Model year record

2006 BMW 7 Series recalls & problems

The 2006 BMW 7 Series has 3 safety recalls and 29 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is power train (7 complaints).

Recalls3safety recalls

Complaints29filed by owners

Crashes · fires0 · 0reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths1 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Engine and engine coolingAug 10, 2012

Cooling system › Fan

Recall 12E029000585 vehicles

Problem: This recall involves aftermarket parts sold by Valeo. Valeo is recalling certain engine cooling fans, part numbers 696121, 696273, and 696275, used as service replacement parts for model year 2008-2011 BMW 1-Series, 2006-2011 BMW 3-Series, 2000-2009 BMW 5-Series, 2004-2005 BMW 6-Series, and 2006-2007 BMW 7-Series vehicles. A metal-oxide semiconductor may overheat due to insufficient screwing of the semiconductor on the aluminum heat sink. This primary failure could cause adjacent components on the fan assembly motor circuit board to overheat and short.
Risk: This condition could cause the fan motor to become inoperative, or cause the motor circuit board in the assembly to overheat, potentially leading to a fire in the engine compartment.
Fix: Valeo will notify owners and replace the fans free of charge. The safety recall began on August 22, 2012. This recall is being conducted by Valeo, not by BMW. For further information, owners may contact Valeo at 1-888-718-2536.

Service brakes, hydraulicOct 1, 2010

Power assist › Vacuum

Recall 10V446000198,352 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.

SuspensionJul 26, 2006

Rear › Shock absorber

Recall 06V27700011,640 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Fix: 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 repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

2006 BMW 7 Series 4-DR w/SAB

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	Not Rated

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Power trainAutomatic transmission	7	0	87,052 mi
Air bagsFrontal	7	0	85,500 mi
Engine and engine coolingEngine	5	0	59,000 mi
Electrical system	3	0	—
Service brakes, hydraulicPower assist › Vacuum	3	0	95,286 mi
Engine	3	1	—
Fuel/propulsion system	2	1	—
Service brakes	2	0	—
Seats	2	0	—
Tires	1	0	—
Suspension	1	0	—
Latches/locks/linkages	1	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Engine1 injury
DOORS DONT ALWAYS LATCH AND A PERSON WAS THROWN FROM CAR, HAVE CALLED DEALER SHIP AND THEY SAID NO RECALL BUT MY CAR IS DOING IT AND THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM , I NEED MY CAR ADDED TO RECALL LIST ASAP
Dec 19, 2018 · 10,200 miles
Engine
BLOWS OUT WHILE/BLUISH SMOKE, SHIFTS INTO PARK WHEN IN DRIVE OR REVERSE, WON'T GO FORWARD. TRANSMISSION FAULT LIGHT ON. I HAVE TO CONSTANTLY PUT OIL IN IT. THERE IS NO REASON WHY I SHOULD BE HAVING ALL THESE PROBLEMS, I SEE THAT MILLIONS OF PEOPLE THAT HAVE OR PURCHASED THIS SAME CAR HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS. I TRULY BELIEVE BMW NEEDS TO BE ACCOUNTABLE FOR THESE PROBLEMS. IT'S TERRIBLE THAT ONE WOULD PAY SO MANY CH FOR A LUXURY CAR FOR IT TO HAVE ALL THESE PROBLEMS.
Mar 1, 2015 · 85,000 miles
Service brakes
BRAKES HAVE NO POWER ALMOST HAD ACCIDENT RECALL #10V446000 WAS IN FREEWAY ALL SUDDEN LOST BRAKES LOOK ON LINE THIS WHAT I FOUND CALL MANUFACTURE DEALER THEY DENIED SERVICE
Aug 30, 2018 · 106,781 miles
Air bags
I PURCHASED THE CAR FROM A DEALER IN VIRGINIA. MAYBE A FEW WEEKS LATER THE AIRBAG WAARNING LIGHT CAME N THE SCREEN. I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO DRIVE IT BECASUE WHEN I WENT TO TAKE IT TO GET LOOKED AT BY A BMW REPAIR PERSON TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THAT SAME ISSUE AND THE DEALER SHOULD NOT HAVE SOLD ME THE CAR WITHOUT TELLING ME THAT INFORMATION. HE THEN TOLD ME IT IS THE ( SEAT OCCUPANCY DETECTOR PASSENGER SIDE AND RESISTENCE TO HIGH FIRING CIRCUIT , BELT TENSIONER PASSENGER SIDE. HE SAID TO CALL BMW SO I DID AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THE RECALL REPAIR TIME EXPIRE A YEAR BEFORE I PURCHASED THE CAR . NO ONE EVER SHARED THIS INFORMATION WITH ME AND NOW IT IS NOT SAFE TO HAVE MY KIDS OR…
Aug 1, 2015
Air bags
TAKATA RECALL AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ISSUES, CAR WAS STATIONARY
Mar 27, 2017 · 103,000 miles
Air bags
TROUBLE LIGHT SHOWS-- PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM. MY MECHANIC DIAGNOSED IT AS A DEFECTIVE SEAT MODULE SENSOR IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. HIS COST OF REPAIR IS $1,200 WITH NO ASSURANCES THAT THE PROBLEM WILL BE RESOLVED DUE TO THE TAKATA AIR BAG RESPONSE TO THIS SENSOR.
Aug 4, 2016
Service brakes
WHILE STOPPING, THE BRAKE PEDAL BECAME EXTREMELY HARD AND WENT TO THE FLOOR, JUST BARELY AVOIDING A CATASTROPHE. THIS HAPPENED WITH NO WARNING WHATSOEVER, AND THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A MULTIPLE DEATH ACCIDENT. I CONTACTED BMW OF NA AND THEY INFORMED ME THAT MY VIN NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. I CLEARLY SHOULD BE, BECAUSE I KNOW I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE THIS PROBLEM.
Jul 4, 2016 · 66,000 miles
Air bags
"TAKATA RECALL" THE PASSENGER AIR BAGS ARE NOT FUNCTIONING IT POP UP ON MY CLUSTER WHEN I WAS STARTING UP MY VEHICLE FROM HOME. I RECIEVED A RECALL LETTER FROM NHTSA WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE BMW DEALER IT WASNT ON THE SYSTEM SO THEY COULDNT REPLACE MY AIR BAGS FOR THE PASSANGER SIDE
May 12, 2015

