2006 BMW 530Xi

Routine

Owners filed 91 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the airbags. It has been recalled 3 times.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
97,500 milesMedian miles at failure

78 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 90,000–105,000 miles.

Most common 2006 BMW 530Xi problems

45 of the 91 complaints (49%) are about the airbags.

ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Air Bags · airbags42
100
Electrical System13
030
Engine7
000
Visibility/Wiper · wipers3
000
Steering3
000
Power Train · transmission3
000
Unknown or Other2
112
Suspension2
010
Structure · body and frame2
000
Seats2
000

3 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Emission Control › Crankcase (pcv)19V273000
Filed Apr 4, 2019184,505 vehiclesBMW of North America, LLC

Defect. BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2006 525i, 525xi, 530i, 530xi, 530xi Sports Wagon, 325i, 325xi, 325xi Sports Wagon, 330i, 330xi, Z4 3.0i and Z4 3.0si vehicles. The heater for the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve may short circuit.

Risk. An electrical short can cause the parts within the PCV valve to melt, increasing the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is not in use.

Remedy. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the PCV valve heater, free of charge. The recall began May 30, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Note: This recall is an expansion to recall 17V-683.

Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification17V428000
Filed Jul 6, 20172,158 vehiclesBMW of North America, LLC

Defect. BMW of North America, Inc. (BMW) is recalling certain 2006 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi, 525i, 525xi, 530i, 530xi, and 550i vehicles equipped with the Sport Seat option and certain 2006 525i, 525xi, 530i, 530xi, 550i vehicles with standard seats. 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.

Risk. 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, and dealers will repair the occupant detection mat to eliminate the possibility that it may crack, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began September 1, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification13V564000
Filed Nov 12, 201376,565 vehiclesBMW of North America, LLC

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.

Risk. 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 [email protected].

All 3 campaigns on file, newest first.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Unknown or OtherCrashFire2 injured
Filed Jun 12, 2025UT

Vehicle caught fire

Air Bags
Filed Sep 6, 2023224,500 milesMI

The contact owns a 2006 BMW 530XI. The contact stated that the passenger’s side air bag warning light had remained illuminated for a month. The contact stated that two years ago he had a recall completed on the passenger’s side air bag. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 224,500.

Electrical System
Filed Jan 22, 2023NY

The insulation on the internal wiring of the headlight (left and right) have fallen off the wiring leaving sections of conductor exposed creating shorts in the lighting system. This is a known problem in the BMW community (owners and BMW) since at least 2011. This is due to the use of bio-degradable wiring by BMW that breaks down prematurely. Replacement headlight assemblies (high intensity discharge Xenon) are over $1,000 each. Both halogen high beam lights are inoperable which reduces driver vision at night on suburban roadways. Re-wiring with correctly specified wiring is possible but requires specific skills and experience. This is a known problem which BMW has hoped would go away as few of their cars of this age are on the road. This risk assessment driven policy should not shield BMW from fully addressing their failures in material selection which impact safe use of their cars.

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Jul 14, 2022NJ

The contact owns a 2006 BMW 530XI. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer had not been made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Jul 8, 2022CA

The contact owns a 2006 BMW 530XI. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Electrical System
Filed Oct 26, 2021NY

Inside headlight wiring insulation became brittle and falls off leading to potential shorts and equipment failure. Additional wiring throughout engine compart shows similar degradation and failure. Split wire housing to protect wires from engine heat also show signs of decay, exposing wires to excess heat and inducing failure of insulation. This is not a turbocharged engine and has lower engine compartment temperatures. This problem started 7-8 years ago and has gotten worse.

Electrical System
Filed Jun 18, 2020137,000 milesCA

STALLS OUT, SKIPS, HESITATES, ETC., PCV VALVE RECALL THIS OCCURS WHEN DRIVING THE CAR ON STREETS, HIGHWAYS ETC., WHEN DRIVING THE CAR. *TR

Exterior Lighting
Filed Jan 31, 2020156,000 milesSC

ALL WIRING WITHIN THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY IS DETERIORATING AND EXPOSING THE BARE WIRING INTERNAL OF THE ASSEMBLY. THIS IS CAUSING ELECTRICAL SHORTING, ELECTRICAL FAULT CODES, AND OCCASIONAL PERIODS OF INOPERATIVE HEADLIGHTS WHILE DRIVING. THE WIRING ISSUE WAS FIRST NOTED BY MY MECHANIC AROUND FEBRUARY 2019. I HAVE FOUND THRU MY RESEARCH FOR REPAIRS THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM.

Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification
Filed Jan 9, 202056,000 milesNY

FAULT IN PASSENGER-RESTRAINT SYSTEM AFFECTING AIRBAG, BELT TENSIONER OR BELT-FORCE LIMITER

Engine
Filed Aug 19, 2019150,000 milesNJ

TAKATA SEAT BELTS ISSUE WITH FRONT PASSENGER SIDE.

Electrical System
Filed Jul 19, 2019180,000 milesTX

DEGRADATION OF HEADLIGHT WIRING. WIRE INSULATION IS FLAKING, CRACKING, AND INTERNAL CONDUCTOR WIRES ARE EXPOSED. CAUSES INTERMITTENT HEADLIGHT ISSUES AS WIRING SHORTS DURING DRIVING.

Air Bags
Filed Jun 16, 2019NJ

GOT SRS LIGHT ASKED THE DEALER TO CHECK IT THEY TOLD ME THAT I HAVE TO CHANGE THE DSC AND IT COST 5300.00 BECAUSE IT IS NOT RESPONDING TO THE AIR BAG ?? THE CAR HAVE ONLY 51000.00 MILES??

Power Train
Filed Mar 9, 2019203,000 milesNY

WHILE REPLACING PARKING LIGHT BULB I FOUND INSULATION TO BULB HOLDER FALLING OFF, LIKELY DUE TO HEAT INSIDE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY. GIVEN THE BRITTLE INSULATION FALLING OFF, A SHORT COULD EASILY HAVE OCCURRED. THE INNER CV JOINT ON THE RIGHT DRIVE WAS FOUND TO BE WITHOUT GREASE. WITH NO GREASE FITTING OR MEANS OF INSPECTION, THE AXLE COULD HAVE FROZEN, CAUSING STABILITY ISSUES.

Electrical System
Filed Feb 22, 201998,600 milesCA

AFTER A RECENT HEAVY RAIN THE VEHICLE ELECTRICAL DASHBOARD INSTRUMENTS WERE ERRATIC, THE REAR HATCH OPENING/CLOSING MECHANISM FAILED, AND ULTIMATELY THE REAR AIR SUSPENSION FAILED WITH THE CAR SITTING ON THE REAR BOTTOMING STOPS CAUSING DIFFICULTY IN CONTROLLING THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE SEVERE BOUNCING. FURTHER INVESTIGATION REVELED STANDING WATER IN THE SPARE TIRE AND BATTERY/ELECTRICAL AREAS AT THE REAR OF THE CAR.

Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification › Front Passenger
Filed Dec 12, 2018NY

MY 2006 BMW HAS AN AIRBAG LIGHT ON I BROUGHT IT TO A DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID IT'S THE PASSENGER SIDE OCCUPANCY MAT IN THE SEAT I RECEIVED AN EMAIL FOR A RECALL MY YEAR MAKE AND MODEL BUT WHEN I CALLED THEY SAID THAT I'M NOT PART OF THAT RECALL I WOULD LIKE TO GET FURTHER EXPLANATION OF WHY OTHER YEAR MAKE AND MODEL THE SAME AS MINE IS UNDER WARRANTY AND I'M HAVING THAT PROBLEM AND IT WILL NOT BE COMPENSATED FOR IF I HAVE MY SON IN THE PASSENGER SEAT IN THE AIRBAG DOES NOT GO OFF AND HE DIES HIS BMW RESPONSIBLE FOR THAT

Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification › Front Passenger
Filed Nov 12, 2018130,000 milesCT

