Owners filed 29 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the power train. It has been recalled 3 times.
What fails
Component
Reports
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Air Bags
5
0
0
0
Power Train
4
0
0
0
Engine and Engine Cooling
3
0
0
0
Engine
3
0
0
1
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
2
0
0
0
Service Brakes
2
0
0
0
Power Train › Automatic Transmission
2
0
0
0
Air Bags › Frontal
2
0
0
0
Tires
1
0
0
0
Suspension
1
0
0
0
3 safety recalls
Part 573 reports
Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System › Fan12E029000
Filed Aug 10, 2012585 vehiclesValeo
Defect. This recall involves aftermarket parts sold by Valeo. Valeo is recalling certain engine cooling fans, part numbers 696121, 696273, and 696275, used as service replacement parts for model year 2008-2011 BMW 1-Series, 2006-2011 BMW 3-Series, 2000-2009 BMW 5-Series, 2004-2005 BMW 6-Series, and 2006-2007 BMW 7-Series vehicles. A metal-oxide semiconductor may overheat due to insufficient screwing of the semiconductor on the aluminum heat sink. This primary failure could cause adjacent components on the fan assembly motor circuit board to overheat and short.
Risk. This condition could cause the fan motor to become inoperative, or cause the motor circuit board in the assembly to overheat, potentially leading to a fire in the engine compartment.
Remedy. Valeo will notify owners and replace the fans free of charge. The safety recall began on August 22, 2012. This recall is being conducted by Valeo, not by BMW. For further information, owners may contact Valeo at 1-888-718-2536.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Power Assist › Vacuum10V446000
Filed Oct 1, 2010198,352 vehiclesBmw Of North America, Llc
Defect. BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2010 5-SERIES, 6-SERIES, AND MODEL YEAR 2002-2008 7-SERIES VEHICLES. A CHECK VALVE OF THE BRAKE VACUUM PUMP MAY LEAK A SMALL AMOUNT OF LUBRICATING OIL. OVER TIME THIS COULD RESULT IN CONTAMINATION OF THE BRAKE BOOSTER.
Risk. POWER ASSIST BRAKING PERFORMANCE COULD BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED. IN EXTREME CASES THERE COULD BE A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER ASSIST BRAKING. AN UNEXPECTED REDUCTION OR LOSS IN POWER BRAKING ASSIST MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy. BMW WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 24, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-525-7417.
Suspension › Rear › Shock Absorber06V277000
Filed Jul 26, 200611,640 vehiclesBmw Of North America, Llc
Defect. ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE LOWER RUBBER MOUNT OF THE REAR SHOCK ABSORBERS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED TO SPECIFICATIONS AND MAY NOT ADHERE CORRECTLY TO ITS HOUSING WITHIN THE SHOCK ABSORBER.
Risk. THE BUSHING COULD LOOSEN AND OVER TIME COULD SEPARATE FROM ITS HOUSING. THE DRIVER WILL EXPERIENCE IMPAIRED VEHICLE HANDLING AND CONTROL INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR SHOCK ABSORBER FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 13, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.
What owners reported
Newest filings
Engine1 injured
Filed Jun 24, 201910,200 milesCA
DOORS DONT ALWAYS LATCH AND A PERSON WAS THROWN FROM CAR, HAVE CALLED DEALER SHIP AND THEY SAID NO RECALL BUT MY CAR IS DOING IT AND THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM , I NEED MY CAR ADDED TO RECALL LIST ASAP
Engine
Filed Mar 18, 201985,000 milesMN
BLOWS OUT WHILE/BLUISH SMOKE, SHIFTS INTO PARK WHEN IN DRIVE OR REVERSE, WON'T GO FORWARD. TRANSMISSION FAULT LIGHT ON. I HAVE TO CONSTANTLY PUT OIL IN IT. THERE IS NO REASON WHY I SHOULD BE HAVING ALL THESE PROBLEMS, I SEE THAT MILLIONS OF PEOPLE THAT HAVE OR PURCHASED THIS SAME CAR HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS. I TRULY BELIEVE BMW NEEDS TO BE ACCOUNTABLE FOR THESE PROBLEMS. IT'S TERRIBLE THAT ONE WOULD PAY SO MANY CH FOR A LUXURY CAR FOR IT TO HAVE ALL THESE PROBLEMS.
