10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
90,832 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2006 BMW X5 brakes problems

brakes problem

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2006 BMW X5 Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #27

Sep 022022

X5

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The brake vacuum pump has leaked a small amount of lubricating oil into the hose. This contamination resulted in a loss of power assist braking. The loss of power assist in braking has increased stopping distance and lead to a near vehicle crash. No indicator lights were present. Repair: Replacement of the brake vacuum line with one that contains a check valve, eliminating the possibility that oil will reach the brake booster; as well as the brake booster and brake master cylinder will also be replaced.

- Shrewsbury , PA, USA

problem #26

Feb 072019

X5

  • 140,000 miles
The brakes pedal becomes hard and is unable to stop vehicle. This occur while the vehicle is moving. In addition the brake pedal is hard while stationary as well

- Waukesha, WI, USA

problem #25

Mar 202019

X5

  • 138,000 miles
I purchased a 2006 X5 4.4I (N62B44 engine)used with 138,000 miles. Went to leave driveway, car was in reverse, presses brakes to adjust mirrors, let off to keep backing out, had to press again for another adjustment, I looked up and I was driving through the bushes in my front yard. Brakes were pushed but not engaging. I thought that to be odd, so I wanted to run to a certified BMW repair facility. I was in traffic going about 40 and had to utilize the breaks again, the car stopped. Within one minute I had to press again and the car would not stop, I pumped the breaks and the pedal was so hard there was no give. I plowed through a red light almost causing a several car pile up, and was finally able to get the vehicle to stop. At the repair shop, I was told the vacuum pump was leaking oil everywhere because it was busted, the oil was backing up into the master cylinder and had mixed with the break fluid and the break booster was bad. I am having to pay 2400 for the service when it was just purchased 3 days ago. There were no warning lights on at time of purchase which would have kept me from purchasing with cash. There are still no warning lights although I have taken down several bushes because the X5 would not stop and almost caused a head on collision because the X5 would not stop again. The 2007 X5 has been recalled to the exact same issue with the exact same diagnosis and symptoms, the 5 series from that year was also recalled. Just not the X5 due to an obvious oversite. This is a very dangerous vehicle when it is operated without being repaired. The vacuum pump, break booster and master cylinder are all part of the recall, which is exactly what a BMW certified mechanic stated needed to be replaced on mine. I

- Mobile, AL, USA

problem #24

Sep 262018

X5

  • 195,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Sudden loss of brake function and leaking brake fluid during normal weather ad road operations. After doing research there is a large group of similar year make and model with this same issue.

- Kansas City, MO, USA

problem #23

Mar 232018

X5

  • 175,000 miles
BMW X5 brake booster failed. I was driving in town and attempted to stop and noticed that the truck needed more brake pedal pressure the longer I applied the brakes. The pedal began to rise and the truck would begin to creep forward unless more pressure was applied to the pedal. I drove to the BMW dealership to have a recall performed on the passenger seat occupancy mat. During that visit I informed the service writer of the brake issue and asked if it would be corrected under a recall as well. I was told that my vehicle was not covered by any other recalls. I researched it and found that some BMW X5's we're experiencing some issues with the brakes and were being recalled but not my vehicle. I ordered all necessary parts and replaced them myself. Which consisted of a new updated pump, all updated oem lines with check valves and a new TRW oem brake booster. Research shows that engine oil vapor travels into the lines and up to the booster which caused the rubber diaphram to fail in the brake booster. These are all the same parts mentioned in the recalls on other BMW X5's covered by the recalls.

- Mandeville, LA, USA

problem #22

Sep 142017

X5

  • 120,000 miles
Brake booster failed while stopped without any warning lights

- Toney, AL, USA

problem #21

May 132017

X5

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2006 BMW X5. While driving 65 mph, the brakes failed without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the brake booster, cylinder, and vacuum failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 10V446000 (service brakes). In addition, the brake pads were replaced a year ago. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was included in the VIN and that it would be an out of pocket expense. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Clearwater, FL, USA

