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U.S. public vehicle records

Bmw 650I problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

104 owner complaints analyzed

5 distinct recall campaigns

56,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2006 to 2017 model years. Data snapshot: . 87 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 29 of 104 complaints (27.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Braking behavior1312.5%
Engine operation1211.5%
Steering behavior98.7%
Electrical and battery issues87.7%
Fuel system concerns87.7%
Transmission and shifting43.8%

Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Engine
29
Electrical System
13
Power Train
12
Air Bags
11
Fuel/Propulsion System
10
Seats
10
Seat Belts
8
Service Brakes
8
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Engine29
Electrical System13
Power Train12
Air Bags11
Fuel/Propulsion System10
Seats10
Seat Belts8
Service Brakes8

Engine: 29; Electrical System: 13; Power Train: 12; Air Bags: 11; Fuel/Propulsion System: 10; Seats: 10; Seat Belts: 8; Service Brakes: 8

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
18
25,000 to 49,999
19
50,000 to 74,999
20
75,000 to 99,999
13
100,000 to 149,999
17
150,000 and above
0
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,00018
25,000 to 49,99919
50,000 to 74,99920
75,000 to 99,99913
100,000 to 149,99917
150,000 and above0

Under 25,000: 18; 25,000 to 49,999: 19; 50,000 to 74,999: 20; 75,000 to 99,999: 13; 100,000 to 149,999: 17; 150,000 and above: 0

50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (20). 17 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.

Complaints over time

Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.

2007
2
2010
2
2011
1
2012
4
2013
5
2014
13
2015
12
2016
11
2017
8
2018
6
2019
14
2020
8
2021
5
2022
5
2023
3
2024
2
2025
2
2026
1
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
20072
20102
20111
20124
20135
201413
201512
201611
20178
20186
201914
20208
20215
20225
20233
20242
20252
20261

2007: 2; 2010: 2; 2011: 1; 2012: 4; 2013: 5; 2014: 13; 2015: 12; 2016: 11; 2017: 8; 2018: 6; 2019: 14; 2020: 8; 2021: 5; 2022: 5; 2023: 3; 2024: 2; 2025: 2; 2026: 1

Pattern summary

Engine leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 13 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 12 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 9 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.

Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.

Complaint evidence

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 10370471 · 2010-12-13 (December 13, 2010)

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 650I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER RECEIVING A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID (10V446000- SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC: POWER ASSIST: VACUUM) HE TOOK HIS VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR INSPECTION. AFTER THE INSPECTION WAS DONE, THE DEALER INFORMED HIM THAT THEY NEED TO REPLACE THE BRAKE VACUUM PUMP WHICH WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR THE RECALL COMPONENT LISTED AND NOT FOR THE VACUUM PUMP. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 72,000.

Owner-reported narrative. 72,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10370471 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10466665 · 2012-07-19 (July 19, 2012)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 650I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE BRAKES MALFUNCTIONED AND COULD NOT SLOW THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAD TO USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO ADVISED HIM OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN I.D. 10V446000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM) AND SUGGESTED THE CONTACT TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR THE RECALL REPAIR BUT THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE …

Owner-reported narrative. 62,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10466665 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10663657 · 2014-12-11 (December 11, 2014)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 650I. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH DURING COLD WEATHER, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE THERMOSTAT AND THE HOSES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 07V479000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000.

Owner-reported narrative. 86,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10663657 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10925620 · 2016-11-12 (November 12, 2016)

ELECTRIC STEERING WHEEL LOCK MALFUNCTION. STEERING WHEEL CANNOT BE UNLOCKED/LOCKED. ENGINE STALLED, STEERING WHEEL TEMPORARILY LOCKED. ENGINE CANNOT BE RESTARTED. THE CAR WAS MOVING WHEN WARNING LIGHT CAME ON WHILE PULLING INTO SHOPPING CENTER PARKING LOT. CALLED AAA AND HAD CAR TAKEN BY FLATBED TO HUDSON VALLEY BMW IN POUGHKEEPSIE, NY 12601 AT ABOUT 14:30 HRS 11/12/2016.

Owner-reported narrative. 69,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10925620 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11032224 · 2017-10-08 (October 8, 2017)

THE ACTIVE STEERING SYSTEM OPERATES ON AND OFF. STEERING IS NORMAL THEN THE ACTIVE STEERING SYSTEM SHUTS OFF. STEERING BECOMES VERY HEAVY. THE WARNINGS LIGHT NOW STAYS ON ALL THE TIME THIS IS UNDER ALL DRIVING CONDITIONS AND ROADS.

