BMW 6 Series Problems by Model Year
NHTSA recorded 18 consumer complaints across the 3 model years of the BMW 6 Series (2005–2008) that have at least 5 complaints. 2005 has the most, with 7. Across all years, the part named most often is air bags (6 mentions). Pick a model year below to see its parts, mileage, recalls and service bulletins.
All 6 Series model years
Years with fewer than 5 complaints are not listed. The score compares years of the same model, allowing for the era and for how long each year has collected complaints: 50 is a typical year, lower means fewer complaints. It is not adjusted for sales volume.
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | TSBs | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 6 | 17,725 | 2 | 34 | — | Not enough data |
| 2006 | 5 | 57,000 | 5 | 26 | — | Not enough data |
| 2005 | 7 | 30,000 | 3 | 27 | — | Not enough data |
Parts named most often, all years
Counts add up complaint mentions across the listed years. A complaint can name several parts.
- Air bags6 27%
- Electrical system4 18%
- Tires2 9.1%
- Seats2 9.1%
- Equipment2 9.1%
- Engine cooling2 9.1%
- Electronic stability control2 9.1%
- Brakes2 9.1%
Example complaints
One per model year, chosen for length and detail. Personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
2008: “Convertible top locks up randomly, get message to reduce speed due to top not being locked when it was fine the ride before, try to lock , then windows go halfway down and stay stuck that way. This happens when in motion, on street or highway.”
NHTSA complaint #11073372, filed 2018-02, 1 miles2005: “Passenger airbag lamp is on and stays on after technician at the Bmw service center reset the vehicle's computer (cleared faults). Vehicle did not get into situation which would trigger airbag deployment, but potentially the passenger frontal airbag may malfunction and render the passenger airbag inoperative.”
NHTSA complaint #10358761, filed 2010-10, 25,695 miles2006: “The contact owns a 2006 Bmw 650i. The contact stated that the vehicle's AC was not cold. The contact took the vehicle to a local mechanic where he was told that engine oil was leaking below the brake vacuum pump. The mechanic advised the contact of NHTSA campaign id number: 07v479000 (engine and engine cooling). The contact then called Bmw use who informed the contact, that the vehicle was not included in the recall. The contact was concerned with the brakes causing a crash. The failure mileage was 57,000. Updated 07/12/11 updated 12/30/11”
NHTSA complaint #10407568, filed 2011-06, 57,000 milesOther BMW models
3,165 complaintsBMW 328I
2,576 complaintsBMW X3
2,016 complaintsBMW 325I
1,377 complaintsBMW Z4
1,271 complaintsBMW 3 Series
832 complaintsBMW 528I
830 complaintsBMW 330I
813 complaints
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Methodology