2006 BMW X5 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Good The 2006 BMW X5 has a complaint index of 35 and ranks 14th out of 21 model years, earning a Good verdict relative to other X5 years. Its top problem area is Airbags (50% of complaints), with 2 recalls filed and a median failure mileage of 85,865.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 35/100
- #14 of 21 X5 years
- Verdict
- Good
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 195
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 2
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 6
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 12
- Injuries
- 13
- Top issue
- Airbags
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 16
- 14 city / 20 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 13 / 0
Top 2006 BMW X5 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags98 (50%)
- Brakes35 (18%)
- Structure & Body35 (18%)
- Electrical System26 (13%)
- Engine17 (9%)
- Seat Belts9 (5%)
- Other7 (4%)
- Transmission & Powertrain7 (4%)
- Fuel System6 (3%)
- Steering2 (1%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Airbags fail to deploy in low-speed collisions despite equipped side airbag systems.
- Heated driver or front seats overheat, smoke, or catch fire, sometimes burning occupants.
- Brakes suddenly lose response or feel sluggish, in one case after CV boot damage sprayed grease on the calipers.
- Seat belts can release unexpectedly during a rear-end collision.
- Transmission grinds and triggers a failure warning light, accompanied by a loud bang and smoke from the tailpipe.
- Engine compartment smokes and leaks oil after a crank case release valve failure.
2006 BMW X5 recalls
2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- 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 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
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2006 BMW X5 reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2006 X5 has a complaint index of 35 and ranks 14th out of 21 model years, with a Good verdict relative to other X5 years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2006 BMW X5?
- Airbags account for 50% of complaints, followed by Brakes and Structure & Body at 18% each, and Electrical System issues at 13%, according to NHTSA data.
- Does the 2006 BMW X5 have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2006 X5, one covering airbags and one covering an incorrectly built automatic transmission parking pawl guide plate.
- At what mileage do 2006 X5 problems typically show up?
- NHTSA complaint data shows a median mileage at failure of 85,865 for the 2006 X5 overall, with airbag complaints centered around 73,500 miles.
- How does the 2006 X5 compare to other model years?
- The 2006 X5's complaint index of 35 is lower than years like 2011, 2012, and 2024, which carry Avoid verdicts with complaint indexes of 85, 90, and 100 respectively.