2006 Bmw X5 SAV problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
27 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
98,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2006 model year. Data snapshot: . 22 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 14 of 27 complaints (51.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 8 | 29.6% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 7.4% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 7.4% |
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 | 14 |
| Service Brakes | 6 |
| Seats | 5 |
| Air Bags:Sensor:Occupant Classification | 2 |
| Electrical System | 2 |
| Exterior Lighting | 2 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 1 |
| Air Bags:Sensor:Occupant Classification:Front Passenger | 1 |
Air Bags: 14; Service Brakes: 6; Seats: 5; Air Bags:Sensor:Occupant Classification: 2; Electrical System: 2; Exterior Lighting: 2; Air Bags:Frontal: 1; Air Bags:Sensor:Occupant Classification:Front Passenger: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 5 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 4 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 9 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 5; 75,000 to 99,999: 4; 100,000 to 149,999: 9; 150,000 and above: 2
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (9). 5 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 |
|---|---|
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2012 | 4 |
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2014 | 4 |
| 2015 | 8 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2018 | 4 |
| 2019 | 1 |
2009: 1; 2010: 1; 2011: 1; 2012: 4; 2013: 2; 2014: 4; 2015: 8; 2016: 1; 2018: 4; 2019: 1
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 8 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 2 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues 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 10542653 · 2013-09-09 (September 9, 2013)
PRODUCTION DATE 03/2006 FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT MALFUNCTION. VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO INDEPENDENT SHOP FOR CODE READING TO VERIFY THAT 'AIRBAG LIGHT OFF' ILLUMINATED WAS TRIGGERED FROM SEAT SENSOR. LIGHT STAYS ILLUMINATED (INDICATING AIRBAG IS OFF) WITH ADULT OCCUPANT ON PASSENGER SEAT,APPROXIMATELY LESS THAN 1,000-MILES AFTER, DRIVER DASH AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED PERMANENTLY ALSO. VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED AS A CPO. AIRBAG/SEAT SENSOR CODE BEGAN AFTER CPO WARRANTY EXPIRED. DURING THE PERIOD OF MY OWNERSHIP, VEHICLE WAS NEVER INVO…
Owner-reported narrative. 94,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10542653 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10680663 · 2015-02-02 (February 2, 2015)
MY PASSENGER SIDE LIGHT KEEPS BURNING OUT CAUSING MY BRAKE LIGHT NOT TO WORK.WHEN I WENT HOME MY HUSBAND FOUND OUT THE SOCKET THAT HOLDS THE LIGHT WAS BURNT. THERE ARE MANY X5 OWNERS WITH THIS PROBLEM, THIS COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR THESE VEHICLES WITH THESE UNSAFE RECURRING PROBLEMS!! *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 100,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10680663 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10682655 · 2015-02-10 (February 10, 2015)
THE ISSUE IS SPECIFICALLY WITH THE BRAKING SYSTEM. THE CAR DEVELOPED A SUDDEN DANGEROUS LOSS OF BRAKING POWER. ONE MOMENT THE BRAKES WERE WORKING CORRECTLY AND THE NEXT THEY WERE NOT. BMW HAS 2 RECALLS FOR THIS ISSUE BUT FOR UNKNOWN REASONS MY CAR IS NOT INCLUDED IN EITHER RECALL. THE RECALL CAMPAIGNS ARE 10V-446 & 13V-045. THE DESCRIPTION OF THE PROBLEM IS THE FOLLOWING: "THIS RECALL INVOLVES THE POWER ASSIST BRAKING FUNCTION. A SMALL AMOUNT OF OIL COULD LEAK FROM THE BRAKE VACUUM PUMP INTO THE BRAKE VACUUM HOSE. OVER TIME, CONTAMINATION…
Owner-reported narrative. 63,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10682655 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11064301 · 2018-01-22 (January 22, 2018)
THE CAR SHOWED NO SIGNS OF ANY FAILURES, NO WARNING OR SERVICE LIGHTS, AND AS I WAS BACKING OUT OF A CROWDED PARKING LOT THE CAR STARTED EMITTING WHITE SMOKE OUT OF BOTH TAIL PIPES AND STALLED SUDDENLY. THE CAR WOULD NOT IMMEDIATELY RESTART AND I HAD TO PUSH IT BACK INTO A PARKING SPOT TO AVOID OTHER TRAFFIC. THE CAR WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED AFTER 10 MINUTES AND AGAIN EMITTED CLOUDS OF HEAVY WHITE SMOKE. AT THIS POINT I CALLED A TOW TRUCK AND HAD IT TOWED TO MY LOCAL BMW DEALER. I WAS INFORMED THAT THE CRANK CASE VENT VALVE APPARENTLY FROZE…
Owner-reported narrative. 118,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11064301 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10817083 · 2015-12-30 (December 30, 2015)
RECALL : BRAKE VACUUM PUMP RECALL MENTIONED THAT ALL X5 AFFECTED VEHICLES WERE BUILT FROM SEPTEMBER 12, 2006 THROUGH MARCH 18, 2010. MY CAR HAS SAME ISSUE AND ITS BUILT YEAR IS 2006 BUT COMPANY SAYS THAT MY VIN DOESN'T COME UNDER RECALL. THIS DOESN'T MAKE ANY SENSE, WHEN I HAVE ISSUE WHICH CAN CAUSE SERIOUS ACCIDENT THEN THEY SHOULD FIX IT. I AM NOT GETTING ANY HELP FROM BMW DEALERS SO I HAVE TO SPEND MY OWN MONEY TO FIX THE ISSUE WHICH SHOULD BE TAKEN CARE UNDER RECALL MENTIONED IN THE BEGINNING. MY VEHICLE IS WITH THE MECHANIC AND IT SHOWS T…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10817083 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10871663 · 2016-05-31 (May 31, 2016)
FIRE HAZARD, POTENTIAL ENGINE SHUTTING OF UNEXPECTEDLY: BATTERY CABLE AT CHARGE POINT UNDER HOOD MELTED AND CHARRED . DISCOVERY PRECEDED BY NOTICEABLE BURNING SMELL IDLING IN TRAFFIC. PLASTIC TERMINAL MOUNTING BASE MELTED AND CHARRED, TERMINAL DISCONNECTED FROM BASE, PLASTIC INSULATION AROUND CABLE TERMINAL CRIMP CHARRED AND MISSING. PARTS AFFECTED: 12 42 7 531 720 MAIN POWER CABLE CHARGE POINT TO ALTERNATOR; 12 52 1 439 674 BASE B+; 61 13 8 371 016 COVER BASE B+. EXAMINATION OF THE CRIMPED TERMINAL CONNECTING THE CABLE TO THE CHARGE POINT BOL…
Owner-reported narrative. 103,910 miles reported. Look up ODI 10871663 at NHTSA ↗