2006 BMW 750i Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2006 BMW 750i ranks 2 of 16 model years for reported problems, with a complaint index of 93 and 57 NHTSA complaints, earning an Avoid verdict. Transmission and airbag issues dominate, with 4 recalls on file.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 93/100
- #2 of 16 750i years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 57
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 4
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 2
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 1
- Top issue
- Transmission & Powertrain
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 18
- 15 city / 23 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 1 / 0
Top 2006 BMW 750i problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Transmission & Powertrain20 (35%)
- Airbags14 (25%)
- Structure & Body13 (23%)
- Engine8 (14%)
- Brakes5 (9%)
- Electrical System4 (7%)
- Other4 (7%)
- Seat Belts4 (7%)
- Steering2 (4%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Airbag warning light illuminates for a passenger seat mat failure, disabling front airbag deployment.
- Airbags failed to deploy in rear-end and multi-impact crashes, including one with injuries.
- Transmission stops responding to gear selection, including no movement after a short shutdown or while trying to accelerate.
- A rear 'bang' noise occurred at low speed followed by confirmed transmission failure requiring replacement.
- Vehicle rolled forward or backward while in park.
- Engine emits heavy exhaust smoke after idling for over a minute.
2006 BMW 750i recalls
4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 17V328000May 18, 2017Structure & Body45,484 vehicles
Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2005-2008 745i, 745Li, 750i, 750Li, 760i, 760Li, and B7 Alpina vehicles equipped with both the Comfort Access and Soft Close Automatic options. In these vehicles, the doors may appear to be closed and latched, but, in fact, may inadvertently open.
Risk: The door may unexpectedly open due to road or driving conditions or occupant contact with the door. The sudden opening may result in occupant ejection or increase the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will update the door latch system, free of charge. The recall began February 8, 2018. Owners may contact BMW at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at [email protected].
- NHTSA 13V564000Nov 12, 2013Airbags76,565 vehicles
Air bags:sensor:occupant classification
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 [email protected].
- NHTSA 12V502000Oct 17, 2012Electrical System45,500 vehicles
Electrical system:ignition:switch
BMW is recalling certain model year 2005-2008 7-Series vehicles, equipped with the Comfort Access option, and manufactured August 23, 2004, through July 24, 2008. The affected vehicles have an electronic key and an electronic connection between the gear shifter and the transmission (shift-by-wire) that automatically shifts the transmission to Park when the driver presses the Start/Stop button to shutdown the engine. If the driver presses the engine Start/Stop button 2 or 3 times within a short time interval, the system may shift the transmission to Neutral rather than Park. If using the electronic key (Comfort Access mode), there would be no protection from the ignition interlock that prevents key removal if the vehicle is not in Park.
Risk: If the driver exits the vehicle with the transmission in Neutral and the parking brake is not applied, the vehicle may rollaway. Unattended rollaway incidents often result in a crash or cause injury to pedestrians attempting to stop or enter the vehicle or to other bystanders in the path of the vehicle.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners beginning in November 2012. The remedy became available in March 2013. Owners may call BMW at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at [email protected].
2006 BMW 750i fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 15 MPG
- Highway
- 23 MPG
- Combined
- 18 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $4,450
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Premium
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2006 compared with other 750i years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2006 BMW 750i reliable?
- NHTSA data ranks it 2nd worst of 16 model years for this model, with a complaint index of 93 and 57 complaints, so it carries an Avoid verdict relative to other 750i years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2006 BMW 750i?
- Transmission and powertrain issues lead with 20 complaints (35% share), followed by airbags at 14 complaints (25%) and structure/body issues at 13 complaints (23%).
- Does the 2006 BMW 750i have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for this year, covering structure/body door latch issues, airbag sensor mats, and Comfort Access electrical and software problems.
- At what mileage do 2006 BMW 750i transmissions fail?
- NHTSA complaint data shows a median mileage at failure of 98,277 for transmission and powertrain issues.
- How does the 2006 750i compare to other years?
- Only the 2007 750i ranks worse with a complaint index of 100, while years like 2011, 2013, and 2016 earn a Good verdict with much lower complaint indexes.