MY COMPUTER IS SHOWING : PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM FAILURE. I CALLED THE BMW RECALL SYSTEM AND I WAS TOLD THAT MY CAR IS NOT COVERED, HOWEVER, I FOUND BMW RECALL OF THE PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM FOR E60 (MY MODEL CAR) CAN YOU HELP AND CONTACT THE BMW RECALL CENTER. THEY NEED TO EXPAND THEIR RECALL. IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE A CAR WITH FAILED PASSENGER RESTRAINED SYSTEM. I DID SUBMIT THE INFORMATION REGARDING CURRENT RECALL IN ATTACHMENT

Steering
Filed Nov 9, 2018170,000 milesDE

I HAVE A BAD BATTERY AND THE STERING WHEEL LOCKS NOW I CANT START MY CAR.

Air BagsCrash
Filed Jan 7, 2018IL

I HAVE AIRBAG LIGHT AND MOST ARE RECALLS ON SAME MODEM . MY CAR DIDN’T GET A RECALL

Air Bags
Filed Dec 29, 2017150,000 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 530XI. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS HAVING THE BATTERY CHANGED AT THE LOCAL DEALER, THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE LOCAL DEALER (EAST BAY BMW, 4350 ROSEWOOD DRIVE, PLEASANTON, CA 94588) DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT SEAT OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V428000 (AIR BAGS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 150,000.

Air Bags
Filed Dec 20, 2017VA

RE: RECALL 17V-XXX FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR MAT B65 10 17. LAST JULY 2017 MY PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG/SEATBELT WARNING LIGHT WAS ON AND CAUSE WAS FAULTY PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY DETECTION MAT. . IT WAS REPLACED AT THE CHARLOTTESVILLE BMW DEALER ON JULY 18 2017 FOR $867.05. YET THIS 2006 MODEL IS SPECIFICALLY THE MODEL WITH THE DEFECT AND IN THE RECALL. MY VIN IS NOT SHOWING THAT I AM ELIGIBLE FOR A RECALL, I DO NOT UNDERSTAND THIS, AS OBVIOUSLY IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED, SINCE THIS IS THE SPECIFIC DEFECT FOR WHICH THE RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED, AND THIS IS THE SPECIFIC YEAR AND MODE BMW WHICH HAS THE DEFECT APPEARING. PLEASE ADVISE.

Air Bags
Filed Nov 20, 2017135,000 milesCO

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 530XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER AIR BAG SEAT MAP OCCUPANT INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SCHOMP BMW (1190 PLUM VALLEY LN, HIGHLANDS RANCH, CO 80129) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE PASSENGER AIR BAG SEAT MAP OCCUPANT LIGHT WAS NOT WORKING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000.

Air Bags
Filed Oct 23, 2017137,594 milesNY

TAKATA RECALL, I CONTACTED BMW OF FREEPORT I HAD AN APPOINTMENT ON JUNE AT 9:00 AM. WHEN I TOOK THE CAR IN FOR THE RECALL, THEY INDICATED THAT THEY COULD NOT DO ANYTHING AT THE TIME, THE CAR WAS AN OLD MODEL AND THEY DID NOT HAVE THE PARTS IN STOCK AND THEY WOULD ORDER AND GET BACK TO ME. YOUR APPOINTMENT TIME SATURDAY, JUNE 18 AT 9:00AM REPAIR SERVICES: FACTORY RECALL CAMPAIGN NOTE: REPAIR TIMES AND COSTS VARY BASED UPON THE NATURE OF THE REPAIR, PARTS AVAILABILITY, YOUR WARRANTY STATUS, AND OTHER FACTORS. ONCE YOUR VEHICLE IS IN THE SHOP, WE WILL DIAGNOSE YOUR PROBLEM AND CONTACT YOU AS SOON AS WE CAN TO PROVIDE DETAILS AND SPECIFIC TIME AND COST ESTIMATE. DIAGNOSTIC AND/OR REPAIR FEES MAY APPLY IF WORK TO BE PERFORMED IS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. SERVICE AGENT ANY ADVISOR SERVICES REPAIRS FACTORY RECALL CAMPAIGN REPAIR NOTE: REFER TO SI B65 07 14 B61 14 12, BATTERY CABLE CONNECTION 2006 BMW 530XI 137,594 MILES BMW OF FREEPORT 100 CLEVELAND AVE FREEPORT, NEW YORK 11520-4053 (516) 868-4554 NO ONE GOT BACK TO ME, I CALLED AND LEFT MESSAGES AND SENT AND EMAIL ON THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT TO [email protected] ON THURSDAY OCT 13,2016 AT 11:51 AM HI, I AM FOLLOWING UP ON THIS. I CAME IN FOR SERVICE FOR RECALL ON MY 530X1 BMW PASSENGER AIRBAGS. RECALL 13V564000 YOU WERE UNABLE TO FIX IT AT THE TIME OF SERVICE AND SOMEONE FROM YOUR OFFICE WAS SUPPOSED TO CONTACT ME WHEN THE PART WAS AVAILABLE. IT'S BEEN MONTHS AND I HAVEN'T HEARD FROM ANY ONE. PLEASE LET ME KNOW THE STATUS

