2006 BMW 5 Series

These are unverified consumer reports filed with NHTSA, shown as submitted.

• 12/31/2015· SEATS

  THE HEATED SEATS HAVE MALFUNCTIONED BURNING A HOLE AND MAKING A LARGE BROWN AREA ON THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT. THIS SEAT WILL BURN YOU IF LEFT ON THE HIGH SETTING AND HAS A BURNING ELECTRICAL SMELL. I AM AFRAID THAT USING IT AGAIN AFTER IT BURNED THIS HOLE WILL CAUSE A FULL SCALE FIRE. NOT VERY HAPPY TO HAVE A LUXURY CAR THAT YOU CAN'T USE ONE OF THE LUXURIES OF BECAUSE OF A SERIOUS DANGER. THESE WERE MY FIRST HEATED SEATS EVER AND MAY BE MY LAST, VERY SCARY!

• 12/29/2017· AIR BAGS

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 530XI. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS HAVING THE BATTERY CHANGED AT THE LOCAL DEALER, THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE LOCAL DEALER (EAST BAY BMW, 4350 ROSEWOOD DRIVE, PLEASANTON, CA 94588) DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT SEAT OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V428000 (AIR BAGS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 150,000.

• 12/29/2014· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,VISIBILITY/WIPER

  FAILURES OF MULTIPLE WIRES/ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS IN THE TAILGATE/REAR WINDOW WIRING HARNESSES. SEARCH FOR BMW E61 TAILGATE WIRING PROBLEMS. THE FAILURES ARE CAUSED BY A POOR DESIGN WHERE THE WIRES ENTERING THE HINGE GUIDES (4) FOR THE GLASS AND TAILGATE ARE REPEATEDLY FLEXED AT A SHARP ANGLE UNTIL THE INSULATION, THEN THE COPPER WIRE BREAKS. SAFETY ISSUES - POSSIBLE ELECTRICAL SHORT CIRCUIT LEADING TO FIRES (HIGHEST LOAD IS FOR REAR DEFROSTER); LIGHTING FAILURES (REAR HIGH BRAKE LIGHT, LICENSE PLATE LAMPS AND OTHERS); REDUCED VISIBILITY DUE TO LOSS OF WIPER/WASHER/DEFROSTER; REAR GLASS LATCH OPENING WHILE UNDERWAY, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN LOSS OF CARGO OR INGRESS OF EXHAUST FUMES. THIS IS NOT AN EASILY REPAIRED PROBLEM AND HAS COST OVER $2000 SO FAR. I'M WORRIED ABOUT DRIVING THIS CAR AS IT IS THE MAIN TRANSPORTATION FOR MY CHILDREN AND THEIR FRIENDS.I DISCOVERED IT WHEN THE REMOTE LOCK/UNLOCK USING THE KEY FOBS FAILED, THE TRUNK INOPERABLE AND UNCLOSEABLE, THE RADIO STOPPED WORKING, THE LIGHTS IN THE REAR OF THE CAR STAYED ON PERMANENTLY AND I HAD TO DRIVE HOME ONE NIGHT WITH THE TRUNK WIDE OPEN BECAUSE THE WIRING HAD STOPPED WORKING AND IT COULD NOT BE CLOSED. AS I INVESTIGATED I FOUND MANY BROKEN GROUND WIRES, ALONG WITH SEVERAL OTHERS WITH BROKEN INSULATION, SOME WITH BROKEN COPPER STRANDS ETC. I HAVE ALREADY HAD THE RIGHT AND LEFT WIRE HARNESSES REPLACED AT AN INDEPENDENT DEALER FOR ABOUT $2200. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND I'M WORRIED THAT MORE WILL COME. *TR