Service Brakes
Filed Aug 30, 2018106,781 milesCA
BRAKES HAVE NO POWER ALMOST HAD ACCIDENT RECALL #10V446000 WAS IN FREEWAY ALL SUDDEN LOST BRAKES LOOK ON LINE THIS WHAT I FOUND CALL MANUFACTURE DEALER THEY DENIED SERVICE
Air Bags
Filed May 18, 2017VA
I PURCHASED THE CAR FROM A DEALER IN VIRGINIA. MAYBE A FEW WEEKS LATER THE AIRBAG WAARNING LIGHT CAME N THE SCREEN. I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO DRIVE IT BECASUE WHEN I WENT TO TAKE IT TO GET LOOKED AT BY A BMW REPAIR PERSON TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THAT SAME ISSUE AND THE DEALER SHOULD NOT HAVE SOLD ME THE CAR WITHOUT TELLING ME THAT INFORMATION. HE THEN TOLD ME IT IS THE ( SEAT OCCUPANCY DETECTOR PASSENGER SIDE AND RESISTENCE TO HIGH FIRING CIRCUIT , BELT TENSIONER PASSENGER SIDE. HE SAID TO CALL BMW SO I DID AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THE RECALL REPAIR TIME EXPIRE A YEAR BEFORE I PURCHASED THE CAR . NO ONE EVER SHARED THIS INFORMATION WITH ME AND NOW IT IS NOT SAFE TO HAVE MY KIDS OR HUSBAND IN THE PASSENGER SEAT BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM.. BMW SHOULD HAVE EXTENDED THAT IF IT WAS NEVER DONE WHEN THEY ORIGINALLY SENT OUT THE NOTICE TO WHOM EVER HAD THE VEHICLE BEFORE. IF SOMETHING ISNT DONE FROM THE REALL KNOWING ITS A SAFELTY ISSUE THEN IT SHOULD BE EXTENDED UNTIL REPAIRED. IT IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AND ITS A LARGE BILL FOR ME TO REPAIR SOMETHING THAT WAS ALREADY RECALLED
Air Bags
Filed Apr 2, 2017103,000 milesSC
TAKATA RECALL AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ISSUES, CAR WAS STATIONARY
Air Bags
Filed Mar 7, 2017CA
TROUBLE LIGHT SHOWS-- PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM. MY MECHANIC DIAGNOSED IT AS A DEFECTIVE SEAT MODULE SENSOR IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. HIS COST OF REPAIR IS $1,200 WITH NO ASSURANCES THAT THE PROBLEM WILL BE RESOLVED DUE TO THE TAKATA AIR BAG RESPONSE TO THIS SENSOR.
Service Brakes
Filed Aug 5, 201666,000 milesNJ
WHILE STOPPING, THE BRAKE PEDAL BECAME EXTREMELY HARD AND WENT TO THE FLOOR, JUST BARELY AVOIDING A CATASTROPHE. THIS HAPPENED WITH NO WARNING WHATSOEVER, AND THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A MULTIPLE DEATH ACCIDENT. I CONTACTED BMW OF NA AND THEY INFORMED ME THAT MY VIN NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. I CLEARLY SHOULD BE, BECAUSE I KNOW I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE THIS PROBLEM.
Air Bags
Filed Mar 3, 2016CA
"TAKATA RECALL" THE PASSENGER AIR BAGS ARE NOT FUNCTIONING IT POP UP ON MY CLUSTER WHEN I WAS STARTING UP MY VEHICLE FROM HOME. I RECIEVED A RECALL LETTER FROM NHTSA WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE BMW DEALER IT WASNT ON THE SYSTEM SO THEY COULDNT REPLACE MY AIR BAGS FOR THE PASSANGER SIDE
Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Nov 17, 201593,000 milesAL
THE FRONT LIGHT BULBS HAVE BLOWN ON THE LEFT SIDE TWICE. THE HARNESS WIRE CONNECTION IS FAULTY. ALSO THE DYNAMIC DRIVE INACTIVE WHILE THE TRANSMISSION JERKS WHEN YOU ACCELERATE AFTER VEHICLE STOPS.
