VehicleVerdict

2006 BMW 750Li problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 300 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 27.3 times the median 750Li year — the 2006 model ranks #1 of 15 750Li years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

Transmission leads the complaint categories with 81 reports (27% of the total).

300

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

4

Investigations

9

Crash-involved

4

Fires reported

4

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2006 compare to other 750Li years?

750Li NHTSA complaints by model year, 2006 highlighted300 complaints2005: 0 complaints2006: 300 complaints2007: 121 complaints2008: 103 complaints2009: 15 complaints2010: 49 complaints2011: 39 complaints2012: 40 complaints2013: 11 complaints2014: 9 complaints2015: 3 complaints2016: 1 complaints2019: 0 complaints2020: 0 complaints2021: 4 complaints
750Li NHTSA complaints by model year, 2006 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all 750Li years to avoid →

What are the most common 2006 BMW 750Li problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Transmission8127%
Airbags4214%
Latches & Locks3411%
Electrical System289%
Body & Structure269%
Engine238%
Brakes227%
Seat Belts83%
Seats83%
Other83%
Suspension62%
Speed Control62%
Fuel System41%
Steering21%
Lighting10%
Tires & Wheels10%

Does the 2006 BMW 750Li 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 750LI. WHILE TRAVELING AT 15 MPH FROM A STOP, THE VEHICLE JERKED HEAVILY WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · October 7, 2011

“AIRBAGS NEVER POPPED OPEN, DOOR HANDLE OPENED AND IS STILL NOT SHUTTING CORRECTLY. SINCE MY CAR WAS PAID IN FULL, I DID NOT CARRY FULL COVERAGE ONLY LIABILITY SO I DID NOT FILE A CLAIM. I PAID THE DAMAGES OUT OF MY OWN POCKET AND JUST THIS WEEK I'VE PAID THE LAST $1200.00 OF THE PART ORDERED FOR…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · December 28, 2014 · crash

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 750LI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR FAILED TO LATCH PROPERLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V504000…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Latches & Locks · August 23, 2014

“AIRBAGS NEVER POPPED OPEN, DOOR HANDLE OPENED AND IS STILL NOT SHUTTING CORRECTLY. SINCE MY CAR WAS PAID IN FULL, I DID NOT CARRY FULL COVERAGE ONLY LIABILITY SO I DID NOT FILE A CLAIM. I PAID THE DAMAGES OUT OF MY OWN POCKET AND JUST THIS WEEK I'VE PAID THE LAST $1200.00 OF THE PART ORDERED FOR…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · December 28, 2014 · crash

“MY 2006 BMW 750LI WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVE ON FRIDAY 7/5/2019 AROUND 11:00 P.M. AND REMAINED THERE. ON SUNDAY MORNING 7/7/2019 AROUND 8:45 A.M. MY CAR ALARM SOUNDED AND WHEN I LOOK OUTSIDE MY CAR WAS ON FIRE. THE BLAZE FROM THE FIRS NOT ONLY BURNED UP MY BMW BUT ALSO MY DAMAGED MY SUV AND DAMAGED MY…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · July 7, 2019 · fire

2006 BMW 750Li — common questions

Is the 2006 BMW 750Li reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 300 complaints put the 2006 model at #1 of 15 750Li years. It is one of the 750Li years to avoid.

What are the most common 2006 750Li problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are transmission (81 complaints), airbags (42 complaints), latches & locks (34 complaints).

Does the 2006 BMW 750Li have recalls?

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

Is the 2006 BMW 750Li under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 4 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which BMW 750Li years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the 750Li years to avoid are 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2011. The cleanest record among 750Li years belongs to 2020.

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.