Air Bags
Filed Oct 12, 2017119,400 milesVA

THE AIRBAG LIGHT HAS BEEN ON IN MY VEHICLE SINCE I BOUGHT IT IN NOVEMBER 2016. DURING MY STATE INSPECTION IN OCTOBER 2017, MY MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT THE OPERATION OF THE AIRBAG SYSTEM IS BROKEN AND IT CANNOT TELL WHEN TO DEPLOY AIRBAGS IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. I BELIEVE THIS PROBLEM HAS ALREADY BEEN IDENTIFIED IN A A RECALL APPLICABLE TO THE SAME MAKE, MODEL, AND YEAR AS MY VEHICLE (RECALL 17V-428) BUT MY VIN IS NOT SHOWING UP AS ONE OF THE VEHICLES DETECTED.

Air Bags
Filed Sep 28, 201764,000 milesIL

THE CAR SUFFERED A FAILURE OF THE "FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR MAT". A RECALL(13V-564:) WAS ISSUED FOR THIS MODEL BEGINNING WITH CAR MANUFACTURED AFTER DEC 1, 2005. MY CAR WAS MANUFACTURED BEFORE THIS DATE, ON 9/3/200, AND THEREFORE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE ISSUE I AM HAVING IS THE EXACT ISSUE IN THE RECALL. HAVE ANY OTHER OWNERS OF PRE-DEC 1, 2005, MANUFACTURE CARS REPORTED SIMILAR ISSUES? OTHER RECALLS OF THE SAME ISSUE ARE 17V-428 AND 08V-384

Air Bags
Filed Sep 26, 201750,000 milesNY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 530XI. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL DEALER (BMW OF BROOKLYN, 622 2ND AVE, BROOKLYN, NY 11220) TO BE REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V4728000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE ON BACKORDER. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AND THE SOFTWARE WAS UPDATED; HOWEVER, DUE TO DEALER ERROR, THE AIR BAGS WERE DISABLED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO CALL ANOTHER DEALER. NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

Air Bags
Filed Aug 1, 2017136,000 milesVA

MY FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG FAULT LIGHT WENT ON. THR DEALER , BMW OF CHARLOTTESVILLE REPLACED THE FAULTY PASSEBGER SEAT OCCUPANCY DETECTION MAT AT A COST OF $867.05. I HAVE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FROM YOU AND YET MY VIN NUMBER DOES NOT SHOW UP. CAN YOU EXPLAIN THIS TO ME? IT LOOKS LIKE I SHOULD BE COVERD GIVEN THE MODEL YEAR AND GIVEN THAT MY CAR CLEARLY HAD THE DEFECT. IT APPEARS MY VEHICLE SHOULD BE COVERED AND THST BMW SHOULD REIMBURDE ME.