• 12/29/2014· SUSPENSIONFire

  SELF LEVELING COMPRESSOR STOPPED WORKING IN REAR OF CAR. SUSPENSION STAYED "ON" AND WASN'T ABLE TO SHUT DOWN THE LEVELING SYSTEM EVEN WHEN NOT DRIVING THE CAR. MELTED/BURNT THROUGH WIRE HARNESS BECAUSE SUSPENSION LEVELING SYSTEM STAYED ON. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE E61 BMW SERIES. DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AND THE AIR COMPRESSOR UNIT FOR SUSPENSION, WIRE HARNESS KIT, ETC. ALL HAD TO BE REPLACED IN ORDER FOR CAR TO BE SAFE AGAIN. UNLUCKILY WE WERE ON VACATION AND THE SELF LEVELING AIR COMPRESSOR SYSTEM FOR SUSPENSION IS QUITE IMPORTANT FOR DRIVING SAFETY. *TR

• 12/26/2007· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 525I. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 25-30 AND 60-65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLS. THE ENTIRE I-DRIVE (COMPUTER SYSTEM) FREEZES AND THE VEHICLE HAS TO BE PULLED OVER AND RESTARTED. CURRENTLY, THE STALLING OCCURS WEEKLY, WHEREAS INITIALLY, IT OCCURRED EVERY FEW MONTHS. THE DEALER KEEPS THE VEHICLE FOR AT LEAST THREE DAYS EACH TIME THE FAILURE OCCURS. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER FIVE TIMES AND THEY HAVE INSTALLED NEW SOFTWARE. HOWEVER, AFTER A MONTH, THE FAILURE RECURS. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 51,574.

• 12/24/2016· SERVICE BRAKES

  THE BRAKE LINES RUSTED THROUGH AND LOST FLUID VERY QUICKLY AS I WAS DRIVING. I WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT TO A GARAGE, DRIVING VERY CAREFULLY. WHY ARE THE BRAKE LINES MADE OF A MATERIAL WHICH RUSTS? THE GARAGE TOLD ME THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE UNTIL THE BRAKE LINES WERE REPLACED. THE COST WAS $491.88.

• 12/23/2016· AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS

  I GET SEAT BELT/AIRBAG COMMUNICATION FAULT

• 12/22/2019· AIR BAGS,SEATS

  RED AIRBAG LIGHT AND RED SEAT BELT LIGHT CAME ON AND THERE WAS A CHIME GOING OFF. PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY MAT IS GIVING A FAULT CODE AND DISABLING THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG

• 12/22/2016· ELECTRICAL SYSTEMFire

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 525XI. WHILE DRIVING, THE CONTACT NOTICED AN ODOR OF BURNING RUBBER AND THE ALTERNATOR WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. ALSO, THE POWER FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ABLE TO START WITHOUT RECEIVING A JUMP. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE WIRES CONNECTED TO THE BATTERY WERE BURNED. THE CONTACT STATED THEY WOULD TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO RECEIVE AN OFFICIAL DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

• 12/21/2015· AIR BAGS

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 525I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V564000 (AIR BAGS). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.

• 12/21/2015· AIR BAGS

  PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR FAULTY, AIRBAG DISABLED. FAULTS ARE SHOWING, AND WARNING LIGHTS ARE ON. I HAVE CALLED THE DEALER AND BMW USA, BOTH ACKNOWLEDGE AN ISSUE BUT INSIST MY CAR IS NOT COVERED. THE VIN IS NOT ON THEIR ROSTER. BMW RECALLED 200,000 CARS FOR THIS PROBLEM, IN THE SAME YEAR AND MODEL. I NOW HAVE THE ISSUE, AND IT IS A CLEAR SAFETY CONCERN FOR ANY OF MY LOVED ONES WHO MIGHT RIDE IN THE CAR.

• 12/21/2009· ELECTRICAL SYSTEMFire

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW M5. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 35-40 MPH THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE VEHICLE HAD A HISTORY OF ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS SINCE THE DAY OF PURCHASE. DURING THE FIRE, THE VEHICLE LOST THE ABILITY TO BRAKE. HE HAD TO USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. HE SUFFERED MINOR BURNS ON HIS HANDS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.