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations

Vehicle RollawayClosedLed to recall 12V502000
In a letter dated October 16, 2012, BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) submitted a Defect Information Report (DIR), NHTSA Recall No. 12V-502 to NHTSA identifying a safety defect involving the possibility of unattended vehicle rollaway in MY 2005 through 2008 BMW 7-Series (approximately 45,000) vehicles equipped with the Comfort Access Option.The Comfort Access option allows the driver to start and stop the engine (by pressing the engine start / stop button) without inserting the key fob into the vehicles key slot in the instrument panel.Subject vehicles not equipped with the Comfort Access option require the key fob be inserted the key slot to start the engine.Upon removal of the key from the key slot the vehicle will automatically shift to Park if the driver has not done so using the gearshift lever.Sunject vehicles equipped with the Comfort Access option are designed such that when the…
EA12002 · opened Apr 10, 2012 · closed Jan 24, 2013
Vehicle RollawayClosed
In response to the Office of Defects Investigation's (ODI) Information Request (IR) for PE11-025, BMW provided ODI with 1 complaint and 46 field reports relating to either incidents of unattended vehicle rollaway or vehicle movement after the driver expected the vehicle gearshift to automatically shift to park. ODI's analysis of the data provided by BMW identified 14 crashes and 5 alleged injuries. ODI has also identified 3 additional reports in its database alleging vehicle rollaway incidents of which 2 resulted in crashes.The subject vehicles are all equipped with push-buttons (Start/Stop button) to control starting/stopping the engine and Shift-by-Wire gearshift systems controlled by a column mounted selector lever behind the steering wheel. The Start/Stop button also controls switching the ignition and the radio ready state On and Off. Shift-by-wire systems replace the traditional…
PE11025 · opened Aug 5, 2011 · closed Apr 23, 2012
BMW AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATIONClosedLed to recall 08V384000
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…
EA08001 · opened Jan 4, 2008 · closed Dec 31, 2008
BMW AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATIONClosed
IN CERTAIN MY 2005 THROUGH MY 2006 BMW VEHICLES, THE OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (OCS) FOR THE PASSENGER FRONTAL AIRBAG MAY MALFUNCTION AND RENDER THE PASSENGER AIRBAG INOPERATIVE.IN JUNE 2006, BMW ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (SI B 72 02 06) REGARDING THE ILLUMINATION OF THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT AND THE PASSENGER AIRBAG STATUS LAMP.ILLUMINATION OF THESE LIGHTS WARN THAT AN OPEN ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT MAY BE PRESENT WITHIN THE PASSENGER SEAT MAT SENSOR.WHEN BOTH OF THE LIGHTS ARE ILLUMINATED, THE PASSENGER FRONTAL AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY IN A FRONTAL CRASH.CERTAIN BMW VEHICLES IN ADDITION TO THE SUBJECT VEHICLES CONTAIN THE SAME SEAT MAT SENSOR.THESE ARE THE MY 2004 5-SERIES, 7-SERIES AND X3, THE MY 2004 THROUGH 2006Z-4 SERIES AND MY 2006 3-SERIES, 6-SERIES AND X5 VEHICLES.AN IMPROVED SEAT MAT SENSOR WAS INTRODUCED IN DECEMBER 2005 FOR THE MID-MY 2006 PRODUCTION.IN RESPONSE TO…
PE07045 · opened Sep 4, 2007 · closed Jan 4, 2008