2006 BMW 6 Series: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2006 BMW 6 Series: 5 recalls, 5 owner complaints and up to 18 mpg combined.
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Recalls
5 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Transmission & drivetrain Vehicle recall #05V504000 · 2005 · 240 vehicles
What's wrong: Certain passenger vehicles May have been built with an incorrectly manufactured automatic transmission parking pawl guide plate.
Why it matters: This could cause the parking lock system not to engage, after the transmission is placed in the park ("p") position. If the vehicle was parked on an incline, and the parking brake was not engaged, this could result in a vehicle rollaway condition.
The fix: Dealers will repair and replace the automatic transmission guide plate free of charge. The recall began on November 30, 2005.
Suspension Vehicle recall #06V187000 · 2006 · 40 vehicles
What's wrong: On certain passenger vehicles, the nuts which secure the front axle control arm and tension strut to the front wheel hub May not have been tightened to specification. Over time the nuts could loosen and the control arm and tension strut could be damaged.
Why it matters: Vehicle handling and control could compromise increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will retighten the front axle control arm and tension strut nuts to the correct specifications free of charge. The recall began on June 28, 2006.
Suspension Vehicle recall #06V277000 · 2006 · 11,640 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: Dealers will replace the rear shock absorber free of charge. The recall began on September 13, 2006.
Brakes (hydraulic) Vehicle recall #10V446000 · 2010 · 198,352 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: Bmw will notify owners and dealers will repair the vehicles free of charge. The safety recall began on November 24, 2010.
Electrical Vehicle recall #12V126000 · 2012 · 367,682 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: Overheating could lead to a fire, even while the vehicle is not in use. As a precaution, owners are advised to park outside until the remedy has been made.
The fix: Bmw will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and secure the battery bolt cable connection as necessary, free of charge. The safety recall began on April 30, 2012.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 0 mention a fire, 0 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Engine & cooling (2): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Seats (1): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Airbags (1): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Tires (1): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
The 2006 BMW 6 Series has 5 owner complaints, ranking #3 of 8 6 Series model years for complaints (1.6× the average 6 Series year). Complaints peaked in 2011 (2 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 5 years old, at a median of 57,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2005 (7 complaints, 3 recalls), 2007 (2 complaints, 3 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.8 L 8-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 | 23 | 18 | Premium |
| 4.8 L 8-cyl | Manual 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 | 21 | 16 | Premium |
| 4.8 L 8-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 | 20 | 16 | Premium |
| 4.8 L 8-cyl | Manual 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 13 | 20 | 15 | Premium |
| 4.8 L 8-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 13 | 19 | 15 | Premium |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2006 BMW 6 Series.
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Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
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FAQ
Does the 2006 BMW 6 Series have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 5 vehicle recalls for the 2006 BMW 6 Series. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2006 BMW 6 Series problems?
Owners have filed 5 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are engine & cooling (2), seats (1), airbags (1).
What gas mileage does the 2006 BMW 6 Series get?
EPA ratings run up to 18 mpg combined (4.8 L, Automatic (S6)), across 5 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2006 BMW 6 Series repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.