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2006 BMW 6 Series problems

The most common problem on the 2006 BMW 6 Series is engine and cooling. Its complaint count is close to a typical 6 Series model year.

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Owner complaints
5
Recalls
5
Service bulletins
26
Worst area
Engine

The worst 2006 BMW 6 Series problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

  • Engine
    2
  • Airbags
    1
  • Brakes
    1
  • Seats
    1
  • Suspension
    1

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Engine
    2
  • Airbags
    1
  • Brakes
    1
  • Seats
    1
  • Suspension
    1
  • Tires
    1

Recalls 5

Electrical system: 12v/24v/48v battery: cablesReported March 26, 2012 · 367,682 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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. The insulated bulkhead connector for the positive battery cable may have been incorrectly attached to the trunk floor panel, which can lead to a loosening of the bolt connection. As it loosens, an increase in electrical resistance at this cable connection is possible and could cause the cable connection to overheat.
Risk
Overheating could lead to a fire, even while the vehicle is not in use. As a precaution, owners are advised to park outside until the remedy has been made.
Remedy
Bmw will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and secure the battery bolt cable connection as necessary, free of charge. The safety recall began on april 30, 2012. Owners may contact bmw customer relations and services at 1‑800‑525‑7417.

Recall number 12V126000 · Recall details

Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: vacuumReported October 1, 2010 · 198,352 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Bmw is recalling certain model year 2004-2010 5-series, 6-series, and model year 2002-2008 7-series vehicles. A check valve of the brake vacuum pump may leak a small amount of lubricating oil. Over time this could result in contamination of the brake booster.
Risk
Power assist braking performance could be adversely affected. In extreme cases there could be a complete loss of power assist braking. An unexpected reduction or loss in power braking assist may increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Bmw will notify owners and dealers will repair the vehicles free of charge. The safety recall began on november 24, 2010. Owners may contact bmw at 1‑800‑525‑7417.

Recall number 10V446000 · Recall details

Suspension: rear: shock absorberReported July 26, 2006 · 11,640 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
The bushing could loosen and over time could separate from its housing. The driver will experience impaired vehicle handling and control increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the rear shock absorber free of charge. The recall began on september 13, 2006. Owners may contact bmw at 1‑800‑831‑1117.

Recall number 06V277000 · Recall details

Suspension: front: control armReported May 30, 2006 · 40 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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. Over time the nuts could loosen and the control arm and tension strut could be damaged.
Risk
Vehicle handling and control could compromise increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will retighten the front axle control arm and tension strut nuts to the correct specifications free of charge. The recall began on june 28, 2006. Owners may contact bmw at 1‑800‑831‑1117.

Recall number 06V187000 · Recall details

Power train: automatic transmissionReported November 1, 2005 · 240 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Certain passenger vehicles may have been built with an incorrectly manufactured automatic transmission parking pawl guide plate.
Risk
This could cause the parking lock system not to engage, after the transmission is placed in the park ("p") position. If the vehicle was parked on an incline, and the parking brake was not engaged, this could result in a vehicle rollaway condition.
Remedy
Dealers will repair and replace the automatic transmission guide plate free of charge. The recall began on november 30, 2005. Owners may contact bmw at 1‑800‑332‑4269.

Recall number 05V504000 · Recall details

See all 5 recalls for the 2006 BMW 6 Series

Defect investigations

Bmw airbag light illuminationOpened January 4, 2008, closed December 31, 2008

Bmw is conducting a safety recall campaign on approximately 200,000 my04 through my06 subject vehicles built through 11/30/05 to correct the front passenger seat air bag occupant detection mat. The specific vehicles included in the recall aremy04- 06/ 5-series with standard and sport seats, my04-06/ x3-series and my06/ 3-series with sport seats. In addition, bmw will extend the warranty coverage of the passenger seat air bag occupant detection mat to 10-year/unlimited mileage on approximately 120,000 remaining my04-06 subject vehicles built through 11/30/05. The specific vehicles included in the extended warranty are my 06/ 6 series, my 06/ 3-series with standard seats, my04-05/ z4, my04-06/ 7 series, my 06/ x5, and my04-06/ 5-series with comfort seats.the average frequency of failures among the extended warranty groups was less than 1/7th of the recall vehicle groups.please see bmw's 08v‑384 recall notification for further detailsdepending on seat configuration and vehicle geometry, the occupant detection mat can fatigue during use depending on the manner and frequency of the front passenger's entry and exit.specifically, over time, micro-cracks could develop in the side flanks of the mat causing a broken circuit.a brokencircuit can lead to the deactivation of the passenger air bag and the illumination of both the air bag warning light and the passenger air bag light.

EA08001

Technical service bulletins for the 2006 BMW 6 Series 26

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 26 bulletins for the 2006 BMW 6 Series

What 2006 BMW 6 Series owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Jan 28, 2013 · Suspension · 52,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 bmw 6 series. The contact stated during a diagnostic test at the dealer they stated there was a defect on the front axle control arm and the tension strut. The dealer replaced the front axle control arm and tension strut nuts in order to the remedy the defect. After the vehicle was repaired the contact noticed the federal safety agency campaign recall number 06v187000 (suspension) and asked the dealer if his VIN was included in the recall. The dealer stated they could not confirm if the VIN was a part of the recall. The failure mileage was 52,000. Updated 2/12/13 *cn updated 2/15/2013

Filed Aug 18, 2011 · Brakes · 65,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 bmw 6-series. The vehicle was included in the federal safety agency campaign id number: 10v446000 (service brakes, hydraulic:power assist:vacuum) and was repaired. After repairs while driving approximately 35 MPH and depressing the brake pedal, the power assist braking would not function. The contact had to place the vehicle in neutral in order to stop. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostics where the technicians advised that the vacuum pump, brake and the brake booster had to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 65,000.

Filed Jun 20, 2011 · Engine · 57,000 miles · CA

Tl* 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 the federal safety agency 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 *bf updated 12/30/11

Filed Jan 3, 2007 · Tires · GA

Tire internal failure - looks like a cut inside the tire.

Filed Jul 10, 2006 · Airbags, Engine · MD

2006 bmw 650i, march 2006 passenger seat would lock, airbag system malfunctioned, engine began backfiring. May 2006 the seat locked and the airbag malfunctioned again. In june the engine overheated and was repaired. *kb ***nar***

Compare the 2006 BMW 6 Series

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Questions about the 2006 BMW 6 Series

Is the 2006 BMW 6 Series reliable?

Owners have filed 5 complaints about the 2006 BMW 6 Series, close to a typical 6 Series model year.

What is the most common problem with the 2006 BMW 6 Series?

Engine and cooling, with 2 complaints. Next is airbags (1).

How many recalls does the 2006 BMW 6 Series have?

5 recalls, covering electrical system, service brakes, hydraulic and suspension.

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