VehicleVerdict

2006 BMW 750i problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 77 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 10.3 times the median 750i year — the 2006 model ranks #1 of 18 750i years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

Transmission leads the complaint categories with 20 reports (26% of the total).

77

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

1

Investigations

2

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

1

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2006 compare to other 750i years?

750i NHTSA complaints by model year, 2006 highlighted77 complaints1990: 0 complaints1991: 0 complaints1992: 0 complaints2005: 0 complaints2006: 77 complaints2007: 47 complaints2008: 29 complaints2009: 14 complaints2010: 13 complaints2011: 8 complaints2012: 12 complaints2013: 11 complaints2014: 4 complaints2015: 0 complaints2016: 9 complaints2017: 7 complaints2018: 1 complaints2020: 7 complaints
750i NHTSA complaints by model year, 2006 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all 750i years to avoid →

What are the most common 2006 BMW 750i problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Transmission2026%
Airbags1519%
Latches & Locks79%
Engine79%
Electrical System56%
Body & Structure56%
Brakes45%
Other45%
Seat Belts45%
Steering23%
Seats23%
Speed Control11%
Suspension11%

Does the 2006 BMW 750i have recalls?

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

17V328000Latches & LocksMay 18, 2017 · 45,484 units

Defect

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2005-2008 745i, 745Li, 750i, 750Li, 760i, 760Li, and B7 Alpina vehicles equipped with both the Comfort Access and Soft Close Automatic options. In these vehicles, the doors may appear to be closed and latched, but, in fact, may inadvertently open.

Consequence

The door may unexpectedly open due to road or driving conditions or occupant contact with the door. The sudden opening may result in occupant ejection or increase the risk of injury in the event of a crash.

Remedy

BMW will notify owners, and dealers will update the door latch system, free of charge. The recall began February 8, 2018. Owners may contact BMW at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.

13V564000AirbagsNovember 12, 2013 · 76,565 units

Defect

BMW of North America LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2006 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi sedans and 325xi sports wagons, model year 2007 328i, 328xi, 335i, 335xi sedans and 328i and 328xi sports wagons, model year 2006-2007 525i, 525xi, 530i, 530xi, 550i sedans and 530xi sports wagons, model year 2006 760i sedans, model year 2006-2007 750i, 750Li, and 760Li sedans, and model year 2006 X5 sports activity vehicles, equipped with certain seat types. The front passenger seat occupant detection mat that determines if and how the passenger frontal air bag should deploy in a crash may fatigue and develop cracks which could lead to a system failure.

Consequence

Should the system fail, in the event of a crash, the front passenger air bag would be deactivated, increasing the risk of personal injury.

Remedy

BMW will notify owners with an interim notification letter in January 2014 since parts are not currently available. When parts are available, BMW sent a second letter in August and dealers will repair the occupant detection mat to eliminate the possibility that it may crack, free of charge. Additionally, owners of model year 2006-2007 3 Series with standard seats, 5 Series with comfort seats, and Z4 models, will receive an extended warranty on their front passenger seat occupant detection mat. Owners may contact BMW customer relations at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.

12V502000Electrical SystemOctober 17, 2012 · 45,500 units

Defect

BMW is recalling certain model year 2005-2008 7-Series vehicles, equipped with the Comfort Access option, and manufactured August 23, 2004, through July 24, 2008. The affected vehicles have an electronic key and an electronic connection between the gear shifter and the transmission (shift-by-wire) that automatically shifts the transmission to Park when the driver presses the Start/Stop button to shutdown the engine. If the driver presses the engine Start/Stop button 2 or 3 times within a short time interval, the system may shift the transmission to Neutral rather than Park. If using the electronic key (Comfort Access mode), there would be no protection from the ignition interlock that prevents key removal if the vehicle is not in Park.

Consequence

If the driver exits the vehicle with the transmission in Neutral and the parking brake is not applied, the vehicle may rollaway. Unattended rollaway incidents often result in a crash or cause injury to pedestrians attempting to stop or enter the vehicle or to other bystanders in the path of the vehicle.

Remedy

BMW will notify owners beginning in November 2012. The remedy became available in March 2013. Owners may call BMW at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.

12V504000Latches & LocksOctober 17, 2012 · 7,485 units

Defect

BMW is recalling certain model year 2005-2007 7-Series vehicles, equipped with both Comfort Access and Soft Close Automatic options, and manufactured August 23, 2004, through September 3, 2007. Due to a software problem, the doors may appear to be closed and latched, but, in fact, may inadvertently open.

Consequence

The door may unexpectedly open due to road or driving conditions or occupant contact with the door. The sudden opening may result in occupant ejection or increase the risk of injury in the event of a crash.

Remedy

BMW will notify owners and dealers will update software. The recall began on December 12, 2012. Owners may contact BMW at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 750. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO GEAR AND THE TRANSMISSION WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPROGRAMMED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · October 3, 2016

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 750I. THE CONTACT CRASHED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE SPEED WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 118,000.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · January 9, 2014 · crash

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 750I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE DOOR ERRONEOUSLY OPENED. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE PARKING BRAKE FAILED TO DISENGAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE DOOR…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Latches & Locks · February 10, 2014

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 750LI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHENEVER THE ENGINE WOULD IDLE FOR LONGER THAN ONE MINUTE, A LARGE CLOUD OF SMOKE WOULD EMIT FROM THE EXHAUST PIPES AS THE CONTACT ACCELERATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · December 9, 2010

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 750I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR FAILED TO CLOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DOOR ACTUATOR FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · January 6, 2016

2006 BMW 750i — common questions

Is the 2006 BMW 750i reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 77 complaints put the 2006 model at #1 of 18 750i years. It is one of the 750i years to avoid.

What are the most common 2006 750i problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are transmission (20 complaints), airbags (15 complaints), latches & locks (7 complaints).

Does the 2006 BMW 750i have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2006 BMW 750i. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2006 BMW 750i under NHTSA investigation?

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

Which BMW 750i years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the 750i years to avoid are 2006, 2007. The cleanest record among 750i years belongs to 2015.

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.