• 12/21/2008· AIR BAGS

  2006 - BMW E60 550I - FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG SENSOR DEFECTIVE. *TR

• 12/20/2017· AIR BAGS,SEATS

  RE: RECALL 17V-XXX FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR MAT B65 10 17. LAST JULY 2017 MY PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG/SEATBELT WARNING LIGHT WAS ON AND CAUSE WAS FAULTY PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY DETECTION MAT. . IT WAS REPLACED AT THE CHARLOTTESVILLE BMW DEALER ON JULY 18 2017 FOR $867.05. YET THIS 2006 MODEL IS SPECIFICALLY THE MODEL WITH THE DEFECT AND IN THE RECALL. MY VIN IS NOT SHOWING THAT I AM ELIGIBLE FOR A RECALL, I DO NOT UNDERSTAND THIS, AS OBVIOUSLY IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED, SINCE THIS IS THE SPECIFIC DEFECT FOR WHICH THE RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED, AND THIS IS THE SPECIFIC YEAR AND MODE BMW WHICH HAS THE DEFECT APPEARING. PLEASE ADVISE.

• 12/18/2013· AIR BAGS,SEATS,SERVICE BRAKESFire

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 530I. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS THE BRAKE PEDAL EXTENDED ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FLOOR AND THERE WAS A DELAY WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS ENGAGED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT WHEN HE TURNED THE HEAT ON HE SMELLED A BURNING ODOR IN THE SEATS. THE AIR BAG LIGHT SENSOR ILLUMINATED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED ON. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR HIS VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,000.

• 12/17/2015· AIR BAGS

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 525I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 162,000.

• 12/17/2013· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE

  WE HAVE A 2006 BMW 530I IN JANUARY OF 2013 WE HAD A IGNITION COIL GO OUT WITH AROUND 75000 MILES WHICH WAS ABOUT A 275.00$ TO GET FIXED. THEN ON 6/26/13 WE HAD 2 MORE IGNITION COILS GO OUT AT 78000 MILES, THAT TIME IT WAS 507.00 $ TO FIX, THIS MUST BE A FAULTY PART BECAUSE NOW 12/16/13 WITH 82000 MILES IT HAS HAPPENED AGAIN! I AM GOING TO PAY FOR THE REMAINING 3 TO BE CHANGED. WHEN I CALLED BMW THERE WAS A RECALL APPARENTLY FROM 2002-2004 FOR THIS. BY WAY OF MY VIN.# I FOUND OUT MY CAR WAS MADE 9/2005 I FEEL THIS PROBLEM NEVER GOT FIXED OR SIMPLY JUST CHANGING THE BRAND OF THE COIL WAS NOT THE ANSWER TO THE PROBLEM! BECAUSE ITS NOT FIXED. I HAVE NEVER OWNED A CAR WITH ISSUES LIKE THIS. WHEN I SPOKE TO A INDEPENDENT CERTIFIED BMW MECHANIC I WAS TOLD IT HAS BEEN A PROBLEM! *TR

• 12/14/2014· EXTERIOR LIGHTING,EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY

  UPON REPLACING A HEAD LIGHT BULB I NOTICE THAT THE HEADLIGHT WIRING INSIDE THE HEADLIGHT HOUSING WAS EXPOSED AND THE INSULATION CRUMBLING TO THE TOUCH. MANY WIRES ARE EXPOSED WITHOUT INSULATION THUS CREATING A SHORT CIRCUIT POTENTIAL AND FIRE HAZARD, I HAVE RESEARCHED ABOUT THIS AND IT SEEMS IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH BMWS, THERE ARE MANY OWNERS WITH THIS ISSUE. I FEEL THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR THIS BEFORE SOMEONE CAR CATCHES FIRE AND\OR SOMEONE DIES, BMWNA DOESN'T SEEM TO WANT TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE BASED ON ALL THE OWNERS COMPLAINTS AND THEIR NEGATIVE RESPONSE. *TR

• 12/14/2006· AIR BAGSCrash

  DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A 2 MPH COLLISION, AND THE DRIVER AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITH VERY LOW PRESSURE, AS IF OOZING OUT. THERE WAS NO POLICE REPORT TAKEN AT THE SCENE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE REPAIR SHOP, WHERE THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO NOTIFIED.