Power Train
Filed Jan 4, 2015109,891 milesTX
I HAD BEEN FEELING SOME POWERFUL HER KING WHEN I BEGUN TO STOP AND ACCELERATE A COUPLE TIMES.. AND THEN ONE DAY IT JUST STOP GOING INTO GEAR PERIOD. . *TR
Engine
Filed Jun 13, 2013AR
VEHICLE SMOKES AT IDLE AND AT TAKE OFF. *TR
Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Jun 9, 201392,000 milesAL
CRANK CASE VENT VALVE/BREATHER FAILURE AFTER LONG TRIPS, NO INDICATION OF THE FAILURE UNITL CAR GIVES CHECK ENGINE LIGHT USUALLY AFTER THE TRIP THE NEXT DAY, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO LATE PART FAILURE ALREADY CAUSES MOTOR ISSUES AFTER ISSUES (OIL LEAKS, BLOWN GASKETS AND SEALS, MISFIRE, ROUGH IDLE, VEHICLE STALLING) FROM THE PRESSURE ON THE ENGINE FROM THE FAILED COMPONENT (CRANK CASE VENT BREATHER/VALVE) AND HAVE BEEN KNOWN TO CAUSE EXCESSIVE SMOKING FROM TAIL PIPE OR SIMULATIONS OF A FIRE. *TR
Power Train
Filed Feb 8, 2013124,000 milesMO
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 7 SERIES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER SHIFTING INTO PARK, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL. IMMEDIATELY AFTER, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED SAFE MODE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A SOFTWARE UPDATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 12V502000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM , POWER TRAIN). THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 124,000....UPDATED 04/25/13 *BF
Air Bags
Filed Jan 24, 201349,000 milesGA
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 7 SERIES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, THE AIR BAG AND SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THAT THE SENSOR MAT IN THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SEAT WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V384000 (AIR BAGS:FRONTAL) BUT WAS ADVISED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,000.
Latches/Locks/Linkages
Filed Dec 20, 2012GA
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 7 SERIES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WOULD OPEN INDEPENDENTLY. THE DOOR WOULD OPEN WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION OR WHILE SITTING IDLE. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER:12V504000(LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH) AND CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, BUT WAS ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN, BUT THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 73,600.
Power Train
Filed Oct 20, 201246,500 milesTX
OCT 19TH 2012, 2006 BMW 750LI. (AUTOMATIC PARK FEATURE CAUSES VEHICLE TO ALMOST RUN OVER MY DAUGHTER ON ITS OWN) I STOPPED THE CAR ON MY DRIVEWAY AND OPENED THE DRIVER DOOR WHILE AT THE SAME TIME PUSHED THE P PARK BUTTON ON THE SHIFTER (OPENING DOOR WHILE CAR IS STOPPED CAUSES THIS MODEL TO AUTOMATICALLY SHIFT TO "P" PARK) I PROCEEDED TO EXIT CAR TO KEY IN MY GARAGE CODE ON THE KEYPAD MOUNTED BY THE DOOR ABOUT 8 FEET AWAY. THIS IS MY FIRST CAR WITH AUTOMATIC PARK FEATURE SO JUST IN CASE I ALWAYS MANUALLY PUSH THE "P" PARK BUTTON AS A REDUNDANT HABIT. I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT I PHYSICALLY SAW THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT FROM D DRIVE TO P PARK AND LIGHT UP BEFORE EXITING THE VEHICLE. THE CAR WAS STILL RUNNING AND IN PARK!, WHEN OUT OF THE CORNER OF MY EYE, BEFORE THE GARAGE DOOR COULD