Engine will crank but not start. There is no communication with the integrated fuel module (TFE) whendiagnosing with ISTA. The following two fault codes will be stored in the DME: 032B43 - Low fuel pressure system, electric fuel pump: pressure value too low CDA594 - Message (- 0x33E) missing, receiver DME, transmitter TFE
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2006 BMW X5 engine problems
severe 15 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
15
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
2fires
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.
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 ↗BMW: OIL LEAKS FROM THE AIR HOSE ON TURBOCHARGER. THIS IS DESIGNATED FOR E70, AND E90 MODELS WITH M57Y DIESEL ENGINES. SERVICE ENGINE SOON LAMP MAY BE ILLUMINATED.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗BMW: SEE DOCUMENT SEARCH BUTTON FOR OWNER LETTER. N52K ENGINE DMTL PUMP: EMISSIONS WARRANTY EXTENSIONS TO 10 YEARS/120,000 MILES. BMW HAS BECOME AWARE OF A POTENTIAL PROBLEM WITH THE DURABILITY OF THE TANK LEAK DIAGNOSTIC MODULE (DMTL) PUMP ON MY 2007,2008, AND 2009.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗BMW VEHICLE: THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON (MIL) LAMP IS ILLUMINATED AND A POWER REDUCTION IS CLEARLY PERCEPTIBLE. THIS SITUATION MAY OCCUR AFTER DRIVING FOR SOME TIME WITH THE ENGINE ALREADY AT FULL OPERATING TEMPERATURE. IF THE IGNITION IS CYCLED, THE ENGINE THEN USUALLY PERFORMS NORMALLY. UPDATED 2/7/11. UPDATED ON 06/09/2011. UPDATED 8/10/11. UPDATED 1/11/13.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of 2006 X5s describe engine failures that cluster around the 70,000–90,000 mile mark. The most serious involves timing chain failure: one owner found broken aluminum fasteners under the camshaft gears; the chain jumped the exhaust cam gear and ground against it, leaving metal debris in the oil and destroying compression in multiple cylinders. That owner had to tear down the engine himself when BMW offered no help and the vehicle was past warranty.
Oil system failures dominate the complaints. The crankcase ventilation (oil separator) fails repeatedly, especially in cold weather. In freezing conditions, condensation and coagulated oil clog the return passages; the separator can shut down completely, forcing the engine to suck oil into the exhaust and stall mid-traffic. Repair costs run $1,300–$1,500. Owners report the defect triggers right after warranty expires and that BMW issued a service bulletin in 2009 acknowledging cold-weather risk—yet denies all warranty claims.
Aluminum fasteners break on valve covers and heads, causing oil loss of 1–2 quarts per 100 miles. BMW acknowledges these bolts were over-torqued at the factory but refuses recalls or repairs beyond warranty, even when the dealer confirms the failure.
Low-oil warnings recur despite repeated top-offs and dealer reprogramming. Some owners battled this problem from day one. Engine stalling on idle, erratic electrical behavior from alternator oil contamination, and valve stem leaks also appear across multiple narratives.
Same BMW X5 engine reports on nearby years: 2005 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009
Failure modes owners describe
Timing chain failure from broken aluminum fasteners
Aluminum screws under camshaft gears break at the head, allowing the timing chain to jump off the exhaust cam gear and grind against it. Metal debris accumulates in the oil filter. Loss of compression in affected cylinders due to valve timing disruption.
When: 85,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Loss of power/engine dies while driving; Loss of power steering and power brakes; Engine will not restart; Metal shavings in oil filter; Loss of compression in cylinders 2 and 6
Codes mentioned: Crank sensor fault
Repairs/costs cited: Owner replaced timing chain, cam gear (chewed but serviceable), and fasteners; located one broken bolt head in oil pan requiring continued cleanup; no bent valves on this unit but risk of catastrophic damage exists
Oil vapor separator (CCV) failure and condensation buildup
Crankcase ventilation system or oil separator fails, causing condensation and coagulated oil to accumulate in the return passages. In cold weather (0°F and below), hydrolock can occur. Engine check light illuminates; vehicle can stall unexpectedly. Excessive oil consumption (1 quart per 1,000 miles or worse) develops. Owners report the defect is known to occur shortly after warranty expiration.
