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EnginePart report

2006 BMW 5 Series Engine Problems

Complaints
6about this part
Share
7%of 85 total for the year
Median mileage
86,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the engine of the 2006 BMW 5 Series, 7% of the 85 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 86,000 miles.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“The passenger seat airbag malfunctioned casing the seat to have to be removed and sensor replaced. There was a recall on this but my car, and 2 of my friends cars were not included on the recall, my friends were charged by the dealership. My engine leaks oil onto the exhaust manifold causing smoke in the cab and potential fire hazard. On every bm I have ever owned the radiator leaks fluid which is environmentally hazardous and should have been recalled.”

NHTSA complaint #10939903, filed 2017-01, 69,000 miles

“I bought the car it had an oil leak, radiator leak, developed an air bag malfunction, the engine stopped running, tar is accumulating on top of the sunroof every time I open it, the heater fan makes noise, the transmission makes noise after four attempts it is still leaking oil. All of my friends who own Bmw's have also had air bag malfunctions. None were part of the recall, all paid $1,300.00 to have it fixed. Bmw should have recalled all of them. The purpose of recalling some is to avoid a total recall. …”

NHTSA complaint #10585739, filed 2014-04, 69,000 miles

“I bought a used Bmw from long island auto find. Before picking it up I told nick certain things needed to be done there was a drafty sound coming from the moon roof the center rims were corroded, bolts were missing from the valve cover. I was called three days in a row by nick who claimed everything was done and the car was ready to be picked up. When I got the re not only was the battery dead, nothing on my list was done! I have since had the car 5 month and I has been in the shop 5 weeks so far. Passenger side air bag malfunctioned and needed to be replaced. …”

NHTSA complaint #10573900, filed 2014-03, 68,000 miles

“The 2006 Bmw 5 SERIES used aluminum head and valve cover bolts which were over-torqued during assembly and break after approximately 80k. Bmw admits this problem exists but refuses to issue a recall. Bmw's repair cost is ~$6000. These bolts are non serviceable and should never be removed, when broken they cause massive oil leaks and possibly fire. I contacted Bmw, they requested to review the car. Bmw agreed that the bolts were broken then refused to fix the problem claiming the car has too many miles. Bmw knew the mileage when they requested to review the problem ... …”

NHTSA complaint #10677109, filed 2015-01, 120,000 miles

“The contact owns a 2006 Bmw 5 SERIES. The contact stated that the vehicle leaked oil and the brakes failed while driving at low speeds. The brakes worked normally when applied at high speeds. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that a new power brake booster and vacuum pump needed to be installed. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and did not assist. The dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 104,932.”

NHTSA complaint #11209794, filed 2019-05, 104,932 miles

Related service bulletins

Engine: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2012330%
201134%
2010117%
2009225%
200844%
200718%
200667%
200317%
2002114%

Other parts of the 2006 BMW 5 Series

Air bags
36 complaints
Electrical system
19 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
8 complaints
Brakes
7 complaints
Exterior lighting
7 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
7 complaints
Tires
4 complaints
Wheels
4 complaints
Latches, locks and linkages
3 complaints
Seats
3 complaints
Body and structure
3 complaints
Suspension
3 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2006 BMW 5 Series

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology