VehicleVerdict

2006 BMW 6 Series problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 8 complaints on file for the 2006 BMW 6 Series — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 5 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

8

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

1

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2006 compare to other 6 Series years?

6 Series NHTSA complaints by model year, 2006 highlighted11 complaints2004: 3 complaints2005: 10 complaints2006: 8 complaints2007: 3 complaints2008: 11 complaints2009: 0 complaints2010: 0 complaints2012: 3 complaints
6 Series NHTSA complaints by model year, 2006 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all 6 Series years to avoid →

What are the most common 2006 BMW 6 Series problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine225%
Brakes113%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)113%
Airbags113%
Seats113%
Suspension113%
Tires & Wheels113%

Does the 2006 BMW 6 Series have recalls?

5 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

12V126000Electrical SystemMarch 26, 2012 · 367,682 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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

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.

10V446000BrakesOctober 1, 2010 · 198,352 units

Defect

BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2010 5-SERIES, 6-SERIES, AND MODEL YEAR 2002-2008 7-SERIES VEHICLES. A CHECK VALVE OF THE BRAKE VACUUM PUMP MAY LEAK A SMALL AMOUNT OF LUBRICATING OIL. OVER TIME THIS COULD RESULT IN CONTAMINATION OF THE BRAKE BOOSTER.

Consequence

POWER ASSIST BRAKING PERFORMANCE COULD BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED. IN EXTREME CASES THERE COULD BE A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER ASSIST BRAKING. AN UNEXPECTED REDUCTION OR LOSS IN POWER BRAKING ASSIST MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

BMW WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 24, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-525-7417.

06V277000SuspensionJuly 26, 2006 · 11,640 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE LOWER RUBBER MOUNT OF THE REAR SHOCK ABSORBERS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED TO SPECIFICATIONS AND MAY NOT ADHERE CORRECTLY TO ITS HOUSING WITHIN THE SHOCK ABSORBER.

Consequence

THE BUSHING COULD LOOSEN AND OVER TIME COULD SEPARATE FROM ITS HOUSING. THE DRIVER WILL EXPERIENCE IMPAIRED VEHICLE HANDLING AND CONTROL INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR SHOCK ABSORBER FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 13, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.

06V187000SuspensionMay 30, 2006 · 40 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE NUTS WHICH SECURE THE FRONT AXLE CONTROL ARM AND TENSION STRUT TO THE FRONT WHEEL HUB MAY NOT HAVE BEEN TIGHTENED TO SPECIFICATION. OVER TIME THE NUTS COULD LOOSEN AND THE CONTROL ARM AND TENSION STRUT COULD BE DAMAGED.

Consequence

VEHICLE HANDLING AND CONTROL COULD COMPROMISE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL RETIGHTEN THE FRONT AXLE CONTROL ARM AND TENSION STRUT NUTS TO THE CORRECT SPECIFICATIONS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 28, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.

05V504000TransmissionNovember 1, 2005 · 240 units

Defect

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

Consequence

THIS COULD CAUSE THE PARKING LOCK SYSTEM NOT TO ENGAGE, AFTER THE TRANSMISSION IS PLACED IN THE PARK ("P") POSITION. IF THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON AN INCLINE, AND THE PARKING BRAKE WAS NOT ENGAGED, THIS COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE ROLLAWAY CONDITION.

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“2006 BMW 650I, MARCH 2006 PASSENGER SEAT WOULD LOCK, AIRBAG SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED, ENGINE BEGAN BACKFIRING. MAY 2006 THE SEAT LOCKED AND THE AIRBAG MALFUNCTIONED AGAIN. IN JUNE THE ENGINE OVERHEATED AND WAS REPAIRED. *KB [REDACTED]NAR[REDACTED] *JB”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · March 1, 2006

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 6-SERIES. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V446000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM) AND WAS REPAIRED. AFTER REPAIRS WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE POWER ASSIST BRAKING WOULD NOT FUNCTION.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · August 15, 2011

“2006 BMW 650I, MARCH 2006 PASSENGER SEAT WOULD LOCK, AIRBAG SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED, ENGINE BEGAN BACKFIRING. MAY 2006 THE SEAT LOCKED AND THE AIRBAG MALFUNCTIONED AGAIN. IN JUNE THE ENGINE OVERHEATED AND WAS REPAIRED. *KB [REDACTED]NAR[REDACTED] *JB”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seats · March 1, 2006

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 650I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S AC WAS NOT COLD. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE HE WAS TOLD THAT ENGINE OIL WAS LEAKING BELOW THE BRAKE VACUUM PUMP. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THE CONTACT OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 07V479000 (ENGINE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Climate Control (A/C & Heat) · June 17, 2011

“2006 BMW 650I, MARCH 2006 PASSENGER SEAT WOULD LOCK, AIRBAG SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED, ENGINE BEGAN BACKFIRING. MAY 2006 THE SEAT LOCKED AND THE AIRBAG MALFUNCTIONED AGAIN. IN JUNE THE ENGINE OVERHEATED AND WAS REPAIRED. *KB [REDACTED]NAR[REDACTED] *JB”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · March 1, 2006

2006 BMW 6 Series — common questions

Is the 2006 BMW 6 Series reliable?

The record is thin — 8 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 5 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 2006 BMW 6 Series have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2006 BMW 6 Series. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2006 BMW 6 Series under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which BMW 6 Series years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the 6 Series years to avoid are 2012. The cleanest record among 6 Series years belongs to 2010.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.