2006 BMW X5

◆ Worse than typical

2006 BMW X5
RENDERED 2026-09-16T13:01:24.483Z

This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

2006: 168 complaints

View as data table

Year	Complaints
1999	0
2000	29
2001	160
2002	102
2003	99
2004	64
2005	82
2006	168
2007	71
2008	215
2009	138
2010	124
2011	263
2012	271
2013	148
2014	98
2015	152
2016	73
2017	73
2018	71
2019	184
2020	110
2021	103
2022	67
2023	31
2024	145
2025	61
2026	22

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.

AIR BAGS 52%

52% of complaints: air bags — 88 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing frontal and sensor/control module.

CRASH INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW X5. WHILE DRIVING 3 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE FRONT SIDE QUARTER PANEL OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE OTHER VEHICLE WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY.

NHTSA ODI report, 20071129

SERVICE BRAKES 18%

18% of complaints: service brakes — 30 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic and electric.

CRASH

Show complaint excerpts

BRAKE BOOSTER FAILED WHILE STOPPED WITHOUT ANY WARNING LIGHTS

NHTSA ODI report, 20171029

SEATS 15%

15% of complaints: seats — 25 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing seat heater/cooler.

FIRE INJURY

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When I switch on my driver seat for the heated seat it became so hot that the coils burned through my seat and make two round burn holes in the seat and burned my leg

NHTSA ODI report, 20240311

MY HEATED SEAT CAUGHT ON FIRE AND BURNED ME AND MY COAT. I VERY RARELY USED IT AT ALL. I STARTED USING IT AND IT WAS PROBABLY THE 10TH TIME I USED IT WHEN IT OCCURRED.

NHTSA ODI report, 20201210

DRIVER'S SIDE HEATED SEAT SHORTED WHILE DRIVING. IT CAUSED A SMALL FIRE AND BURNED A HOLE THROUGH THE LEATHER SEAT WHEN HEATED SEAT WAS TURNED ON. *TR

NHTSA ODI report, 20130323

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 12%

12% of complaints: electrical system — 20 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing wiring.

FIRE INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

I put a new battery and I need to unplugged the negative every time I turn it off. If I donât do this, the next day, the battery would be dead. I checked with the Ancel OBD2 and thereâs nothing wrong. It doesnât detect anything bad.

NHTSA ODI report, 20260814

SEAT BELTS 5%

5% of complaints: seat belts — 8 distinct reports on file.

CRASH

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20051130 — power train

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH AN INCORRECTLY MANUFACTURED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION PARKING PAWL GUIDE PLATE.

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.

Campaign 05V504000 — check if this car was fixed

▮ 2006 — complaint volume: 168

I 20080104 — EA (closed 20081231)

BMW AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATION

R 20140829 — air bags

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 w

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 repai

Campaign 13V564000 — check if this car was fixed