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2006 BMW 650iProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 20 owner complaints about the 2006 BMW 650i, most often about the seats. It is covered by 1 safety recall.

2006 BMW 650i
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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls1Free fix at dealersOwner complaints205 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage66kSeats, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through December 13, 2021. Updated daily. Photo: IFCAR, Public domain.

Complaints by system

Where the 2006 BMW 650i has problems

20 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Seats42
Service brakes41
Air bags30
Tires30
Seat belts20
Steering20
Electrical system11
Service brakes, hydraulic10
Fuel/propulsion system10
2 other systems20

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

1 recall

2006 BMW 650i recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Engine and engine cooling

Recall 07V-479 · Oct 12, 2007 · 29,250 vehicles

Risk. IF STALLING WERE TO OCCUR, THE DRIVER MAY NOT BE ABLE TO MAINTAIN VEHICLE SPEED OR ACCELERATE AND THE POWER STEERING COULD FAIL INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with BMW.

Best & worst years

2006 vs. every other 650i year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the 650i median. How we score

'06'07'08'09'10'12'13'14'15'17
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
1 investigation

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2006 BMW 650i, and the recalls they led to.

  1. BMW AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATIONEA08001 · closed Dec 31, 2008
    Led to recall 08V-384
In owners' words

What 650i owners report

Recent seats complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY WHEN I SMELLED SOMETHING FUNNY. A MINUTE LATER I FELT AN EXTREMELY HOT SENSATION ON MY LEFT LEG. I REACHED DOWN AND THE SEAT WAS SO HOT THAT IT BURNT MY HAND FROM THE BRIEF CONTACT. I PULLED OVER TO FIND THAT THE HEATED SEAT ELEMENT HAD BURNT A HOLE IN THE LEATHER…
Complaint 10946314 · Jan 19, 2017 · 85,000 miles
PASSENGER SEATBELT/AIRBAG WARNING AS FOLLOWS: "PASS. RESTRAINT SYSTEM - FAULT ON PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM AFFECTING AIRBAG, BELT TENSIONER OR BELT-FORCE LIMITER. CONTINUE TO WEAR THE SAFETY BELT." NOTE: THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY WITH A MECHANIC WHO HAS CONFIRMED THIS IS THE "PASSENGER SEAT MAT…
Complaint 10929475 · Dec 1, 2016 · 75,998 miles
I STARTED MY CAR TURNED ON BOTH HEATED SEATS AND BEGIN SEEING SMOKE AND SMELLED DISTINCT BURNING.... I PULLED OUT OF MY GARAGE AND IMMEDIATELY PULLED TO THE CURVE. MY LEFT SIDE DRIVERS SEAT WAS SMOKING AND I REALIZED MY PANTS HAD A HOLE BURNED IN THEM ALONG WITH A HOLE IN MY SEAT. I HAVE CONTACTED…
Complaint 10660237 · Nov 22, 2014 · 28,800 miles

Own a 2006 650i?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.