Owners filed 20 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the service brakes. It has been recalled 1 time.
What fails
Component
Reports
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Service Brakes
4
1
0
1
Seats
3
0
1
1
Tires
2
0
0
0
Steering
2
0
0
0
Air Bags
2
0
0
0
Unknown or Other
1
0
0
0
Tires › Sidewall
1
0
0
0
Structure
1
0
0
0
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
1
0
0
0
Fuel/Propulsion System
1
0
0
0
1 safety recall
Part 573 reports
Engine and Engine Cooling07V479000
Filed Oct 12, 200729,250 vehiclesBmw Of North America, Llc
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.
What owners reported
Newest filings
Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Dec 13, 2021DC
Leak from fuel pump located under passenger rear side (right rear). Gasoline pooling next to electrical connection and excess gasoline dripping into interior and exterior. Explosion risk. Gasoline fumes.
Unknown or Other
Filed Jul 25, 2021CO
Constant malfunctions of convertible top. Top won’t stay in locked position. Once top malfunctions windows won’t operate. This has been an ongoing problem. Has been in shop for repair of this item multiple times. Research shows many owners having same issues. Warning sign from BMW says drive slow and report to nearest BMW shop. BMW refuses to address the issue…. After spending hundreds if not thousands to get this issue resolved the latest BMW shop said replace the hydraulic system at a cost of 4400.00. The 2006 650 I convertible top has a manufacturing issue in my opinion. Please investigate.
Steering
Filed Oct 8, 2017118,000 milesNM
THE ACTIVE STEERING SYSTEM OPERATES ON AND OFF. STEERING IS NORMAL THEN THE ACTIVE STEERING SYSTEM SHUTS OFF. STEERING BECOMES VERY HEAVY. THE WARNINGS LIGHT NOW STAYS ON ALL THE TIME THIS IS UNDER ALL DRIVING CONDITIONS AND ROADS.
Seats1 injured
Filed Jan 19, 201785,000 milesVA
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY WHEN I SMELLED SOMETHING FUNNY. A MINUTE LATER I FELT AN EXTREMELY HOT SENSATION ON MY LEFT LEG. I REACHED DOWN AND THE SEAT WAS SO HOT THAT IT BURNT MY HAND FROM THE BRIEF CONTACT. I PULLED OVER TO FIND THAT THE HEATED SEAT ELEMENT HAD BURNT A HOLE IN THE LEATHER SEAT AS WELL AS BURNT A HOLE IN MY WOOL COAT. IRONICALLY, THIS OCCURRED IN MY LAST BMW AS WELL, A 2004 3-SERIES, JUST TO A LESSER EXTENT. I DID NOT RECEIVE BURNS FROM THAT INCIDENT, IT JUST MELTED THE LEFT SIDE OF MY SEAT. *TR
Air Bags
Filed Dec 1, 201675,998 milesCA
PASSENGER SEATBELT/AIRBAG WARNING AS FOLLOWS: "PASS. RESTRAINT SYSTEM - FAULT ON PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM AFFECTING AIRBAG, BELT TENSIONER OR BELT-FORCE LIMITER. CONTINUE TO WEAR THE SAFETY BELT." NOTE: THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY WITH A MECHANIC WHO HAS CONFIRMED THIS IS THE "PASSENGER SEAT MAT SENSOR." I CALLED BMW OF NORTH AMERICA TODAY TO REPORT THE PROBLEM AND CHECK FOR RECALLS. I WAS INFORMED I SHOULD GO TO A BMW DEALERSHIP TO GET A "FORMAL DIAGNOSIS FROM THE DEALER" AND TO "CONFIRM IF THE ISSUE COULD'VE BEEN INCLUDED IN PRIOR RECALL." NOTE: I SEARCHED THE NHTSA WEBSITE FOR MY YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL VEHICLE AND FOUND THIS EXACT SAME ISSUE WAS UNDER "INVESTIGATION" FROM JAN. 4, 2008 TO DEC. 31, 2008. THE INVESTIGATION SUBJECT IS "BMW AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATION". THE SUMMARY STATES THAT IT WAS FOR BMW MODELS FROM 2004 TO 2006 AND STATES THE 2006 MODELS WERE RECALLED FOR THE X3 SERIES AND 3-SERIES WITH SPORT SEATS. IT FURTHER STATES "BMW WILL EXTEND THE WARRANTY COVERAGE OF THE PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT TO 10-YEAR/UNLIMITED MILEAGE ON APPROXIMATELY 120,000 REMAINING MY04-06 SUBJECT VEHICLES BUILT THROUGH 11/30/05." THEREFORE, I BELIEVE MY VEHICLE SHOULD BE INCLUDED BASED ON THE LATER STATEMENT. MY INCIDENT FIRST OCCURRED ON THANKSGIVING DAY, NOV. 24, 2016. THE WARNING LIGHT HAS NOT TURNED OFF SINCE THEN. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY WITH THE MECHANIC FOR A LARGE UNRELATED TO THIS SENSOR MAT ISSUE. I EXPECT I WILL HAVE THE VEHICLE BACK IN 1-2 WEEKS, AT WHICH TIM
Air Bags
Filed Aug 8, 2016124,000 milesFL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 650I CONVERTIBLE. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE AIR BAG AND SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED CONSTANTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 124,000.
