Open safety recalls, the components owners report failing most often, crash-test results and running costs for the 2006 BMW 7 Series, assembled from NHTSA and EPA records.
Everything on this page applies to the model as a whole. Run its VIN to decode that exact car, its engine, trim, assembly plant and factory equipment, alongside these records.
Open a VIN recordRecalls and complaints are filed against a specific model year, so figures differ from one year to the next even within a single generation. See every BMW 7 Series year.
No EPA fuel-economy match for this model. Naming may differ, or it predates EPA records.
4 open NHTSA investigations into this model. Investigations come before recalls, so these are potential defects not yet covered by one.
Rated configuration: 2006 BMW 7 Series 4-DR w/SAB
NHTSA lists 3 recalls for this make, model and year. Recalls apply to the model, so some may already be fixed on this specific car. A dealer can confirm from the VIN.
Issue: This recall involves aftermarket parts sold by Valeo. Valeo is recalling certain engine cooling fans, part numbers 696121, 696273, and 696275, used as service replacement parts for model year 2008-2011 BMW 1-Series, 2006-2011 BMW 3-Series, 2000-2009 BMW 5-Series, 2004-2005 BMW 6-Series, and 2006-2007 BMW 7-Series vehicles. A metal-oxide semiconductor may overheat due to insufficient screwing of the semiconductor on the aluminum heat sink. This primary failure could cause adjacent components on the fan assembly motor circuit board to overheat and short.
Risk: This condition could cause the fan motor to become inoperative, or cause the motor circuit board in the assembly to overheat, potentially leading to a fire in the engine compartment.
Remedy: Valeo will notify owners and replace the fans free of charge. The safety recall began on August 22, 2012. This recall is being conducted by Valeo, not by BMW. For further information, owners may contact Valeo at 1-888-718-2536.
Campaign 12E029000
Issue: BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2010 5-SERIES, 6-SERIES, AND MODEL YEAR 2002-2008 7-SERIES VEHICLES. 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.
Risk: 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.
Remedy: BMW WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 24, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-525-7417.
Campaign 10V446000
Issue: 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.
Risk: 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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR SHOCK ABSORBER FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 13, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.
Campaign 06V277000
The parts named most often across 317 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this make, model and year.
3 crashes · 2 injured
1 crash
Complaints are self-reported and skew toward problems people find alarming, so read this as where to look rather than as a defect rate.
The contact owns a 2006 BMW 750Li. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the check engine warning light was illuminated, and the message "Transmission Fault - Drive Moderate" was displayed. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where the contact was advised that the vehicle would need to be kept over the weekend, but the contact declined. The vehicle was taken to Pep Boys, where it was diagnosed that the transmission had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 159,857.
The contact owns a 2006 BMW 750I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V328000 (Latches/Locks/Linkages). The contact stated that the passenger's side rear door had failed to function as intended and failed to open. Additionally, the handle on the driver's side rear door intermittently failed to function as intended and required to be hit to function as intended. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the dealer was unable to perform the recall repair because the door latch system on the vehicle was old. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
The contact owns a 2006 BMW 750LI. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the gear shifter independently shifted into park. The contact also stated that water was entering the trunk of the vehicle. The contact stated that the battery had been replaced twice. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.
In 2009, we bought this 2006 BMW 750Li as pre-owned and certified warranty from BMW of Tenafly, New Jersey. We have registration address maintained in New Jersey, and have not updated, even though we moved to Chicago, Illinois in summer of 2011. BMW issued 6 recalls for 7-series manufactured between 2005 and 2008. The recalls on manufacturer defects on electric and transmission in 2012 and 2013, and again in 2017. We missed all of the notices for these recalls. The vehicle was driven for less than 50,000 miles, from 2009 to 2019. The vehicle was inspected, and in good mechanical conditions, as well as body, since the vehicle has been garaged most of times. Since 2019, the vehicle has been in shops for repairs for electric and transmission and engine. It has been more than 3 years for our vehicle in the shops, and over $21,000 spent, there is no sign that the vehicle can be driven. Thus, we checked the online and found out the BMW recalls on this vehicle in 2012 and 2013. We called BMW Customer Relations & Services, multiple times. BMW denied the recalls. We checked with the attorneys, including the ones who filed class action suits against BMW with billion dollars win for the customers on BMW defects. All said BMW shall honor their recalls. Further, the recalls will never be expired. Now BMW has declined taking calls, responding email, and recently shifting the failing repair to a BMW dealer. What shall we do? We have sent letter to their legal department. A shop who tried to repair over 2 years reported to us that this 2006 BMW 750Li has a very bad reputation on electric and transmission. He said this is a common agreement among BMW dealers. Since BMW customer relations and services now shut us out, what department within BMW shall we go to. Shall we find an attorney for another class action suit, which occurred already? The consumer is requesting reimbursement of $21k for repairs made as well as payment made to purchase the vehicle.
