The Lemon Index2006 BMW 5 Series.
The 2006 BMW 5 Series is better than average by owner complaints: 29 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 73, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about electrical, it has 11 recalls, and it gets 18 to 21 mpg combined. The best BMW 5 Series year is 2016.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 427 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every BMW 5 Series year. 2006 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 60K to 122K miles on the car (369 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- airbags complaints mostly came at 65K–116K miles
- electrical complaints mostly came at 72K–139K miles
- engine complaints mostly came at 68K–125K miles
Recalls 11
- engine 2022
An electrical short can cause the PCV valve heater to overheat, increasing the risk of a fire while driving or, soon after driving when parked.
- engine 2019
The heater for the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve may short circuit.
- airbags 2017
The front passenger seat occupant detection mat that determines if, and how, the passenger frontal air bag should deploy in a crash may fatigue and develop cracks which could lead to a system failure.
Show all 11 recalls
- airbags 2013
The front passenger seat occupant detection mat that determines if and how the passenger frontal air bag should deploy in a crash may fatigue an.
- engine 2012
A metal-oxide semiconductor may overheat due to insufficient screwing of the semiconductor on the aluminum heat sink.
- electrical 2012
BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2010 5-SERIES, MODEL YEAR 2004-2010 6-SERIES, MODEL YEAR 2006-2010 M5, AND MODEL YEAR 2007-2010 M6 VEHICLES.
- brakes 2010
BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2010 5-SERIES, 6-SERIES, AND MODEL YEAR 2002-2008 7-SERIES VEHICLES.
- airbags 2008
BMW IS RECALLING 200,000 MY 2006 3 SERIES SPORT SEAT, MY 2004-2006 5 SERIES STANDARD AND SPORT SEAT, AND MY 2004-2006 X3 PASSENGER VEHICLES.
- suspension 2006
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.
- suspension 2006
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE NUTS WHICH SECURE THE FRONT AXLE CONTROL ARM AND TENSION STRUT TO THE FRONT WHEEL HUB MAY NOT HAVE BEEN TIGHTENED TO SPECIFICATION.
- transmission & drivetrain 2005
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH AN INCORRECTLY MANUFACTURED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION PARKING PAWL GUIDE PLATE.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems BMW told dealers about
BMW sent dealers 108 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Battery Replacements
- "N54 Engine: Diagnosis of Cold Start Rough Running with Misfire Faults
- "Discharged Battery: Energy Diagnosis Must Be Performed
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedBmw airbag light illumination2008
- ClosedBmw airbag light illumination2007–2008
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front — · side — · rollover —
Fuel cost and engines
About $3800–4400 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 3.0L 6-cyl, 4.8L 8-cyl.
In owners' words
2006 - BMW e60 550i - front passenger seat air bag sensor defective.
2006 BMW 5 Series owner · NHTSA complaint 10252449
More owner reports
Computer locked key, all lights inside car and outside flickered out of control, then 2 weeks later brake did not engage while trying to stop and the vehicle crashed into a pole.
NHTSA complaint 10155527
Quick answers
Is the 2006 BMW 5 Series reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew 1.4× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 73; 100 is average, lower is better). The best BMW 5 Series year by this measure is 2016.
What are the most common 2006 BMW 5 Series problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are electrical (34%), airbags (28%) and lights (14%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2006 BMW 5 Series have?
11 safety recalls (latest: engine). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2006 BMW 5 Series get?
18 to 21 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2006 BMW 5 Series problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 60,000 and 122,500 miles. The middle report was at 88,200 miles, from 369 complaints.
Does the 2006 BMW 5 Series have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2006 BMW 5 Series cost in fuel a year?
About $3800 to $4400 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2006 BMW 5 Series have?
3.0L 6-cyl, 4.8L 8-cyl.
What BMW 5 Series year is better than the 2006?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2016, 2015 and 2020.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works