2006 BMW M5 recalls and problems

The 2006 BMW M5 has 1 recall and 39 owner complaints on file with NHTSA; the most reported problem area is air bags.

2006 Bmw M5
Photo: 2006 Bmw M5 by The Car Spy, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
How the 2006 compares
Fewest complaintsMost complaints

Highest complaint count among 18 M5 model years — the most of any year.

1recalls
39complaints
1crashes
0fires
1injuries
56,200median miles

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not verified and not adjusted for sales. Ranking compares this model's own years only.

Does your car have an open recall?
Recalls apply to specific vehicles. Only a VIN lookup on NHTSA's official site shows whether yours is affected and still unrepaired.
Check your VIN →

1 recall

Electrical System

Mar 26, 2012 · NHTSA campaign 12V126000 · 367,682 vehicles

Problem: BMW is recalling certain model year 2004-2010 5-SERIES, model year 2004-2010 6-SERIES, model year 2006-2010 M5, and model year 2007-2010 M6 vehicles. The insulated bulkhead connector for the positive battery cable May have been incorrectly attached to the trunk floor panel, which can lead to a loosening of the bolt connection. As it loosens, an increase in electrical resistance at this cable connection is possible and could cause the cable connection to overheat.

Original NHTSA wording

BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2010 5-SERIES, MODEL YEAR 2004-2010 6-SERIES, MODEL YEAR 2006-2010 M5, AND MODEL YEAR 2007-2010 M6 VEHICLES. THE INSULATED BULKHEAD CONNECTOR FOR THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE MAY HAVE BEEN INCORRECTLY ATTACHED TO THE TRUNK FLOOR PANEL, WHICH CAN LEAD TO A LOOSENING OF THE BOLT CONNECTION. AS IT LOOSENS, AN INCREASE IN ELECTRICAL RESISTANCE AT THIS CABLE CONNECTION IS POSSIBLE AND COULD CAUSE THE CABLE CONNECTION TO OVERHEAT.

Risk: Overheating could lead to a fire, even while the vehicle is not in use. As a precaution, owners are advised to park outside until the remedy has been made.

Original NHTSA wording

OVERHEATING COULD LEAD TO A FIRE, EVEN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS NOT IN USE. AS A PRECAUTION, OWNERS ARE ADVISED TO PARK OUTSIDE UNTIL THE REMEDY HAS BEEN MADE.

Remedy & notes

BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and secure the battery bolt cable connection as necessary, free of charge. The safety recall began on April 30, 2012. Owners May contact BMW customer relations and services at 1-800-525-7417.

Customers May contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty: 1-800-424-9153); or go to http://www.safercar.gov.

Recall text as published by NHTSA and the manufacturer.

What owners complain about

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA; one complaint can name several areas. Not verified by NHTSA.

Complaints by year filed

2006: 1 complaints20062010: 2 complaints20102011: 6 complaints20112012: 5 complaints20122013: 5 complaints20132014: 12 complaints2014122015: 3 complaints20152016: 1 complaints20162017: 2 complaints20172020: 1 complaints20202026: 1 complaints20261

2006 vs. other BMW M5 years

Owner complaints by model year; the darker bar is the 2006. Click a bar to switch year.

Questions

Does the 2006 BMW M5 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign covering the 2006 BMW M5, the latest from Mar 26, 2012 (electrical system). A recall applies to specific vehicles: enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours is affected and still open.

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

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA most often mention air bags (25), seat belts (7), engine (5). Complaints are consumer reports and are not verified by NHTSA.