OPEN I NOTICED THE CAR FOLLOWING ME. IT MOVED ABOUT 8 FEET AND BARELY MISSED MY 4 YEAR OLD THAT WAS ON HER BICYCLE ABOUT 5 FEET AWAY. IT SLAMMED INTO MY GARAGE DOOR AT AROUND 2-5MPH BEFORE COMING TO A STOP ON ITS OWN BEFORE I COULD DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. WHEN I GOT BACK IN THE CAR, THERE WAS LITTLE GEAR LIGHT ON THE DASH AND A TRANSMISSION FAILURE CODE" APPEARED AND IT HAD SHIFTED TO N NEUTRAL ON ITS OWN. NOW WHEN I ATTEMPT TO PUT IN D DRIVE IT AUTOMATICALLY GOES INTO NEUTRAL AFTER A FEW SECONDS. APPARENTLY, IT WENT INTO NEUTRAL ALL BY ITSELF AND INERTIAL PLOWED INTO THE DOOR. IT DIDN'T MAKE SENSE TO ME HOW IT WENT FROM PARK TO NEUTRAL UNTIL I READ YOUR ARTICLE REGARDING AN ONGOING INVESTIGAT
Suspension
Filed Nov 21, 2011100,000 milesNY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 750 LI. THE CONTACT STATED THE REAR SUSPENSION LOWERED TO THE POINT WHERE THE FRAME WAS SITTING ON THE REAR WHEELS. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH OVER A BUMP, THE SUSPENSION CAUSED DAMAGE TO SEVERAL COMPONENTS. THE CONTACT STATED THE SHOCK ABSORBER MALFUNCTIONED DUE TO A LOOSE BUSHING. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING A NHTSA CAMPAIGN I.D. NUMBER 06V277000 (SUSPENSION:REAR:SHOCK ABSORBER) WHO STATED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
Power Train
Filed Nov 11, 201187,052 milesVA
TRANSMISSION FAILED AND WOULD NOT ENGAGE D1, D2, D3. UNABLE TO MOVE CAR FORWARD.
Air Bags › Frontal
Filed Jul 18, 2011100,000 milesAL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 750LI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE BRAKING AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK AND EXPERIENCE AN INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCE. THE FAILURE RECURRED WHENEVER THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 10V446000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 107,000. UPDATED 09/15/11*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED HE IS ALSO HAVING PROBLEMS GETTING RECALL 09V384000 AIR:FRONTAL RECTIFIED BY BMW. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, EVEN THOUGH HE IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. UPDATED 09/19/11
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Mar 4, 201171,759 milesFL
ON NOV 29, 2010 I TOOK MY CAR INTO THE DEALERSHIP FOR STANDARD MAINTENANCE AS WELL AS TO INVESTIGATE LEAKS THAT WERE OCCURRING. THE DEALERSHIP NOTIFIED ME THAT THERE WAS A RECALL THAT THEY NEEDED TO PERFORMANCE MAINTENANCE ON AS WELL RELATED TO THE BRAKES. LEAKS WERE REPAIRED, RECALL WORK (BRAKE LINE AND VACUUM PIPE) COMPLETED. ON MAR 3, 2011 ALL POWER ASSIST TO MY BRAKES FAILED WHILE BACKING UP AND NEARLY COLLIDED WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. WHEN I TOOK THIS TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY TOLD ME THAT IT WOULD BE $1,000 TO REPLACE THE MASTER CYLINDER AND BRAKE BOOSTER. WHEN I ASKED WHY THIS WORK WASN'T PERFORMED WHEN THE RECALL MAINTENANCE WAS PERFORMED THEY INDICATED THAT IT WAS NOT REQUIRED. MY WORRY IS THAT OTHER VEHICLE OWNERS WILL BE AT RISK DUE TO INCOMPLETE MAINTENANCE PERFORMED BY BMW WITH MUCH MORE SERIOUS OUTCOMES. I AM STRUGGLING CURRENTLY WITH BMW TO CONVINCE THEM THAT THIS IS ALL RELATED (AS NOTED IN THE RECALL NOTICE) BUT NOT MAKING ANY PROGRESS. *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: Aug 10, 2012. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.