NHTSA vehicle safety data

2005 BMW 6 Series Recalls & Complaints

The 2005 BMW 6 Series has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns and 7 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized BMW dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2005 BMW 6 Series. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2005 BMW 6 Series owner complaints

Owners have filed 7 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005 BMW 6 Series, describing incidents dated January 5, 2005 to October 15, 2015.

Most-cited components

Air Bags 4 complaints
Electrical System 1 complaint
Equipment 1 complaint
Fuel/Propulsion System 1 complaint
Seat Belts 1 complaint
Service Brakes 1 complaint

Of the 7 complaints on file, 1 reports a crash (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #10787482 · Filed October 31, 2015
PASSENGER RESTRAINT MALFUNCTION.
ODI #10402757 · Filed May 25, 2011
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…
ODI #10370612 · Filed December 14, 2010
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…

Read all 7 complaints

Engine Cooling Fan Assemblies/Service Parts

NHTSA #12E029000 · Engine and Engine Cooling — Cooling System — Fan · NHTSA notice

Reported August 10, 2012 · Valeo

Potentially affected: 585 vehicles

Repair completion: 33.1% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Owners notified August 22, 2012

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

BATTERY CABLE INSULATED BULKHEAD CONNECTOR

NHTSA #12V126000 · Electrical System — 12V/24V/48V Battery — Cables · NHTSA notice

Reported March 26, 2012 · BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC

Potentially affected: 367,682 vehicles

Owners notified April 30, 2012 · Vehicles built September 1, 2003 – July 31, 2010 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2010 5-SERIES, MODEL YEAR 2004-2010 6-SERIES, MODEL YEAR 2006-2010 M5, AND MODEL YEAR 2007-2010 M6 VEHICLES. THE INSULATED BULKHEAD CONNECTOR FOR THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE MAY HAVE BEEN INCORRECTLY ATTACHED TO THE TRUNK FLOOR PANEL, WHICH CAN LEAD TO A LOOSENING OF THE BOLT CONNECTION. AS IT LOOSENS, AN INCREASE IN ELECTRICAL RESISTANCE AT THIS CABLE CONNECTION IS POSSIBLE AND COULD CAUSE THE CABLE CONNECTION TO OVERHEAT.

Safety consequence

OVERHEATING COULD LEAD TO A FIRE, EVEN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS NOT IN USE. AS A PRECAUTION, OWNERS ARE ADVISED TO PARK OUTSIDE UNTIL THE REMEDY HAS BEEN MADE.

Manufacturer remedy

BMW WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND SECURE THE BATTERY BOLT CABLE CONNECTION AS NECESSARY, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 30, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND SERVICES AT 1-800-525-7417.

Notes

CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

BRAKE VACUUM PUMP

NHTSA #10V446000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic — Power Assist — Vacuum · NHTSA notice

Reported October 1, 2010 · BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC

Potentially affected: 198,352 vehicles

Owners notified November 24, 2010

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .

PARK PAWL GUIDE PLATE

NHTSA #05V504000 · Power Train — Automatic Transmission · NHTSA notice

Reported November 1, 2005 · BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC

Potentially affected: 240 vehicles

Owners notified November 30, 2005 · Vehicles built August 1, 2005 – September 30, 2005 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH AN INCORRECTLY MANUFACTURED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION PARKING PAWL GUIDE PLATE.

Safety consequence

THIS COULD CAUSE THE PARKING LOCK SYSTEM NOT TO ENGAGE, AFTER THE TRANSMISSION IS PLACED IN THE PARK ("P") POSITION. IF THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON AN INCLINE, AND THE PARKING BRAKE WAS NOT ENGAGED, THIS COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE ROLLAWAY CONDITION.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPAIR AND REPLACE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION GUIDE PLATE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 30, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-332-4269.

Notes

CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

2005 BMW 6 Series 2-DR w/SAB

—

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Not Rated

Frontal Crash

Not Rated

Driver: Not Rated, Passenger: Not Rated

Side Crash

Not Rated

Driver: Not Rated, Passenger: Not Rated

Side Pole

Not Rated

Rollover

Not Rated

Safety Technology

Electronic Stability Control

7 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2005 BMW 6 Series.

Air Bags; Seat Belts

ODI #10787482

Incident: October 15, 2015 · Filed: October 31, 2015

PASSENGER RESTRAINT MALFUNCTION.

Air Bags

ODI #10402757

Incident: May 25, 2011 · Filed: May 25, 2011

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.

Air Bags

ODI #10370612

Incident: November 25, 2010 · Filed: December 14, 2010

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 *CN

Air Bags

ODI #10358761

Incident: March 26, 2010 · Filed: October 1, 2010

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. *TR

Electrical System; Equipment

ODI #10163128

Incident: January 5, 2005 · Filed: July 21, 2006

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.

Fuel System, Gasoline

ODI #10156129

Incident: April 26, 2006 · Filed: April 26, 2006

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. *JB

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

ODI #10147109

Crash

Incident: January 3, 2006 · Filed: January 6, 2006

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. *AK

Other BMW 6 Series model years

Check your 2005 BMW 6 Series VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your BMW 6 Series at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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