Sign inCreate free garage
Research · Midsize Cars

2006 BMW M5Recalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 124 owner complaints for the 2006 BMW M5. Most complaints involve air bags (61) and electrical system (22). The EPA rates it 13 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
13mpg
EPA · 1 version
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
1campaigns
Latest Mar 2012
Owner complaints
124
Top: air bags
Fuel cost / yr
$5,950est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

1 NHTSA campaign · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Electrical system: 12v

Free remedy

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.

Electrical systemReported Mar 26, 2012NHTSA 12V126000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

124 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jan 2006 – Aug 2026
  1. Air bags61
  2. Electrical system22
  3. Power train13
  4. Engine9
  5. Exterior lighting8
  6. Seat belts8
  7. Visibility7
  8. Seats6
  9. Equipment5

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each M5 model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
20004
20014
200219
200318
2006124
20076
20086
20101
201310
20142
20153
20161
20184
20198
20202
20213
20221
20231
Crashes reported
5
Fires reported
2
Injuries reported
6
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Air bags

61 reports4 crashes1 fire
“FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY DETECTION MAT HAD TO BE REPLACED AS IT WAS DEFECTIVE. THOUGH NOT IN PREVIOUS RECALLS IN SIMILAR BMWS AND SIMILAR YEARS, THE ERROR PRESENTED A SAFETY ISSUE THAT WOULD DISABLE THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAGS AND INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY DURING A CRASH. WITH THIS ERROR, I WAS FORCED TO REPAIR THE SEAT MAT AND EXPENDED $1.5K TO REMEDY THIS SAFETY ISSUE. THIS SEAT MAT ISSUE IS A KNOWN BMW PROBLEM THAT BMW AND NHTSA HAVE NOT ADDRESSED. VIN: [XXX]. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 18, 2017Air bagsODI 11024085

Electrical system

22 reports1 crash1 fire
“The contact owns a 2006 BMW M5. The contact stated that while opening the trunk of the vehicle, the positive terminal on the battery was fully melted and was very hot. The contact believed that the issue was a fire hazard and was lucky to have found the issue before any other damage could occur. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 12V126000 (Electrical System) as a possible cause for the failure. The dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated that the vehicle was inspected in 2012 under the recall but had passed the inspection, and the vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 97,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 19, 2026Electrical systemODI 11758025

Power train

13 reports1 crash
“THE EARLY M5 WITH THE SMG (SEQUENTIAL MANUAL GEARBOX) 7 SPEED HAVE NUMEROUS TSB'S AND WARRANTY CAMPAIGNS. THE SHIFTING OF THE GEARBOX IS UP EXECUTED BY PRESSURE FROM THE HYDRUALIC PUMP THAT STORES AAPRX 80PSI IN THE ACCUMULATER. THIS ACCUMULATOR OR PUMP HAS A HI CHANCE OF FAILING AND WHEN IT DOES THE CAR SHUTS DOWN WITHOUT WARNING. MY CAR SHUT DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION JUST RECENTLY. AND I HAVE HAD THIS PUMP REPLACE TWICE OUT OF WARRANTY AND ONCE WITHIN WARRANTY. A MAJOR FLAW OF THE GETRAG SMG 7SPD. BMW DISCONTINUED THIS TRANSMISSION BUT CONTINUES TO RAISE PRICES ON THE REPLACEMENT PUMPS AS THEY KNOW THERE IS A HIGH TURNOVER OF REPAIRS. PLEASE VISIT THE BMW M FORUMS AS THIS TOPIC IS HEAVILY DISCUSSED”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 17, 2017Power trainODI 10955356
All 2006 M5 problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

1 version rated by the EPA
EPA class
Midsize Cars
Engines
5.0L 10-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic (S7)
Drive
Rear-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
M5
Auto (S7), 10 cyl, 5.0 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
111713$5,950684
  • M5
    Auto (S7), 10 cyl, 5.0 L
    11 city · 17 hwy · $5,950/yr
    13
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2006 BMW M5 as of Nov 10, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026Vehicle 1919
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2006 M5 questions

How many recalls does the 2006 BMW M5 have?

1 safety recall as of Nov 10, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2006 BMW M5 problems?

Owners filed 124 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (61), electrical system (22), power train (13). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2006 BMW M5 get?

The EPA rates the 2006 BMW M5 at 13 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026