U.S. public vehicle records

2006 Bmw 5 SERIES problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

85 owner complaints analyzed

7 distinct recall campaigns

65,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2006 model year. Data updated: 2026-10-01 (October 1, 2026). 79 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 21 of 85 complaints (24.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
Topic	Matching reports	Share of complaints
Electrical and battery issues	12	14.1%
Braking behavior	10	11.8%
Transmission and shifting	6	7.1%
Engine operation	3	3.5%
Steering behavior	3	3.5%

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.

Air Bags

Electrical System

Air Bags:Frontal

Engine

Power Train:Automatic Transmission

Exterior Lighting

Visibility

Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module

Air Bags: 21; Electrical System: 18; Air Bags:Frontal: 13; Engine: 6; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 6; Exterior Lighting: 4; Visibility: 4; Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module: 3

Reported problems by failure mileage

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

Under 25,000

25,000 to 49,999

50,000 to 74,999

75,000 to 99,999

100,000 to 149,999

150,000 and above

Under 25,000: 14; 25,000 to 49,999: 16; 50,000 to 74,999: 20; 75,000 to 99,999: 16; 100,000 to 149,999: 11; 150,000 and above: 2

50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (20). 6 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.

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2019

2006: 13; 2007: 3; 2008: 4; 2009: 7; 2010: 8; 2011: 22; 2012: 6; 2013: 5; 2014: 7; 2015: 4; 2016: 1; 2017: 4; 2019: 1

Pattern summary

Air Bags leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 12 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 10 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 6 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 10199844 · 2007-08-16 (August 16, 2007)

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 525XI. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE DECELERATED TO 10 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO DRIVE OVER 10 MPH. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS WATER ON THE PASSENGER FLOOR OF THE VEHICLE, WHICH DAMAGED ALL OF THE WIRING AND SENSORS. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHERE THE WATER ORIGINATED, BUT SUGGESTED THAT IT MAY HAVE ENTERED THROUGH AN OPEN WINDOW WHILE IT WAS RAINING. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 13,859.

Owner-reported narrative. 13,859 miles reported. Look up ODI 10199844 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10265617 · 2009-04-16 (April 16, 2009)

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 5 SERIES. AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE ONE MORNING, ALL OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW SZL MODULE, WHICH CONTROLLED MOST OF THE COMPUTER FUNCTIONS IN THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER DID NOT HAVE THE PART AVAILABLE, BUT ASSURED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SAFE TO DRIVE. THREE WEEKS AFTER THE INCIDENT, WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE STEERING AND BRAKES FAILED. THE FAILURE LASTED LESS THAN A MINUTE, BUT DURING THIS TIME HE WAS UNABLE TO STOP OR STEER THE VEH…

Owner-reported narrative. 7,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10265617 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10155527 · 2006-04-17 (April 17, 2006)

COMPUTER LOCKED KEY, ALL LIGHTS INSIDE CAR AND OUTSIDE FLICKERED OUT OF CONTROL, THEN 2 WEEKS LATER BRAKE DID NOT ENGAGE WHILE TRYING TO STOP AND THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A POLE. *JB

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10155527 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10364132 · 2010-11-05 (November 5, 2010)

BMW CAR CAN BE A DEATH TRAP! MY 2006 530I SMG GEARBOX WITH 34K MILES LOST POWER COMPLETELY WITHOUT WARNING ON THE ROAD. LUCKILY, I WAS APPROACHING A STOP LIGHT AND THE CAR BECAME UNDRIVABLE AND NEEDED TO BE TOLLED AWAY. I WAS 5 MINUTES FROM GETTING ON A HIGHWAY AND IF I WAS ON HIGHWAY, IT WOULD BE A DIFFERENT STORY. THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO A LEAK IN THE HYDRAULIC COMPONENT OF THE TRANSMISSION. THIS IS A SEALED SYSTEM WITH NO USER SERVICEABLE/INSPECTION SUPPORT AND OBVIOUSLY THE CAR HAS NO MONITOR FACILITY FOR THIS COMPONENT SINCE THERE WAS NO W…

Owner-reported narrative. 33,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10364132 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10373923 · 2011-01-03 (January 3, 2011)

THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION OF MY 2006 BMW 525I, WITH APP 65,000 MILES, FAILED AND THE DEALER TELL ME THAT I HAVE TO PAY FOR A REPLACEMENT. I FEEL THAT A TRANSMISSION SHOULD LAST MORE THAN 65,000 MILE AND THUS SHOULD BE REPLACED AT BMW'S EXPENSE. MY RESEARCH INDICATES THAT THESE ARE AN ANUSUALLY HIGH RATE OF TRANSMISSION FAILURES IN THESE CARS, AND THE RECALL SHOULD BE MANDATED. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 65,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10373923 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10212861 · 2007-12-26 (December 26, 2007)

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 525I. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 25-30 AND 60-65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLS. THE ENTIRE I-DRIVE (COMPUTER SYSTEM) FREEZES AND THE VEHICLE HAS TO BE PULLED OVER AND RESTARTED. CURRENTLY, THE STALLING OCCURS WEEKLY, WHEREAS INITIALLY, IT OCCURRED EVERY FEW MONTHS. THE DEALER KEEPS THE VEHICLE FOR AT LEAST THREE DAYS EACH TIME THE FAILURE OCCURS. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER FIVE TIMES AND THEY HAVE INSTALLED NEW SOFTWARE. HOWEVER, AFTER A MONTH, THE FAILURE RECURS. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AN…

Owner-reported narrative. 51,574 miles reported. Look up ODI 10212861 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10267870 · 2009-05-06 (May 6, 2009)

THE SUNROOF DRAIN CLOGGED IN MY 2006 BMW 530XI STATION WAGON CAUSING WATER TO POOL IN THE CAR AND SHORT OUT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WHILE I WAS DRIVING, WHICH RESULTED IN THE LOSS OF POWER TO THE DASHBOARD INCLUDING THE SPEEDOMETER. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER TOLD ME THAT THIS WAS THE SECOND 2006 BMW 530XI STATION WAGON HE HAD TOWED THAT DAY FOR THE VERY SAME PROBLEM, THE DEALERSHIP TELLS ME THAT IT'S A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THE SUNROOF DRAINS TO GET CLOGGED BY POLLEN AND PINE NEEDLES, WHICH SOUNDS LIKE A DESIGN F…

Owner-reported narrative. 51,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10267870 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10415426 · 2011-07-27 (July 27, 2011)

I HAD A RECENT PROBLEM WITH OUR 525I. I WAS DRIVING IT AND IT LOST POWER/DIED. WHEN THE VEHICLE DIED, I LOST POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES. THE CAR WOULD NOT RESTART AND NO ERROR LIGHTS OR MESSAGES WERE DISPLAYED ON THE IDRIVE. I HAD THE CAR TOWED HOME. AFTER THE INITIAL CHECK OF THE VEHICLE, IT SHOWED THE CRANK SENSOR FAULT. I NOTICED A BUNCH OF METAL THROW OFF IN THE OIL FILTER AND THE VEHICLE DID NOT HAVE COMPRESSION IN CYLINDER 2 AND 6. I WAS THINKING CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE. SINCE I AM VERY FAMILIAR WITH AMERICAN/JAPANESE VEHIC…

Owner-reported narrative. 85,047 miles reported. Look up ODI 10415426 at NHTSA ↗

Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.

Data completeness

85 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.

92.9%Usable mileage79 / 85 records

100.0%Valid incident date85 / 85 records

100.0%Valid filing date85 / 85 records

100.0%Ordered incident and filing dates85 / 85 records

Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.

Problems by model year

Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.