Steering
Filed Jul 17, 2016NY
ELV ROBLEM
Service BrakesCrash1 injured
Filed Apr 19, 2016106,000 milesWA
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2006 BMW 650I. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH AND COMING TO A STOP, THE BRAKES FAILED TO RESPOND. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS SOFT AND TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE HARDER THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED, THE FURTHER TO THE FLOOR IT WENT WITHOUT A RESPONSE. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. IN TURN, THE OTHER VEHICLE STRUCK THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO BOTH LEGS, THE LEFT HAND, AND BREASTS, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S HOME. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,000.
Tires
Filed Feb 3, 201691,213 milesOK
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 650I EQUIPPED WITH BRIDGESTONE TIRES, TIRE LINE: POTENZA RE050A, TIRE SIZE: 275/35/R19 AND DOT NUMBER: EJ9HDJH4311. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE OBSERVER A BLISTER IN THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR TIRE SIDEWALL. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THE TIRE WAS ALWAYS FLAT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE VEHICLE AND TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 92,132.
Service Brakes
Filed Dec 22, 2015145,000 milesSC
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 650I. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT HAD TO PLACE AN ABNORMAL AMOUNT OF PRESSURE ON THE BRAKE PEDAL IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE HOSE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT OF OTHER REPAIRS THAT NEEDED TO BE COMPLETED FOR THE BRAKE SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V446000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE REMEDY FOR THE RECALL STATED THAT ANY REPAIRS WOULD BE DONE AND DECIDED UPON BY THE DEALER FREE OF CHARGE; HOWEVER, THE DEALER ONLY COMPLETED ONE NECESSARY REPAIR FREE OF CHARGE. THE VEHICLE'S REPAIR WAS NOT COMPLETE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 145,000. UPDATED 02/18/16*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE RECALL REPAIR WAS COMPLETED. UPDATED 12/14/2017*JS
Electrical SystemFire
Filed Jul 2, 201547,500 milesFL
COOL EVENING, ENGAGE DRIVER SIDE SEAT HEATER, STARTED SMELLING FOUL SMELL, SHORT DRIVE 3-5 MINUTES. FOUND THAT SEAT HEATER MUST OF HAD A SHORT, BURNED HOLE THROUGH SEAT PADDING, LEATHER SEAT COVER, MY SHORTS AND I WAS SAVED BY MY WALLET THAT HAD A HOLE BURNED INTO IT. NOTE : CAR IS IN NE OHIO FOR SUMMER
Tires
Filed Mar 24, 201584,000 milesDC
SIDEWALL IS SEPARATING AFTER LESS THAN 1 YEAR, 15,000 MILES. *TR
Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Dec 11, 201486,000 milesMD
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 650I. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH DURING COLD WEATHER, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE THERMOSTAT AND THE HOSES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 07V479000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000.