Engine
Filed Jul 12, 201785,125 milesIA

BROKEN HEAD BOLTS AT 85K MILES IN NORMAL USE

Air Bags
Filed May 22, 2017100,000 milesFL

MY VEHICLE'S PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR MAT HAS FAILED, LIKELY FROM A CRACK, AND HAS RESULTED IN THE PASSENGER AIRBAGS BEING COMPLETELY DISABLED. THIS INTERMITTENTLY STARTED HAPPENING AROUND 2014 BUT HAS SINCE COMPLETELY BROKEN. THERE IS AN OPEN RECALL FOR THIS (SEE: 13V564000) HOWEVER BMW STATES THAT MY PARTICULAR VIN IS NOT COVERED AND IS REFUSING TO COVER THE REPAIR. BMW IS OBVIOUSLY AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND THE LIFE THREATENING RISKS IT POSES TO FRONT PASSENGERS BUT CANNOT BE BOTHERED TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE.

Air Bags
Filed Mar 16, 2017129,702 milesIL

WHILE DRIVING ON A STRAIGHTAWAY ON THE EXPRESSWAY WITH A PASSENGER WHO WAS ADJUSTING THE SEAT, WE HEARD A LOUD BANG LIKE A ROCK HITTING THE GLASS, BUT THE NOISE WAS IN THE CAR AND SEEMED TO COME FROM UNDER THE PASSENGER SEAT. ALMOST IMMEDIATELY, MY DASHBOARD LIGHT SUDDENLY INDICATED THAT MY PASSENGER AIR BAG HAS MALFUNCTIONED.

Electrical System
Filed Mar 5, 2017109,000 milesFL

THE WIRING HARNESS INSIDE THE HEADLIGHTS IS CRUMBLING AWAY CAUSING LIGHTS TO INTERMITTENTLY NOT WORK. THE WIRES SPARK WHEN THEY TOUCH TOGETHER. THIS IS A FIRE HAZARD.

Air Bags
Filed Sep 9, 2016132,000 milesNY

WHEN MY FRONT PASSENGER SEAT IS OCCUPIED, DURING STARTUP THE CAR CHIMES WITH AN ERROR "PASS RESTRAINT SYSTEM" "FAULT IN PASSENGER-RESTRAINT SYSTEM AFFECTING AIRBAG, BELT TENSIONER OR BELT FORCE LIMITER" "CONTINUE TO WEAR THE SAFETY BELT" (VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY) BMW HAS ISSUED A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT ODDLY MY VIN IS NOT PART OF THE GROUP INCLUDED.

Electrical SystemFire
Filed Jul 27, 201693,000 milesCT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2006 BMW 530XI. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 TO 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE HAD AN ABNORMAL ODOR. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER AT A FUEL STATION, OPENED THE TRUNK, AND NOTICED FLAMES. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED BY A PATRON. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 12V126000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND 08V384000 (AIR BAGS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,000. UPDATED 11/02/16*LJ *TR

Structure › BodyFire
Filed Jul 25, 201690,000 milesCT

RECALL CAMPAIGN NO. 12V-126: BATTERY CABLE INSULATED BULKHEAD CONNECTOR THE ISSUE INVOLVES A BATTERY CABLE BOLT CONNECTION IN THE TRUNK. SPECIFICALLY, THIS BOLT CONNECTION IS SECURED TO THE TRUNK FLOOR PANEL BY AN INSULATED BULKHEAD CONNECTOR. THE INSULATED BULKHEAD CONNECTOR MAY HAVE BEEN INCORRECTLY ATTACHED TO THE TRUNK FLOOR PANEL. OVER TIME, THIS CAN LEAD TO A LOOSENING OF THE BOLT CONNECTION AND CAUSE AN OVERHEATING CONDITION - EXACTLY SAME THING HAPPEND TO ME

Electrical SystemFire
Filed Jul 21, 2016CT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 530XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SMOKE EMITTED INTO THE VEHICLE FROM THE REAR WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PULL THE VEHICLE OVER AND NOTICED FLAMES COMING FROM THE TRUNK OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FLAMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V126000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