problem #20

Nov 282016

X5 8-cyl

  • miles
2006 X5 VIN [xxx] while in motion on a city street and hwy! 1. brake booster / vacuum line failure same as recalled 2007-2010 issue. Why is my 2006 X5 BMW not covered when there is clearly a systemic failure of this same system" I seek immediate relief and demand upon you a recall for my specific BMW now today. [xxx] call me! 2. alternator failure X5 acted possessed with all lights going on and off before shutting the car down on a freeway while at max legal speed. Alternator is placed low on the left side where oil leaks into it causing a failure mode. The same oil leaks cause other rubber components to swell up crack and fail such as boots and rubber bushings on arms. Where is the recall?? 2006 where is it?? 3. brake light system failure back R/H and changing light bulbs didn't bring it to working condition. BMW used a screw driver to make it work again after the airbag and alternator repair they did..I paid for the alternator but it should have been a recall item! now my brake lights don't work back R/H side. 5. 1 head light out 6. engine leaks oil on the side onto my X5 rubber components and I already had to pay for a new boot and arm! other rubber items are all bad and getting worse! where is the recall? why are these safety items not being recalled by your governmental organization" information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Aliso Viejo, CA, USA

problem #19

Dec 242015

X5 8-cyl

  • miles
Recall : brake vacuum pump recall mentioned that all X5 affected vehicles were built from September 12, 2006 through March 18, 2010. My car has same issue and its built year is 2006 but company says that my VIN doesn't come under recall. This doesn't make any sense, when I have issue which can cause serious accident then they should fix it. I am not getting any help from BMW dealers so I have to spend my own money to fix the issue which should be taken care under recall mentioned in the beginning. My vehicle is with the mechanic and it shows the leak from vacuum pump which can create serious accident while driving. I dont want to take any risk driving vehicle in a condition when brakes wont apply, specially having kids in my car. My car broke down because alternator generated high voltage which screwed up my battery so I gave my car to certified mechanic to fix it. While fixing the mentioned issue, he find out oil leak from vacuum pump. I did research about this issue and find out that people got lucky that they got saved in accidents due to oil leak in vacuum pump that's what made me scared.

- Tulsa, OK, USA

problem #18

Dec 232015

X5

  • 107,000 miles
Brake lines corroded and ruptured with loss of brake fluid and decreased braking ability. Brake light came on after gentle braking on the road at low speed.

- Fort Gratiot, MI, USA

problem #17

Dec 012015

X5

  • 96,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The power braking system has stopped work, brake pedal goes to the floor and will not stop the vehicle, I see that BMW has a recall on the 2007 X5 made the same year and model with the V8 engine, I am a member on my forms and there are hundreds of BMW X5 with the same problem, and some people have had accidents because of the braking system suddenly not working, I had my BMW X5 at the BMW shop and they diagnose was the vacuum pump has failed, vacuum tube is leaking and the brake booster has failed also. This is a serious problem, this is not a tail light not working, this is putting people lives in danger. The repair cost is $2300.

- Hartsdale, NY, USA

problem #16

Jun 152015

X5

  • 156,000 miles
The issue is specifically with the braking system. The car developed a sudden dangerous loss of braking power. One moment the brakes were working correctly and the next they were not. BMW has 2 recalls for this issue but for unknown reasons my car is not included in either recall. The recall campaigns are 10V-446 & 13V-045. The description of the problem is the following: "this recall involves the power assist braking function. A small amount of oil could leak from the brake vacuum pump into the brake vacuum hose. Over time, contamination of the brake booster could occur. This could affect the power assist braking function. In certain cases, loss of power brake assist could occur. If this happened, it would require greater brake pedal force, increase the stopping distance, and increase the risk of a crash. " my car has the exact issue as described in the recalls. There is no warning light to indicate there are any issues with the brakes. I called BMW na and described the issue to them and they told me to take it to my local BMW dealership to have the issue diagnosed. The local dealership determined my car had the issue as detailed in both BMW recalls. As instructed by BMW I reported this back to them and after several weeks they followed up with me (2/10/15 to be exact) only to tell me they will not fix the issue as part of the recall and thus I would have to pay for it out of my own pocket. This decision was made despite the fact that my car meets nearly all parameters of the recalls (my exact model is not listed as part of the recall but the model of braking system and engine matches the recall details). This is a serious safety issue and one that I do not believe BMW should be overlooking or denying coverage for. This brake issue affects more than just the cars listed in the two BMW recalls.

