BMW X5 Complaints (2006)

195 consumer complaints on file.

#11756877August 14, 2026
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. It doesn’t detect anything bad.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11648526March 16, 2025
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. It's off for a bit then the light for the seatbelt comes by on.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11648331March 14, 2025
STEERING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
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. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and was able to restart the vehicle and the vehicle was driven to the residence. On another occasion, the contact had to redirect the steering wheel into a different lane while driving. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who changed the oil and replaced the alternator; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed. The vehicle was taken to another independent mechanic and was diagnosed with multiple electrical failures. The vehicle was then taken to a dealer and a diagnostic test was pending. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 193,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11620320October 17, 2024
POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2006 BMW X5. The contact stated that while depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle hesitated to increase in speed. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic who suggested that the failure was possibly related to a power train failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was aware of the failure and confirmed the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 05V504000 (Power Train). The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to file a safety complaint. The failure mileage was 274,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11576615March 11, 2024
SEATS
When I switch on my driver seat for the heated seat it became so hot that the coils burned through my seat and make two round burn holes in the seat and burned my leg
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11520504May 4, 2023
AIR BAGS
I have recently received a message from my city’s social media page stating that bmw vehicles 17-22 years or older with over 99,000 miles have had complaints of default airbags exploding which are injuring/killing people out of nowhere and was told to get it changed at no cost at all!.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11482703September 2, 2022
SERVICE BRAKES
The brake vacuum pump has leaked a small amount of lubricating oil into the hose. This contamination resulted in a loss of power assist braking. The loss of power assist in braking has increased stopping distance and lead to a near vehicle crash. No indicator lights were present. Repair: Replacement of the brake vacuum line with one that contains a check valve, eliminating the possibility that oil will reach the brake booster; as well as the brake booster and brake master cylinder will also be replaced.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11482196August 31, 2022
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER
The contact owns a 2006 BMW X5. The contact stated that he initially received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 08V384000 (Air Bags). The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the recall repair was performed. Three years later, with the passenger’s side front seat unoccupied, the passenger’s side air bag light illuminated and a warning chime was audible. The passenger’s side seat belt had to be engaged to correct the failure. The dealer was notified of the failure and provided an estimate for a diagnostic test. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure and referred the contact back to the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11456632March 14, 2022
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Was driving at 35-40 mph when suddenly where locked and the car stopped causing skid marks. Car had to be dragged out of the road by tow truck. Car will not move in neutral, reverse or drive but engine is on.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11420448June 10, 2021
AIR BAGS, SEATS
This car has relatively few miles (85k), and has always been operated by a single person. The passenger seat cushion has a sensor mat that activates the passenger airbag. With relatively fewer miles and very few passengers, the passenger seat didn't experience the normal use as likely modeled by BMW. However, during the fall of 2020, (during the height of covid), a warning light stating the passenger air bag had a malfunction. We were in the midst of nursing and the warning light then went out during the first three months of 2021. When it came on again in May, 2021, I asked BMW about it as was told, "That's Campaign 13V-564. The front passenger airbag seat occupancy sensor mat isn't working. This means, if there's an accident, the airbag protecting the passenger won't deploy." Apparently there as a "safety check" on this in 2014 and the recall closed as of January 2021....so, I was four months past the expiration date of their safety check for this important malfunctioning seat cushion. As advised by a BMW representative, I requested "goodwill assistance" with covering all or some of this repair (estimated at approx $2k). I was just told that BMW will not provide any goodwill assistance with this and there is apparently no one within BMW Customer Relations I can escalate this to. So, I am reaching-out to the NHTSA in hopes someone can assist me in navigating this. It seems to me, an important safety item such as a passenger sensor for airbag deployment on a car with fewer miles (and passengers) than average, experiencing a brief warning that didn't repeat during covid when we were unable to get to a BMW dealership, and for a "safety check" issue that just ended prior to us contacting BMW to repair is something I don't think BMW should be able to dodge.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11420273June 9, 2021
