2006 BMW 550i

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.

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].

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.

Risk. 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.

The contact owns a 2006 BMW 550I. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the front passenger’s side air bag warning light remained illuminated. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V428000 (Air Bags). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 184,000.

I WAS DRIVING HOME AND FELT THE CAR LEANING TO ONE SIDE (PASSENGER SIDE) I DROVE SLOWLY WITH HAZARD LIGHTS ON MADE IT HOME AND CHECKED UNDER VEHICLE LOOKED LIKED THE BOLT CAME OFF AND BAR CONNECTED TO TIRE WAS DROPPED HAD IT TOWED TO SHOP AND WAS TOLD CONTROL ARM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED . ANOTHER SITUATION I HAD WITH MY CAR WAS THE COOLING SYSTEM AND THE OIL I WAS BUYING BOTTLES OF COOLANT AND OIL WEEKLY TOOK IT INTO SHOP AND WAS TOLD COMPLETE COOLING SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AS I WAS DRIVING HOME CAR STARTED TO OVERHEAT SO I STOPPED AS RECOMMENDED AND LET IT COOL MADE IT HOME THEN HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO SHOP THEY ORDERED ALL PARTS AND HOSES FOR COOLING SYSTEM NOW MY CAR SMOKE AT THE EXHAUST WHEN SITTING IDLE FOR A FEW MINUTES THEN WHEN I PUSH ON THE GAS BIG CLOUDS OF WHITE SMOKE COME FROM EXHAUST. *TR

NEXEN TIRES N5000 PLUS SIDEWALL ON ALL TIRES ARE STARTING TO CRACK AND SPLIT WITH LESS THAN 30,000 MILES AND 24 MONTHS OF USE. GOING TO REPLACE TIRES WITH ANOTHER BRAND AND REMOVE THESE DUE TO UNSAFE AND POTENTIAL CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF TIRES COMING APART OR BLOWOUT AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS..

HEADLIGHT WIRE INSULATION FLAKING OFF AND WIRES ARE SHORTING CAUSING HEADLIGHT TO GO OFF. WIRES SHORT AND ARCING. THE HEADLIGHT WENT OFF WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT NIGHT.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 550I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V564000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BMW OF LAS VEGAS (6900 W SAHARA AVE, NV 89117, (702) 570-0279), BUT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

THERE IS FUEL LEAKING FROM THE MAIN FUEL LINE TO THE FUEL RAIL. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS UPON RESEARCH I HAVE FOUND THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH MY MODEL WHICH EXPLAINS WHY BMW'S CATCH FIRE. DOES SOMEONE HAVE TO DIE BEFORE THEY FIX THIS PROBLEM?

ALTOUGH MY 2006 BMW 550I V8 IS HARD TO STOP AND FALLS UNDER BMW BRAKE VACUUM PUMP RECALL RELEASED NOVEMBER 2010, FOR SOME REASON MY VIN DOESNT BRING UP THE RECALL. BMW REFUSED TO FIX.A WASTED 1 HOUR TRIP AND DAY.

FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT WARMING ON I-DRIVE AND AIR BAD LIGHT LIT ON DASH. PASSENGER RESTRAINT FAILURE. FAULT IN PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM AFFECTING AIR BAG,BELT TENSIONER OR BELT-FORCE LIMITER.FASTEN AND CONTINUE TO WEAR BELTS. ON 24-7. FROM THE MOMENT YOU START THE CAR TILL THE MOMENT YOU SHUT IT OFF.

DEFECTIVE ELV STEERING LOCK PREVENTS THE CAR FROM STARTING. THE LOCK CAN'T BE DISABLED. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL. THE LOCK IS UNNNECSSARY FOR SAFE OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE. THE LOCK CAN'T BE DISABLED. AT THE VERY LEAST, THE OWNER SHOULD BE ABLE TO DISABLE IT.

MY 06 BMW 550I IS HAVING AN ELECTRIC WHEEL LOCK FAULT JUST LIKE THOUSANDS OF OTHERS THIS AS YOU KNOW COULD POSSIBLY LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT BMW HAS ISSUED A SERVICE BULLETIN ACKNOWLEDGING THE ISSUE. ANY ASSISTANCE IS GREATLY APPRECIATED. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 550I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH ATTEMPTING TO AVOID CRASHING INTO AN ANIMAL, THE CONTACT SWERVED TO THE RIGHT AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED BUT THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BURNS ON THE NECK AND RIGHT WRIST FROM THE AIR BAG CHEMICALS. THE CONTACT ALSO REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2006 BMW 550I. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH AND ATTEMPTING AVOID CRASHING INTO AN ANIMAL, THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE RIGHT AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BURNS TO THE RIGHT WRIST, FOREHEAD, AND THE LEFT SIDE OF THE NECK WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM BELT TENSIONER OR BELT FORCE LIMITER FAULT. AIRBAG LIGHT ON. *TR