• 12/13/2010· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 550I. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. TWENTY SECONDS LATER, THE VEHICLE RESTARTED ON ITS OWN. THE FAILURE OCCURRED 28 TIMES AFTER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER BUT THE CONTACT HAD NOT BEEN GIVEN THE DIAGNOSIS. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND REFERENCED RECALL 07V479000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) BUT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 66,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 66,700.

• 12/12/2022· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  The contact owns a 2006 BMW 530I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

• 12/12/2018· AIR BAGS

  MY 2006 BMW HAS AN AIRBAG LIGHT ON I BROUGHT IT TO A DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID IT'S THE PASSENGER SIDE OCCUPANCY MAT IN THE SEAT I RECEIVED AN EMAIL FOR A RECALL MY YEAR MAKE AND MODEL BUT WHEN I CALLED THEY SAID THAT I'M NOT PART OF THAT RECALL I WOULD LIKE TO GET FURTHER EXPLANATION OF WHY OTHER YEAR MAKE AND MODEL THE SAME AS MINE IS UNDER WARRANTY AND I'M HAVING THAT PROBLEM AND IT WILL NOT BE COMPENSATED FOR IF I HAVE MY SON IN THE PASSENGER SEAT IN THE AIRBAG DOES NOT GO OFF AND HE DIES HIS BMW RESPONSIBLE FOR THAT

• 12/12/2012· AIR BAGS

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 525I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE STARTED THE VEHICLE AND THE PASSENGER AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE DID NOT TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

• 12/11/2012· POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,STRUCTURE

  A RECENT RAIN STORM FLOODED THE SPARE TIRE WELL COMPARTMENT AND FRIED ALL THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS STORED UNDERNEATH THE TIRE. LUCKILY I WASN'T DRIVING THE WAGON THAT DAY AND THE CAR WAS PARKED ON THE DRIVEWAY. OTHERWISE, THE CAR WOULD HAD SHUT DOWN IF IT WAS MOVING AND COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT (HAPPENED TO SOMEONE AS DISCUSSED IN THE BIMMER FORUM). APPARENTLY, BMW HAVE KNOWN ABOUT THIS SAFETY ISSUE AS WELL AS THE SUNROOF DRAINAGE & TIRE WELL DESIGN DEFECTS FOR QUITE SOME TIME. THEY EVEN GENERATED A TECHNICAL SERVICE/SERVICE INFORMATION BULLETIN (SIB54-06-06 & 61-13-06 ON SPECIAL ROOFS) FOR THEIR SERVICE DEPARTMENT TO USE. HOWEVER, BMW KEEPS DENYING ANY DAMAGE LIABILITY AND REFUSING TO ADMIT ANY DESIGN DEFECTS. BMW NA, PUBLIC RELATIONS AND THE SF BMW DEALERSHIP RESPONDED TO ME THAT IT IS DUE TO "EXTERNAL FACTORS" (RAINS) AND THEREBY THEY HAVE NO RESPONSIBILITY TO THE DAMAGED VEHICLE. THE SERVICE ADVISER TOLD ME THAT THE REPAIR COST WOULD RUN INTO $15K. I AM FILING THE SAID COMPLAINT AND AM SEEKING AN ATTORNEY FOR A POSSIBLE CLASS ACTION SUIT AGAINST BMW NA. *TR

• 12/11/2012· VISIBILITY/WIPER

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 530XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MAJOR ELECTRICAL FAILURE WARNING MESSAGE ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE DRAIN IN THE SUNROOF FAILED, CAUSING MOISTURE TO REACH THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 70,000.

• 12/10/2016· AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS,STRUCTURE

  SEATBELT NOT RETRACTING AND WARNING LIGHT STATING SEATBELT AND AIRBAG MAY NOT FUNCTION IN CRASH. INITIALLY INTERMITTENT BUT NOW STEADY WARNING LIGHTS. * EXTREME FADING OF PAINT ON HOOD, ROOF, DECK LID.

