2006 BMW X5: fire, smoke or burning smell

9 of the 169 complaints about the 2006 BMW X5 describe fire, smoke or burning smell.

owner complaints: 9
of this car's complaints: 5%
typical mileage: 90,000
recalls: 0

Is there a fix? 20 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Fire, smoke or burning smell by model year

2025
1
2024
1
2022
4
2021
2
2020
5
2019
4
2018
4
2017
1
2015
8
2014
10
2013
12
2012
9
2011
13
2010
5
2009
9
2008
14
2007
2
2006
9
2005
7
2004
3
2003
13
2002
7
2001
15
2000
1

What owners say

Filed Dec 10, 2020 · Seats · 120,000 miles · NH · fire · 1 injury

My heated seat caught on fire and burned me and my coat. I very rarely used it at all. I started using it and it was probably the 10th time I used it when it occurred.

Filed Apr 28, 2019 · Engine · 20 miles · NY

Takata recall white smoke comes from exhaust pipes when driving and fills the streets while driving on city streets in traffic and at idle. Other drivers behind me can't see due to the smoke coming from the exhaust.

Filed Nov 27, 2018 · Seats · 145,000 miles · AR

When using the heated driver seat, it begins to smoke and give off a burning smell. I don't know if it would catch on fire, I turned it off as soon as I realized it was the seat burning and smoking. I bought this vehicle used and just thought the seat was a bit worn in that spot. I checked for recalls on this year and there aren't any. My car was stationary when this occurred, parked in a parking lot.

Filed Mar 30, 2017 · Electrical, Seats · 106,000 miles · CT · fire · 1 injury

My heated seat catched on fire. Driver side seat left side rear. I got burned as I was driving on a parking lot. I realized that my pants have a whole as well as of the seat

Filed Feb 22, 2016 · Electrical, Seats · 120,000 miles · CT · fire · 1 injury

My drivers side seat ( cushion) caught on fire when I turned on the heated seats. I first smelled a burning / plastic smell. Then I felt my glutes and hamstring getting warm. I looked down ( I was driving) and saw an orange ember on the seat. I pulled over as soon as I could, hot out of the car, and saw that the seat was actually burning. Luckily I had a bottle of water in the car and put out the flame and turned off the seat. I called the dealer- got a quote to repair. Bmw will not take responsibility for this. I have a small burn on my leg, and a good size hole in the seat. I like my heated seats living in the northeast during winter months. Very disappointed that bmw refuses to address this dangerous issue.

Filed Mar 25, 2015 · Engine, Fuel system · 90,000 miles · CA · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 bmw x5. While the vehicle was idling, there was smoke coming from the passenger exhaust pipe. The vehicle was taken to both a dealer and independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the valve stem had a leak. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 90,000.

Filed Feb 18, 2014 · Electrical, Seats · 87,131 miles · NJ · 1 injury

Drivers side heated seat burned through leather seats on right side of seat at rib cage. Slightly burned driver. Had a electrical burning smell. Left about a 6 inch burn line in the seat. Very unattractive!

Filed Feb 16, 2011 · Electrical, Seats · 65,300 miles · NY · fire

Heated seats were getting hotter the past couple of uses...until today when I warmed up the car (approximately 3 minutes). I was putting my daughter in her safety seat in the rear passenger side. When I opened the door, the cabin of the vehicle was filled with thick white smoke. I removed my daughter and proceed to ascertain where the smoke was coming from. There was a swirling funnel of smoke coming from the front driver side. I opened the driver side door and observed the driver seat leather burning (fizzling amber fire). I looked over to the seat warmer light and it was on. I turned it off and had to put out the fire by batting my hands against the fire while holding my daughter in the other. The fire left my hands charred and the entire interior of the car smelling like smoke.

Filed Nov 25, 2008 · Seats · 27,000 miles · NY · fire · 1 injury

Tl*the contact owns a 2006 bmw x5. The contact stated that the electric seat heater on the driver's side caught fire. While at a stop light, he noticed that the seat was smoking and his leg was burned. The seat heater was activated prior to noticing the failure. He took the vehicle to the dealer, where it currently remains. The manufacturer stated that they were aware of the issue; however, the failure was a result of the risk of having seat heaters. They also stated that they would repair the vehicle for free. The current and failure mileages were approximately 27,000.