2006 BMW M5: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2006 BMW M5: 1 recall, 39 owner complaints and up to 13 mpg combined.

Recalls
1 vehicle recall from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
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, 1 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Airbags (25): the most common themes are warning light on (11), fails to deploy (7).
- Seat belts (7): the most common themes are warning light on (4).
- Transmission & drivetrain (5): the most common themes are hard / delayed shifting (3), noise or vibration (2).
- Electrical (3): the most common themes are electrical failure (3).
The 2006 BMW M5 has 39 owner complaints, ranking #1 of 26 M5 model years for complaints (9.7× the average M5 year). Complaints peaked in 2014 (12 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 7 years old, at a median of 55,100 miles. Neighboring years: 2007 (6 complaints, 1 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5.0 L 10-cyl | Automatic (S7) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 11 | 17 | 13 | 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 M5.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
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FAQ
Does the 2006 BMW M5 have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 1 vehicle recall for the 2006 BMW M5. 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 M5 problems?
Owners have filed 39 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are airbags (25), seat belts (7), transmission & drivetrain (5).
What gas mileage does the 2006 BMW M5 get?
EPA ratings run up to 13 mpg combined (5.0 L, Automatic (S7)), across 1 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2006 BMW M5 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.