2006 BMW M5 Recalls, Problems & Safety Rating

2006 BMW M5 recalls

Most common 2006 BMW M5 problems

Problem areas named in the 39 complaints owners filed with NHTSA.

Problem area	Reports
Air Bags	26
Seat Belts	7
Power Train	6
Electrical System	3
Seats	3
Engine	3
Engine And Engine Cooling	2
Unknown Or Other	1
Vehicle Speed Control	1
Exterior Lighting	1

What owners report

2026-08-19, Electrical System
The contact owns a 2006 BMW M5. The contact stated that while opening the trunk of the vehicle, the positive terminal on the battery was fully melted and was very hot. The contact believed that the issue was a fire hazard and was lucky to have found the issue before any other damage could occur. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 12V126000 (Electrical System) as a possible cause for the failure. The dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated that the vehicle was inspected in 2012 under the recall but had passed the inspection, and the vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 97,000.

2020-05-24, Engine
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

2017-08-03, Air Bags
UPON STARTING MY CAR, I RECEIVED AN ERROR MESSAGE " FAULT IN PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM AFFECTING AIR BAGS, BELT TENSIONER OR BELT FORCE LIMITER" THE MESSAGE CONTINUES TO SHOW UP EVERY DAY.. THIS IS THE SAME ISSUE THAT HAS A RECALL IN ALL OTHER 5 SERIES MODELS FOR THIS YEAR, 2006 AND HAS A RECALL FOR THOSE VEHICLES. THIS MODEL SHOULD BE ADDED SINCE ITS THE SAME ISSUE. SEE ATTACHED.

2017-02-17, Power Train
THE EARLY M5 WITH THE SMG (SEQUENTIAL MANUAL GEARBOX) 7 SPEED HAVE NUMEROUS TSB'S AND WARRANTY CAMPAIGNS. THE SHIFTING OF THE GEARBOX IS UP EXECUTED BY PRESSURE FROM THE HYDRUALIC PUMP THAT STORES AAPRX 80PSI IN THE ACCUMULATER. THIS ACCUMULATOR OR PUMP HAS A HI CHANCE OF FAILING AND WHEN IT DOES THE CAR SHUTS DOWN WITHOUT WARNING. MY CAR SHUT DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION JUST RECENTLY. AND I HAVE HAD THIS PUMP REPLACE TWICE OUT OF WARRANTY AND ONCE WITHIN WARRANTY. A MAJOR FLAW OF THE GETRAG SMG 7SPD. BMW DISCONTINUED THIS TRANSMISSION BUT CONTINUES TO RAISE PRICES ON THE REPLACEMENT PUMPS AS THEY KNOW THERE IS A HIGH TURNOVER OF REPAIRS. PLEASE VISIT THE BMW M FORUMS AS T

2016-04-14, Steering
STEERING WHEEL LOCK MALFUNCTIONS AND KEEPS STEERING WHEEL LOCKED, WILL NOT RELEASE INTERMITTENTLY.

2006 BMW M5 questions

Does the 2006 BMW M5 have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 1 safety recall for the 2006 BMW M5: Electrical System:12V/24V/48V Battery:Cables. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.

What are the most common problems with the 2006 BMW M5?

Based on 39 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are Air Bags (26), Seat Belts (7), Power Train (6).

How do I check if a recall on my 2006 BMW M5 has been fixed?

Enter your 17-character VIN in our VIN recall check. It shows open recalls that have not been repaired on your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.