From model yearThrough model year

Component complaint heatmap
Component	2009	2010	2011	2012	2023
Air Bags	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	116.7% ODI 10370053 · 5,000 mi AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATES WITH ADULT PASSENGER FIRMLY BELTED INTO PASSENGER SEAT. LIGHT REMAINS ILLUMINATED FOR PERIODS WHICH VARY FROM 5 MINUTES TO 30 MINUTES. THERE IS NO WAY TO TELL IF THIS IS A DEFECTIVE LIGHT ONLY OR IF THE AIR BAG IS INOPERATIVE. AN ADDITIONAL SAFETY CONCERN IS THAT BMW DIAGNOSTIC TECHNIQUES ARE NOT ABLE TO DETECT THIS FAILURE. BMW REFUSES TO CORRECT THE DEFECT. Look up ODI 10370053 at NHTSA ↗	11.2% ODI 10661924 · 50,400 mi INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. OTHER VEHICLE GOING SOUTHBOUND CROSSED OVER MEDIAN STRIP OF HIGHWAY, HIT THREE CARS GOING NORTHBOUND, MINE WAS THIRD CAR TO BE STRUCK. OFFENDING CAR DID A 360 IN FRONT OF ME, I SLOWED TO ABOUT 25 AND HE MOVED INTO ME. I STRUCK HIS REAR PASSENGER SIDE CORNER. I HAD FRONT END DAMAGE OVER $5K. NO AIRBAG, BUT DEFAULT MESSAGES AND AN AIRBAG ICON CAME ON THE VIDEO SCREEN AND THE FRONT INSTRUMENT PANEL. IT STATES "DRIVER AND PASSENGER AIRBAG OR RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION." *JS Look up ODI 10661924 at NHTSA ↗	110.0% ODI 10993684 TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BMW 5-SERIES. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 17V020000 (AIR BAGS) AND 17V138000 (POWER TRAIN). THE PART FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE DEALER, BMW OF COLUMBUS, GEORGIA, AND WAS INFORMED THAT PARTS WERE ORDERED FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V020000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, VIN TOOL CONFIRMS REMEDY NOT YET AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTUR… Look up ODI 10993684 at NHTSA ↗	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Electrical System	125.0% ODI 10402394 · 28,000 mi CURRENTLY HAVE A 2009 BMW 550I. VEHICLE HAS HAD AN ONGOING AND UNIDENTIFIABLE ELECTRICAL ISSUE CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO OFTEN AND WITHOUT INITIAL NOTICE "LOOSE POWER" AND GO INTO A "SAFETY MODE" OPERATING AT A REDUCED POWER BY NOT GOING ABOVE 30MPH AND/OR 3000RPM'S. VEHICLE WITH OFTEN START "BOGGING" AND "SHUTTERING(SHAKING)" AND WILL OFTEN ATTEMPT TO "SURGE" FORWARD WHILE SITTING IN TRAFFIC OFTEN TRYING TO CAUSE A REAR END ACCIDENT WITH THE VEHICLE INFRONT. THE DRIVER OF THE BMW OFTEN HAS TO "STAND" ON THE BRAKES IN ORDER TO PREVENT THE VEHICL… Look up ODI 10402394 at NHTSA ↗	116.7% ODI 10370053 · 5,000 mi AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATES WITH ADULT PASSENGER FIRMLY BELTED INTO PASSENGER SEAT. LIGHT REMAINS ILLUMINATED FOR PERIODS WHICH VARY FROM 5 MINUTES TO 30 MINUTES. THERE IS NO WAY TO TELL IF THIS IS A DEFECTIVE LIGHT ONLY OR IF THE AIR BAG IS INOPERATIVE. AN ADDITIONAL SAFETY CONCERN IS THAT BMW DIAGNOSTIC TECHNIQUES ARE NOT ABLE TO DETECT THIS FAILURE. BMW REFUSES TO CORRECT THE DEFECT. Look up ODI 10370053 at NHTSA ↗	67.4% ODI 10355492 · 6 mi I PURCHASED 2011 MODEL BMW 535I IN AUGUST 2010. THERE ARE 3 CIGARETTE LIGHTER POWER OUTLETS INSIDE THE CAR AND ELECTRICITY IS SUPPLYING ALL THE TIME REGARDLESS OF WHETHER VEHICLE IS BEING LOCKED OR NOT. IF I USE ACCESSORIES LIKE GPS, CHARGER, COFFER WARMER ETC. AND LEFT IN THE LOCKED VEHICLE UNDER SUMMER SUN COULD REALLY BE A FIRE HAZARD. I HAVE CONTACTED TO BMW CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND LOCAL SERVICE ASKING TO REWIRE TO STOP POWER SUPPLY WHILE ENGINE IS STOPPED OR/AND VEHICLE IS LOCKED BUT THEY REFUSED TO FIX THE PROBLEM. I HAVE ANOTHER COM… Look up ODI 10355492 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Fuel System, Gasoline	250.0% ODI 10586316 · 83,000 mi THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY. THE STALL IS RELATED TO THE CAMSHAFT SENSOR NOT PROPERLY WORKING AND THE FUEL SYSTEM NOT WORKING PROPERLY. I HAVE A 2009 BMW 528I. IN APRIL 2014 BMW DID A RECALL RELATED TO THE CAMSHAFT FOR 2010 - 2014 528 BMW'S. I CONTACTED MY LOCAL DEALER AND THE NATIONAL BMW DEALER TO LET THEM KNOW I WAS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH MY 2009 AND TO SEE IF THEY WERE GOING TO EXPAND THE RECALL TO INCLUDE THE 2009 MODELS. THEY TOLD ME NO AT THIS TIME THEY DIDN'T HAVE ANY INFORMATION REGARDING EXPANDING THE… Look up ODI 10586316 at NHTSA ↗	116.7% ODI 10415863 WHEN THE TEMPERATURE HITS 100 DEGREES AS IT DOES IN THE DESERT 5 MONTHS OR SO PER YEAR, THE INTERIOR CABIN FILLS UP WITH VERY HARMFUL GAS FUMES. WE OWNED A 2008 AND THE SAME SITUATION. AS A RESULT OF THIS AND PROBLEMS WITH THE FUEL PUMP ON THE 2008, THE DEALERSHIP BOUGHT THE CAR BACK. MY HUSBAND REALLY WANTED ANOTHER BMW AND WHEN HE WAS LOOKING AT BUYING THE 2010 HE WAS TOLD ALL THE PROBLEMS INCLUDING THE GAS FUMES HAD BEEN RESOLVED. NOT SO. THE CAR HAS BEEN BACK TO SERVICE TWICE FOR THE GAS FUMES AND NO ONE CAN SHED ANY LIGHT ON THE SITUA… Look up ODI 10415863 at NHTSA ↗	22.5% ODI 10353634 · 1,320 mi THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED, MY WIFE DROVE OUR 2011 BMW 535I TO WORK AND THE FUEL GAUGE WAS READING HALF TANK. IT'S ONLY APPROX. 