BMW 650I · model year

2006 BMW 650I

24 NHTSA complaints, 1 crash report, and 1 active recall for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2006BMW650I carries 24 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 1 crash, 2 fires, 2 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2006 650I is service brakes with 4 filings, followed by seats (4) and air bags (3). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 1 active recall campaign, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 34 investigation files overlapping the 2006 650I. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

24
Complaints
1
Crashes
2
Fires
2
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

24 filings

Crashes Reported

1 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
SERVICE BRAKES4
SEATS4
AIR BAGS3
TIRES2
STEERING2
SEAT BELTS2
TIRES:SIDEWALL1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC1
STRUCTURE1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1
UNKNOWN OR OTHER1
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM1

Recalls (1)

07V47900012/10/2007

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

ON CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH V8 ENGINES, IN CONDITIONS OF BELOW FREEZING TEMPERATURES COMBINED WITH LOW HUMIDITY, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR ELECTROSTATIC DISCHARGE TO OCCUR AT THE FUEL RAILS. IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR, THE ENGINE ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT (ECU) COULD BE AFFECTED SO THAT ENGINE STALLING COU

Recent Complaints

20211213FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

Leak from fuel pump located under passenger rear side (right rear). Gasoline pooling next to electrical connection and excess gasoline dripping into interior and exterior. Explosion risk. Gasoline fumes.

20210725UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Constant malfunctions of convertible top. Top won’t stay in locked position. Once top malfunctions windows won’t operate. This has been an ongoing problem. Has been in shop for repair of this item multiple times. Research shows many owners having same issues. Warning sign from BMW says drive slow and report to nearest BMW shop. BMW refuses to address the issue…. After spending hundreds if not thousands to get this issue resolved the latest BMW shop said replace the hydraulic system at a cost of 4400.00. The 2006 650 I convertible top has a manufacturing issue in my opinion. Please investigate.

20171008STEERING

THE ACTIVE STEERING SYSTEM OPERATES ON AND OFF. STEERING IS NORMAL THEN THE ACTIVE STEERING SYSTEM SHUTS OFF. STEERING BECOMES VERY HEAVY. THE WARNINGS LIGHT NOW STAYS ON ALL THE TIME THIS IS UNDER ALL DRIVING CONDITIONS AND ROADS.

Mileage: 118,000

20170119SEATS

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 SEAT AS WELL AS BURNT A HOLE IN MY WOOL COAT. IRONICALLY, THIS OCCURRED IN MY LAST BMW AS WELL, A 2004 3-SERIES, JUST TO A LESSER EXTENT. I DID NOT RECEIVE BURNS FROM THAT INCIDENT, IT JUST MELTED THE LEFT SIDE OF MY SEAT. *TR

Mileage: 85,000

20161201AIR BAGS

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 SENSOR." I CALLED BMW OF NORTH AMERICA TODAY TO REPORT THE PROBLEM AND CHECK FOR RECALLS. I WAS INFORMED I SHOULD GO TO A BMW DEALERSHIP TO GET A "FORMAL DIAGNOSIS FROM THE DEALER" AND TO "CONFIRM IF THE ISSUE COULD'VE BEEN INCLUDED IN PRIOR RECALL." NOTE: I SEARCHED THE NHTSA WEBSITE FOR MY YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL VEHICLE AND FOUND THIS EXACT SAME ISSUE WAS UNDER "INVESTIGATION" FROM JAN. 4, 2008 TO DEC. 31, 2008. THE INVESTIGATION SUBJECT IS "BMW AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATION". THE SUMMARY STATES THAT IT WAS FOR BMW MODELS FROM 2004 TO 2006 AND STATES THE 2006 MODELS WERE RECALLED FOR THE X3 SERIES AND 3-SERIES WITH SPORT SEATS. IT FURTHER STATES "BMW WILL EXTEND THE WARRANTY COVERAGE OF THE

Mileage: 75,998

20161201SEAT BELTS

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 SENSOR." I CALLED BMW OF NORTH AMERICA TODAY TO REPORT THE PROBLEM AND CHECK FOR RECALLS. I WAS INFORMED I SHOULD GO TO A BMW DEALERSHIP TO GET A "FORMAL DIAGNOSIS FROM THE DEALER" AND TO "CONFIRM IF THE ISSUE COULD'VE BEEN INCLUDED IN PRIOR RECALL." NOTE: I SEARCHED THE NHTSA WEBSITE FOR MY YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL VEHICLE AND FOUND THIS EXACT SAME ISSUE WAS UNDER "INVESTIGATION" FROM JAN. 4, 2008 TO DEC. 31, 2008. THE INVESTIGATION SUBJECT IS "BMW AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATION". THE SUMMARY STATES THAT IT WAS FOR BMW MODELS FROM 2004 TO 2006 AND STATES THE 2006 MODELS WERE RECALLED FOR THE X3 SERIES AND 3-SERIES WITH SPORT SEATS. IT FURTHER STATES "BMW WILL EXTEND THE WARRANTY COVERAGE OF THE

Mileage: 75,998

20161201SEATS

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 SENSOR." I CALLED BMW OF NORTH AMERICA TODAY TO REPORT THE PROBLEM AND CHECK FOR RECALLS. I WAS INFORMED I SHOULD GO TO A BMW DEALERSHIP TO GET A "FORMAL DIAGNOSIS FROM THE DEALER" AND TO "CONFIRM IF THE ISSUE COULD'VE BEEN INCLUDED IN PRIOR RECALL." NOTE: I SEARCHED THE NHTSA WEBSITE FOR MY YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL VEHICLE AND FOUND THIS EXACT SAME ISSUE WAS UNDER "INVESTIGATION" FROM JAN. 4, 2008 TO DEC. 31, 2008. THE INVESTIGATION SUBJECT IS "BMW AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATION". THE SUMMARY STATES THAT IT WAS FOR BMW MODELS FROM 2004 TO 2006 AND STATES THE 2006 MODELS WERE RECALLED FOR THE X3 SERIES AND 3-SERIES WITH SPORT SEATS. IT FURTHER STATES "BMW WILL EXTEND THE WARRANTY COVERAGE OF THE

Mileage: 75,998

20160808AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 650I CONVERTIBLE. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE AIR BAG AND SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED CONSTANTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 124,000.

