2006 BMW 530I Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 15about this part
- Share
- 18%of 84 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 75,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 15 complaints about the engine of the 2006 BMW 530I, 18% of the 84 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 75,000 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My car has been leaking engine oil for about three months. After I had it checked, I was told that one bolt on the engine was broken. I found that the same problem happened common. I think Bmw should solve this problem through recall, because this problem is a manufacture defect.”
NHTSA complaint #10928255, filed 2016-11, 130,000 miles“While changing my oil, notice that oil has been slowly leaking around the valve cover. Looked on online forums and found that there are many people with the same issue. I inspected the area where they have stated common broken valve cover bolts and sure enough the bolts were broken. They literally just sitting in the valve cover with no purpose. They came right off when I pulled them up by hand.”
NHTSA complaint #10543607, filed 2013-09, 118,000 miles“During a Bmw sponsored vehicle inspection I was informed that one of my valve cover bolts was broken and oil was leading on the engine (fire hazard). The Bmw mechanic stated this was a common problem with the 530 series as the manufactured used aluminum bolts to reduce weight on the vehicle. The aluminum bolts snap/break due to heat. This is a possible fire hazard and the aluminum valve cover bolts should be recalled and replaced by Bmw.”
NHTSA complaint #10789918, filed 2015-11, 46,000 miles“We have a 2006 Bmw 530I in january of 2013 we had a ignition coil go out with around 75000 miles which was about a 275.00$ to get fixed. Then on 6/26/13 we had 2 more ignition coils go out at 78000 miles, that time it was 507.00 $ to fix, this must be a faulty part because now 12/16/13 with 82000 miles it has happened again! I am going to pay for the remaining 3 to be changed. When I called Bmw there was a recall apparently from 2002-2004 for this. …”
NHTSA complaint #10556400, filed 2013-12, 75,000 miles“My son was driving the car to work and it only got about 8 blocks from our house when the car stalled and lost complete power. He coasted to the side of the road and from the looks when I arrived the serpentine tension belt had broken we turned the key over and the engine was in a free spin. We had it towed to a local service shop and they replaced the belt but stated the engine had no compression towed car to a second shop and got the same opinion the engine had no compression. There was no warning lights or messages on the dash. …”
NHTSA complaint #10502741, filed 2013-03, 143,812 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10162416Jul 9, 2019"Power Reduction, FC 2A82 Intake VANOS and/or FC 2A87 Exhaust VANOS Camshaft Faults are Stored in DME. The ""Service Engine Soon"" (MIL) lamp is illuminated and engine…
- 10151300May 1, 2016N51, N52, N52K and N52T Engines: Various Eccentric Shaft Sensor Faults stored in the DME - Diagnostic Hints This Service Information bulletin and attachment supersedes SI B11 06…
- 10151068Feb 1, 2016This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI B07 03 14 dated October 2015. Diagnosing Stored Fault Codes to Help Avoid Repeat Repair Visits. Fault codes stored in vehicles…
- 10147598Jan 1, 2015"SUBJECT N62TU: ISTA Service Function for DME ""RAM Backup"". The ISTA Service Function test plan should be performed to clear stored values in the DME RAM memory after repairs…
- 10150065Jun 1, 2013"BMW NA has agreed to extend the emissions warranties of the turbocharger's wastegate to: ??8 years or 82,000 miles, whichever occurs first, as determined from the vehicle's…
- 10149589May 1, 2013"N54 Engine: Diagnosis of Cold Start Rough Running with Misfire Faults. The customer may complain that during the cold start in the morning, the engine runs very roughly and the…
- 10150095Mar 1, 2013Intermittent Hydraulic Valve Adjuster (HVA) Noise. An occasional ticking or rattling noise from the camshaft hydraulic valve lifters (HVA) may occur during cold engine starts…
Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2 | 12% |
| 2020 | 2 | 20% |
| 2019 | 7 | 47% |
| 2018 | 4 | 15% |
| 2017 | 2 | 11% |
| 2007 | 7 | 10% |
| 2006 | 15 | 18% |
| 2005 | 1 | 2% |
| 2004 | 5 | 4% |
| 2003 | 3 | 7% |
| 2001 | 1 | 4% |
Other parts of the 2006 BMW 530I
32 complaintsElectrical system
16 complaintsExterior lighting
9 complaintsSeats
9 complaintsEngine cooling
8 complaintsSeat belts
7 complaintsOther or unknown
6 complaintsBrakes
5 complaintsSteering
5 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
4 complaintsEquipment
2 complaintsVehicle speed control
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2006 BMW 530I
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