2006 BMW 750Li Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2006 BMW 750Li ranks worst of 15 model years for owner complaints, with a Complaint Index of 100 and 216 complaints, the highest count in the lineup. NHTSA lists 4 recalls and a top problem area of Transmission & Powertrain, affecting 37% of complaints.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 100/100
- #1 of 15 750Li years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 216
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 4
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 6
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 2
- Injuries
- 4
- Top issue
- Transmission & Powertrain
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 18
- 15 city / 23 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 4 / 0
Top 2006 BMW 750Li problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Transmission & Powertrain80 (37%)
- Structure & Body65 (30%)
- Airbags40 (19%)
- Engine28 (13%)
- Brakes25 (12%)
- Electrical System23 (11%)
- Other8 (4%)
- Seat Belts8 (4%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires7 (3%)
- Fuel System4 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners describe sudden unintended acceleration at low speed while parking or maneuvering, in some cases resulting in a crash.
- Some report the driver's side or all airbags failing to deploy during a serious side-impact collision.
- Engine complaints include white smoke from the exhaust linked to a failed head gasket seal that let oil leak into the pistons and valves, causing oil consumption.
- Brake system reports describe a contaminated vacuum pump booster and hard-feeling brake pedals that extend stopping distance, along with ABS malfunctions that caused the car to slide or lock up during turns.
- One owner reported the vehicle catching fire while parked in a driveway for over a day.
- A cold-start engine roughness and jumping issue was reported that the dealership said required an engine software update to address.
2006 BMW 750Li 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 750Li 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 750Li years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2006 BMW 750Li reliable?
- Among 15 model years of the 750Li, 2006 has the highest Complaint Index (100) and ranks worst overall, earning an Avoid verdict based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls.
- What are the most common problems with the 2006 BMW 750Li?
- Transmission & Powertrain issues make up 37% of complaints, followed by Structure & Body at 30% and Airbags at 19%. Median mileage at failure across all complaints is 88,046 miles.
- Does the 2006 BMW 750Li have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2006 750Li, covering door latch systems, airbags, the Comfort Access electronic key system, and a Comfort Access/Soft Close software issue. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2006 750Li compare to other years?
- The 2006 model has a Complaint Index of 100, higher than 2007 (86), 2008 (93), and every later year through 2021, making it the worst-ranked year in the lineup.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2006 BMW 750Li?
- EPA rates the 2006 750Li at 18 mpg combined (15 city / 23 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,450.