SeatsFire
Filed Nov 22, 201428,800 milesCO
I STARTED MY CAR TURNED ON BOTH HEATED SEATS AND BEGIN SEEING SMOKE AND SMELLED DISTINCT BURNING.... I PULLED OUT OF MY GARAGE AND IMMEDIATELY PULLED TO THE CURVE. MY LEFT SIDE DRIVERS SEAT WAS SMOKING AND I REALIZED MY PANTS HAD A HOLE BURNED IN THEM ALONG WITH A HOLE IN MY SEAT. I HAVE CONTACTED BMW BUT TO DATE NO RESPONSE BACK FROM THEM. THIS IS A DANGEROUS FLAW IN THE BMW AND NEEDS FURTHER ACTION TAKEN. I COULD HAVE BEEN BURNED OR THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED ME TO HAVE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. FURTHER MY VERY LOW MILEAGE CAR COULD HAVE BEEN CONSUMED IN FLAMES. *TR
Seats
Filed Jan 16, 201356,000 milesCA
THE PASSENGER SEAT MAT SENSOR IS DEFECTIVE AND CANNOT TELL WHEN A PASSENGER IS SEATED, THEREFORE, NOT ALLOWING A PASSENGER AIR BAG TO DEPLOY. THE SRS AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT APPEARS. THE PASSENGER SEAT HAS NOT BEEN TAMPERED WITH, RARELY BEEN SAT IN, AND THE DEFECT CANNOT BE ATTRIBUTED TO ANY ERROR ON MY PART. *TR
Service Brakes
Filed Sep 11, 201254,000 milesCA
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 650I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR UNRELATED MAINTENANCE WHEN THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THAT THE BRAKE VACUUM PUMP WAS LEAKING OIL. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V446000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM) HOWEVER, WAS ADVISED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,000.
Service Brakes
Filed Jul 19, 201262,000 milesGA
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 650I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE BRAKES MALFUNCTIONED AND COULD NOT SLOW THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAD TO USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO ADVISED HIM OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN I.D. 10V446000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM) AND SUGGESTED THE CONTACT TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR THE RECALL REPAIR BUT THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000.
Structure
Filed Aug 29, 201170,000 milesGA
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 650I. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED THE CONTACT NOTICED A LIGHT ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL INDICATING THE CONVERTIBLE TOP WAS NOT LOCKED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO OPEN THE WINDOWS IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE CONVERTIBLE TOP SENSOR FAILED AND WAS REPLACED THREE TIMES. THE FAILURE CONTINUED AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED. THE CURRENT FAILURE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Dec 13, 201072,000 milesCA
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 650I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER RECEIVING A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID (10V446000- SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC: POWER ASSIST: VACUUM) HE TOOK HIS VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR INSPECTION. AFTER THE INSPECTION WAS DONE, THE DEALER INFORMED HIM THAT THEY NEED TO REPLACE THE BRAKE VACUUM PUMP WHICH WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR THE RECALL COMPONENT LISTED AND NOT FOR THE VACUUM PUMP. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 72,000.
Tires › Sidewall
Filed Nov 25, 2007NY
HAVE A BUBBLE ON 2 BRIDGESTONE POTENZAS RUN FLAT, OEM. CAR AND TIRES HAVE 10,500 MILES. TIRES ARE DIAGONALLY OPPOSITE, REAR DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. 1) FRONT 245/40/19 RUN FLAT AND 2) REAR 275/40/19. HAVE NOT HIT POTHOLES. WROTE TO BRIDGESTONE - NO REPLY, ON THE WEBSITE THEY CLAIM THAT THEY RESPOND WITHIN 3 WORKING DAYS. ALSO TOOK CAR TO BRIDGESTONE/FIRESTONE DEALER IN WESTBURY, NY. THEY DENY THAT THIS IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT GIVEN THAT: 1. TIRES DID NOT HIT A POTHOLE, EVEN IF IT DID, HOPEFULLY THEY ARE DESIGNED TO HIT POTHOLES, AT LEAST SOME OF THE TIME; 2) THIS HAPPENED WITHIN 10,000 MILES; 3) THEY ARE ON DIAGONALLY OPPOSITE SIDES, 4) THEY HAPPENED AS A RESULT OF INNER AND OUTER LININGS NOT HAVING BEEN GLUED WELL IN THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS. THE MANUFACTURERS HAVE NOT EVEN BOTHERED TO DOCUMENT THE COMPLAIN TO ASSESS IF THERE INDEED IS A MANUFACTURING PROBLEM. *TR
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: Oct 12, 2007. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.