• 12/09/2011· AIR BAGS

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 525I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER MADE THE CONTACT AWARE OF THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V384000 (AIR BAGS:FRONTAL), BUT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 100,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

• 12/09/2006· AIR BAGS

  THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEAT HAS A SENSOR THAT DISABLES THE AIR BAG IF AN ADULT IS NOT SITTING IN THE SEAT (BASED ON WEIGHT) SINCE IT HAS BEEN DETERMINED THAT AIRBAGS ARE DANGEROUS FOR CHILDREN. THE SENSOR IN MY CAR IS MALFUNCTIONING AND ALWAYS KEEPS THE AIR BAG DISABLED, EVEN IF AN ADULT IS IN THE SEAT. DEALER HAS ORDERED A REPLACEMENT PART. I'M DRIVING AROUND WITHOUT AIR BAG PROTECTION FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT. *NM

• 12/08/2015· AIR BAGS

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 530XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION ERROR MESSAGE DISPLAYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SEAT OCCUPATION MAT WAS FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V564000 (AIR BAGS). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

• 12/07/2014· AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS

  CAR SCREEN SHOWS DEFECTIVE PASSENGER RESTRAINT AND AIRBAGS FOR SEVERAL WEEKS. I CONTACTED BMW USA AND THEY SAID THERE IS NO RECALL ON THIS CAR. THE OTHER BMW 2001 BMW 325I/[XXX] WAS SENT A LETTER OF RECALL THIS PAST SUMMER BUT BMW HAS NOT TOLD US WHAT TO DO ABOUT HAVING THE DEFECT CORRECTED.CAN YOU HELP? INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

• 12/07/2012· AIR BAGS

  THE PASSENGER SIDE OCCUPANCY SEAT MAT FOR THE AIRBAG FAILED. BMW HAS BULLETIN SIB 65 75 06, AIRBAG WARNING LAMP FOR OC3 SEAT MAT FAULT, THAT COVERS MY CARS BUILD DATE, BUT BMW STATES MY VIN IS NOT COVERED. THERE IS ALSO A CURRENT RECALL, NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V-384, BUT BMW STATES MY CAR IS NOT COVERED AND REFUSES TO HONOR THE 10 YEAR EXTENDED WARRANTY. MY CAR IS EXPERIENCING THIS SAME ISSUE, AS DIAGNOSED BY A LOCAL BMW DEALERS, BUT THEY HAVE FAILED TO COVER IT. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE THAT IS AFFECTING MANY CARS OUTSIDE OF THE RECALL. THEY ARE MANY PEOPLE POSTING ON VARIOUS BMW FORUMS THAT ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUE. BMW SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE TO FIX ALL THE VEHICLES EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM. *TR

• 12/07/2011· AIR BAGS

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 550I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE SEAT OCCUPANT SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THE COMPONENT WAS UNDER RECALL (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V384000 -AIR BAGS: FRONTAL), BUT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 105,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

• 12/07/2011· AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS

  AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON DASH AND SEAT BELT, WHEN I SLAMMED ON MY BRAKES WHEN A DOG RAN IN FRONT OF ME WHILE DRIVING. *TR

• 12/06/2017· AIR BAGS

  I'VE BEEN TOLD BY TWO EUROPEAN CAR REPAIR COMPANIES THAT 2006 BMWS ARE FREQUENTLY NEEDING THE AIRBAG CONTROL MODULAR REPLACED. THERE IS AN INTERNAL ERROR ON THE AIRBAG CONTROL UNIT- CODE 93D7. THIS PART HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED, AND BECAUSE OF THE EXORBITANT PRICE, I WAS TOLD THAT MANY DRIVERS CHOOSE TO DISCONNECT THE AIRBAGS. THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING! IS BMW REPORTING THIS ISSUE? I CALLED THE CORPORATE OFFICE AND THEY SEEMED COMPLETELY UNINTERESTED AND/OR UNWILLING TO DOCUMENT MY COMPLAINT. MY VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AT THE TIME THE WARNING WAS DISPLAYED.

