Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2006 BMW 750li owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Airbags never popped open, door handle opened and is still not shutting correctly. Since my car was paid in full, I did not carry full coverage only liability so I did not file a claim. I paid the damages out of my own pocket and just this week I've paid the last $1200.00 of the part ordered for last of repairs. In total ive paid a little over 15,000 out of my own money.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 BMW 750li. On several occasions, while driving or while the vehicle was parked, the rear driver and passenger side door opened and closed independently without warning. The contact also stated that the passenger side air bag warning indicator illuminated. The contact notified BMW of north America llc (300 chestnut ridge rd, woodcliff lake, nj 07677 [phone]) where it was diagnosed that the driver's side air bag needed to be replaced as part of a recall. The dealer stated that the passenger side air bag was not included in the recall and the contact would need to pay a fee for repairs. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated that the failure was not part of a recall and that the contact would need to contact a dealer. The recall details were not provided. The approximate failure mileage was 88,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 BMW 750li. The contact stated that while driving 20 MPH, another vehicle crashed into the driver's side. The vehicle flipped over three times but none of the air bags deployed. The vehicle was destroyed and the driver sustained injuries to the neck, back and both knees. A police report was filed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 70,000. The VIN was unavailable. Updated 2/27/14 the consumer stated the vehicle that struck into the driver's side was traveling at least 40 MPH. The consumer's vehicle was inspected and found to be a total loss..updated 04-23-14 04/25/2014
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 BMW 750li. The contact stated that oil was leaking all over the engine. In addition, while driving various speeds, all the electrical components on the vehicle shut off without warning and the air bag warning indicator illuminated intermittently. The contact associated the failures with NHTSA campaign number: 12V502000 (power train, electrical system) and NHTSA campaign number: 13V564000 (air bags). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified and stated that there were no recalls. No further assistance was offered. The dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 165,000.
The door don't latch correctly, I had the door latches replace in 2011 and they have broken again. BMW have a recall on the door latches from 2005 to 2007. My car is a 2006, they say the defective part is not in my car but they key breaking. The recall # 12V504000 for the door latch. BMW dealership refuse to replace or refuse to recall all the vehicle, the door will open during driving and the driver or passenger will have to hold the door till the vehicle is stopped. Please help this is a public safety warning to BMW.....updated 04/23/15 the consumer also recall# 13V564000.
BMW have a recall on 2006 BMW 750li passenger seat mat, this defect will keep the air bag from deploying during an accident. But in most BMW, from friends of mine the driver seat mat is the one that defective on a regular bases but BMW is avoiding the repair, this defect can a will cause someone their life. The recall# 13V564000 for the passenger seat mat, but the driver seat mat is the problem. My drive seat mat is broken my car only have 72000 miles on the car,BMW is avoiding the repair. Correct now or some one will die soon, because of this defect.....updated 04/23/15
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 BMW 750li. The contact stated that the passenger seat mat occupancy sensor bypass was faulty and the warning indicator illuminated. Days later, the driver's side mat warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to classic BMW (6800 dallas pkwy, plano, tx 75024, [phone]) where it was diagnosed that the passenger side mat sensor needed to repaired; however, there was no repair for the driver's side. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failures. The failure mileage was 157,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 BMW 750li. The contact received a recall notice for NHTSA campaign number: 13V564000 (air bags). The contact stated that the recall was remedied; however, the driver seat occupant detection mat began to exhibit the same exact failures as mentioned in the recall. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the contact was notified that the driver's side was not recalled and would not be repaired free of charge. The manufacturer was made aware of the failures, but no solution was provided. The failure mileage was 100,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 BMW 750li. The contact stated that while driving at various speed, the air bag warning light remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that there was a faulty code on the passenger seat. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 13V564000 (air bags). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 87,519.
There was a recall on the passenger side air bag. Took it to the dealer to get it fixed. After fixing the passenger side air bag, the drive side air bag faulty light came on. My service adviser asked me to leave the car with them which I did and after few days they called me to pick up the car without fixing it unless I pay for probable cause for the faulty light. Estimated cost $4,000.00.
Related recalls
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…
NHTSA investigations
BMW airbag light illumination
In certain my 2005 through my 2006 BMW vehicles, the occupant classification system (ocs) for the passenger frontal airbag May malfunction and render the passenger airbag inoperative.in June 2006, BMW issued a technical service bulletin (si b 72 02 06) regarding the illumination of the airbag warning light and the passenger airbag status lamp.illumination of these lights warn that an open electrical circuit May be…
BMW airbag light illumination
BMW is conducting a safety recall campaign on approximately 200,000 my04 through my06 subject vehicles built through 11/30/05 to correct the front passenger seat air bag occupant detection mat. The specific vehicles included in the recall aremy04- 06/ 5-series with standard and sport seats, my04-06/ x3-series and my06/ 3-series with sport seats.
Airbag complaints in other 750li years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2006 BMW 750li?
NHTSA has 40 complaints about the air bags of the 2006 BMW 750li, 19% of the model year's 216 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 BMW 750li airbag problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 13V-564 (occupant classification, Nov 12, 2013). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2006 BMW 750li airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 88,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.