When: 70,000–90,000 miles; incidents on short-trip or cold-weather driving
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light; Excessive oil consumption; White smoke from exhaust in cold weather; Engine stalls while driving (cold weather incidents); Will not restart; Smell of burning oil; Low oil level warnings despite topping off; Hydraulic lock risk in freezing conditions
Repairs/costs cited: Replacement of oil separator/crankcase breather box costs $1,300–$1,500; ruined spark plugs reported; BMW issued Service Information Bulletin (SIB) in 2009 for cold-weather revised parts, but owners report even revised CCV still fails
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: BMW Service Information Bulletin (2009) issued for cold-weather climates; BMW denies coverage citing car out of warranty and not a defect; dealers previously failed to flag the issue during oil-level service calls
Broken aluminum head and valve cover bolts with massive oil leaks
Aluminum bolts fastening the cylinder head and valve cover break after approximately 80,000 miles, allegedly over-torqued during factory assembly or failing due to magnesium-to-aluminum expansion/contraction stress. Results in severe oil loss (1–2 quarts per 100 miles) and risk of engine fire.
When: Approximately 80,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Massive oil leaks from valve cover and head area; Excessive oil consumption; Engine becomes undrivable due to oil loss
Repairs/costs cited: Repair cost approximately $6,000; fasteners are non-serviceable and should never be removed; owner self-diagnosed when BMW dealer confirmed broken bolts but refused warranty coverage citing mileage
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: BMW acknowledged the problem exists but refused recall; BMW denied warranty repair citing high mileage despite requesting vehicle for review
Crankcase vent valve / crank case release valve failure
Crank case release valve or crankcase ventilation valve fails, causing oil to spill throughout the engine compartment and exhaust system. Engine becomes covered in motor oil.
When: 85,000 miles reported
Symptoms owners cite: Burning oil smell; Smoke from engine compartment and exhaust; Engine covered in motor oil
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle towed and repaired by dealer; specific repair cost and parts not detailed in narrative
Valve stem leak causing exhaust smoke
Valve stem develops a leak, resulting in smoke emitted from the passenger exhaust pipe during idle.
When: 90,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Smoke from passenger exhaust pipe during idle
Repairs/costs cited: Diagnosed by both dealer and independent mechanic; vehicle not repaired per narrative
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer was made aware of the failure
Cylinder failure with excessive oil consumption
Engine cylinders fail, leading to excessive oil consumption and smoke from the exhaust. Specific cylinder cause not identified in narrative.
When: Failure occurred at 70,000 miles; current mileage 82,000
Symptoms owners cite: Excessive oil consumption; Smoke from exhaust
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle not repaired per narrative; specific diagnosis unclear
Engine stalling with warning lights and low oil pressure
Engine stalls while idling or stopped at traffic light; warning lights illuminate on dash. Upon restart attempt after several minutes, engine will not fully start. Low oil pressure warning appears. Issue recurs across multiple trips.
When: Diagnostic done October 2013; incidents June 2014
Symptoms owners cite: Engine stalls while stopped at red light; Multiple stalls over several days; Dashboard warning light: 'STOP! OIL PRESSURE'; Engine turns over but will not fully start; Hesitation upon acceleration uphill
Repairs/costs cited: No problem diagnosed by repair shop; issue recurred after oil was added to vehicle
Persistent low oil level warning (sensor or consumption issue)
Vehicle repeatedly alerts driver that oil level is dangerously low. Owners top off oil at dealership service visits multiple times. Reprogramming and oil consumption tests performed, but problem recurs. Root cause remains unidentified—either sensor malfunction or genuine consumption defect.
When: Since purchase (October 2005) and ongoing
Symptoms owners cite: Low oil level warning: 'DO NOT CONTINUE TO OPERATE VEHICLE'; Recurring warnings despite service visits
Repairs/costs cited: South Bay BMW performed reprogramming and sensors tests; oil consumption tests completed; repairs attempted but problem persists
Brake booster / vacuum line failure
Brake booster and vacuum line fail while vehicle is in motion on city streets and highways. Failure mode mirrors 2007–2010 recall for the same component (NHTSA Campaign), but 2006 model not covered by that recall despite being subject to identical systemic failure.
When: Not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Loss of brake assist while driving
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: 2007–2010 X5 models recalled for this issue; 2006 model excluded from recall despite systemic design defect
Alternator failure from oil contamination and electrical malfunction
Alternator fails, causing erratic electrical behavior (all lights flashing on and off). Alternator is mounted low on left side where engine oil leaks contaminate it, accelerating failure. Same oil leaks cause rubber components to swell, crack, and fail (boots, bushings on suspension arms).
When: Not specified
Symptoms owners cite: All warning lights cycling on and off; Engine shuts down on freeway at highway speed; Erratic electrical behavior
Repairs/costs cited: Alternator replaced by BMW dealer; owner paid for repair but believes it should have been recall item
Synthesized from 15 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had engine trouble with your 2006 BMW X5?
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 X5?
It's a meaningful issue. 15 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $3,100.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Across the 13 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 70,000 and 90,000 miles, with the median around 85,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 70,000; a quarter make it past 90,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
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/X5.
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.