• 12/06/2012· AIR BAGS

  WHILE DRIVING, THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ON, AND THE AIRBAG WAS DISABLED, ALTHOUGH THERE IS PASSENGER SITTING THERE. *TR

• 12/05/2018· AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS

  MY PASSENGER SEAT BELT RESTRAINTS AND AIRBAG WARNINGS LIGHT COMES ON. I SAW THAT THIS YEAR WAS INCLUDED IN MY MODEL 525I, BUT BMW OF HONOLULU SAID MY BIN SHOWS NO RECALL? I'M CONFUSED AND UPSET ON HOW BMW CAN RISK SUCH A SAFETY ISSUE BY NOT INCLUDING ALL AFFECTED BY THIS ESPECIALLY MY YEAR AND MODEL CLASS BECAUSE IT'S OBVIOUSLY AN ISSUE WE ALL ARE HAVING AROUND THE SAME EXACT TIME. IS THERE A SOLUTION OR SHOULD I GIVE UP ON BMW FOR SUCH NEGLECT FOR MY SAFETY AND YOURS?

• 12/05/2013· AIR BAGS

  I OWN BMW 530XI ,I HAVE PROBLEM WITH THE PASSENGER AIR BAG , LIGHT STILL ON ALL TIME . I CHECKED IN THE WEB SIDE BMW HAVE RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE ,BUT I CONTACT BMW ASK ME FOR THE VIN # ,I GIVING ALL NUMBER, BUT LATER THEY SAID TO ME MY CAR NOT QUALIFY FOR THIS ISSUE I DON'T KNOW WHY MY CAR NOT QUALIFY FOR THIS ISSUE, I DO NOT PAID $ 1000, FOR THIS.... LET'S BMW DO THIS... THANKS... *TR

• 12/04/2013· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS,SEATS

  REF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V384000 WHILE MY VEHICLE IS THE SAME MODEL YEAR, MODEL AND SPECIFICATION LISTED IN THE RECALL, MY VEHICLE'S VIN IS NOT "INCLUDED" IN THE LIST OF RECALLED VEHICLES. I HAVE AND AM CURRENTLY EXPERIENCING THIS EXACT SEAT SENSOR MAT PROBLEM. BMW IS UNWILLING TO COVER ANY WARRANTY WORK AS THE SPECIFIC VIN IS APPARENTLY NOT AFFECTED DESPITE THE FACT THAT CLEARLY IT IS. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THE OCCUPANTS OF MY VEHICLE BASED ON THE UNRELIABILITY OF THIS COMPONENT AND FEEL THE RECALL SHOULD BE EXPANDED TO INCLUDE ALL VEHICLES THAT EXPERIENCE THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

• 12/03/2025· 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. The dealer and the manufacturer were contacted. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The VIN was unavailable.

• 12/03/2010· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VISIBILITY,STRUCTURE

  WHILE DRIVING IN HEAVY RAIN, THE VEHICLE'S ELECTRONIC CONTROL SYSTEM ISSUED A FRENZY OF ALERTS, AND INTERRUPTED FUNCTION OF SEVERAL SUBSYSTEMS INCLUDING THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS. THE SYSTEM ISSUED A MESSAGE "CONTINUED DRIVING NOT POSSIBLE" AND THEN FURTHER ALERTS. THE BMW CENTER EXAMINED THE CAR AND STATED THAT WATER HAD ENTERED THE CAR THROUGH THE SUNROOF DRAINAGE SYSTEM AND FLOODED THE COMPARTMENT HOUSING THE CONTROL SYSTEMS, CAUSING THE SUDDEN MALFUNCTION. DESPITE THE FACT THAT THERE IS NO MAINTENANCE PROTOCOL ESTABLISHED BY BMW FOR THE DRAINAGE SYSTEM, I HAD THE SUNROOF DRAINS CHECKED ON OCTOBER 2009 AND WAS ASSURED BY THE BMW CENTER THAT IT WAS WORKING TO SPECIFICATION AT THAT TIME. NEVERTHELESS, BMW'S CENTER ATTRIBUTED THE FAILURE TO THE DRAINAGE SYSTEM BEING PARTIALLY BLOCKED. (N.B. THE SYSTEM HAD NOT BEEN CHECKED FOR THE FIRST THREE YEARS OF USE, SO WHY WOULD IT FAIL 1 YEAR AND 1 MONTH AFTER INSPECTION?) THE DRAIN SYSTEM IS CONCEALED WITHIN THE ROOF AND IS NOT ACCESSIBLE TO CAR OWNER. THE COMBINATION OF THE DEFECTIVE DRAINAGE SYSTEM AND THE PLACEMENT OF THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL SYSTEMS AT THE POINT OF WATER COLLECTION PRESENTS A SAFETY HAZARD WHEN DRIVING IN INCLEMENT WEATHER. SEARCHING ON THE INTERNET TURNS UP SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON OTHER BMW MODELS EQUIPPED WITH PANORAMIC SUNROOFS SUCH AS THE X3, X5, AND 535XI AND 325.

