2006 Bmw M5 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
39 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
55,100 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2006 model year. Data snapshot: . 38 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 23 of 39 complaints (59.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 5 | 12.8% |
| Transmission and shifting | 4 | 10.3% |
| Braking behavior | 2 | 5.1% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 5.1% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 2.6% |
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.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 23 |
| Seat Belts | 7 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 3 |
| Electrical System | 3 |
| Engine | 3 |
| Power Train | 3 |
| Seats | 3 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 2 |
Air Bags: 23; Seat Belts: 7; Air Bags:Frontal: 3; Electrical System: 3; Engine: 3; Power Train: 3; Seats: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 3 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 10 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 12 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 11 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 3; 25,000 to 49,999: 10; 50,000 to 74,999: 12; 75,000 to 99,999: 11; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 0
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (12). 1 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.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2010 | 2 |
| 2011 | 6 |
| 2012 | 5 |
| 2013 | 5 |
| 2014 | 12 |
| 2015 | 3 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2006: 1; 2010: 2; 2011: 6; 2012: 5; 2013: 5; 2014: 12; 2015: 3; 2016: 1; 2017: 2; 2020: 1; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 5 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 4 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 2 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 10455045 · 2012-04-12 (April 12, 2012)
THE PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM, AIRBAG, SEAT BELT, BELT TENSIONER WARNING SHOWED UP IN THE CAR COMPUTER. WENT TO THE DEALER AND DEALER SAID THAT THEY WILL NEED TO REPLACE THE PASSENGER SEAT MAT SENSOR AND BATTERY SAFETY TERMINAL. THE COST IS AROUND $3500. WHEN I SEARCHED ONLINE I FOUND THAT THE BMW 5 SERIES 2004 - 2006 HAS A RECALL ON THIS ITEM ALREADY - PLEASE LINK. (HTTP://WWW-ODI.NHTSA.DOT.GOV/CARS/PROBLEMS/RECALLS/RECALLSUMMARY.CFM?RCL_CAMPAIGN_ID=08V384000&PROD_ID=113225&MODULETYPE=VEHICLE&MAKE=BMW&MODEL=5%20SERIES&VEH_MODEL_YEAR=2004&…
Owner-reported narrative. 78,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10455045 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10486576 · 2012-11-30 (November 30, 2012)
ENROUTE FROM PALO ALTO TO MOUNTAIN VIEW AND WAS AT A COMPLETE STOP WAITING AT A STOP LIGHT ON A MAJOR THOROUGHFARE (CENTRAL EXPRESSWAY) WHEN THE CAR STOPPED RUNNING. CARS BEHIND ME PROCEEDED TO PASS ME TO MAKE THE LEFT TURN WHILE MY CAR WAS SHUT DOWN. I WAS ABLE TO RE-START THE CAR AFTER ~5 - 10 MINUTES AND DRIVE ANOTHER 1000 FEET WHEN THE CAR STOPPED RUNNING AGAIN. PRIOR TO BOTH INCIDENTS THE PANEL INDICATED AN ALERT "TRANSMISSION FAIL" AND A "CHECK ENGINE" ALERT. THE CAR WOULD NOT START BACK UP AND HAD TO BE PUSHED THROUGH THE INTERSECTIO…
Owner-reported narrative. 51,716 miles reported. Look up ODI 10486576 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10307584 · 2010-02-08 (February 8, 2010)
2006 BMW M5 WITH SEQUENTIAL TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT ENTER GEAR AT LIGHT, RENDERING VEHICLE IMMOBILIZED. *CN
Owner-reported narrative. 32,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10307584 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10302909 · 2010-01-28 (January 28, 2010)
ON JUNE 24, 2006, A-UNITED LEASED THE M5 THROUGH BMW OF MONROVIA, FORMERLY ASSAEL BMW. DURING THE DURATION OF THE LEASE, A-UNITED INCURRED LESS THAN 1800 MILES ON THE M5 PRIMARILY BECAUSE THE M5'S SAFETY AND RELIABILITY HAD CAUSED SERIOUS CONCERNS. FROM AS EARLY AS NOVEMBER 2006, A-UNITED BEGAN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE M5 WHEN THE UNUSUAL NOISE FROM THE ENGINE BECAME LOUDER AND LOUDER. SHORTLY, THE M5 BEGAN HESITATING TO ACCELERATE. ON OCTOBER 22, 2007, THE M5 WAS TAKEN TO BMW OF MONROVIA FOR ROUTINE SERVICE AS WELL AS THE CAUTI…
Owner-reported narrative. 2,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10302909 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10398059 · 2011-04-27 (April 27, 2011)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW M5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, WHETHER THE VEHICLE WAS IDLE OR TRAVELING AT LOW SPEEDS, THERE WAS A SUDDEN ENGAGEMENT THAT CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SURGE FORWARD INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER MADE TEN ATTEMPTS TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE BUT TO NO AVAIL. THEY ADVISED THE CONTACT TO KEEP HIS FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL UP TO THE POINT OF ACTUAL ACCELERATION. THE CONTACT DID NOT INFORM THE MANUFACTURER OF THE FAILURE NOR WAS THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 39,500 AN…
Owner-reported narrative. 29,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10398059 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10855608 · 2016-04-14 (April 14, 2016)
STEERING WHEEL LOCK MALFUNCTIONS AND KEEPS STEERING WHEEL LOCKED, WILL NOT RELEASE INTERMITTENTLY.
Owner-reported narrative. 48,900 miles reported. Look up ODI 10855608 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11325743 · 2020-05-24 (May 24, 2020)
CLEARANCE FAILURE ON S85 ENGINE TO ROD BEARINGS CAUSES OIL STARVATION. THIS IN TURN CAUSES ENGINE CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. IF DRIVING THIS WILL EFFECT POWER BREAKING, POWER STEERING AND ALL COMPONENTS REQUIRING THE ENGINE TO BE RUNNING. THIS IS A VERY COMMON ISSUE, I NOW HAVE SYMPTOMS REQUIRING A CHANGE OF ROD BEARINGS. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 102,156 miles reported. Look up ODI 11325743 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10651813 · 2014-11-01 (November 1, 2014)
TL-THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW M5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HE COULD SMELL STRONG FUEL ODOR AFTER FILLING THE FUEL. THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THE FUEL TANK HAD A CRACK INSIDE THE PLASTIC. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 21,000. NE
Owner-reported narrative. 21,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10651813 at NHTSA ↗