Mileage: 124,000

20160808SEAT BELTS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 650I CONVERTIBLE. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE AIR BAG AND SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED CONSTANTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 124,000.

Mileage: 124,000

20160717STEERING

ELV ROBLEM

20160419CrashSERVICE BRAKES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2006 BMW 650I. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH AND COMING TO A STOP, THE BRAKES FAILED TO RESPOND. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS SOFT AND TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE HARDER THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED, THE FURTHER TO THE FLOOR IT WENT WITHOUT A RESPONSE. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. IN TURN, THE OTHER VEHICLE STRUCK THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO BOTH LEGS, THE LEFT HAND, AND BREASTS, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S HOME. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,000.

Mileage: 106,000

20160203TIRES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 650I EQUIPPED WITH BRIDGESTONE TIRES, TIRE LINE: POTENZA RE050A, TIRE SIZE: 275/35/R19 AND DOT NUMBER: EJ9HDJH4311. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE OBSERVER A BLISTER IN THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR TIRE SIDEWALL. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THE TIRE WAS ALWAYS FLAT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE VEHICLE AND TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 92,132.

Mileage: 91,213

20151222SERVICE BRAKES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 650I. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT HAD TO PLACE AN ABNORMAL AMOUNT OF PRESSURE ON THE BRAKE PEDAL IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE HOSE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT OF OTHER REPAIRS THAT NEEDED TO BE COMPLETED FOR THE BRAKE SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V446000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE REMEDY FOR THE RECALL STATED THAT ANY REPAIRS WOULD BE DONE AND DECIDED UPON BY THE DEALER FREE OF CHARGE; HOWEVER, THE DEALER ONLY COMPLETED ONE NECESSARY REPAIR FREE OF CHARGE. THE VEHICLE'S REPAIR WAS NOT COMPLETE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 145,000. UPDATED 02/18/16*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE RECALL REPAIR WAS COMPLETED. UPDATED 12/14/2017*JS

Mileage: 145,000

20150702FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

COOL EVENING, ENGAGE DRIVER SIDE SEAT HEATER, STARTED SMELLING FOUL SMELL, SHORT DRIVE 3-5 MINUTES. FOUND THAT SEAT HEATER MUST OF HAD A SHORT, BURNED HOLE THROUGH SEAT PADDING, LEATHER SEAT COVER, MY SHORTS AND I WAS SAVED BY MY WALLET THAT HAD A HOLE BURNED INTO IT. NOTE : CAR IS IN NE OHIO FOR SUMMER

Mileage: 47,500

20150324TIRES

SIDEWALL IS SEPARATING AFTER LESS THAN 1 YEAR, 15,000 MILES. *TR

Mileage: 84,000

20141211ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 650I. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH DURING COLD WEATHER, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE THERMOSTAT AND THE HOSES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 07V479000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000.

Mileage: 86,000

20141122FireSEATS

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 BMW BUT TO DATE NO RESPONSE BACK FROM THEM. THIS IS A DANGEROUS FLAW IN THE BMW AND NEEDS FURTHER ACTION TAKEN. I COULD HAVE BEEN BURNED OR THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED ME TO HAVE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. FURTHER MY VERY LOW MILEAGE CAR COULD HAVE BEEN CONSUMED IN FLAMES. *TR

Mileage: 28,800

20130116SEATS

THE PASSENGER SEAT MAT SENSOR IS DEFECTIVE AND CANNOT TELL WHEN A PASSENGER IS SEATED, THEREFORE, NOT ALLOWING A PASSENGER AIR BAG TO DEPLOY. THE SRS AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT APPEARS. THE PASSENGER SEAT HAS NOT BEEN TAMPERED WITH, RARELY BEEN SAT IN, AND THE DEFECT CANNOT BE ATTRIBUTED TO ANY ERROR ON MY PART. *TR

Mileage: 56,000

20130116AIR BAGS

THE PASSENGER SEAT MAT SENSOR IS DEFECTIVE AND CANNOT TELL WHEN A PASSENGER IS SEATED, THEREFORE, NOT ALLOWING A PASSENGER AIR BAG TO DEPLOY. THE SRS AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT APPEARS. THE PASSENGER SEAT HAS NOT BEEN TAMPERED WITH, RARELY BEEN SAT IN, AND THE DEFECT CANNOT BE ATTRIBUTED TO ANY ERROR ON MY PART. *TR

Mileage: 56,000

20120911SERVICE BRAKES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 650I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR UNRELATED MAINTENANCE WHEN THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THAT THE BRAKE VACUUM PUMP WAS LEAKING OIL. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V446000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM) HOWEVER, WAS ADVISED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,000.

Mileage: 54,000

Compare 2006BMW650I to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2006 BMW 650I have?
The 2006 BMW 650I has 24 NHTSA complaints, 1 crashes, 2 fires, 2 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2006 BMW 650I?
Yes, the 2006 BMW 650I has 1 recall(s). The most common affected component is ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2006 BMW 650I?
The most-complained component for the 2006 BMW 650I is SERVICE BRAKES with 4 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include SEATS and AIR BAGS.
Is the 2006 BMW 650I safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.