20 MILES TO WORK ROUND TRIP TO OUR HOUSE BUT WHEN SHE CAME BACK HOME THE FUEL GAUGE WAS ALMOST EMPTY AND FLASHING WARNING LIGHT FUEL REFILL IS SHOWING. I DROVE THE CAR FOR THE PAST FEW DAYS AND I NOTICED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE INDICATOR SEEMED TO BE STAYING ALL THE TIME AT HALF TANK READING. I DROVE IT THIS MORNING TO OUR FAMILY PHYSICIAN AND TO THE MALL AND I STILL NOTICED THE FUEL GAUGE INDICATOR IS NOT MOVING AND WAS R… Look up ODI 10353634 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Tires	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	3037.0% ODI 10392446 · 200 mi SIDE WALL BUBBLES ON GOODYEAR EAGLE LS2 RUN ON FLATS SUPPLIED WITH 2011 BMW 550XI SPORT PACKAGE WHEN DRIVING OVER SMALL POTHOLES OR ROAD IMPERFECTIONS Look up ODI 10392446 at NHTSA ↗	220.0% ODI 10520720 · 11,000 mi THREE TIRE BUBBLES, FIRST AT 11,000 MILES, TWO MORE AT 12,000. ORIGINAL TIRES ON BMW 535XI SPORT. "GOODYEAR EAGLE LS-2 RUNONFLAT" 245/40R19 BMW QUICKLY REPLACED FOUR TIRES WITH MICHELIN, AT PRORATED COST, SO THEY KNOW THE PROBLEM. TIRES MUST BE RECALLED FOR SAFETY!!!!!!!!! *TR Look up ODI 10520720 at NHTSA ↗	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Steering	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	2024.7% ODI 10348375 · 100 mi EVER SINCE I'VE OWNED THIS VEHICLE, I NOTICED IT PULLS TO THE RIGHT. IT CONSTANTLY PULLS TO THE RIGHT AND THE DEALER HAS NO FIX YET. *TR Look up ODI 10348375 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Engine And Engine Cooling	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	116.7% ODI 10369896 · 10,000 mi THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM HAPPENED. THE FIRST TIME THE CAR LOST POWER WHEN REVS WENT UP ABOVE 3.5K RPM AND RECOVERED AS SOON AS REVS FELL BELOW THIS RANGE. THIS ALMOST RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT SINCE THE DRIVER BEHIND ME WAS TAKEN BY SURPRISE WITH THE ABRUPT REDUCTION IN SPEED. I TOOK THE CAR TO BMW FOR SERVICE AND THEY REPORTED IT HAD BEEN FIXED. THE SECOND INCIDENT OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING AT 60MPH ON THE LEFTMOST LANE OF A THREE LANE HIGHWAY. THE CAR COMPLETELY LOST POWER AND A WARNING WAS DISPLAYED INDICATING: "ENGINE MALF… Look up ODI 10369896 at NHTSA ↗	44.9% ODI 10356826 · 1,969 mi I TOOK DELIVERY OF A NEW 2011 535I ON 7/11/10. THE CAR WAS BUILT ON 6/1/10. ON 9/5/10 (ODOMETER READING LESS THAN 2000 MILES), I WAS DRIVING ON LOCAL STREETS AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH WHEN THE CAR REPORTED AN ENGINE MALFUNCTION ERROR AND THE CAR SHUTDOWN. I PUSHED THE GAS PEDAL AND THERE WAS NO RESPONSE AND STEERING LOCKED UP. THE CAR WAS PUSHED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THEN TOWED TO THE BMW DEALERSHIP. INITIAL ANALYSIS FROM THE BMW DEALERSHIP WAS THAT THE ERROR RECORDED (FAULT STORED FOR VALVETRONIC SYSTEM. DEVIATION TOO GREAT. FREQUENCY 1 L… Look up ODI 10356826 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Air Bags:Frontal	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Engine	125.0% ODI 10586316 · 83,000 mi THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY. THE STALL IS RELATED TO THE CAMSHAFT SENSOR NOT PROPERLY WORKING AND THE FUEL SYSTEM NOT WORKING PROPERLY. I HAVE A 2009 BMW 528I. IN APRIL 2014 BMW DID A RECALL RELATED TO THE CAMSHAFT FOR 2010 - 2014 528 BMW'S. I CONTACTED MY LOCAL DEALER AND THE NATIONAL BMW DEALER TO LET THEM KNOW I WAS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH MY 2009 AND TO SEE IF THEY WERE GOING TO EXPAND THE RECALL TO INCLUDE THE 2009 MODELS. THEY TOLD ME NO AT THIS TIME THEY DIDN'T HAVE ANY INFORMATION REGARDING EXPANDING THE… Look up ODI 10586316 at NHTSA ↗	116.7% ODI 11056120 · 130,000 mi ON SUNDAY 12/03 I SUDDENLY HEARD A KNOCKING NOISE WHILE ACCELERATING AND IMMEDIATELY REACHED THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THE CAR CHECKED. THE DIAGNOSIS I RECEIVED IS THAT THERE HAS BEEN A FATAL FAILURE OF BEARING THAT CAUSE THE ENGINE TO GET DAMAGED AND IN NEED TO BE REPLACED. I LOOKED UP ON THE WEB AND FOUND OUT THAT IN 2014 BMW HAD A WORLDWIDE RECALL OF 2010 5 SERIES MODELS FOR A DEFECT IN THE ENGINE WHICH WOULD HAVE GENERATED THE SAME FAILURE I HAVE EXPERIENCE, SUDDENLY, ON SUNDAY. MY CAR WAS NEVER RECALLED, BUT THE FAILURE MODE AND THE YEAR OF… Look up ODI 11056120 at NHTSA ↗	33.7% ODI 10938827 · 48,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW 5-SERIES. WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V746000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000. Look up ODI 10938827 at NHTSA ↗	330.0% ODI 10895472 · 58,700 mi I WAS DRIVING AT ABOUT 65 MPH ON A HIGHWAY UPHILL, ENGINE COMPLETELY STALLED, NO POWER, GOT A MESSAGE "DRIVE-TRAIN MALFUNCTION, NO MAXIMUM OUTPUT, DRIVE MODERATELY". I WAS SURROUNDED BY CARS/SEMI TRUCKS, VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. MANAGED TO PULL OVER ON THE SHOULD. COULD NOT RESTART CAR, GOT A MESSAGE "AUTOMATIC START/STOP DEACTIVATED: ENGINE WILL NOT START AUTOMATICALLY. PRESS THE START/STOP BUTTON TO START THE ENGINE." ABOUT 30 MINS AFTER ENGINE STALLED, I FINALLY RESTARTED THE CAR. CONTINUED TO DRIVE ON THE HIGHWAY FOR ABOUT 10 MILES @ 60-65… Look up ODI 10895472 at NHTSA ↗	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.

Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.

Failure mileage by component

Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.

Component failure mileage distribution
Component	Mileage range (25th–75th percentile)	Median	Usable records	Examples
Air Bags	63,000–80,500 mi	71,000 mi	20	ODI 10221145 · 14,500 mi TLTHE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 525I. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE CONTACT'S WIFE BEGAN TO FEEL DIZZY. THE NEXT THING SHE REMEMBERED IS SMOKE APPEARING UNDER THE HOOD AND SHE REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT WAS INJURED AND HAD TO BE TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO AIR BAG RECALLS, BUT THERE IS AN OPEN INVESTIGATION REGARDING THE AIR BAGS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 14,500. Look up ODI 10221145 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10391549 · 44,000 mi THE CAR WITH VIN NUMBER STATED ABOVE HAS REPORTED A MALFUNCTION IN THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG. NHTSA RECALL ID # 08V384000 - AIR BAGS:FRONTAL" SHOWS THAT THE BMW 530I, MODEL YEARS 2004-2006 HAS BEEN RECALLED TO SPECIFICALLY ADDRESS THIS ISSUE. HOWEVER, UPON ARRIVING AT BMW OF ROSEVILLE (CALIFORNIA), I WAS TOLD THAT THE RECALL DOES NOT APPLY TO MY CAR SPECIFICALLY (DESPITE THE DESCRIPTION IN THE RECALL ITSELF), AND THAT I WOULD BE REQUIRED TO PAY $175 FOR A DIAGNOSIS FEE, AND THEN BE FULLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COST OF REPAIRS. THIS IS A SIGNIF… Look up ODI 10391549 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10405344 · 57,000 mi TLTHE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 5-SERIES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALERS DIAGNOSIS INDICATED THAT THE MAT SENSOR WAS DEFECTIVE AND EXPLAINED THAT A RECALL RELATED TO THE FAILURE WAS NOT RELATED TO CAMPAIGN# 08V384000 (AIR BAGS:FRONTAL); BUT THE CONTACTS VIN WAS NOT A PART OF THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60,000. Look up ODI 10405344 at NHTSA ↗
Electrical System	21,869–100,000 mi	51,000 mi	17	ODI 10173308 · 3,000 mi I PURCHASED CAR IN MAY 2005 AND WITHIN 4 WEEKS MY CAR LIGHTS AND SIGNAL WOULD JUST FLASH OUT OF CONTROL. THE CAR WOULD THEN BEEP ALL THE TIME. THE DEALER SAID THEY DON'T KNOW WHY. THEN THE COMPUTER LOCKED MY CAR. AFTER WAITED ALMOST 2 HOURS FOR ROADSIDE THE DEALER CAME TO BRING ME TO A RENTAL CAR DEALERSHIP. THE CAR WAS TOWED AND THEN THE CAR WAS RE KEYED. THE COMPUTER WAS UPDATED AND ALL ELECTRONICALLY DEFECTS WORKED BETTER THEN DELIVERY. JB Look up ODI 10173308 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10173309 · 15,000 mi AFTER NUMEROUS SERVICES FOR ELECTRONICALLY DEFECTIVE PROBLEMS, MY CARS COMPUTER SHUT DOWN. JUST SHUT DOWN. SINCE THE COMPUTER CONTROLS ALL FUNCTION I WAS LEFT WITH NO CONTROL OVER MY CAR. I WAS LEFT WITH NO GPS, NO CLIMATE CONTROL, NO ENTERTAINMENT CONTROL, AND IN ORDER IN HAVE THE CAR SERVICES WITH A COMPLIMENTARY VEHICLE IT HAD TO MAKE WEEKS TO BE SERVICED. EVEN THOUGH I WAS SOLD ON THE FACT THAT THE COMPANY WILL BE PICK UP THE CAR, HOW YOU DO WAIT. THE CAR HAD TO BE SERVICED TWO TIMES AND BECAME A HUGE IN CONVINCE. JB Look up ODI 10173309 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10199844 · 13,859 mi TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 525XI. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE DECELERATED TO 10 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO DRIVE OVER 10 MPH. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS WATER ON THE PASSENGER FLOOR OF THE VEHICLE, WHICH DAMAGED ALL OF THE WIRING AND SENSORS. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHERE THE WATER ORIGINATED, BUT SUGGESTED THAT IT MAY HAVE ENTERED THROUGH AN OPEN WINDOW WHILE IT WAS RAINING. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 13,859. Look up ODI 10199844 at NHTSA ↗
Air Bags:Frontal	44,000–90,000 mi	81,700 mi	13	ODI 10156087 · 1,300 mi I WAS DRIVING A NEW BMW M5 IN CHICAGO ON LOWER LAKE SHORE DRIVE (THE BRIDGE OVER THE CHICAGO RIVER.) AT APPROXIMATLY 30-35 MILES/HOUR THE CAR WAS NOT CONTROLLABLE AND THIS RESULTED IN TO A MAJOR CRASH WITH SIGNIFICANT INJURY, SEVERAL DEVICES WERE NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY INCLUDING THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIR-BAGS. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING FOR OVER THIRTY YEARS AND DURING THIS TIME I DID NOT EXPERIENCE EVEN A MINOR ACCIDENT NOR DID I EVER RECEIVE A TICKET FOR A TRAFFIC VIOLATION. JB Look up ODI 10156087 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10176161 · 14,700 mi DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A 2 MPH COLLISION, AND THE DRIVER AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITH VERY LOW PRESSURE, AS IF OOZING OUT. THERE WAS NO POLICE REPORT TAKEN AT THE SCENE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE REPAIR SHOP, WHERE THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO NOTIFIED. Look up ODI 10176161 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10276507 · 68,550 mi AIR BAG / PASSIVE RESTRAINT SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT IS ILLUMINATED ON MY 2006 BMW 525IX WITH THE EXACT SAME SYMPTOMS REPORTED ON THE RECALL FOR 5 SERIES 2006 MODELS. HOWEVER, BMW IS STATING THAT MY VIN IS NOT ONE OF THE IMPACTED MODELS. I BELIEVE THIS PROBLEM IS PART OF THE KNOW ISSUES AND MY VEHICLE SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. A CONSUMER SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY $1,500 TO HAVE A SAFETY FEATURE WORKING. I AM HOPING THAT YOU CAN INCLUDE MY VIN IN THE RECALL SINCE THE SYMPTOMS ARE EXACTLY AS REPORTED IN HE RECALL STATEMENT. *TR Look up ODI 10276507 at NHTSA ↗
Engine	69,000–104,449 mi	86,000 mi	6	ODI 10573900 · 68,000 mi I BOUGHT A USED BMW FROM LONG ISLAND AUTO FIND. BEFORE PICKING IT UP I TOLD NICK CERTAIN THINGS NEEDED TO BE DONE THERE WAS A DRAFTY SOUND COMING FROM THE MOON ROOF THE CENTER RIMS WERE CORRODED, BOLTS WERE MISSING FROM THE VALVE COVER. I WAS CALLED THREE DAYS IN A ROW BY NICK WHO CLAIMED EVERYTHING WAS DONE AND THE CAR WAS READY TO BE PICKED UP. WHEN I GOT THE RE NOT ONLY WAS THE BATTERY DEAD, NOTHING ON MY LIST WAS DONE! I HAVE SINCE HAD THE CAR 5 MONTH AND I HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP 5 WEEKS SO FAR. PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG MALFUNCTIONED AND NEE… Look up ODI 10573900 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10585739 · 69,000 mi I BOUGHT THE CAR IT HAD AN OIL LEAK, RADIATOR LEAK, DEVELOPED AN AIR BAG MALFUNCTION, THE ENGINE STOPPED RUNNING, TAR IS ACCUMULATING ON TOP OF THE SUNROOF EVERY TIME I OPEN IT, THE HEATER FAN MAKES NOISE, THE TRANSMISSION MAKES NOISE AFTER FOUR ATTEMPTS IT IS STILL LEAKING OIL. ALL OF MY FRIENDS WHO OWN BMW'S HAVE ALSO HAD AIR BAG MALFUNCTIONS. NONE WERE PART OF THE RECALL, ALL PAID $1,300.00 TO HAVE IT FIXED. BMW SHOULD HAVE RECALLED ALL OF THEM. THE PURPOSE OF RECALLING SOME IS TO AVOID A TOTAL RECALL. THEY ARE BUILDING THEIR CARS WITH I… Look up ODI 10585739 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10677109 · 120,000 mi THE 2006 BMW 5 SERIES USED ALUMINUM HEAD AND VALVE COVER BOLTS WHICH WERE OVER-TORQUED DURING ASSEMBLY AND BREAK AFTER APPROXIMATELY 80K. BMW ADMITS THIS PROBLEM EXISTS BUT REFUSES TO ISSUE A RECALL. BMW'S REPAIR COST IS ~$6000. THESE BOLTS ARE NON SERVICEABLE AND SHOULD NEVER BE REMOVED, WHEN BROKEN THEY CAUSE MASSIVE OIL LEAKS AND POSSIBLY FIRE. I CONTACTED BMW, THEY REQUESTED TO REVIEW THE CAR. BMW AGREED THAT THE BOLTS WERE BROKEN THEN REFUSED TO FIX THE PROBLEM CLAIMING THE CAR HAS TOO MANY MILES. BMW KNEW THE MILEAGE WHEN THEY REQ… Look up ODI 10677109 at NHTSA ↗
