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BMW M5Model year report

2006 BMW M5 Problems

Complaints
39filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
55,100miles, 38 complaints with mileage
Recalls
1campaigns on record
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
13 mpgcombined, 5.0L 10-cyl RWD · 11 city / 17 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2006 BMW M5 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 39 consumer complaints for the 2006 BMW M5. The part named most often is air bags, with 25 complaints (64% of the total), followed by seat belts (7) and transmission and drivetrain (5). 38 of the complaints include a mileage, and 34% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 55,100 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 60 technical service bulletins for this model year. Air bags complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part.

Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Steering (1), Vehicle speed control (1).

Example complaints

Air bags: “Upon starting my car, I received an error message fault in passenger restraint system affecting air bags, belt tensioner or belt force limiter the message continues to show up every day.. This is the same issue that has a recall in all other 5 series models for this year, 2006 and has a recall for those vehicles. This model should be added since its the same issue. See attached.”

NHTSA complaint #11012472, filed 2017-08, 72,812 miles

Seat belts: “The dashboard air bag and seat belt warning lights would activate whenever anyone would sit in the front passenger seat. They eventually would go out, but now are permanently on. The central computer display also puts out a similar text warning message whenever I start up the car. It claims that the seat belt and airbag are malfunctioning for the front passenger and I presume are now disabled. Looking into this, it is a faulty sensor mat within the front passenger seat. …”

NHTSA complaint #10586556, filed 2014-05, 90,000 miles

Transmission and drivetrain: “With an smg transmission, when accelerating from a complete stop, there is a loud thump in the rear of the car as if somebody hit you from behind. It is very startling and I am sure something is wrong with the car. This is a common complaint among all Bmw M5 drivers. I am surprised nobody placed a complaint about this yet.”

NHTSA complaint #10565541, filed 2014-02, 50,000 miles

Electrical system: “Enroute from palo alto to mountain view and was at a complete stop waiting at a stop light on a major thoroughfare (central expressway) when the car stopped running. Cars behind me proceeded to pass me to make the left turn while my car was shut down. I was able to re-start the car after ~5 - 10 minutes and drive another 1000 feet when the car stopped running again. Prior to both incidents the panel indicated an alert transmission fail and a check engine alert. The car would not start back up and had to be pushed through the intersection to a street where it could be parked safely. …”

NHTSA complaint #10486576, filed 2012-11, 51,716 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

34% of the 38 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 43,200 and 78,000 miles.

5%0–103%10–2526%25–5032%50–7529%75–1005%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (38 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 55,100 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

20062011201312201520172026
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2006 BMW M5 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
M5 RWD5.0L 10-cyl7-speed automatic111713$6,300

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2006 BMW M5 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 60 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 60 bulletins →

Other model years of the BMW M5

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
2019844,4303—17—Not enough data
201867503—17—Not enough data
20131037,0002—17—Not enough data
2008667,5002—13—Not enough data
2007651,0001—13—Not enough data
20063955,1001—13Not compared (before 2008)Falling
2002626,0002—15—Not enough data

All BMW M5 model years

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2006 BMW M5 have?

NHTSA recorded 39 consumer complaints for the 2006 BMW M5 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2006 BMW M5 is reported most often?

Air bags is named most often, in 25 complaints (64% of the total), followed by seat belts with 7.

Has the 2006 BMW M5 been recalled?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2006 BMW M5 get?

The EPA rates the 2006 BMW M5 (M5, 5.0L 10-cyl) at 13 mpg combined, 11 city and 17 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $6,300 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2006 BMW M5 reported?

Among the 38 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 55,100 miles and the middle half falls between 43,200 and 78,000 miles; 34% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

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. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.