On Oct 29, 2012, BMW recalled its 7-Series luxury cars due to reports of transmission control problems. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported in the NHTSA campaign #12V502000 (power train and electric system) has caused at least 14 crashes and possibly 5 injuries, and in the NHTSA campaign #13V564000 (air bags). The recall involved 45,500 cars with model years from 2005 to 2008 that includes 2006 BMW 750LI. Our 2006 BMW 750LI’s VIN is WBAHN83586DT34592. Our purchase was from BMW of Tenafly, 301 County Road, Tenafly, NJ 07670 on 3/19/2009. Odometer reading at the time of the purchase is 45,450 miles. Sale price is $35,777.84. Our BMW 750LI was vocationally used, and mostly garaged, from 2009-2011, in New Jersey; and completely garaged, from 2011-2014, in New Jersey. The vehicle was vocationally used, from 2014-2019, in Chicago. Since 2019, the vehicle has been repaired in shops for electric and transmission failures: 3 years by Bridgeport Transmission (930 W 31st Street, Chicago, IL 60608, Tel 312 842-1887, Richard, the owner), and now already 6 months with Field BMW Northfield (700 Frontage Road, Northfield, IL 60093, Tel: 847-441-5300 x 8396, Chris Goodrich, the service advisor). Except for the electric and transmission issues, our vehicle is in wonderful condition. The body looks new. The current odometer reading is 92,000 miles. Since 2019, we have spent $1,500 for battery (as it was first suspected of the issue) by Field BMW Northfield, $6,500 for electric and transmission by Bridgeport Transmission, $650 for programming by a BMW dealership, and $5,350 for DSC control unit, and multiple tows 4 x $350 = $1,400. Total expenditure is $15,400. Currently, Field BMW Northfield asks additional $8,700 for transmission, but does not guarantee the vehicle can be repaired.
The drivers side (soft close door) motor or components is malfunctioning and not closing. It’s making a grinding noise.
The contact owns a 2006 BMW 750LI. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, several unknown warning lights illuminated. Additionally, there was oil leaking onto the ground and also onto the engine. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the brake vacuum pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA. The failure mileage was approximately 129,000.
THE TRANSMISSION IS VERY DANGEROUS, WHEN PRESSING ON THE ACCELERATOR IT WILL REV THE ENGINE HIGH, THEN JUMP INTO GEAR AND LUNGE FORWARD. IF STOPPED AT A LIGHT, IT WOULD DEFINITELY KILL SOMEONE, AND WHEN STOPPING THE VEHICLE, IT FEELS LIKE YOU ARE GETTING REAR-ENDED. ON THIS DATE, THE TRANSMISSION LAUNCHING THE VEHICLE FORWARD ALMOST CAUSED A CASE OF WHIPLASH.
THE DOORS FROM INSIDE DON'T OPEN UP WHEN THE CAR LOSES POWER YOU ARE LOCKED INSIDE ALSO THE ENGINE SMOKES EVEN WHEN THE GASKETS AND SEALS HAVE BEEN REPLACED.THE CAR SUSPENSION IN THE REAR IS TERRIBLE ALSO AIR BAG LIGHT GOES ON AND OFF EVEN WHEN THE DEALER RAN DIAGNOSIS ON THE CAR CAR IS PARKED
MY VEHICLE HAS THIS WHITE SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE EXHAUST AFTER IT SITS FOR LIKE A FEW MINUTES. SMOKE DOES NOT COME OUT WHEN I'M DRIVING ONLY WHEN I SIT. SO IF I'M AT A RED LIGHT LONG ENOUGH IT WILL SMOKE. THIS JUST START HAPPENING OUT OF NOWHERE AND AFTER LOOKING IT UP EVERYBODY WHO HAS THESE CARS ALMOST HAVE THE SAME ISSUE.
CAR DOORS DO NOT LATCH DOORS FLY OPEN , CAR HAS ROLLED OUT OF PARK, BRAKES DO NOT ENGAGE RUFF STOPPING SEAT BELT LIGHTS ON ALL THE TIME. PROBLEMS WITH ELECTRICAL SEATS. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 750LI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND WAS FIRM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT EXTRA EFFORT WAS NEEDED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED BY AN UNKNOWN SOURCE THAT THE BRAKE BOOSTER AND VACUUM PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 154,000.
Showing 12 of 317 complaints.