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Recalls are issued for a make, model and model year. Whether the repair has already been done on one specific car is known only to its manufacturer and dealers. Check your vehicle's official status at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with a dealer.
US recalls (7)
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system, emission control
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 and remedy
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.
Electrical system: 12v/24v/48v battery, cables
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 and remedy
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.
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist, vacuum
BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2010 5-SERIES, 6-SERIES, AND MODEL YEAR 2002-2008 7-SERIES VEHICLES. A CHECK VALVE OF THE BRAKE VACUUM PUMP MAY LEAK A SMALL AMOUNT OF LUBRICATING OIL. OVER TIME THIS COULD RESULT IN CONTAMINATION OF THE BRAKE BOOSTER.
Risk and remedy
Risk: POWER ASSIST BRAKING PERFORMANCE COULD BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED. IN EXTREME CASES THERE COULD BE A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER ASSIST BRAKING. AN UNEXPECTED REDUCTION OR LOSS IN POWER BRAKING ASSIST MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: BMW WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 24, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-525-7417.
Air bags: frontal
BMW IS RECALLING 200,000 MY 2006 3 SERIES SPORT SEAT, MY 2004-2006 5 SERIES STANDARD AND SPORT SEAT, AND MY 2004-2006 X3 PASSENGER VEHICLES. DEPENDING ON THE MANNER AND FREQUENCY OF THE FRONT PASSENGER'S ENTRY AND EXIT, SMALL CRACKS HAVE DEVELOPED IN THE MAT. IF THIS OCCURS, THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAGS, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE HEAD PROTECTION SYSTEM, WILL BE DEACTIVATED AND THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP AS WELL AS THE PASSENGER AIR BAG "ON-OFF" LAMP WILL BE ILLUMINATED.
Risk and remedy
Risk: IN THIS SITUATION THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY EVEN IF A SUFFICIENTLY SEVERE ACCIDENT WOULD OCCUR AND OCCUPANT PROTECTION PROVIDED BY THE SYSTEM WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REWORK THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR MAT SO THAT EXTERNAL FORCE APPLICATION TO THE SEAT DOES NOT CAUSE A CRACK TO THE MAT. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 6, 2008. BMW WILL ALSO EXTEND THE WARRANTY ON THESE VEHICLES TO 10 YEARS FROM FIRST REGISTRATION WITHOUT ANY MILEAGE LIMIT. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-525-7417.
Suspension: rear, shock absorber
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE LOWER RUBBER MOUNT OF THE REAR SHOCK ABSORBERS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED TO SPECIFICATIONS AND MAY NOT ADHERE CORRECTLY TO ITS HOUSING WITHIN THE SHOCK ABSORBER.
Risk and remedy
Risk: THE BUSHING COULD LOOSEN AND OVER TIME COULD SEPARATE FROM ITS HOUSING. THE DRIVER WILL EXPERIENCE IMPAIRED VEHICLE HANDLING AND CONTROL INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR SHOCK ABSORBER FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 13, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.
Suspension: front, control arm
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE NUTS WHICH SECURE THE FRONT AXLE CONTROL ARM AND TENSION STRUT TO THE FRONT WHEEL HUB MAY NOT HAVE BEEN TIGHTENED TO SPECIFICATION. OVER TIME THE NUTS COULD LOOSEN AND THE CONTROL ARM AND TENSION STRUT COULD BE DAMAGED.
Risk and remedy
Risk: VEHICLE HANDLING AND CONTROL COULD COMPROMISE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL RETIGHTEN THE FRONT AXLE CONTROL ARM AND TENSION STRUT NUTS TO THE CORRECT SPECIFICATIONS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 28, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.
Power train: automatic transmission
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH AN INCORRECTLY MANUFACTURED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION PARKING PAWL GUIDE PLATE.
Risk and remedy
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.
Canadian recalls (9)
Show 9 Canadian recalls
Engine
2022-03-02 · campaign 2022-095
Issue:
On certain vehicles equipped with an N52 or N52K 6-cylinder engine, a manufacturing problem could cause the PCV valve heater (blow-by heater) to short circuit and overheat.
Note: This replaces Transport Canada recalls 2017-470 and 2019-170. Only vehicles equipped with an N52 or N52K engine require this repair.
Safety Risk:
An overheated engine PCV valve heater could create the risk of a fire, even while the vehicle is parked and turned off.
Corrective Actions:
BMW will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealer to install a wire harness repair kit. BMW recommends that you should park your vehicle outdoors until the recall repairs have been completed.
Engine
2019-04-05 · campaign 2019-170
Issue:
On certain vehicles equipped with an N52 6-cylinder engine, a manufacturing problem could cause the PCV valve heater to overheat.
Safety Risk:
An overheated engine PCV valve heater could create the risk of a fire.
Corrective Actions:
The company will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealer to replace the PCV valve heater.
Airbag
2013-07-05 · campaign 2013-238
On certain vehicles, the front passenger seat occupant detection mat can fatigue over time. As a result, the passenger airbag could deactivate, illuminating the airbag warning lamp and the passenger airbag ON/OFF lamp. Failure of the passenger airbag to deploy during a crash (where deployment is warranted) could increase the risk of personal injury to the seat occupant. Correction: Vehicles will receive special extended warranty coverage of 10 years from first registration. Under this special coverage program, vehicles which experience this condition will have the occupant detection mat replaced.
