VehicleVerdict

2006 BMW 650i problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 24 complaints on file for the 2006 BMW 650i — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but one recall campaign applies to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

24

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

1

Investigations

1

Crash-involved

2

Fires reported

2

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2006 compare to other 650i years?

650i NHTSA complaints by model year, 2006 highlighted31 complaints2006: 24 complaints2007: 31 complaints2008: 10 complaints2009: 6 complaints2010: 7 complaints2012: 29 complaints2013: 27 complaints2014: 8 complaints2015: 5 complaints2016: 0 complaints2017: 3 complaints2018: 0 complaints
650i NHTSA complaints by model year, 2006 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all 650i years to avoid →

What are the most common 2006 BMW 650i problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes521%
Seats417%
Airbags313%
Tires & Wheels313%
Seat Belts28%
Steering28%
Fuel System14%
Body & Structure14%
Engine14%
Electrical System14%
Other14%

Does the 2006 BMW 650i have recalls?

1 NHTSA recall campaign on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

07V479000EngineOctober 12, 2007 · 29,250 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH V8 ENGINES, IN CONDITIONS OF BELOW FREEZING TEMPERATURES COMBINED WITH LOW HUMIDITY, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR ELECTROSTATIC DISCHARGE TO OCCUR AT THE FUEL RAILS. IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR, THE ENGINE ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT (ECU) COULD BE AFFECTED SO THAT ENGINE STALLING COULD RESULT.

Consequence

IF STALLING WERE TO OCCUR, THE DRIVER MAY NOT BE ABLE TO MAINTAIN VEHICLE SPEED OR ACCELERATE AND THE POWER STEERING COULD FAIL INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL ATTACH TWO GROUND CABLES IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 29, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2006 BMW 650I. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH AND COMING TO A STOP, THE BRAKES FAILED TO RESPOND. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS SOFT AND TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE HARDER THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED, THE FURTHER TO THE FLOOR IT WENT WITHOUT A RESPONSE. THE CONTACT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · April 5, 2016 · crash

“I STARTED MY CAR TURNED ON BOTH HEATED SEATS AND BEGIN SEEING SMOKE AND SMELLED DISTINCT BURNING.... I PULLED OUT OF MY GARAGE AND IMMEDIATELY PULLED TO THE CURVE. MY LEFT SIDE DRIVERS SEAT WAS SMOKING AND I REALIZED MY PANTS HAD A HOLE BURNED IN THEM ALONG WITH A HOLE IN MY SEAT. I HAVE CONTACTED…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seats · November 17, 2014 · fire

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 650I EQUIPPED WITH BRIDGESTONE TIRES, TIRE LINE: POTENZA RE050A, TIRE SIZE: 275/35/R19 AND DOT NUMBER: EJ9HDJH4311. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE OBSERVER A BLISTER IN THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR TIRE SIDEWALL. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THE TIRE WAS ALWAYS FLAT. THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · February 1, 2016

“THE PASSENGER SEAT MAT SENSOR IS DEFECTIVE AND CANNOT TELL WHEN A PASSENGER IS SEATED, THEREFORE, NOT ALLOWING A PASSENGER AIR BAG TO DEPLOY. THE SRS AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT APPEARS. THE PASSENGER SEAT HAS NOT BEEN TAMPERED WITH, RARELY BEEN SAT IN, AND THE DEFECT CANNOT BE ATTRIBUTED TO ANY ERROR ON…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · May 1, 2012

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 650I CONVERTIBLE. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE AIR BAG AND SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED CONSTANTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT FAILED AND…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seat Belts · September 14, 2014

2006 BMW 650i — common questions

Is the 2006 BMW 650i reliable?

The record is thin — 24 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 1 recall should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 2006 650i problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (5 complaints), seats (4 complaints), airbags (3 complaints).

Does the 2006 BMW 650i have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 2006 BMW 650i. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2006 BMW 650i under NHTSA investigation?

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

Which BMW 650i years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the 650i years to avoid are 2007, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2016, 2018. The cleanest record among 650i years belongs to 2009.

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.