2006 Bmw X5 SAV: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10253933 · 2009-01-06 (January 6, 2009)
I'VE RECENTLY (LESS THAN 24 HOURS AGO), PURCHASED A 2006 BMW X5 WITH HEATED SEATS. JUST THIS MORNING ON MY WAY TO WORK, WITH THE OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE LESS THAN 30F, I TURN ON THE HEATED SEATS TO THE NUMBER II POSITION AND AFTER ABOUT 5 MINUTES, I START SEEING SMOKE/STEAM RISING UP FROM MY PELVIC AREA. I COULD SMELL IT WAS ALMOST LIKE PLASTIC BURNING. I TURNED OFF THE HEATED SEATS AND PULLED OVER IMMEDIATELY AND AFTER INSPECTION, THE LOWER SEAT LEFT SIDE BOLSTER HAD A BURN MARK IN IT. I COULDN'T BELIEVE IT. ALTHOUGH THE CAR COMES WITH ONLY A 90DA…
Owner-reported narrative. 86,730 miles reported. Look up ODI 10253933 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10298940 · 2010-01-11 (January 11, 2010)
2006 BMW X5. SEAT HEATER TURNED ON. SMELL OF BURNING RUBBER IN CABIN. SMOKE. BURN TO DRIVER BACK LEG. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 41,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10298940 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10384286 · 2011-02-24 (February 24, 2011)
MY 2006 X5 BMW 4.4I HAS RECENTLY EXPERIENCED A FAILURE IN THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG SENSOR WHICH FAILS TO IDENTIFY A PASSENGER IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AND THUS DOES NOT ACTIVATE THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 54,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10384286 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10451073 · 2012-03-10 (March 10, 2012)
I NOTICED THAT THE AIRBAG LIGHT WAS ON, I CALLED BMW AND THEY SCHEDULED ME FOR A APPOINTMENT THE FOLLOWING WEEK. ON THE DAY OF THE APPOINTMENT THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AND SHOWED THAT THE FRONT SEAT MAT WAS FAULTY. I PAID $1400 TO HAVE IT FIXED. FIVE MONTHS SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED BY THE DEALER, THE AIRBAG LIGHT WAS ON AGAIN WHICH MEANS THE AIRBAG WON'T DEPLOY WHEN IT'S NEEDED. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 68,166 miles reported. Look up ODI 10451073 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10468360 · 2012-07-30 (July 30, 2012)
TAIL LIGHTS ASSEMBLY (SOCKETS) ON BOTH SIDES BURNS AND MELTS EASILY CAUSING BULBS TO DIE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10468360 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10486353 · 2012-11-28 (November 28, 2012)
THE SENSOR IN THE PASSENGER'S SEAT FAILED SO THE AIRBAGS LIGHT STAYED ON AS WELL AS THE FASTEN SEATBELT. TRANSPORT CANADA ISSUED A RECALL # 2008307 AUG. 26, 2008 CONFIRMING THE PROBLEM AND THAT"THE OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT WILL BE GRANTEDA WARRANTY EXTENSION OF 10 YEARS" BMW WILL NOT HONOR THIS. I HAD TO ENTER WASHINGTON STATE AS CANADA IS NOT LISTED. CITY IS SURREY, BRITISH COLUMBIA, V4A8C1. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 59,862 miles reported. Look up ODI 10486353 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10488843 · 2012-12-14 (December 14, 2012)
PASSENGER SIDE SEAT SENSOR HAS FAILED, LEAVING AIRBAG IN PERMANENTLY DEACTIVATED STATE. THIS DEFECT WAS PREVIOUSLY SUBJECT OF RECALL IN OTHER VEHICLES IN SAME MODEL YEAR, BUT NOT PARTICULAR MONTH OF MANUFACTURE OF MINE ACCORDING TO VIN. HAVE REPORTED TO BMW DEALER AND BMW NA; CUSTOMER SERVICE AGENT AT BMW NA INITIALLY INDICATED THEY MIGHT COVER IT BUT THEN REQUEST WAS DENIED BY MANAGEMENT. I HAVE REQUESTED THEY SIMPLY DEACTIVATE THE SENSOR AND LEAVE THE AIRBAG ON, WHICH WOULD SEEM TO BE A LOW-COST REPAIR. THEY HAVE STATED THERE IS NO SAFETY …
Owner-reported narrative. 60,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10488843 at NHTSA ↗
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 ↗
Recall history
0 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
No recall campaigns are recorded in this snapshot.