Representative 2005 model. Photo: Vitae at de.wikipedia, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0 de

Recalls & complaints · NHTSA data

2006 BMW X5 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: 2
Park-it warnings: 0
Complaints: 280
Latest campaign: Nov 12, 2013

Recall summary by component2

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h

Component	Campaigns	Latest	Campaign IDs
Air bags	1	Nov 12, 2013	13V564000
Power train	1	Nov 1, 2005	05V504000

Safety recalls2

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h

0Park-it warnings

0Fixable over the air

Nov 12, 2013Latest campaign


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. Campaign NHTSA 13V564000 · Nov 12, 2013
Nov 1, 200505V504000	Power train: automatic transmission THIS COULD CAUSE THE PARKING LOCK SYSTEM NOT TO ENGAGE, AFTER THE TRANSMISSION IS PLACED IN THE PARK ("P") POSITION. DetailsHide details for campaign 05V504000 What's wrong CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH AN INCORRECTLY MANUFACTURED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION PARKING PAWL GUIDE PLATE. Risk THIS COULD CAUSE THE PARKING LOCK SYSTEM NOT TO ENGAGE, AFTER THE TRANSMISSION IS PLACED IN THE PARK ("P") POSITION. IF THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON AN INCLINE, AND THE PARKING BRAKE WAS NOT ENGAGED, THIS COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE ROLLAWAY CONDITION. Remedy 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. Campaign NHTSA 05V504000 · Nov 1, 2005

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.
Campaign: NHTSA 13V564000 · Nov 12, 2013

Nov 1, 200505V504000

Power train: automatic transmission

THIS COULD CAUSE THE PARKING LOCK SYSTEM NOT TO ENGAGE, AFTER THE TRANSMISSION IS PLACED IN THE PARK ("P") POSITION.

DetailsHide details for campaign 05V504000

What's wrong: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH AN INCORRECTLY MANUFACTURED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION PARKING PAWL GUIDE PLATE.
Risk: THIS COULD CAUSE THE PARKING LOCK SYSTEM NOT TO ENGAGE, AFTER THE TRANSMISSION IS PLACED IN THE PARK ("P") POSITION. IF THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON AN INCLINE, AND THE PARKING BRAKE WAS NOT ENGAGED, THIS COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE ROLLAWAY CONDITION.
Remedy: 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.
Campaign: NHTSA 05V504000 · Nov 1, 2005

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 X5? Recalls cover the model; a history report checks one car's title, odometer and accident records. VinAudit history report → Sponsored · disclosure

Owner complaints by component280

NHTSA Complaints API · cached ≤24 h

280Complaints filed

10Involving a crash

14Involving a fire

18Injuries reported

Component	Complaints	%	Crashes	Fires	Injuries
Air bags	134	48	5	1	3
Service brakes	42	15	5	0	1
Electrical system	41	15	1	6	6
Seats	34	12	0	9	11
Power train	15	5	0	1	0
Engine	13	5	0	2	0
Exterior lighting	13	5	1	0	1
Seat belts	10	4	1	0	0
Hydraulic	10	4	2	0	1
Visibility	9	3	0	0	0
Engine and engine cooling	9	3	0	0	0
Structure	7	3	0	0	0
Unknown or other	6	2	0	0	0
Equipment	6	2	0	0	1
Vehicle speed control	5	2	0	0	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

Electrical system
“I put a new battery and I need to unplugged the negative every time I turn it off. If I don’t do this, the next day, the battery would be dead. I checked with the Ancel OBD2 and there’s nothing wrong.”
Filed 08/14/2026 · ODI 11756877
Seat belts
“Anytime I have a passenger in the car the seatbelt warning light goes off. My passenger is wearing the seatbelt. I put the car in park and tell my passenger to take the seatbelt off then back on.”
Filed 03/16/2025 · ODI 11648526
Steering
“The contact owns a 2006 BMW X5. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, there was an electrical burning odor inside the vehicle. The ABS, brakes, and other unknown warning lights were illuminated.”
Filed 03/14/2025 · ODI 11648331

Other BMW X5 model years

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2006 BMW X5 recall questions

How many recalls does the 2006 BMW X5 have?

NHTSA lists 2 safety recall campaigns for the 2006 BMW X5. The most recent, 13V564000 (reported November 12, 2013), concerns air bags. Not every vehicle is covered by every campaign; check a specific car by VIN.

What is the most common complaint about the 2006 BMW X5?

Air bags is the most-reported component, named in 134 complaints out of 280 filed with NHTSA (48%). Across all complaints, owners reported 10 crashs and 14 fires. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How do I check if a recall is open on my 2006 BMW X5?

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.

Check a specific BMW by VIN

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