2005 BMW 6 Series
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
Have the VIN?
Vehicles › BMW › 6 Series › 2005
These records cover every 2005 BMW 6 Series. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
4 recalls name the 2005 BMW 6 Series. Newest first.
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…
Risk and remedy
Risk
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.
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.
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…
Risk and remedy
Risk
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.
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.
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.
Risk and remedy
Risk
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.
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.
Certain passenger vehicles may have been built with an incorrectly manufactured automatic transmission parking pawl guide plate.
Risk and remedy
Risk
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.
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.
Owner complaints
7 complaints1 involved a crash
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Air bags · Seat belts
Passenger restraint malfunction.
- Air bags
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
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
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 › Wiring · Electrical system › Wiring › Interior/under dash · Equipment
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…
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 › Delivery
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…
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 › Foundation components
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…
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
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 10249437The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.
- 10249027The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few years. This has led to increased demands being placed on the battery. This document covers important information for the dealer on how to handle discharged battery complaints.
- 10182619Discharged Battery Energy Diagnosis Must Be Performed: The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few years. This has led to increased demands being placed on the battery. This document covers important information for the dealer on how to handle "discharged battery" complaints. In order to properly repair the vehicle the first time in the workshop, it is very important that the diagnostic test plans are performed to completion, with all results taken into consideration. Without performing the energy diagnosis test plan, the root cause of the discharged battery cannot be identified. This increases the chances of a repeat repair.
- 10145306NAVIGATION SYSTEM: REPORTING MISSING OR INCORRECT ROAD MAP DATA: The route guidance is inaccurate and therefore irritating to the customer; or it is not possible to locate certain addresses, for instance:
- 10143564NAVIGATION SYSTEM: REPORTING MISSING OR INCORRECT ROAD MAP DATA: The route guidance is inaccurate and therefore irritating to the customer; or it is not possible to locate certain addresses, for instance:
- 10052012BMW: battery has an increased demand due to developemental process of the electrical system. This IS causing the batter to need to undergo an energy diagnosis.
- 10043714BMW: steering column switch center contains one or more faults: internal control, steering wheel lock range exceeded, wiper angle defective. Various check control messages appear with airbag warning lamp illuminated.
- 10040853BMW: a grinding noise IS coming from the differential during slow cornering. When turning a slip/stick effect IS created on the lining and steel discs incorporated in the differential clutch causes a grinding noise.
- 10040045BMW: a new technical support process has been created regarding transmission concerns.
- 10037025BMW: procedure for determining and replacing incandescent and halogen light bulbs under warranty.
- 10033130BMW vehicles: fuel level sensor repairs. Where it IS necessary to replace the right or the left side fuel level sensor due to a failure, the entire pump and housing or delivery unit (suction jet assembly) do not need to be replaced as well. In some cases, epc does not show that the repair kit IS available separately in the illustration, but it IS available in the parts description. All models. No model years listed.
- 10032990BMW: diagnosis of dme me 9.2 map thermostat fault 2ef4/279b. The service engine soon light illuminated. The engine does not overheat and the map thermostat operates properly. Possible causes are deterioration of coolant quality; increased contact resistance between the thermostat temperature sensor, the engine wiring harness and the dme connector; internal defect of a map cooling thermostat. Updated 11/17/10.
- 10032849BMW vehicle: dsc disabling function. Due to revised dme, dsc and ccc software, the mdm (m dynamic mode) button located in the center console switch cluster (szm) now has triple functionality-default state-dsc on; short press-mdm on (green mdm indicator displayed in the cluster); press and hold-dsc off (yellow dsc indicator displayed in the cluster; message appears in the control display). No model years listed.
- 10032827BMW vehicles: dsc disabling function. Dsc off function has been implemented in M5 and M6 vehicles equipped with the optional 6 speed manual transmissions. No model years listed.
- 10032825BMW vehicle: sport transmission paddle shifters inoperative-diagnosis. The direct communication input line between the paddle shifters and the egs transmission control module IS interrupted. No model years listed.
- 10032781BMW vehicle: driveability complaints due to cooling fan relay failure. The customer may complain of intermittent driveability problems, described as-engine IS lacking power when accelerating uphill; transmission will not upshift under heavy acceleration; distinct hesitation when accelerating from 30-45mph. No model years listed.
- 10032780BMW vehicle: service engine soon light illuminated: s85-various vanos related faults stored. (E60 (5series), E63 & E64 (6series). No model years listed.
- 10029684BMW: service engine soon lamp or the check gas cap warnings are illuminated while driving. When diagnosed, the dme has stored faults for small leak, micro leak, super fine leak, or large leak in relation to the tank ventilation or evaporative system updated 10/27/09.
- 10029605BMW service campaign: see document search button for owner letter. The airbag warning lamp (awl) IS illuminated, together with the passenger airbag status lamp (pol). The problem may be intermittent. Microcracks in the OC3 seat mat. Updated 9/30/11.
- 10029426BMW: one or a combination of the following situations may exist: intermittent harsh 4-3, 3-2 or 2-1 downshift (jolt) when coming to a stop with light brake application; jolts and/or jerks felt when reaccelerating after coasting; and judder when gently accelerating (most noticeable at an engine speed below 2,000 rpm). E60(550ia); E63, 64 (650I). Updated 6/8/11. Updated 9/30/11.
- 10029257BMW: all instrument dials are inoperative and the illumination of the information display in the instrument cluster IS very bright.
- 10028366BMW vehicle: modifying the rear water drain hoses. Over time the 4 drains may become blocked by leaves and debris. Once clogged, water may collect and overflow into trunk, damaging various electronic components.
- 10025983BMW: headlamp moisture: fault diagnostics. Water or condensation in one or both headlamps. Models 5 series, 6 series, 7 series, X5, X6, 1 series, and 3 series. Model years 2000-20008.
- 10025581Water ingress at the doors: symptom diagnosis. Model vehicle E64 (6 series convertible). Model years unknown.
- 10020005Top tier detergent gasoline in BMW vehicles.
- 10020004Nitrogen inflated tires.
- 10012498Airbag warning light IS illuminated, and fault code 71 (seat occupancy detector) IS stored in mrs4rd. BMW E83 (X3). Model year unknown.
Every BMW 6 Series model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.