• 11/30/2021· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  The contact owns a 2006 BMW 525I. The contact stated that there was a strong fuel odor coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the dealer where it was both diagnosed that the vehicle was leaking fuel. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 188,318.

• 11/30/2015· AIR BAGS

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 530XI. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE PASSENGER AIR BAG MAT REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHEN SOMEONE SAT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V564000 (AIR BAGS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000. UPDATED 02/12/16*LJ; UPDATED 04/30/18*JB

• 11/30/2014· ELECTRICAL SYSTEMFire

  WHEN I STARTED MY CAR THE IDRIVE DISPLAYED THE "INCREASED BATTERY DISCHARGE" MESSAGE. I THEN SMELLED A STRONG ODOR OF SMOKE AND MELTED PLASTIC, AND THE IDRIVE STOPPED WORKING ALTOGETHER. I COULDN'T FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM UNTIL I SEARCHED THIS WEBSITE AND SEVERAL BMW DEVOTED MESSAGE BOARDS TO DISCOVER THAT THE PROBLEM COULD BE TRACED TO A DEFECTIVE DESIGN RELATED TO THE MICRO PROCESSOR MODULE THAT CONTROLS THE IDRIVE. APPARENTLY, BMW THOUGHT IT WAS A GOOD IDEA TO INSTALL THE MPM, AN IMPORTANT AND SENSITIVE ELECTRICAL COMPONENT, IN THE SPARE TIRE WHEEL-WELL WHERE LIQUID CAN GATHER EASILY. A SMALL AMOUNT OF WATER SPILLED IN MY TRUNK, AND THE MPM BURNED AND MELTED ALONG WITH THE ATTACHED WIRING HARNESS. OBVIOUSLY, THIS IS A SERIOUS AND DANGEROUS DESIGN DEFECT. AND MINE IS NOT THE FIRST INSTANCE OF THIS HAPPENING - WHY HASN'T A RECALL BEEN REQUIRED? IT ALSO SEEMS THAT BMW ISSUED AT LEAST ONE SERVICE BULLETIN REGARDING THIS ISSUE, AND DIRECTED ITS DEALERS TO RELOCATE THE MPM TO A SAFER LOCATION. MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES SINCE THE BULLETIN WAS ISSUED - AT LEAST TWICE FOR PROBLEMS WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - BUT THE DEALER NEVER MENTIONED THE BULLETIN OR SUGGESTED THAT THEY SHOULD RELOCATE IT. *TR

• 11/30/2011· AIR BAGS

  RESTRAINT SYSTEM FAULT IN PASSENGER-RESTRAINT SYSTEM. BMW HAS RECALLED THE CARS WITH SAME YEAR AND MODEL FOR SIMILAR PROBLEMS. BUT MY VIN IS NOT RECALLED. I JUST CALLED BMW BUT THEY DON'T WANT TO FIX IT. I WISH BMW ACTS MORE ACTIVELY ON SAFETY ISSUES. *KB

• 11/29/2011· AIR BAGS

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 530I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V384000 (COMPONENT: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL). THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 91,000.