STEERING MALFUNCTION ISSUE AND RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION MESSAGE. I'M AWARE THAT BMW HAD RECALLS ON THESE ISSUES THAT I AM HAVING HOWEVER I CALLED BMW USA AND MY VIN NUMBER THEY SAY WASN'T INVOLVED IN THE RECALL. HOWEVER I'M HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. *TR

AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AND WON'T GO OUT. *TR

IN THE EARLIER PART OF THE YEAR, I NOTICED THE BATTERY CABLE (LOCATED IN THE TRUNK OF MY CAR) WAS VERY HOT TO THE TOUCH AND BEGAN CHARRING. I CALLED THE LOCAL BMW SERVICE CENTER BECAUSE I READ OF OTHER CONSUMERS HAVING THE SAME ISSUE (ARTICLE IN CONSUMER REPORTS, THE NEW YORK TIMES AND MSNBC.COM. EACH ARTICLE STATED BMW WOULD BE ISSUING A RECALL. I CALLED THE LOCAL BMW DEALER SERVICE CENTER AND MY CONSULTANT TOLD ME THERE WAS NOT A RECALL CAMPAIGN FOR THAT ISSUE WITH MY CAR. ON, 9/14/14 THE CAR STARTED GIVING ELECTRONIC ERRORS AND ACTING LIKE IT WAS GOING TO STALL OUT ON THE INTERSTATE AND WE WERE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 70MPH. I HAD THE CAR TOWED INTO BMW OF NASHVILLE'S SERVICE CENTER ON 9/14/14 AND WAS INFORMED THAT I WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYING FOR THE CHARGES TO REPLACE THE CABLES AND THEY KNOW IT IS A KNOWN DEFECT THAT EFFECTED MILLIONS OF CARS. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS ISSUE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 550I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG FAILED AND THE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 13V564000(AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT TAKEN CARE OF IN A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,000.

WHILE DRIVING NEAR HOME ON A RAINY DAY ON 10/18/2012 WHEN I APPLIED MY BRAKES AT A ROAD CURVE, THE BRAKES DID NOT RESPOND AND I HIT A SIDEWALK, DAMAGING THE REAR BUMPER ON ITS RIGHT HAND SIDE (PASSENGER'S SIDE). I SEARCHED THE INTERNET FOR BRAKE FAILURES ON MY 2006 BMW 550I AND FOUND A RECALL ID #87954, RELATED TO A "COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER ASSIST BRAKING, OR UNEXPECTED REDUCTION OR LOSS IN POWER BRAKING ASSIST...". WHEN I CALLED BMW NUMBER SHOWING IN THE RECALL NOTICE, THEY TOLD ME MY CAR VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE FACTORY RECALL. A TOTAL OF POTENTIAL UNITS AFFECTED IN THE RECALL WAS 198,352, BUT MY VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED ! I'M REQUESTING NHTSA TO REVIEW THIS CASE AND EXTEND THIS RECALL TO ADDITIONAL VIN NUMBERS, INCLUDING MINE TO GET POWER ASSIST BRAKING SYSTEM REPAIRED ON MY VEHICLE FREE OF CHARGE. ALSO, THIS SHOULD PREVENT CRASH ACCIDENTS ON THIS MODEL CAR. *TR

THERE IS A RECALL INVOLVING THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR MAT, WHICH CAUSE THE AIRBAG NOT TO WORK IN SOME MODELS. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V384000 HOWEVER, SINCE MY VEHICLE'S PROD. DATE WAS 01/2006 IT IS NOT COVERED. THERE IS MANY VEHICLES UP TO 2007 I'VE HEARD, WITH THE SAME ISSUE. IT WOULD BE FAIR TO REVISIT THE RECALL AND DO THE NEEDED CHANGES IN ORDER TO COVER THESE VEHICLES. IT IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE AROUND WITH A FRONT AIRBAG NOT WORKING. AND UNFAIR THAT BECAUSE OF THREE MONTHS DIFFERENCE IN THE PRODUCTION DATES, SOMEONE HAS TO PAY ANYWHERE AROUND $1800 OUT OF POCKET FOR THE SAME ISSUE THAT OTHER OWNERS ARE GETTING FIXED FREE OF CHARGE. *KB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 550I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE SEAT OCCUPANT SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THE COMPONENT WAS UNDER RECALL (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V384000 -AIR BAGS: FRONTAL), BUT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 105,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.