Owners filed 91 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the air bags. It has been recalled 3 times.
When it fails
09750097,500 milesMedian miles at failure
78 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 90,000–105,000 miles.
What fails
Component
Reports
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Air Bags
42
1
0
0
Electrical System
13
0
3
0
Engine
7
0
0
0
Visibility/Wiper
3
0
0
0
Steering
3
0
0
0
Power Train
3
0
0
0
Unknown or Other
2
1
1
2
Suspension
2
0
1
0
Structure
2
0
0
0
Seats
2
0
0
0
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].
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.
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.