Seats
Filed Jun 29, 2016135,000 milesNY

WE NOTICED A WARNING ON OUR DASHBOARD IN JANUARY 2016. BEING THAT WE ARE SENIORS, IT WAS MID- WINTER AND THE AUTO DEALERSHIP WE GO TO IS MANY MILES AWAY, WE DID NOT IMMEDIATELY DRIVE TO SEE WHAT THE LIGHT WAS ON. WHEN WE FINALLY DID, WE WERE TOLD THAT THE. " RECALL HAD EXPIRED " AND TO FIX THE SENSOR MAT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT WOULD COST WELL OVER $3,000??? IF THERE WAS A " RECALL", SHOULD WE NOT HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED? NOW WE ARE TOLD THE "RECALL HAS EXPIRED" AND WE ARE LEFT WITH A CAR THAT HAS A FAULT IN THE PASSENGER AIR BAG. WHY WERE WE NOT NOTIFIED OF A RECALL?

Air Bags
Filed Jun 3, 2016CT

I WENT TO BMW OF NORTH HAVEN AND THEY TOLD ME THEY CVANT DO NOTHING FOR ME CONCERNING THE PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM THEY TRICKED ME INTO GETTING A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND SAID IF IT WAS THAT THEY WOULD HELP ME REPLACE IT AFTER THE FOUND OUT IT WAS THE MAT THE DECLINED ON FIXING IT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND EFFECTS MOSTLY ALL BMW 530XI AND IT WAS REPLACED AFTER THE CAR WAS 4 YEARS OLD NOW IT HAS TO BE RPLACVED AGAIN AND BMW OF NORTH HAVEN IS TRYING TO CHARGE ME $1200 TO FIX AND ITS A RECALL ON THAT VEHICLE DOES ANYBODY HAVE ANY SUGGESTION ON HOW TO GO ABOUT THIS

Air Bags
Filed Apr 25, 201694,000 milesTX

FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANT DETECTION AND AIRBAG FAULT SENSORS HAVE BECOME ACTIVATED. BMW CLAIM MY VIN IS NOT COVERED BY THE EXISTING RECALL ISSUED FOR THIS ACKNOWLEDGED DEFECT.

Seats
Filed Dec 31, 2015212,000 milesMI

THE HEATED SEATS HAVE MALFUNCTIONED BURNING A HOLE AND MAKING A LARGE BROWN AREA ON THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT. THIS SEAT WILL BURN YOU IF LEFT ON THE HIGH SETTING AND HAS A BURNING ELECTRICAL SMELL. I AM AFRAID THAT USING IT AGAIN AFTER IT BURNED THIS HOLE WILL CAUSE A FULL SCALE FIRE. NOT VERY HAPPY TO HAVE A LUXURY CAR THAT YOU CAN'T USE ONE OF THE LUXURIES OF BECAUSE OF A SERIOUS DANGER. THESE WERE MY FIRST HEATED SEATS EVER AND MAY BE MY LAST, VERY SCARY!

Air Bags
Filed Dec 8, 2015140,000 milesNH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 530XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION ERROR MESSAGE DISPLAYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SEAT OCCUPATION MAT WAS FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V564000 (AIR BAGS). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

Air Bags
Filed Nov 30, 201570,000 milesOR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 530XI. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE PASSENGER AIR BAG MAT REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHEN SOMEONE SAT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V564000 (AIR BAGS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000. UPDATED 02/12/16*LJ; UPDATED 04/30/18*JB