- Sugarhill, GA, USA

problem #15

Feb 102015

X5

  • 143,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 BMW X5. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 mph, the brakes upon engaging for a brief moment. After coming to a stop, the contact was able to resume driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who informed that the power assist was faulty. The brake booster, vacuum pump and power assist would need to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 143,000.

- Madison, AL, USA

problem #14

Jan 082015

X5 8-cyl

  • 63,200 miles
The issue is specifically with the braking system. The car developed a sudden dangerous loss of braking power. One moment the brakes were working correctly and the next they were not. BMW has 2 recalls for this issue but for unknown reasons my car is not included in either recall. The recall campaigns are 10V-446 & 13V-045. The description of the problem is the following: "this recall involves the power assist braking function. A small amount of oil could leak from the brake vacuum pump into the brake vacuum hose. Over time, contamination of the brake booster could occur. This could affect the power assist braking function. In certain cases, loss of power brake assist could occur. If this happened, it would require greater brake pedal force, increase the stopping distance, and increase the risk of a crash. " my car has the exact issue as described in the recalls. There is no warning light to indicate there are any issues with the brakes. I called BMW na and described the issue to them and they told me to take it to my local BMW dealership to have the issue diagnosed. The local dealership determined my car had the issue as detailed in both BMW recalls. As instructed by BMW I reported this back to them and after several weeks they followed up with me (2/10/15 to be exact) only to tell me they will not fix the issue as part of the recall and thus I would have to pay for it out of my own pocket. This decision was made despite the fact that my car meets nearly all parameters of the recalls (my exact model is not listed as part of the recall but the model of braking system and engine matches the recall details). This is a serious safety issue and one that I do not believe BMW should be overlooking or denying coverage for. This brake issue affects more than just the cars listed in the two BMW recalls.

- Lincoln, NE, USA

problem #13

Jan 082015

X5

  • miles
Brake warning light came on, went to my repairman who added brake fluid and said to watch for brake fluid spots on garage floor. Found spots coming from area behind front wheel on drivers side. Took it back for check and it was determined that line had rotted through. Hard to understand this was in enclosed protected area.

- Sturgeon Bay,, WI, USA

problem #12

Oct 312014

X5

  • 108,000 miles
Brake booster and master cylinder failed in June. Not covered under recall since a recall had not been issued for the 2006 models. Shortly thereafter the water pump began leaking coolant. Again, not covered for 2006 models. Now there is a severe leak in the power steering pump. All should be recalled. Already spent over $4K in repairs for a vehicle that, given its price and claims of extraordinary german engineering, should not have been necessary. Very disappointed.

- West Babylon, NY, USA

problem #11

Oct 312014

X5

  • 108,000 miles
I already filed complaints for a failed brake booster, master cylinder pump, water pump leaking coolant, power steering pump leaking oil. I failed to mention that the valve gasket cover also needed to be replaced as oil was spewing all over the engine. At this point, this vehicle should be recalled in its entirety.

- West Babylon, NY, USA

problem #10

Aug 132014

X5

  • 94,000 miles
While sitting at a red light the brake pedal all of sudden became hard and applied a unreasonable amount of pressure against my leg. In order to make the car stop I needed to exert a tremendous amount of pressure in order to stop the car from rolling forward and hitting the car in front of me. There has been a recall for the 2007 and newer 8 cyl X5 brake boosters. Obviously this is the same problem and there should be a recall done with this car as well. Any denial on the part of BMW that this is a product defect is a denial on their part.

- Irvine, CA, USA

problem #9

Sep 172014

X5

  • 85,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 BMW X5. The contact stated that while at a traffic light, the brakes failed to respond. The problem recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The technician diagnosed that the brake booster needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified about the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 85,000.

- Fort Myers, FL, USA

problem #8

Aug 282013

X5

  • 95,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 BMW X5. The contact stated that after parking the vehicle, the vehicle continued to move forward although the brake pedal was depressed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnosis. The technician was unable to locate a failure. The vehicle has not been repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 95,000.

- Kingston, NY, USA

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