Power Train:Automatic Transmission	36,600–83,000 mi	55,000 mi	6	ODI 10173733 · 8,000 mi DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE ENGINE HESITATED WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP. THE HESITATION OF THE ENGINE LASTED BETWEEN 5 TO 10 SECONDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SERVICE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER, WHO DID NOT FIND ANY PROBLEM WITH THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INVOLVED IN ANY ACCIDENTS.AK WHEN PULLING OUT INTO TRAFFIC, THE VEHICLE HESITATED. THE CONSUEMER WAS TOLD THE VEHICLE IS UNDERPOWERED FOR ITS WEIGHT. UPDATED 12/18/06. JB Look up ODI 10173733 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10357973 · 45,000 mi 2006 BMW 530I - WHEN STOPPING, CAR LURCHES FORWARD FORCEFULLY. ALMOST HIT CAR IN FRONT OF ME - FELT LIKE SOMEONE HIT ME. TR Look up ODI 10357973 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10364132 · 33,800 mi BMW CAR CAN BE A DEATH TRAP! MY 2006 530I SMG GEARBOX WITH 34K MILES LOST POWER COMPLETELY WITHOUT WARNING ON THE ROAD. LUCKILY, I WAS APPROACHING A STOP LIGHT AND THE CAR BECAME UNDRIVABLE AND NEEDED TO BE TOLLED AWAY. I WAS 5 MINUTES FROM GETTING ON A HIGHWAY AND IF I WAS ON HIGHWAY, IT WOULD BE A DIFFERENT STORY. THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO A LEAK IN THE HYDRAULIC COMPONENT OF THE TRANSMISSION. THIS IS A SEALED SYSTEM WITH NO USER SERVICEABLE/INSPECTION SUPPORT AND OBVIOUSLY THE CAR HAS NO MONITOR FACILITY FOR THIS COMPONENT SINCE THERE WAS NO W… Look up ODI 10364132 at NHTSA ↗
Exterior Lighting	Too few reports for a range	110,285 mi	4 (sparse)	ODI 10278369 · 74,000 mi THE PANORAMIC SUNROOF ON E60 BMW WAGONS HAS A FAULTY DESIGN OF THE DRAINS WHICH RE-DIRECTS WATER INTO THE REAR OF THE CAR (SPARE TIRE AREA) CAUSING MULTIPLE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS TO FAIL WHILE DRIVING: LIGHTS, WINDSHIELD WIPERS, DOOR LOCKS, SPEEDOMETER, ETC. IN MY CASE, THE FAILURE OCCURRED TWICE IN A PERIOD OF 18 MONTHS. THE DEALER AND BMW NORTH AMERICA REPAIRED THE CAR AT OWNERS' EXPENSE ALTHOUGH AN EXTENDED WARRANTY WAS IN FORCE. THERE HAS BEEN A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ISSUED BY BMW BUT THE DEALER DOES NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THE FLAW AND REFERS… Look up ODI 10278369 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10482218 · 82,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 535XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT ASSEMBLY SHORTED OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO DECIDED TO REPLACE ALL THREE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS, REAR DRIVER SIDE REVERSE LIGHT AND BOTH TURN SIGNALS IN THE REAR. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOORS ON THE VEHICLE APPEAR TO CLOSE AND LATCHED AND INADVERTANTLY OPEN. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED OF RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 12V504000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES: DOORS: LATCH) BUT WAS INFORMED IT ONLY AFFECTED THE 2007 MODEL. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEE… Look up ODI 10482218 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10683432 · 138,570 mi A MESSAGE ON THE VEHICLE DISPLAY SCREEN INDICATED THAT THE RIGHT-SIDE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT WAS MALFUNCTIONING. I REMOVED THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY TO REPLACE THE BULB AND FOUND THE WIRING INSULATION IS CRUMBLING TO THE TOUCH, RESULTING IN A SHORT CIRCUIT. THE HEADLIGHT BULB IS NOT ACTUALLY BURNED OUT. THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ON THE BMW FORUMS BUT BMW AND THE HEADLIGHT MANUFACTURER, HELLA, REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM OR DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. *TR Look up ODI 10683432 at NHTSA ↗
Visibility	Too few reports for a range	47,421 mi	4 (sparse)	ODI 10278369 · 74,000 mi THE PANORAMIC SUNROOF ON E60 BMW WAGONS HAS A FAULTY DESIGN OF THE DRAINS WHICH RE-DIRECTS WATER INTO THE REAR OF THE CAR (SPARE TIRE AREA) CAUSING MULTIPLE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS TO FAIL WHILE DRIVING: LIGHTS, WINDSHIELD WIPERS, DOOR LOCKS, SPEEDOMETER, ETC. IN MY CASE, THE FAILURE OCCURRED TWICE IN A PERIOD OF 18 MONTHS. THE DEALER AND BMW NORTH AMERICA REPAIRED THE CAR AT OWNERS' EXPENSE ALTHOUGH AN EXTENDED WARRANTY WAS IN FORCE. THERE HAS BEEN A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ISSUED BY BMW BUT THE DEALER DOES NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THE FLAW AND REFERS… Look up ODI 10278369 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10359336 · 39,000 mi TLTHE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 530 XIT. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT WHEN IT RAINED THE WATER PENETRATED THE VEHICLE SPARE TIRE AREA CAUSING DAMAGED TO THE VEHICLE MAIN ELECTRICAL SYSTEM CAUSING THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL AND ALL ELECTRICAL FUNCTION TO FAIL. THE CONTACT STATED HE EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WILL CLEAN THE HOSES CLEAN THE UPHOLSTERY FABRIC, REPLACED THE DAMAGED WIRING SYSTEM. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WERE 39,000. UPDATED 01/20/11 BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE MOONROOF WAS NOT … Look up ODI 10359336 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10370017 · 45,342 mi WHILE DRIVING IN HEAVY RAIN, THE VEHICLE'S ELECTRONIC CONTROL SYSTEM ISSUED A FRENZY OF ALERTS, AND INTERRUPTED FUNCTION OF SEVERAL SUBSYSTEMS INCLUDING THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS. THE SYSTEM ISSUED A MESSAGE "CONTINUED DRIVING NOT POSSIBLE" AND THEN FURTHER ALERTS. THE BMW CENTER EXAMINED THE CAR AND STATED THAT WATER HAD ENTERED THE CAR THROUGH THE SUNROOF DRAINAGE SYSTEM AND FLOODED THE COMPARTMENT HOUSING THE CONTROL SYSTEMS, CAUSING THE SUDDEN MALFUNCTION. DESPITE THE FACT THAT THERE IS NO MAINTENANCE PROTOCOL ESTABLISHED BY BMW FOR THE DRAINA… Look up ODI 10370017 at NHTSA ↗
Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module	Too few reports for a range	21,000 mi	2 (sparse)	ODI 10173310 · 17,000 mi CAR STARTED BEEPING UNCONTROLLABLY THAN SERVICE LIGHT REPORTED A MALFUNCTION IN THE AIR PAGES AND SEAT BELT RESTRAINTS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE SEATS. DEALER DIAGNOSED PROBLEM AS DEFECTED SENSORS. HAD TO WAIT FOR PART THEN RETURN FOR ANOTHER SERVICE TRIP AND WAIT FOR COMPLIMENTARY CAR. ITS AMAZING WHEN YOUR IN A CAR SERVICE IS AN EMERGENCY THEY NEVER HAVE LOANER AVAILABLE. I DEPEND ON MY CAR, SO IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO WAIT FOR SERVICE. AGAIN WITH NO EXPLANATION THEY ALSO HAD TO UPDATE COMPUTER NOW MANY NEW FUNCTION THAT WERE NOT WORKING ARE NOW F… Look up ODI 10173310 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10175644 · 25,000 mi THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEAT HAS A SENSOR THAT DISABLES THE AIR BAG IF AN ADULT IS NOT SITTING IN THE SEAT (BASED ON WEIGHT) SINCE IT HAS BEEN DETERMINED THAT AIRBAGS ARE DANGEROUS FOR CHILDREN. THE SENSOR IN MY CAR IS MALFUNCTIONING AND ALWAYS KEEPS THE AIR BAG DISABLED, EVEN IF AN ADULT IS IN THE SEAT. DEALER HAS ORDERED A REPLACEMENT PART. I'M DRIVING AROUND WITHOUT AIR BAG PROTECTION FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT. *NM Look up ODI 10175644 at NHTSA ↗

