The 2006 BMW 5 Series has 6 recalls, the most serious being a fire risk from a positive battery cable connector that can loosen and overheat, even while the car is parked; owners are advised to park outside until this is repaired.
Two recalls affect handling and control. The nuts securing the front control arm and tension strut to the wheel hub may not have been tightened to spec and can loosen over time, degrading steering response. At the rear, the lower rubber mount inside each shock absorber can separate from its housing, which also reduces handling stability and raises crash risk. On the drivetrain side, a faulty automatic transmission parking pawl guide plate can prevent the parking lock from fully engaging when the transmission is shifted into Park, meaning the vehicle may not stay put on a slope. There is also an electrical concern on 550i trims with the V8: in below-freezing, low-humidity conditions, electrostatic discharge at the fuel rails can cause the engine to stall. Note that one recall in this group covers a PCV valve heater that can short and overheat, but that filing applies to other BMW model years and engine configurations, not the 2006 5 Series.
At a glance
What can fail
The heater for the positive crankcase ventilation valve may short circuit, potentially causing an electrical fault.
What the fix does
Dealers will install a new electrical wiring harness with fuse protection for the PCV valve heater at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
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At a glance
What can fail
The insulated connector for the positive battery cable may be improperly attached to the trunk floor panel. The bolt connection can loosen over time, increasing electrical resistance and causing the cable connection to overheat.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and tighten the battery cable bolt connection as needed, at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
In cold, dry conditions, static electricity can build up on the fuel rails in V8 engines. This discharge can damage the engine control unit, causing the engine to stall and power steering to fail, making the vehicle harder to control.
What the fix does
Two ground cables will be installed between the fuel rails and the ignition coil ground connection to prevent static buildup.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The rubber mount at the bottom of the rear shock absorber may not be properly attached to the shock absorber housing due to manufacturing issues.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the rear shock absorbers at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The nuts securing the front axle control arm and tension strut to the wheel hub may not be tightened properly. Over time they could loosen, damaging the control arm and tension strut.
What the fix does
Dealers will retighten the front axle control arm and tension strut nuts to the correct specification at no charge.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The automatic transmission parking pawl guide plate may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can affect transmission function.
What the fix does
Dealers will repair and replace the automatic transmission guide plate at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
