's wrong 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. Risk 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. Filed under 525i, 525xi, 530i, 530xi, 550i Campaign NHTSA 13V564000 · Nov 12, 2013
Aug 10, 201212E029000	Engine and engine cooling: cooling system fan This condition could cause the fan motor to become inoperative, or cause the motor circuit board in the assembly to overheat, potentially leading to a fire in the engine… DetailsHide details for campaign 12E029000 What's wrong This recall involves aftermarket parts sold by Valeo. Valeo is recalling certain engine cooling fans, part numbers 696121, 696273, and 696275, used as service replacement parts for model year 2008-2011 BMW 1-Series, 2006-2011 BMW 3-Series, 2000-2009 BMW 5-Series, 2004-2005 BMW 6-Series, and 2006-2007 BMW 7-Series vehicles. A metal-oxide semiconductor may overheat due to insufficient screwing of the semiconductor on the aluminum heat sink. This primary failure could cause adjacent components on the fan assembly motor circuit board to overheat and short. Risk This condition could cause the fan motor to become inoperative, or cause the motor circuit board in the assembly to overheat, potentially leading to a fire in the engine compartment. Remedy Valeo will notify owners and replace the fans free of charge. The safety recall began on August 22, 2012. This recall is being conducted by Valeo, not by BMW. For further information, owners may contact Valeo at 1-888-718-2536. Filed under 5 Series Campaign NHTSA 12E029000 · Aug 10, 2012
Mar 26, 201212V126000	Electrical system: 12v/24v/48v battery cables OVERHEATING COULD LEAD TO A FIRE, EVEN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS NOT IN USE. DetailsHide details for campaign 12V126000 What's wrong 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. Risk OVERHEATING COULD LEAD TO A FIRE, EVEN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS NOT IN USE. AS A PRECAUTION, OWNERS ARE ADVISED TO PARK OUTSIDE UNTIL THE REMEDY HAS BEEN MADE. Remedy 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. Filed under 5 Series Campaign NHTSA 12V126000 · Mar 26, 2012

Merged from NHTSA model names: 5 Series, 525i, 525xi, 530i, 530xi, 550i. Not every vehicle of a model year is affected by every campaign.

To see whether a recall is still open on your car, enter the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or the BMW recall lookup. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer (federal law; see limits).

Buying a used 2006 BMW 5 Series? Recalls cover the model; a history report checks one car's title, odometer and accident records. VinAudit history report → Sponsored · disclosure

Owner complaints by component388

NHTSA Complaints API · cached ≤24 h

388Complaints filed

10Involving a crash

20Involving a fire

12Injuries reported

Component	Complaints	%	Crashes	Fires	Injuries
Air bags	186	48	7	4	6
Electrical system	70	18	1	12	2
Engine	37	10	0	1	0
Service brakes	32	8	2	1	1
Exterior lighting	30	8	1	0	1
Seat belts	26	7	0	0	0
Seats	23	6	0	2	1
Power train	18	5	0	0	0
Engine and engine cooling	17	4	0	1	0
Steering	15	4	0	0	0
Structure	13	3	1	2	1
Unknown or other	12	3	1	3	2
Hydraulic	9	2	1	0	1
Visibility	9	2	0	1	0
Suspension	8	2	0	1	0

15 more components with fewer complaints not shown. An owner can tag several components, so percentages add up to more than 100. Complaints are unverified owner reports, de-duplicated by NHTSA ODI number.

Latest reports

Unknown or other
“The contact owned 2006 BMW 530I. The contact received unknown recall notifications and requested to be removed from the recall distribution list because he no longer owns the vehicle.”
Filed 12/03/2025 · ODI 11702805
Unknown or other
“The vehicle caught fire on the highway / interstate. Completely burnt down. The incident has been reported to the insurance company. But still haven't had any feedback . The vehicle is located at the tow place.”
Filed 07/10/2025 · ODI 11672444
Unknown or other
“Vehicle caught fire”
Filed 06/12/2025 · ODI 11666451

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2006 BMW 5 Series recall questions

How many recalls does the 2006 BMW 5 Series have?

NHTSA lists 12 safety recall campaigns for the 2006 BMW 5 Series. The most recent, 22V119000 (reported March 2, 2022), concerns engine and engine cooling. Not every vehicle is covered by every campaign; check a specific car by VIN.

What are the 2006 BMW 5 Series recalls for?

The largest group is engine and engine cooling, with 4 campaigns. Others: air bags (3), suspension (2), electrical system (1). Each campaign below lists the defect, the risk and the free remedy.

What is the most common complaint about the 2006 BMW 5 Series?

Air bags is the most-reported component, named in 186 complaints out of 388 filed with NHTSA (48%). Across all complaints, owners reported 10 crashs and 20 fires. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How do I check if a recall is open on my 2006 BMW 5 Series?

Enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or the BMW recall lookup. That shows campaigns still unrepaired on that exact car. Safety recall repairs are free at a franchised BMW dealer.

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