Owner-reported narrative. 118,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11032224 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10205667 · 2007-10-15 (October 15, 2007)

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: SEVAS S-10 SHOULD NOT BE TARGETED/MARKETED TO BMW 6 OR 7 SERIES DRIVERS. A 3RD CASE OF KNOWN WHEEL FAILURE OCCURED ON OCTOBER 11TH, 2007 IT SHOULD BE ASSUMED/PROVEN THAT THIS IS A LOW QUALITY WHEEL. DESPITE 3 (1 MAJOR ACCIDENT DUE TO WHEEL FAILURE) KNOWN CASES OF THESE WHEEL BREAKING ON BMW 6 & 7 SERIES OWNERS, OTHER USERS COMPLAIN OF VIBRATION PROBLEMS WHEN DRIVING AS WELL AS STEERING WHEELS RATTLING. THESE WERE MY INITIAL EXPERIENCES WHEN THE WHEELS WERE FIRST INSTALLED. THE WHEELS WERE REBALANCED 3 TIMES AND…

Owner-reported narrative. 3,850 miles reported. Look up ODI 10205667 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11443562 · 2021-12-13 (December 13, 2021)

Leak from fuel pump located under passenger rear side (right rear). Gasoline pooling next to electrical connection and excess gasoline dripping into interior and exterior. Explosion risk. Gasoline fumes.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11443562 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11190027 · 2019-03-19 (March 19, 2019)

DASHBOARD COMPLETELY CRACKED! SAME PROBLEM WITH CAR NOT STARTING LIGHTS ON DAS FLASHING ! BOUGHT IT USED 4 YRS AGO ON 3RD BATTERY SEVERS THOUSAND DOLLARS LATER I JUST PICKED UP AT SERVICE CENTER AGAIN . DON'T KNOW WHERE ELSE TO GO WITH THIS, PLEASE HELP!!! THANKS

Owner-reported narrative. 100,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11190027 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11296889 · 2020-01-03 (January 3, 2020)

THERE WAS A RECALL ON MY IN TANK FUEL PUMP THAT HASN'T BEEN REPLACE I. NOTIFYIED MY BMW DEALER SHIP IN HENDERSON NV. AND THEY AND THEY REFUSE TO RECOGNIZE MY RECALL ABOUT THE FUEL PUMP THEY REFUSE TO DO IT. AND YES I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE WHEN IT WHEN THE FUEL PUMP FAIL. AND MY VEHICLE FALLS IN THE CATEGORY OF FOR THE RECALL IS LISTED IN THE RECALL BY NASTA

Owner-reported narrative. 121,876 miles reported. Look up ODI 11296889 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10501477 · 2013-03-06 (March 6, 2013)

I WAS DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 95 FROM WASHINGTON DC TO RICHMOND, VA AT ABOUT 65-75 MPH. AT AROUND THE KINGS DOMINION EXIT, I ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE IN ORDER TO GET INTO A SLOWER LANE TO LET FASTER TRAFFIC PASS. THAT'S WHEN I NOTICE THE RPM'S WENT UP TO 8X1000 AND THE CAR WAS NOT ACCELERATING. I WAS NOW COASTING AT AROUND 60 MPH AND IMPEDING TRAFFIC ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY. BEING THAT THIS PARTICULAR STRETCH OF HIGHWAY IS ABOUT 6-7 LANES WIDE, IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT AND DANGEROUS GETTING OVER TO THE RIGHT HAND SHOULDER. I WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE TO MY …

Owner-reported narrative. 22,143 miles reported. Look up ODI 10501477 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10811401 · 2015-12-21 (December 21, 2015)

VEHICLE DOWN SIFTED WHILE IN AUTOMATIC MODE TO SAFE MODE. THE VEHICLES TRANSMISSION DOWN SHIFTED WHILE OPERATING AT 75 MPH ON BELTWAY. VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY SHIFTED INTO "LIMP" MODE WITH SPEEDS LIMITATION. THIS TRANSMISSION FAILURE IS COMMON WITH THIS ZF TRANSMISSION THAT IS A SHIFTABLE AUTOMATIC MODEL. .

Owner-reported narrative. 81,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10811401 at NHTSA ↗

Compare model years

Recalls by model year

All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.

Recall campaigns

Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.

2006
1
2007
1
2008
0
2009
0
2010
0
2012
2
2013
0
2014
0
2015
1
2017
1
Recall campaigns data
CategoryCount
20061
20071
20080
20090
20100
20122
20130
20140
20151
20171

2006: 1; 2007: 1; 2008: 0; 2009: 0; 2010: 0; 2012: 2; 2013: 0; 2014: 0; 2015: 1; 2017: 1

Year-by-year records

Bmw 650I model-year comparison
Model yearComplaintsRecallsChange in recalls
2006201Not available
20072210
200860-1
2009400
2010500
2012202Not available
2013160-2
2014600
201541+1
201711Not available