AIR BAGS
The contact owns a 2006 BMW X5. The contact stated that the driver’s and passenger’s side air bags warning lights were illuminated. The contact had initially notified the dealer about the defect and was referred to the manufacturer. The manufacturer informed the contact that there were no recalls on the Vin. The contact was referred to the dealer for the repair. The contact was informed that he might be entitled to a reimbursement if the Vin gets added to a recall. Upon investigation, the contact linked the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V564000 (Air Bags) however, the vin was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11420200June 8, 2021
SEATS, AIR BAGS
Airbag light on, passenger airbag off light illuminated. Diagnostic scan showed faulty Front Passenger seat occupancy detector. BMW Issued recall campaign 13V-564 for vehicles manufactured from DEC 05 to sept 06. My vehicle was manufactured 06/06 and is displaying all the symptoms from recall 13v-564 yet BMW USA claims my vehicle is not effected.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11415848May 10, 2021
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND PROPERLY. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO RICHMOND BMW (8710 W BROAD ST, RICHMOND, VA 23294) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE BRAKES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER AND THE BRAKE BOOSTER WERE REPLACED. THE CONTACT RELATED THE FAILURE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V446000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 214,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11382832December 10, 2020
SEATS
MY HEATED SEAT CAUGHT ON FIRE AND BURNED ME AND MY COAT. I VERY RARELY USED IT AT ALL. I STARTED USING IT AND IT WAS PROBABLY THE 10TH TIME I USED IT WHEN IT OCCURRED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11289550December 17, 2019
AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN
MY VEHICLE WENT ON LIMP MODE I'M PRETTY SURE IT HAS TO DO WITH THE TRANSMISSION GEARS. MY PASSENGER SIDE DOOR LOOKS LIKE THE AIR BAG WANTS TO POP OUT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11219764June 13, 2019
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MY VEHICLES BATTERY KEEP DRAINING WHEN NOT DROVE FOR TWO DAYS. I HAVE REPLACED THE BATTERY AND IT STILL WONT FIRE AFTER 2 DAYS. I SAW THE RECALL ABOUT MOISTURE GETTING INTO THE VEHICLES POSITIVE CRANK CASE VENTILATION VALVE HEATER AND THOUGHT THIS MIGHT BE HAPPENING WITH MY VEHICLE CAUSING MY BATTERY TO BE DRAINED. HOWEVER, I FIND THAT MY VEHICLE IS NOT ON THE RECALLED LIST. IT STILL CONTINUES TO DO THIS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11204209April 28, 2019
ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
TAKATA RECALL WHITE SMOKE COMES FROM EXHAUST PIPES WHEN DRIVING AND FILLS THE STREETS WHILE DRIVING ON CITY STREETS IN TRAFFIC AND AT IDLE. OTHER DRIVERS BEHIND ME CAN'T SEE DUE TO THE SMOKE COMING FROM THE EXHAUST.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11194971April 9, 2019
SERVICE BRAKES
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11190652March 22, 2019
SERVICE BRAKES
I PURCHASED A 2006 X5 4.4I (N62B44 ENGINE)USED WITH 138,000 MILES. WENT TO LEAVE DRIVEWAY, CAR WAS IN REVERSE, PRESSES BRAKES TO ADJUST MIRRORS, LET OFF TO KEEP BACKING OUT, HAD TO PRESS AGAIN FOR ANOTHER ADJUSTMENT, I LOOKED UP AND I WAS DRIVING THROUGH THE BUSHES IN MY FRONT YARD. BRAKES WERE PUSHED BUT NOT ENGAGING. I THOUGHT THAT TO BE ODD, SO I WANTED TO RUN TO A CERTIFIED BMW REPAIR FACILITY. I WAS IN TRAFFIC GOING ABOUT 40 AND HAD TO UTILIZE THE BREAKS AGAIN, THE CAR STOPPED. WITHIN ONE MINUTE I HAD TO PRESS AGAIN AND THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP, I PUMPED THE BREAKS AND THE PEDAL WAS SO HARD THERE WAS NO GIVE. I PLOWED THROUGH A RED LIGHT ALMOST CAUSING A SEVERAL CAR PILE UP, AND WAS FINALLY ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE TO STOP. AT THE REPAIR SHOP, I WAS TOLD THE VACUUM PUMP WAS LEAKING OIL EVERYWHERE BECAUSE IT WAS BUSTED, THE OIL WAS BACKING UP INTO THE MASTER CYLINDER AND HAD MIXED WITH THE BREAK FLUID AND THE BREAK BOOSTER WAS BAD. I AM HAVING TO PAY 2400 FOR THE SERVICE WHEN IT WAS JUST PURCHASED 3 DAYS AGO. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ON AT TIME OF PURCHASE WHICH WOULD HAVE KEPT ME FROM PURCHASING WITH CASH. THERE ARE STILL NO WARNING LIGHTS ALTHOUGH I HAVE TAKEN DOWN SEVERAL BUSHES BECAUSE THE X5 WOULD NOT STOP AND ALMOST CAUSED A HEAD ON COLLISION BECAUSE THE X5 WOULD NOT STOP AGAIN. THE 2007 X5 HAS BEEN RECALLED TO THE EXACT SAME ISSUE WITH THE EXACT SAME DIAGNOSIS AND SYMPTOMS, THE 5 SERIES FROM THAT YEAR WAS ALSO RECALLED. JUST NOT THE X5 DUE TO AN OBVIOUS OVERSITE. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS VEHICLE WHEN IT IS OPERATED WITHOUT BEING REPAIRED. THE VACUUM PUMP, BREAK BOOSTER AND MASTER CYLINDER ARE ALL PART OF THE RECALL, WHICH IS EXACTLY WHAT A BMW CERTIFIED MECHANIC STATED NEEDED TO BE REPLACED ON MINE. I
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11183639March 2, 2019
AIR BAGS, AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION
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?
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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