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2006 BMW M5 engine problems

moderate 4 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →

Complaints
4
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100

When does it fail?

Of the 4 engine complaints filed for the 2006 BMW M5, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 mi.

0-25k
0 (0%)
25-50k
1 (33.3%)
50-75k
0 (0%)
75-100k
1 (33.3%)
100-125k
1 (33.3%)
125-150k
0 (0%)
150k+
0 (0%)

Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.

What stands out

No new NHTSA engine complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 14 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.

Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins

The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering engine on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.

Service Bulletin B170222 Sep 2022

Coolant is leaking from under the car which is equipped with the S63 engine. A low coolant warning might also be displayed (CC Message ID166).

full bulletin at NHTSA ↗
Service Bulletin B070314 Feb 2016

This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI B07 03 14 dated October 2015. Diagnosing Stored Fault Codes to Help Avoid Repeat Repair Visits. Fault codes stored in vehicles being serviced are not being diagnosed, leading to repeat repair visits (source- Analysis of FASTA data and repeat repair visit reports). INFORMATION Where diagnosis (vehicle or short test) with ISTA has already started, it is important to diagnose the fault code(s) listed below (when they are stored in the vehicle) to find their root cause during the current workshop visit. This will help lead to a reduction in workshop repeat repair visits and higher customer satisfaction.

full bulletin at NHTSA ↗
Service Bulletin 120815 Jan 2015

"SUBJECT N62TU: ISTA Service Function for DME ""RAM Backup"". The ISTA Service Function test plan should be performed to clear stored values in the DME RAM memory after repairs are completed, in the following situations: z VANOS or engine-related repairs if any of the following faults cannot be cleared: 2A90 - Exhaust camshaft, tooth offset to crankshaft 2A91 - Exhaust camshaft 2, tooth offset to crankshaft 2A8A - Inlet VANOS, adaptation stop 2A8B - Inlet VANOS, adaptation stop 2 2A8C - Exhaust VANOS, adaptation stop 2A8D - Exhaust VANOS, adaptation stop 2 2A8E - Inlet camshaft, tooth offset to crankshaft 2A8F - Inlet camshaft 2, tooth offset to crankshaft z The engine oil level display cont

full bulletin at NHTSA ↗
Service Bulletin 010212 Jun 2013

"BMW NA has agreed to extend the emissions warranties of the turbocharger's wastegate to: ??8 years or 82,000 miles, whichever occurs first, as determined from the vehicle's original in-service date select the ""Vehicle Comment"" button to display the extended coverage information. The terms of the original New Vehicle/SAV Limited Warranty and applicable emissions warranty still apply. BMW NA will not provide warranty coverage to any Settlement Class Member's vehicle containing modifications or alterations to the turbocharger or its wastegates (software, hardware or otherwise), or evidencing other conditions not normally covered under the original New Vehicle/SAV Limited Warranty or applicab

full bulletin at NHTSA ↗
Service Bulletin 130409 May 2013

"N54 Engine: Diagnosis of Cold Start Rough Running with Misfire Faults. The customer may complain that during the cold start in the morning, the engine runs very roughly and the Service Engine Soon lamp is illuminated. Various misfire fault codes (e.g., 29CC, 29D2, 29D1, 29D0, 29C0, 29CF) may be stored in the DME control module. The engine rough running complaint can be reproduced on a cold start in the workshop. During the course of diagnosis, the spark plugs, removed from the misfiring cylinders after the problem was reproduced, are found to be soaked (""wet"") with fuel, while the injector tips are covered with a layer of carbon deposit. Possible cause: high-pressure injector failure (lea

full bulletin at NHTSA ↗

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.

What owners are reporting 3 most recent

engine · 90,000 mi · filed 11/30/2011

After taking my car to the dealership several time complaining about idling and engine knocking. I was told it was the gas, and the change of weather causing the problem. They finally supposedly replaced the parts in the engine, but I still had the problem later, and my neighbor notice it as well. While driving my car started smoking and the oil spill to the highway. After having the car…

engine · 40,000 mi · filed 07/29/2013

I was pulling out of my driveway when my car had a smell of burning oil so I stopped, as I stopped my car began smoking from the hood. I lost oil all down the street and my driveway, after,I stopped my car and pushed it into my garage and I saw were it was dripping from underneath the car so I took off the under panel and saw a hole in the pressure hose(vanos pressure hose assembly). There had…

engine · 102,156 mi · filed 05/24/2020

Clearance failure on s85 engine to rod bearings causes oil starvation. This in turn causes engine catastrophic failure. If driving this will effect power breaking, power steering and all components requiring the engine to be running. This is a very common issue, I now have symptoms requiring a change of rod bearings. *tr

Had engine trouble with your 2006 BMW M5? File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.

Common questions

How serious is the engine problem on the 2006 BMW M5?

It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 4 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.

At what mileage does the engine typically fail?

Based on the 4 complaints filed, engine issues most often appear around 74,164 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.

What does it cost to fix?

Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.

Are there any recalls related to engine?

No active recalls currently cover engine issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.

Related

Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database. Verify the raw federal record at nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2006/BMW/M5. Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.
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