Complaint and recall timeline

Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.

ComponentPeriod

Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.

Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples

Monthly complaint and recall timeline
Month	Campaigns announced	Examples
2024-11	None	No examples available for this selection.
2024-12	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-01	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-02	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-03	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-04	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-05	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-06	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-07	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-08	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-09	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-10	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-11	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-12	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-01	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-02	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-03	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-04	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-05	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-06	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-07	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-08	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-09	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-10 (partial)	None	No examples available for this selection.

Emerging complaint spikes

Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.

This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.

No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.

Equal-age model-year comparison

Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.

Observation windowFirst model yearSecond model year

2012: 5 complaints · 2023: 0 complaints

Equal observation windows
Model year	Through age 0	Through age 1	Through age 2
2012	1	3	5
2023	0	0	0

Date coverage across each selected cohort

Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
Year	Incident dates used	Filing date fallbacks	Excluded dates
2012	10	0	0
2023	0	0	0

Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.

Components reported together

Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.

Component co-occurrence matrix
Component	Air Bags	Electrical System	Air Bags:Frontal	Engine	Power Train:Automatic Transmission	Exterior Lighting	Visibility	Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module
Air Bags	—	1 ODI 10573050 · 82,000 mi ONE DAY WHILE DRIVING, MY CAR HAD AN ALERT COME ON THE I DRIVE SAYING THE PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM WAS MALFUNCTIONING. IT STAYED ON A FEW MONTHS AND THEN WENT AWAY FOR A FEW MONTHS. NOW THE PROBLEM IS OCCURRING AGAIN. *TR Look up ODI 10573050 at NHTSA ↗	1 ODI 10487726 · 92,000 mi THE PASSENGER SIDE OCCUPANCY SEAT MAT FOR THE AIRBAG FAILED. BMW HAS BULLETIN SIB 65 75 06, AIRBAG WARNING LAMP FOR OC3 SEAT MAT FAULT, THAT COVERS MY CARS BUILD DATE, BUT BMW STATES MY VIN IS NOT COVERED. THERE IS ALSO A CURRENT RECALL, NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V-384, BUT BMW STATES MY CAR IS NOT COVERED AND REFUSES TO HONOR THE 10 YEAR EXTENDED WARRANTY. MY CAR IS EXPERIENCING THIS SAME ISSUE, AS DIAGNOSED BY A LOCAL BMW DEALERS, BUT THEY HAVE FAILED TO COVER IT. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE THAT IS AFFECTING MANY CARS OUTSIDE OF THE RECALL.… Look up ODI 10487726 at NHTSA ↗	3 ODI 10573900 · 68,000 mi I BOUGHT A USED BMW FROM LONG ISLAND AUTO FIND. BEFORE PICKING IT UP I TOLD NICK CERTAIN THINGS NEEDED TO BE DONE THERE WAS A DRAFTY SOUND COMING FROM THE MOON ROOF THE CENTER RIMS WERE CORRODED, BOLTS WERE MISSING FROM THE VALVE COVER. I WAS CALLED THREE DAYS IN A ROW BY NICK WHO CLAIMED EVERYTHING WAS DONE AND THE CAR WAS READY TO BE PICKED UP. WHEN I GOT THE RE NOT ONLY WAS THE BATTERY DEAD, NOTHING ON MY LIST WAS DONE! I HAVE SINCE HAD THE CAR 5 MONTH AND I HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP 5 WEEKS SO FAR. PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG MALFUNCTIONED AND NEE… Look up ODI 10573900 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10585739 · 69,000 mi I BOUGHT THE CAR IT HAD AN OIL LEAK, RADIATOR LEAK, DEVELOPED AN AIR BAG MALFUNCTION, THE ENGINE STOPPED RUNNING, TAR IS ACCUMULATING ON TOP OF THE SUNROOF EVERY TIME I OPEN IT, THE HEATER FAN MAKES NOISE, THE TRANSMISSION MAKES NOISE AFTER FOUR ATTEMPTS IT IS STILL LEAKING OIL. ALL OF MY FRIENDS WHO OWN BMW'S HAVE ALSO HAD AIR BAG MALFUNCTIONS. NONE WERE PART OF THE RECALL, ALL PAID $1,300.00 TO HAVE IT FIXED. BMW SHOULD HAVE RECALLED ALL OF THEM. THE PURPOSE OF RECALLING SOME IS TO AVOID A TOTAL RECALL. THEY ARE BUILDING THEIR CARS WITH I… Look up ODI 10585739 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10939903 · 69,000 mi THE PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG MALFUNCTIONED CASING THE SEAT TO HAVE TO BE REMOVED AND SENSOR REPLACED. THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS BUT MY CAR, AND 2 OF MY FRIENDS CARS WERE NOT INCLUDED ON THE RECALL, MY FRIENDS WERE CHARGED BY THE DEALERSHIP. MY ENGINE LEAKS OIL ONTO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD CAUSING SMOKE IN THE CAB AND POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD. ON EVERY BM I HAVE EVER OWNED THE RADIATOR LEAKS FLUID WHICH IS ENVIRONMENTALLY HAZARDOUS AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED. Look up ODI 10939903 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	0	0
Electrical System	1 ODI 10573050 · 82,000 mi ONE DAY WHILE DRIVING, MY CAR HAD AN ALERT COME ON THE I DRIVE SAYING THE PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM WAS MALFUNCTIONING. IT STAYED ON A FEW MONTHS AND THEN WENT AWAY FOR A FEW MONTHS. NOW THE PROBLEM IS OCCURRING AGAIN. *TR Look up ODI 10573050 at NHTSA ↗	—	0	1 ODI 10744826 · 103,000 mi AIR CONDITIONING STOP WORK CAUSING MOTOR TO HEAT Look up ODI 10744826 at NHTSA ↗	0	3 ODI 10278369 · 74,000 mi THE PANORAMIC SUNROOF ON E60 BMW WAGONS HAS A FAULTY DESIGN OF THE DRAINS WHICH RE-DIRECTS WATER INTO THE REAR OF THE CAR (SPARE TIRE AREA) CAUSING MULTIPLE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS TO FAIL WHILE DRIVING: LIGHTS, WINDSHIELD WIPERS, DOOR LOCKS, SPEEDOMETER, ETC. IN MY CASE, THE FAILURE OCCURRED TWICE IN A PERIOD OF 18 MONTHS. THE DEALER AND BMW NORTH AMERICA REPAIRED THE CAR AT OWNERS' EXPENSE ALTHOUGH AN EXTENDED WARRANTY WAS IN FORCE. THERE HAS BEEN A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ISSUED BY BMW BUT THE DEALER DOES NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THE FLAW AND REFERS… Look up ODI 10278369 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10683432 · 138,570 mi A MESSAGE ON THE VEHICLE DISPLAY SCREEN INDICATED THAT THE RIGHT-SIDE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT WAS MALFUNCTIONING. I REMOVED THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY TO REPLACE THE BULB AND FOUND THE WIRING INSULATION IS CRUMBLING TO THE TOUCH, RESULTING IN A SHORT CIRCUIT. THE HEADLIGHT BULB IS NOT ACTUALLY BURNED OUT. THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ON THE BMW FORUMS BUT BMW AND THE HEADLIGHT MANUFACTURER, HELLA, REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM OR DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. *TR Look up ODI 10683432 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10979421 · 140,000 mi HEAD LIGHTS ANGLE LIGHTS WIRES GETTING VERY DRY FROM THE HEAT OF THE LIGHT AND THE INSULATION COMING OFF THE OPTICAL WIRES, LIGHTS GO OUT, POSSIBLE SHORTING AND BECOME VERY UNSAFE. Look up ODI 10979421 at NHTSA ↗	2 ODI 10278369 · 74,000 mi THE PANORAMIC SUNROOF ON E60 BMW WAGONS HAS A FAULTY DESIGN OF THE DRAINS WHICH RE-DIRECTS WATER INTO THE REAR OF THE CAR (SPARE TIRE AREA) CAUSING MULTIPLE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS TO FAIL WHILE DRIVING: LIGHTS, WINDSHIELD WIPERS, DOOR LOCKS, SPEEDOMETER, ETC. IN MY CASE, THE FAILURE OCCURRED TWICE IN A PERIOD OF 18 MONTHS. THE DEALER AND BMW NORTH AMERICA REPAIRED THE CAR AT OWNERS' EXPENSE ALTHOUGH AN EXTENDED WARRANTY WAS IN FORCE. THERE HAS BEEN A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ISSUED BY BMW BUT THE DEALER DOES NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THE FLAW AND REFERS… Look up ODI 10278369 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10370017 · 45,342 mi WHILE DRIVING IN HEAVY RAIN, THE VEHICLE'S ELECTRONIC CONTROL SYSTEM ISSUED A FRENZY OF ALERTS, AND INTERRUPTED FUNCTION OF SEVERAL SUBSYSTEMS INCLUDING THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS. THE SYSTEM ISSUED A MESSAGE "CONTINUED DRIVING NOT POSSIBLE" AND THEN FURTHER ALERTS. THE BMW CENTER EXAMINED THE CAR AND STATED THAT WATER HAD ENTERED THE CAR THROUGH THE SUNROOF DRAINAGE SYSTEM AND FLOODED THE COMPARTMENT HOUSING THE CONTROL SYSTEMS, CAUSING THE SUDDEN MALFUNCTION. DESPITE THE FACT THAT THERE IS NO MAINTENANCE PROTOCOL ESTABLISHED BY BMW FOR THE DRAINA… Look up ODI 10370017 at NHTSA ↗	0
