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FaultScore report

2005 BMW 6 Series problems

Owners have filed 10 complaints about the 2005 BMW 6 Series with NHTSA between 2006 and 2015. The largest single group is the airbags.

Read the complaints What breaks Worst years for the BMW 6 Series All 2005 cars
—

Not graded

Too few complaints, or too short a model run, to compare fairly.

How this is worked out

The numbers

10

Complaints

1

Crashes reported

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries reported

47,860 mi

Median mileage at failure

Half of reported failures happened before this

50%

Failed under 36,000 miles

Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty

How 2005 compares with every other BMW 6 Series

Click any bar to open that year's report.

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks on a 2005 BMW 6 Series

Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.

Airbags 4 40.0%

Median failure at 47,860 miles

Electrical System 2 20.0%
Equipment & Accessories 1 10.0%
Seat Belts 1 10.0%

Median failure at 109,275 miles

Fuel & Propulsion 1 10.0%
Brakes 1 10.0%

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 8,323 mi

When it fails

Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.

1,000 – 9,999 miles 1 16.7%
25,000 – 49,999 miles 2 33.3%
50,000 – 74,999 miles 1 16.7%
100,000 – 149,999 miles 2 33.3%

When owners complained

A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.

Jan 2006 peak 3 Oct 2015

Recalls on the 2005 BMW 6 Series

A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous enough to fix for free — however old the car is.

Canada — Transport Canada

Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not always mirror the American ones.

Recall 2012109 16,748 units in Canada

Electrical

On certain vehicles, the insulated bulkhead connector (used to join the two halves of the positive battery cable) may have been incorrectly installed during vehicle assembly. Over time, the bolt connection could loosen, which would increase electrical resistance. In addition, an incorrectly insulated bulkhead connector could allow humidity to accumulate at this location, causing current leakage. These issues could cause the cable connection to overheat, which could result in a vehicle fire causing property damage and/or personal injury. Correction: Dealers will inspect and, as necessary, secure the insulated bulkhead connector. In addition, protective grease will be added to the area and the plastic battery positive terminal cover will be replaced.

Recall 2010328 8,167 units in Canada

Brakes

On certain vehicles, a check valve in the brake vacuum pump may leak a small amount of lubricating oil. Over time, this could result in contamination of the brake booster. Loss of brake power assist could occur which, in conjunction with traffic, road conditions, and driver's reactions, could increase the risk of a crash causing property damage and/or personal injury. Correction: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the brake booster and master cylinder. Additionally, the brake vacuum line (including the check valve) will be replaced to eliminate the possibility of oil reaching the brake booster.

Recalls cover specific build ranges, so check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or, in Canada, Transport Canada.

Complaints that involved harm

Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.

at 8,323 miles SAN Bernardino, CA Crash

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE BRAKES FAILED WHILE DRIVING . THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WENT OVER THE CURB AND HIT A PARKING PILLAR. THE UNDERCARRIAGE WAS DAMAGED. THE CONTACT REPORTS HEARING SQUEAKING NOISES COMING FROM THE BRAKES TWO WEEKS PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. THE SQUEAKING NOISE OCCURRED ONLY WHILE DRIVING SLOWLY AT 5 TO 10 MPH. THE DEALER SAID THE BRAKE PRESSURE SENSOR WAS BAD. THE DEALER PLANS ON CONTACTING BMW TO SEE IF THE REPAIRS WILL BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN.

NHTSA complaint #10147109 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

The most recent complaints

In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.

at 109,275 miles Killeen, TX

SEAT BELTS

PASSENGER RESTRAINT MALFUNCTION.

NHTSA complaint #10787482 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 109,275 miles Killeen, TX

AIR BAGS

PASSENGER RESTRAINT MALFUNCTION.

NHTSA complaint #10787482 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 65,721 miles Union City, CA

AIR BAGS

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 645. THE CONTACT STATED THE AIR BAG LIGHT FLASHED ON THE DASHBOARD INDICATING THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WAS NOT WORKING. THE CONTACT DID NOT TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE CONTACT STATED IF THE VEHICLE IS INVOLVED IN A CRASH THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WOULD NOT DEPLOY AND COULD CAUSE A SEVERE INJURY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,721.

NHTSA complaint #10402757 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 30,000 miles Ocean Ridge, FL

AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 645. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WOULD INTERMITTENTLY ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY THE DEALER WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG SENSOR HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 30,000. UPDATED 02/02/11

NHTSA complaint #10370612 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 25,695 miles Vernoh Hills, IL

AIR BAGS

PASSENGER AIRBAG LAMP IS ON AND STAYS ON AFTER TECHNICIAN AT THE BMW SERVICE CENTER RESET THE VEHICLE'S COMPUTER (CLEARED FAULTS). VEHICLE DID NOT GET INTO SITUATION WHICH WOULD TRIGGER AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT, BUT POTENTIALLY THE PASSENGER FRONTAL AIRBAG MAY MALFUNCTION AND RENDER THE PASSENGER AIRBAG INOPERATIVE.