Electrical
2012-03-23 · campaign 2012-109
On certain vehicles, the insulated bulkhead connector (used to join the two halves of the positive battery cable) may have been incorrectly installed during vehicle assembly. Over time, the bolt connection could loosen, which would increase electrical resistance. In addition, an incorrectly insulated bulkhead connector could allow humidity to accumulate at this location, causing current leakage. These issues could cause the cable connection to overheat, which could result in a vehicle fire causing property damage and/or personal injury. Correction: Dealers will inspect and, as necessary, secure the insulated bulkhead connector. In addition, protective grease will be added to the area and the plastic battery positive terminal cover will be replaced.
Brakes
2010-10-01 · campaign 2010-328
On certain vehicles, a check valve in the brake vacuum pump may leak a small amount of lubricating oil. Over time, this could result in contamination of the brake booster. Loss of brake power assist could occur which, in conjunction with traffic, road conditions, and driver's reactions, could increase the risk of a crash causing property damage and/or personal injury. Correction: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the brake booster and master cylinder. Additionally, the brake vacuum line (including the check valve) will be replaced to eliminate the possibility of oil reaching the brake booster.
Seats and restraints
2008-08-26 · campaign 2008-307
On certain vehicles, the front passenger seat occupant detection mat can fatigue during field usage depending on the seat configuration, vehicle geometry, manner and frequency of front passenger entry/exit. Over time micro cracks could develop in the side flanks of the mat, which could lead to a break of the conductive path and the system will recognize a failure and with exception of head protection system the front passenger air bag will be deactivated. The airbag On/Off lamp will be illuminated to make the occupants aware of the deactivation. Correction: The occupant detection mat will be granted a warranty extension of 10 years.
Electrical
2007-10-16 · campaign 2007-334
Certain 550I, 650I cabriolet, 650I coupe, and X5 vehicles equipped with a V8 engine, operated in conditions of below-freezing temperatures combined with low humidity, may suffer an electrostatic discharge at the fuel rails. If this were to occur, the engine's Electronic Control Unit (ECU) could be affected such that engine stalling could result. If the engine were to stall, this would result in a loss of power steering. Loss of power steering could lead to a condition in which vehicle handling and control were impaired. Correction: Dealers will install two additional ground cable between the fuel rails and the ground connection of the ignition coils.
Suspension
2006-06-07 · campaign 2006-134 · 912 vehicles
On certain vehicles, the rear shock lower bushings may not have been manufactured to specification (improper vulcanization of the bushing). Depending on vehicle operation and temperature conditions, this could lead to a loosening of the bushing within its housing. Over time, the bushing could continue to loosen and may eventually separate from its housing. Correction: Dealers will replace the rear strut assemblies.
Powertrain
2005-10-26 · campaign 2005-327 · 32 vehicles
On certain vehicles, the guide plate of the automatic transmission's parking lock pawl subsystem may fail. This could cause the parking lock pawl not to engage, after placing the transmission in the PARK position. If the vehicle was parked on an incline of sufficient grade, and the parking brake was not engaged, the vehicle could roll away. Correction: Dealers will replace the guide plate.
Owner complaints (85)
Owners filed 85 complaints with NHTSA about the 2006 BMW 5 Series (4 crashes, 2 fires, 5 injuries reported). Among 17 model years of this model, it ranks #2 for the most complaints (median 8).
| Most-reported problem | Complaints | |
|---|
| Air bags | 36 | |
| Electrical system | 19 | |
| Power train | 8 | |
| Exterior lighting | 7 | |
| Visibility | 7 | |
| Engine | 6 | |
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 4 | |
| Tires | 4 | |
Crash test ratings
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2006 BMW 5 Series.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|
| 2006 BMW 5 Series 4-DR w/SAB | – | – | – | – |
Fuel economy
EPA ratings for each 2006 BMW 5 Series version.
| Version | City MPG | Highway MPG | Combined | Yearly fuel cost |
|---|
| 525i 3.0 L Manual 6-spd | 18 | 28 | 21 | $3,900 |
| 525i 3.0 L Automatic (S6) | 18 | 27 | 21 | $3,900 |
| 525xi 3.0 L Manual 6-spd | 17 | 26 | 20 | $4,100 |
| 525xi 3.0 L Automatic (S6) | 18 | 25 | 20 | $4,100 |
| 530i 3.0 L Manual 6-spd | 18 | 28 | 21 | $3,900 |
| 530i 3.0 L Automatic (S6) | 18 | 27 | 21 | $3,900 |
| 530i 3.0 L Automatic (S6) | 17 | 25 | 20 | $4,100 |
| 530xi 3.0 L Manual 6-spd | 17 | 26 | 20 | $4,100 |
| 530xi 3.0 L Automatic (S6) | 18 | 25 | 20 | $4,100 |
| 530xi Sport Wagon 3.0 L Manual 6-spd | 17 | 26 | 20 | $4,100 |
| 530xi Sport Wagon 3.0 L Automatic (S6) | 18 | 25 | 20 | $4,100 |
| 550i 4.8 L Manual 6-spd | 14 | 21 | 16 | $5,150 |
Need this data in your app?
Recalls, complaints, crash ratings and fuel economy as a JSON API. Decode up to 50 VINs per call and get a daily feed of new recalls.
Explore the API →Sources: NHTSA recalls, complaints and 5-Star Safety Ratings, US EPA fuel economy and Transport
Canada's Vehicle Recalls Database (contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada).
Recalls updated 2026-10-30.