Most common 2006 BMW 750i problems
Share of the 57 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
BMW 750i complaints by model year
Best 750i years: 2009, 2011. Years to avoid: 2006, 2007. Compare all years →
2006 BMW 750i recalls (4)
Latches/locks/linkages › Doors › Latch
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2005-2008 745i, 745Li, 750i, 750Li, 760i, 760Li, and B7 Alpina vehicles equipped with both the Comfort Access and Soft Close Automatic options. In these vehicles, the doors may appear to be closed and latched, but, in fact, may inadvertently open.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will update the door latch system, free of charge. The recall began February 8, 2018. Owners may contact BMW at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.
Air bags › Sensor › Occupant classification
BMW of North America LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2006 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi sedans and 325xi sports wagons, model year 2007 328i, 328xi, 335i, 335xi sedans and 328i and 328xi sports wagons, model year 2006-2007 525i, 525xi, 530i, 530xi, 550i sedans and 530xi sports wagons, model year 2006 760i sedans, model…
Remedy: BMW will notify owners with an interim notification letter in January 2014 since parts are not currently available. When parts are available, BMW sent a second letter in August and dealers will repair the occupant…
Latches/locks/linkages › Doors › Latch
BMW is recalling certain model year 2005-2007 7-Series vehicles, equipped with both Comfort Access and Soft Close Automatic options, and manufactured August 23, 2004, through September 3, 2007. Due to a software problem, the doors may appear to be closed and latched, but, in fact, may inadvertently open.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners and dealers will update software. The recall began on December 12, 2012. Owners may contact BMW at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.
Electrical system › Ignition › Switch
BMW is recalling certain model year 2005-2008 7-Series vehicles, equipped with the Comfort Access option, and manufactured August 23, 2004, through July 24, 2008. The affected vehicles have an electronic key and an electronic connection between the gear shifter and the transmission (shift-by-wire) that automatically shifts the…
Remedy: BMW will notify owners beginning in November 2012. The remedy became available in March 2013. Owners may call BMW at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2006 BMW 750i:
Vehicle Rollaway
In a letter dated October 16, 2012, BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) submitted a Defect Information Report (DIR), NHTSA Recall No. 12V-502 to NHTSA identifying a safety defect involving the possibility of unattended vehicle rollaway in MY 2005 through 2008 BMW 7-Series (approximately 45,000) vehicles equipped with the Comfort Access Option.The Comfort Access option allows the driver to start and stop the engine (by…
What 2006 BMW 750i owners say
Transmission & drivetrain all 20 →
While driving about 20 miles per hour approaching a stop, the car shifted into neutral and on the dash indicated the gear is now "n", then steering wheel locked and I could not turn to pull off the road. This was dangerous as I was in the middle of the road. After turning off the car, turning it back on, the problem disappears. If this fault happens on a highway, it can cause a fatal accident if the steering wheel locks and gear shifts to neutral. From reading BMW forums, they say possible causes could be the integrated supply module, transmission fault, electrical issue, or the smg sensor. Please read similar stories online. At the links below. Http://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?1618729-car-went-into-neutral-on-it-s-own-while-driving-then-died!
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 BMW 750i. While reversing at 5 MPH, the vehicle automatically shifted into neutral and the parking warning indicator illuminated. The contact turned off the vehicle, but it failed to restart. On another occasion, while driving, the vehicle shifted inadvertently into park and then into neutral. The contact stated that the vehicle was turned off, but was able to restart. The contact called crown BMW greensboro at [phone] (located at 3902 w wendover ave, greensboro, nc 27407) and was informed that the vehicle was not included in a recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failures. The failure mileage was 98,555.
Air bags
Tl* the contact owned a 2006 BMW 750i. While driving at an unknown speed, the contact rear ended a vehicle, lost control, and struck the barrier wall four times. The air bags did not deploy. The air bag warning indicator illuminated. A police report was filed. There was one injury that required medical attention. The contact suffered four lacerations. The vehicle was towed to a salvage yard and deemed destroyed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer sent an adjuster a year later to diagnose the vehicle. The inspector stated that the bald tires could have caused the air bags not to deploy. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.
Passenger side door opens on its on as stated in recall threatening the safety nad life of my passenger my air bag warning lights are constantly displayed. My air bag system is now compromised and this is another BMW recall on vehicles in this years make and model. But vehicle is exhibiting all of these defects/problems but I am excluded. Id like to know the legality of my exclusion before I go further with any legal action when I attempted to move my vehicle initially the first instance of occurrence caught my attention concerning the door. And the air bag warning stays on from the time I start the car until I turn it off .
Engine & cooling
I took my car to the BMW dealership in 2012 because I noticed oil in my garage. I was told there was no oil leak and nothing was wrong. I reported in 2013 that the 'add oil' indicator was coming on less than 2,000 miles after an oil change and was told there was nothing found that need servicing. In 2014 I took my car back because my oil indicator stated I needed to add oil and I was told I had an oil gasket issue that would cost $11,000 to correct. I took my car to the dealership 3 times while it was under warranty and was never told of any problem until after the warranty expired. The same is true with the transmission; I had my car serviced while under warranty but wasn't told of a transmission malfunction until the warranty was expired. I have to add oil every 3 to 4 weeks and my overdrive is not functional. …
While driving about 20 miles per hour approaching a stop, the car shifted into neutral and on the dash indicated the gear is now "n", then steering wheel locked and I could not turn to pull off the road. This was dangerous as I was in the middle of the road. After turning off the car, turning it back on, the problem disappears. If this fault happens on a highway, it can cause a fatal accident if the steering wheel locks and gear shifts to neutral. From reading BMW forums, they say possible causes could be the integrated supply module, transmission fault, electrical issue, or the smg sensor. Please read similar stories online. At the links below. Http://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?1618729-car-went-into-neutral-on-it-s-own-while-driving-then-died!
2006 BMW 750i engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.8L 8-cyl | 6-speed automatic | RWD | 15 / 23 / 18 |
EPA ratings. Class: Large car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2006 BMW 750i a good car?
Based on 57 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2006 750i rates avoid: 3.8× as many complaints as a typical year of the 750i at the same age. It is one of the 750i years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2006 BMW 750i?
The transmission & drivetrain — 20 complaints, 35% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the air bags (14) and engine & cooling (7).
How many recalls does the 2006 BMW 750i have?
There are 4 recalls for the 2006 BMW 750i, the most recent from May 18, 2017 (latch). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the BMW 750i?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2009 and 2011. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2006 and 2007. See the full BMW 750i years comparison.
At what mileage do 2006 BMW 750i problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 98,000 miles; 7% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.