Unknown or Other
Filed Jul 6, 2015115,000 milesPA

I BOUGHT 2006 BMW 530XI ABOUT A YEAR AGO FROM A USED DEALERSHIP, THE CAR WAS RUNNING PERFECT A MONTH LATER IN A SUDDEN A I GOT A TRANS MALFUNCTION, I TOOK IT TO BMW DEALERSHIP WHICH CHARGED ME $299 TO CHECK THE TRANSMISSION THEN CAME AND SAID NOTHING IS WRONG WITH IT. COUPLE WEEKS LATER THE SAME MESSAGE KEPT COMING BACK AND THE TRANSMISSION WOULD ACT UP, FOR EXAMPLE WHEN I AM SLOWING DOWN TO STOP AT A RED LIGHT , THE TRANSMISSION WOULD KICK BACK SO HARD THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PRESS THE BRAKE SO HARD TO AVOID HITTING THE PERSON IN FRONT OF ME. NOW I TOOK THE CAR AGAIN TO ANOTHER BMW DEALERSHIP BECAUSE THE TRANS MALFUNCTION STAYED AND DID NOT GO AWAY WHEN I RESTART THE CAR LIKE IT WAS DOING AND THEY TOLD ME , IT REQUIRES TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT A. BMW ADVERTISES THAT THERE CARS ARE STRONG AND LAST LONGER THAN OTHER CARS, I THINK THEY NEED TO GET SUED FOR PROVIDING FALSE INFORMATION FIR THEIR BAD CARS QUALITY. I HAVE FOUND HUNDREDS OF ONLINE THREADS WANTING TO SUE BMW FOR THE POOR TRANSMISSION ON THEIR CARS. BMW NEED TO HAVE A RECALL FOR BMW FAILED TRANSMISSION

Air Bags
Filed May 29, 2015TX

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 530XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT FLASHED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V564000 (AIR BAGS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Steering
Filed May 7, 201582,190 milesNC

STEERING LOCK (ELV) WARNING (AMBER). *TR

Exterior Lighting
Filed Apr 21, 201578,000 milesFL

ALL HEADLIGHT WIRING SHIELDING HAS DETERIORATED IN THE UNIT CAUSING A SHORTAGE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE NOT ONLY DUE TO THE SHIELDING POSSIBLY CAUSING A FIRE, BUT ALSO AN ISSUE FOR SAFE DRIVING AS THE LIGHTS NO LONGER FUNCTION TO DOT REQUIREMENTS. *TR

Air Bags
Filed Mar 23, 2015124,000 milesCT

GOT AN ERROR CODE SAYING - "FAULT IN PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM AFFECTING AIRBAG, BELT TENSIONER OR BELT-FORCE LIMITER." IT SEEMS THERE HAVE BEEN VARIOUS RECALLS SURROUNDING THIS PROBLEM, BUT WHEN I CALLED BMW OF NORTH HAVEN CT THEY SAID THERE WERE NO OPEN RECALLS FOR THIS. *TR

Engine
Filed Jan 29, 2015155,000 milesCA

HEAD BOLTS TO THE ENGINE ARE MADE OF ALUMINUM. THESE BOLT THE UPPER PORTION OF THE HEAD GASKET. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM. AT LEAST 1 ALUMINUM CYLINDER HEAD BOLT IS BROKEN AND THERE MAY BE 3 MORE BROKEN IN MY CAR. IT IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THIS E61 TOURING VEHICLE. BMW HAS DESIGNED AN ALUMINUM HEAD BOLT THAT IS KNOWN TO BREAK AT THE TENSIONS THEY SPECIFY IN THEIR MANUALS WHEN THEY CREATED THE CAR. CURRENTLY, UNLESS THE BROKEN BOLT PIECES ARE RECOVERED THE ENGINE MAY HAVE COMPLETE FAILURE WHILE DRIVING AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. IN ORDER TO REPLACE THE BROKEN BOLT, THE DEALER MUST CHECK THE 3 ADDITIONAL BOLTS AND RECOVER THE BROKEN BOLT PIECE SOMEWHERE IN THE ENGINE AND THIS REQUIRES A MINIMUM OF 7 HOURS OF LABOR PLUS THERE NEEDS TO BE A NEW HEAD GASKET BECAUSE THE VALVE COVER MUST BE REMOVED TO RETRIEVE/VIEW THE HEAD BOLTS. $3800 AT AN INDEPENDENT DEALER FOR A KNOWN DEFECT BY BMW. *TR