NHTSA complaint #10358761 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Bloomingon, IN

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

I BOUGHT A NEW 2005 BMW 645I.AND IT HAD COMPUTER PROBLEMS. THE DEALER SAID THE MANUFACTURER USUALLY FIXED PROBLEMS IN 60-90 DAYS. IT HAS BEEN 18 MONTHS AND THE ON BOARD COMPUTER HAS PROBLEMS WITH THE ENTERTAINMENT, AND BLUETOOTH. THE COMPUTER CONTINUES TO PLAY CD'S AFTER THE ENGINE IS SHUT OFF. THE DEALER IGNORED THE PROBLEM FOR MONTHS UNTIL I SAID THE CAR WOULD NEED TO BE BOUGHT UNDER THE "LEMON LAW'. THEY WILL NOT REPLACE THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THEY NOW SAY ALL 650 AND 645 MODELS HAVE SIMILAR PROBLEMS AND THEY CANNOT GUARANTEE ANOTHER VEHICLE WOULD PERFORM WITHOUT PROBLEMS. THE DEALER AND BMW NORTHAMERICA ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10163128 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Bloomingon, IN

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH

I BOUGHT A NEW 2005 BMW 645I.AND IT HAD COMPUTER PROBLEMS. THE DEALER SAID THE MANUFACTURER USUALLY FIXED PROBLEMS IN 60-90 DAYS. IT HAS BEEN 18 MONTHS AND THE ON BOARD COMPUTER HAS PROBLEMS WITH THE ENTERTAINMENT, AND BLUETOOTH. THE COMPUTER CONTINUES TO PLAY CD'S AFTER THE ENGINE IS SHUT OFF. THE DEALER IGNORED THE PROBLEM FOR MONTHS UNTIL I SAID THE CAR WOULD NEED TO BE BOUGHT UNDER THE "LEMON LAW'. THEY WILL NOT REPLACE THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THEY NOW SAY ALL 650 AND 645 MODELS HAVE SIMILAR PROBLEMS AND THEY CANNOT GUARANTEE ANOTHER VEHICLE WOULD PERFORM WITHOUT PROBLEMS. THE DEALER AND BMW NORTHAMERICA ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10163128 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Bloomingon, IN

EQUIPMENT

I BOUGHT A NEW 2005 BMW 645I.AND IT HAD COMPUTER PROBLEMS. THE DEALER SAID THE MANUFACTURER USUALLY FIXED PROBLEMS IN 60-90 DAYS. IT HAS BEEN 18 MONTHS AND THE ON BOARD COMPUTER HAS PROBLEMS WITH THE ENTERTAINMENT, AND BLUETOOTH. THE COMPUTER CONTINUES TO PLAY CD'S AFTER THE ENGINE IS SHUT OFF. THE DEALER IGNORED THE PROBLEM FOR MONTHS UNTIL I SAID THE CAR WOULD NEED TO BE BOUGHT UNDER THE "LEMON LAW'. THEY WILL NOT REPLACE THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THEY NOW SAY ALL 650 AND 645 MODELS HAVE SIMILAR PROBLEMS AND THEY CANNOT GUARANTEE ANOTHER VEHICLE WOULD PERFORM WITHOUT PROBLEMS. THE DEALER AND BMW NORTHAMERICA ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10163128 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

NEW York, NY

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY

MY BMW 745I HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP REPEATEDLY TO FIX A PROBLEM WITH THE GAS READING MECHANISM. THE CAR TELLS ME THERE IS GAS WHEN THERE IS NONE OR VICE VERSA. TWICE THE CAR HAS COMPLETELY STOPPED WORKING HAVING TO BE TOWED. THE MOST RECENT TIME WAS THIS MORNING WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THE CAR JUST STOPPED. THE GAS GAUGE INDICATED I HAD A HALF A TANK OF GASOLINE WHEREAS IT TURNED OUT IT WAS COMPLETELY EMPTY. I WAS UNDER AN OVERPASS, ALONE WITH CARS ZIPPING BY ON MY LEFT, A WALL TO MY RIGHT AND NO ONE TO STOP ME FROM BEING STRUCK FROM THE REAR! ON FIVE SEPARATE OCCASIONS THE FAULTY PART WAS ALLEGEDLY CHANGED. FIRST TO THE RIGHT SIDE AND THEN TO THE LEFT (WHATEVER THAT MEANS) IT STILL DOES NOT ACCURATELY READ THE GASOLINE.

NHTSA complaint #10156129 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 8,323 miles SAN Bernardino, CA Crash

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE BRAKES FAILED WHILE DRIVING . THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WENT OVER THE CURB AND HIT A PARKING PILLAR. THE UNDERCARRIAGE WAS DAMAGED. THE CONTACT REPORTS HEARING SQUEAKING NOISES COMING FROM THE BRAKES TWO WEEKS PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. THE SQUEAKING NOISE OCCURRED ONLY WHILE DRIVING SLOWLY AT 5 TO 10 MPH. THE DEALER SAID THE BRAKE PRESSURE SENSOR WAS BAD. THE DEALER PLANS ON CONTACTING BMW TO SEE IF THE REPAIRS WILL BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN.

NHTSA complaint #10147109 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.