YearToAvoid

2006 BMW X5 Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Good

Complaint Index

35/100

#14 most-complained of 21 X5 years

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

The 2006 BMW X5 has 195 owner complaints and 2 safety recalls on file with NHTSA. Its Complaint Index is 35 out of 100 — #14 highest of 21 X5 model years (verdict: Good). The most reported problem area is airbags (98 complaints, 50% of the total). Complaints report 6 crashes, 12 fires, and 13 injuries.

Complaints
195
Recalls
2
Crashes / fires
6 / 12
Injuries / deaths
13 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
16
14 city / 20 hwy

Top 2006 BMW X5 problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Airbags98 (50%)
  2. Brakes35 (18%)
  3. Structure & Body35 (18%)
  4. Electrical System26 (13%)
  5. Engine17 (9%)
  6. Seat Belts9 (5%)
  7. Other7 (4%)
  8. Transmission & Powertrain7 (4%)
  9. Fuel System6 (3%)
  10. Steering2 (1%)
2006 BMW X5 complaints: complaints filed per quarter222006 Q22009 Q22011 Q42013 Q32015 Q22017 Q12019 Q12023 Q2
245 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2006 Q2 to 2026 Q3; peak 2014 Q2 (22).

2006 BMW X5 recalls

2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. 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].

  2. NHTSA 05V504000Nov 1, 2005Transmission & Powertrain240 vehicles

    Power train:automatic transmission

    Certain passenger vehicles may have been built with an incorrectly manufactured automatic transmission parking pawl guide plate.

    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.

2006 BMW X5 fuel economy and fuel cost

City
14 MPG
Highway
20 MPG
Combined
16 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$5,000
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 X5 years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2005Best582216
2006Good35195216
2007Good3013013 !17
2008Caution7023513 !17

All BMW X5 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2006 BMW X5 a reliable year?
Judged by NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2006 BMW X5 ranks #14 of 21 among X5 model years (Complaint Index 35/100, verdict: Good). It has 195 complaints and 2 recalls on file. This reflects reported safety-related problems, not an overall reliability rating.
What are the most common problems with the 2006 BMW X5?
The most reported problem areas are airbags (98 complaints), brakes (35 complaints), and structure & body (35 complaints). The median mileage at the time of failure in complaints that report it is 85,865 miles.
Does the 2006 BMW X5 have any recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2006 BMW X5, most recently reported 2013, covering airbags and transmission & powertrain.
What is the fuel economy of the 2006 BMW X5?
EPA rates the 2006 BMW X5 at 16 MPG combined (14 city / 20 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $5,000. Where several configurations exist, the median is shown.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.