SuspensionFire
Filed Dec 29, 2014116,770 milesCA

SELF LEVELING COMPRESSOR STOPPED WORKING IN REAR OF CAR. SUSPENSION STAYED "ON" AND WASN'T ABLE TO SHUT DOWN THE LEVELING SYSTEM EVEN WHEN NOT DRIVING THE CAR. MELTED/BURNT THROUGH WIRE HARNESS BECAUSE SUSPENSION LEVELING SYSTEM STAYED ON. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE E61 BMW SERIES. DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AND THE AIR COMPRESSOR UNIT FOR SUSPENSION, WIRE HARNESS KIT, ETC. ALL HAD TO BE REPLACED IN ORDER FOR CAR TO BE SAFE AGAIN. UNLUCKILY WE WERE ON VACATION AND THE SELF LEVELING AIR COMPRESSOR SYSTEM FOR SUSPENSION IS QUITE IMPORTANT FOR DRIVING SAFETY. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Dec 29, 2014151,000 milesCA

FAILURES OF MULTIPLE WIRES/ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS IN THE TAILGATE/REAR WINDOW WIRING HARNESSES. SEARCH FOR BMW E61 TAILGATE WIRING PROBLEMS. THE FAILURES ARE CAUSED BY A POOR DESIGN WHERE THE WIRES ENTERING THE HINGE GUIDES (4) FOR THE GLASS AND TAILGATE ARE REPEATEDLY FLEXED AT A SHARP ANGLE UNTIL THE INSULATION, THEN THE COPPER WIRE BREAKS. SAFETY ISSUES - POSSIBLE ELECTRICAL SHORT CIRCUIT LEADING TO FIRES (HIGHEST LOAD IS FOR REAR DEFROSTER); LIGHTING FAILURES (REAR HIGH BRAKE LIGHT, LICENSE PLATE LAMPS AND OTHERS); REDUCED VISIBILITY DUE TO LOSS OF WIPER/WASHER/DEFROSTER; REAR GLASS LATCH OPENING WHILE UNDERWAY, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN LOSS OF CARGO OR INGRESS OF EXHAUST FUMES. THIS IS NOT AN EASILY REPAIRED PROBLEM AND HAS COST OVER $2000 SO FAR. I'M WORRIED ABOUT DRIVING THIS CAR AS IT IS THE MAIN TRANSPORTATION FOR MY CHILDREN AND THEIR FRIENDS.I DISCOVERED IT WHEN THE REMOTE LOCK/UNLOCK USING THE KEY FOBS FAILED, THE TRUNK INOPERABLE AND UNCLOSEABLE, THE RADIO STOPPED WORKING, THE LIGHTS IN THE REAR OF THE CAR STAYED ON PERMANENTLY AND I HAD TO DRIVE HOME ONE NIGHT WITH THE TRUNK WIDE OPEN BECAUSE THE WIRING HAD STOPPED WORKING AND IT COULD NOT BE CLOSED. AS I INVESTIGATED I FOUND MANY BROKEN GROUND WIRES, ALONG WITH SEVERAL OTHERS WITH BROKEN INSULATION, SOME WITH BROKEN COPPER STRANDS ETC. I HAVE ALREADY HAD THE RIGHT AND LEFT WIRE HARNESSES REPLACED AT AN INDEPENDENT DEALER FOR ABOUT $2200. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND I'M WORRIED THAT MORE WILL COME. *TR

Air Bags
Filed Dec 7, 201460,000 milesFL

CAR SCREEN SHOWS DEFECTIVE PASSENGER RESTRAINT AND AIRBAGS FOR SEVERAL WEEKS. I CONTACTED BMW USA AND THEY SAID THERE IS NO RECALL ON THIS CAR. THE OTHER BMW 2001 BMW 325I/[XXX] WAS SENT A LETTER OF RECALL THIS PAST SUMMER BUT BMW HAS NOT TOLD US WHAT TO DO ABOUT HAVING THE DEFECT CORRECTED.CAN YOU HELP? INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Air Bags
Filed Jul 8, 2014132,700 milesIA

AIR BAG AND SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHTS CAME AND STAYED ON. WARNING MESSAGE ON SCREEN "MALFUNCTION RESTRAINT SYSTEM -- AIR BAG MAY NOT DEPLOY SEAT BELT TENSIONER NOT ACTIVATED" *JS

Complaints 1-50 of 91, newest first, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2006
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
200767180Routine
2006 — this page91360Routine

Compare every 530Xi year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Apr 4, 2019. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.