Air Bags:Frontal	1 ODI 10487726 · 92,000 mi THE PASSENGER SIDE OCCUPANCY SEAT MAT FOR THE AIRBAG FAILED. BMW HAS BULLETIN SIB 65 75 06, AIRBAG WARNING LAMP FOR OC3 SEAT MAT FAULT, THAT COVERS MY CARS BUILD DATE, BUT BMW STATES MY VIN IS NOT COVERED. THERE IS ALSO A CURRENT RECALL, NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V-384, BUT BMW STATES MY CAR IS NOT COVERED AND REFUSES TO HONOR THE 10 YEAR EXTENDED WARRANTY. MY CAR IS EXPERIENCING THIS SAME ISSUE, AS DIAGNOSED BY A LOCAL BMW DEALERS, BUT THEY HAVE FAILED TO COVER IT. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE THAT IS AFFECTING MANY CARS OUTSIDE OF THE RECALL.… Look up ODI 10487726 at NHTSA ↗	0	—	0	0	0	0	0
Engine	3 ODI 10573900 · 68,000 mi I BOUGHT A USED BMW FROM LONG ISLAND AUTO FIND. BEFORE PICKING IT UP I TOLD NICK CERTAIN THINGS NEEDED TO BE DONE THERE WAS A DRAFTY SOUND COMING FROM THE MOON ROOF THE CENTER RIMS WERE CORRODED, BOLTS WERE MISSING FROM THE VALVE COVER. I WAS CALLED THREE DAYS IN A ROW BY NICK WHO CLAIMED EVERYTHING WAS DONE AND THE CAR WAS READY TO BE PICKED UP. WHEN I GOT THE RE NOT ONLY WAS THE BATTERY DEAD, NOTHING ON MY LIST WAS DONE! I HAVE SINCE HAD THE CAR 5 MONTH AND I HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP 5 WEEKS SO FAR. PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG MALFUNCTIONED AND NEE… Look up ODI 10573900 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10585739 · 69,000 mi I BOUGHT THE CAR IT HAD AN OIL LEAK, RADIATOR LEAK, DEVELOPED AN AIR BAG MALFUNCTION, THE ENGINE STOPPED RUNNING, TAR IS ACCUMULATING ON TOP OF THE SUNROOF EVERY TIME I OPEN IT, THE HEATER FAN MAKES NOISE, THE TRANSMISSION MAKES NOISE AFTER FOUR ATTEMPTS IT IS STILL LEAKING OIL. ALL OF MY FRIENDS WHO OWN BMW'S HAVE ALSO HAD AIR BAG MALFUNCTIONS. NONE WERE PART OF THE RECALL, ALL PAID $1,300.00 TO HAVE IT FIXED. BMW SHOULD HAVE RECALLED ALL OF THEM. THE PURPOSE OF RECALLING SOME IS TO AVOID A TOTAL RECALL. THEY ARE BUILDING THEIR CARS WITH I… Look up ODI 10585739 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10939903 · 69,000 mi THE PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG MALFUNCTIONED CASING THE SEAT TO HAVE TO BE REMOVED AND SENSOR REPLACED. THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS BUT MY CAR, AND 2 OF MY FRIENDS CARS WERE NOT INCLUDED ON THE RECALL, MY FRIENDS WERE CHARGED BY THE DEALERSHIP. MY ENGINE LEAKS OIL ONTO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD CAUSING SMOKE IN THE CAB AND POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD. ON EVERY BM I HAVE EVER OWNED THE RADIATOR LEAKS FLUID WHICH IS ENVIRONMENTALLY HAZARDOUS AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED. Look up ODI 10939903 at NHTSA ↗	1 ODI 10744826 · 103,000 mi AIR CONDITIONING STOP WORK CAUSING MOTOR TO HEAT Look up ODI 10744826 at NHTSA ↗	0	—	0	0	0	0
Power Train:Automatic Transmission	0	0	0	0	—	0	0	0
Exterior Lighting	0	3 ODI 10278369 · 74,000 mi THE PANORAMIC SUNROOF ON E60 BMW WAGONS HAS A FAULTY DESIGN OF THE DRAINS WHICH RE-DIRECTS WATER INTO THE REAR OF THE CAR (SPARE TIRE AREA) CAUSING MULTIPLE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS TO FAIL WHILE DRIVING: LIGHTS, WINDSHIELD WIPERS, DOOR LOCKS, SPEEDOMETER, ETC. IN MY CASE, THE FAILURE OCCURRED TWICE IN A PERIOD OF 18 MONTHS. THE DEALER AND BMW NORTH AMERICA REPAIRED THE CAR AT OWNERS' EXPENSE ALTHOUGH AN EXTENDED WARRANTY WAS IN FORCE. THERE HAS BEEN A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ISSUED BY BMW BUT THE DEALER DOES NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THE FLAW AND REFERS… Look up ODI 10278369 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10683432 · 138,570 mi A MESSAGE ON THE VEHICLE DISPLAY SCREEN INDICATED THAT THE RIGHT-SIDE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT WAS MALFUNCTIONING. I REMOVED THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY TO REPLACE THE BULB AND FOUND THE WIRING INSULATION IS CRUMBLING TO THE TOUCH, RESULTING IN A SHORT CIRCUIT. THE HEADLIGHT BULB IS NOT ACTUALLY BURNED OUT. THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ON THE BMW FORUMS BUT BMW AND THE HEADLIGHT MANUFACTURER, HELLA, REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM OR DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. *TR Look up ODI 10683432 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10979421 · 140,000 mi HEAD LIGHTS ANGLE LIGHTS WIRES GETTING VERY DRY FROM THE HEAT OF THE LIGHT AND THE INSULATION COMING OFF THE OPTICAL WIRES, LIGHTS GO OUT, POSSIBLE SHORTING AND BECOME VERY UNSAFE. Look up ODI 10979421 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	0	—	1 ODI 10278369 · 74,000 mi THE PANORAMIC SUNROOF ON E60 BMW WAGONS HAS A FAULTY DESIGN OF THE DRAINS WHICH RE-DIRECTS WATER INTO THE REAR OF THE CAR (SPARE TIRE AREA) CAUSING MULTIPLE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS TO FAIL WHILE DRIVING: LIGHTS, WINDSHIELD WIPERS, DOOR LOCKS, SPEEDOMETER, ETC. IN MY CASE, THE FAILURE OCCURRED TWICE IN A PERIOD OF 18 MONTHS. THE DEALER AND BMW NORTH AMERICA REPAIRED THE CAR AT OWNERS' EXPENSE ALTHOUGH AN EXTENDED WARRANTY WAS IN FORCE. THERE HAS BEEN A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ISSUED BY BMW BUT THE DEALER DOES NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THE FLAW AND REFERS… Look up ODI 10278369 at NHTSA ↗	0
Visibility	0	2 ODI 10278369 · 74,000 mi THE PANORAMIC SUNROOF ON E60 BMW WAGONS HAS A FAULTY DESIGN OF THE DRAINS WHICH RE-DIRECTS WATER INTO THE REAR OF THE CAR (SPARE TIRE AREA) CAUSING MULTIPLE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS TO FAIL WHILE DRIVING: LIGHTS, WINDSHIELD WIPERS, DOOR LOCKS, SPEEDOMETER, ETC. IN MY CASE, THE FAILURE OCCURRED TWICE IN A PERIOD OF 18 MONTHS. THE DEALER AND BMW NORTH AMERICA REPAIRED THE CAR AT OWNERS' EXPENSE ALTHOUGH AN EXTENDED WARRANTY WAS IN FORCE. THERE HAS BEEN A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ISSUED BY BMW BUT THE DEALER DOES NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THE FLAW AND REFERS… Look up ODI 10278369 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10370017 · 45,342 mi WHILE DRIVING IN HEAVY RAIN, THE VEHICLE'S ELECTRONIC CONTROL SYSTEM ISSUED A FRENZY OF ALERTS, AND INTERRUPTED FUNCTION OF SEVERAL SUBSYSTEMS INCLUDING THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS. THE SYSTEM ISSUED A MESSAGE "CONTINUED DRIVING NOT POSSIBLE" AND THEN FURTHER ALERTS. THE BMW CENTER EXAMINED THE CAR AND STATED THAT WATER HAD ENTERED THE CAR THROUGH THE SUNROOF DRAINAGE SYSTEM AND FLOODED THE COMPARTMENT HOUSING THE CONTROL SYSTEMS, CAUSING THE SUDDEN MALFUNCTION. DESPITE THE FACT THAT THERE IS NO MAINTENANCE PROTOCOL ESTABLISHED BY BMW FOR THE DRAINA… Look up ODI 10370017 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	0	1 ODI 10278369 · 74,000 mi THE PANORAMIC SUNROOF ON E60 BMW WAGONS HAS A FAULTY DESIGN OF THE DRAINS WHICH RE-DIRECTS WATER INTO THE REAR OF THE CAR (SPARE TIRE AREA) CAUSING MULTIPLE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS TO FAIL WHILE DRIVING: LIGHTS, WINDSHIELD WIPERS, DOOR LOCKS, SPEEDOMETER, ETC. IN MY CASE, THE FAILURE OCCURRED TWICE IN A PERIOD OF 18 MONTHS. THE DEALER AND BMW NORTH AMERICA REPAIRED THE CAR AT OWNERS' EXPENSE ALTHOUGH AN EXTENDED WARRANTY WAS IN FORCE. THERE HAS BEEN A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ISSUED BY BMW BUT THE DEALER DOES NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THE FLAW AND REFERS… Look up ODI 10278369 at NHTSA ↗	—	0
Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	—

Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.

Recurring narrative patterns

Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.

Search patterns

6 patterns with matching reports.

Warning lights and dashboard alerts

7 mentions · 8.2% of complaints

Median mileage: 72,000 mi (7 usable records).

ODI 10276507 · 68,550 mi

AIR BAG / PASSIVE RESTRAINT SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT IS ILLUMINATED ON MY 2006 BMW 525IX WITH THE EXACT SAME SYMPTOMS REPORTED ON THE RECALL FOR 5 SERIES 2006 MODELS. HOWEVER, BMW IS STATING THAT MY VIN IS NOT ONE OF THE IMPACTED MODELS. I BELIEVE THIS PROBLEM IS PART OF THE KNOW ISSUES AND MY VEHICLE SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. A CONSUMER SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY $1,500 TO HAVE A SAFETY FEATURE WORKING. I AM HOPING THAT YOU CAN INCLUDE MY VIN IN THE RECALL SINCE THE SYMPTOMS ARE EXACTLY AS REPORTED IN HE RECALL STATEMENT. *TR

Look up ODI 10276507 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10395837 · 90,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 525I. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WITH THE PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPIED WHEN THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE WAS ONGOING FOR APPROXIMATELY SIX MONTHS AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER ADVISED HIM THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR WAS FAILING AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. HE THEN CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V384000(AIR BAGS:FRONTAL) AND WAS ADVISED THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REP…

Look up ODI 10395837 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10427919 · 72,000 mi

ON MY BMW 2006 530I, THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT INDICATING A RESTRAINT FAILURE. I SAW A RECALL ON THE NHTSA WEB SITE (CAMPAIGN ID 08V384000) COVERING THE 2004- 2006 MODEL YEAR BMW 5 SERIES WITH THIS EXACT PROBLEM. MY VEHICLE WAS BUILT IN MAY 2005. I CONTACTED BMW USA TO REPORT THE SAFETY FAILURE. BMW SAID IT WAS NOT COVERED AND HAS REFUSED TO OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. I ASKED THEM TO EXPLAIN WHY IF MY VEHICLE, IS IN THE MIDDLE MODEL YEARS AND EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM, WHY THE RECALL DOES NOT APPLY. THEIR REPLY, BMW WILL NOT HONOR …

Look up ODI 10427919 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(warning light\w*|check engine|dashboard warning\w*|malfunction indicator)\b

Stalling or loss of power

5 mentions · 5.9% of complaints

Median mileage: 51,574 mi (5 usable records).

ODI 10212861 · 51,574 mi

Look up ODI 10212861 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10267870 · 51,000 mi

Look up ODI 10267870 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10364132 · 33,800 mi

Look up ODI 10364132 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(stall\w*|loss of power|lost power|engine shut\w* off)\b

Brake response concerns

3 mentions · 3.5% of complaints

Median mileage: 104,932 mi (3 usable records).

ODI 10265617 · 7,000 mi

Look up ODI 10265617 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10562749 · 122,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 528XI. THE CONTACT THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES FAILED TO RESPOND TO DECELERATION ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING REPAIRED AND DIAGNOSED BY A PRIVATE MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 122,000.

Look up ODI 10562749 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 11209794 · 104,932 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 5 SERIES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE LEAKED OIL AND THE BRAKES FAILED WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS. THE BRAKES WORKED NORMALLY WHEN APPLIED AT HIGH SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT A NEW POWER BRAKE BOOSTER AND VACUUM PUMP NEEDED TO BE INSTALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,932. *DT

Look up ODI 11209794 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

Hard or delayed shifting

3 mentions · 3.5% of complaints

Median mileage: 58,102 mi (3 usable records).

ODI 10357973 · 45,000 mi

2006 BMW 530I - WHEN STOPPING, CAR LURCHES FORWARD FORCEFULLY. ALMOST HIT CAR IN FRONT OF ME - FELT LIKE SOMEONE HIT ME. *TR

Look up ODI 10357973 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10397672 · 58,102 mi

ON START-UP FROM A NEAR STOP THE TRANSMISSION JERKED HARD BACK INTO FIRST GEAR. FELT AS IF SOMEONE HAD HIT ME FROM THE REAR END. THIS HAS HAPPENED REPEATEDLY AND IS VERY DISTURBING, CAUSING UNFAMILIAR REACTIONS FROM THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER. COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.

Look up ODI 10397672 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10417101 · 89,000 mi

I'VE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SINCE PURCHASING IN DEC 2008. THE VEHICLE JERKS VIOLENTLY AS IT SHIFTS AFTER STOPS. A FEW MONTHS AGO, THE TRANSMISSION WOULDN'T SHIFT UP UNTIL I PUT IT IN NEUTRAL AND SHIFTING IT BACK TO D. CURRENTLY, IT JERKS DURING UP SHIFTS THRU ALL GEARS, MOST OF THE TIME. I HAVE BROUGHT IT IN TO THE DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES OVER THE YEARS. THEY CLAIM THAT THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. I AM VERY WORRIED OF THE TRANSMISSION FAILING SUDDENTLY AND CAUSING A CRASH. *TR

Look up ODI 10417101 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

Oil consumption or dilution

1 mentions · 1.2% of complaints

Median mileage: 3,500 mi (1 usable records).

ODI 10180889 · 3,500 mi

SINCE PURCHASING THE VEHICLE (10/12/2005) THE VEHICLE ALERTS US THAT THE OIL LEVEL IS LOW - DO NOT CONTINUE TO OPERATE VEHICLE. THE CAR WAS SERVICED EACH TIME THE PROBLEM OCCURRED BY SOUTH BAY BMW. REPROGRAMMING, SENSORS AND OIL CONSUMPTION TESTS HAVE BEEN DONE; HOWEVER, WHATEVER REPAIRS ARE DONE, THE PROBLEM RECURS. *JB

Look up ODI 10180889 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(oil consumption|burn\w* oil|consum\w* oil|oil dilution|gas(?:oline)? in (?:the )?oil)\b

Steering assistance concerns

1 mentions · 1.2% of complaints

Median mileage: 100,000 mi (1 usable records).

ODI 10744822 · 100,000 mi

STEERING WHEEL MALFUNCTION LOCKS PREVENTING THE VEHICLE TO START STEERING WHEEL LOCKS WHILE DRIVING

Look up ODI 10744822 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(power steer\w*|steering assist\w*|steering lock\w*|steering wheel lock\w*)\b