• 11/28/2016· ENGINE

  MY CAR HAS BEEN LEAKING ENGINE OIL FOR ABOUT THREE MONTHS. AFTER I HAD IT CHECKED, I WAS TOLD THAT ONE BOLT ON THE ENGINE WAS BROKEN. I FOUND THAT THE SAME PROBLEM HAPPENED COMMON. I THINK BMW SHOULD SOLVE THIS PROBLEM THROUGH RECALL, BECAUSE THIS PROBLEM IS A MANUFACTURE DEFECT.

• 11/27/2012· AIR BAGS

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 525I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGOSITIC TESTING. THE MECHANIC STATED THE AIR BAG SENSOR WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE MECHANIC STATED THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V384000 (AIR BAGS: FRONTAL) THAT MAY BE RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,000.

• 11/26/2013· VISIBILITY/WIPER

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 530XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE SUN ROOF WAS DEFECTIVE AND ALLOWING WATER TO PENETRATE THE CABIN, CAUSING AN ELECTRICAL SHORTAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71,000.

• 11/24/2006· EQUIPMENT

  DUE TO A CERTAIN DEFECT IN THE AIRCONDITIONING AIR DUCT, THE HUMIDITY BUILDS UP TO A HIGH LEVEL CAUSING EVENTUAL MOLD FORMATION IN THE AIR DUCT. AS A RESULT OF THAT A BAD SMELL WILL PROGRESSIVELY INCREASE UNTILL IT CAN BE EASILY NOTICABLE ESPECIALLY DURING THE FIRST MINUTE OF STARTING THE AIR CONDITIONNER. MOLDS ARE KNOWN TO BE STRONG ALLERGENS AND CAN RESULT IN WORSENING NASAL ALLERGY SYMPTOMS, COUGH, NASAL CONGESTION, AND SNEEZING. I BELLEIVE IT IS A HEALTH HAZARD TO PEOPLE WITH MOLD ALLERGIES LIKE MY SON WHO HAD NOTICABLE WOSENING OF HIS NASAL CONGESTION AND EVENTUALLY HIS OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA SYMPTOMS AS A RESULT OF THAT. UP ON CANTACTING THE LOCAL DEALER IN TEH AREA AND LATER THE BMW CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT, THEY ACKNOWLEDGED THE PROBLEM SINCE I WAS NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THE SAME COMPLAINT, BUT THEY ONLY OFFERED TO CLEAN THE DUCTS ONCE A YEAR, WHICH IS A SHORT TERM REMEDY AND DOES NOT PREVENT THE RECURRENCE OF THE PROBLEM. I BELEIVE IT IS A HAELTH RISK AND CUSTOMERS NEED TO BE INFORMED UPFRONT ABOUT THIS PROBLEM BEFORE THEY MAKE A SELECTION TO BUY THAT VEHICLE. *NM

• 11/21/2013· ENGINE

  WHEN I DRIVE MY CAR BACK TO HOME, SUDDEN NOISE FROM THE FRONT OF THE ENGINE AND FOUND OUT THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND BELTS WERE OFF AND SHEARED OFF SOME BOLTS AROUND THE HOLDING. AFTER THE REPAIR AT THE TIME ON 5/1/2012, ENGINE STARTS DISCOVERING OIL LEAK AROUND THE FRONT CYLINDER HEAD HOUSING. KEEPING THE OIL LEVEL UP TO THE REQUIRE LEVEL FOR THE PAST YEAR. AS OF TODAY 11/21/2013, I DISCOVERED THE REASON WHY THE CYLINDER HEAD HOUSING IS LEAKING OIL IS 2 SHEARED OFF BOLTS ON TOP OF THE HEAD HOUSING. I DRIVE NORMALLY AND ALUMINUM SCREWS ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE FOR A HIGH PERFORMANCE CAR AND IT BROKE OFF THAT EASY WITH NORMAL DRIVING CONDITION. *TR