BMW 525i Complaints

438 consumer complaints on file.

#11771083October 14, 2026
AIR BAGS
The contact's brother owns a 2002 BMW 525I. The contact stated that while the owner was driving, the front driver's side steering wheel air bag deployed without impact and struck the driver's arm and face. The impact caused the driver to become unconscious. The driver sustained a broken arm and received medical attention. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard. A police report was filed. The dealer was contacted. The failure mileage was unknown.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11721730March 3, 2026
AIR BAGS
The contact owns a 2002 BMW 525I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS); and would like to be removed from the recall distribution list. The local dealer and manufacturer were contacted.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11676992July 29, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Unknown, the car shut down on me two time in a month.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11632314December 25, 2024
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
We arrived at church, and I remained behind finishing my makeup. My husband locked the car with the fob out of habit, and my foot was holding the passenger door open. Forgetting the door had been locked with the fob, I accidentally allowed the passenger door to close. I had no keys. Services began, not a soul in site outside. I began to panic when I could not get the door or any other to open. The alarm would not trigger, and the sunroof was cracked accidentally about an inch. It was July. I could not get anyone to hear me, and could not get any door or window ajar. Eventually I was able to get the attention of an elder, who went and retrieved the keys and got me out. I was soaked in sweat, using an inhaler about every 20 minutes, extremely scary. The other time this happened, my son was sitting in the car but the alarm went off and would not let him out until I came with the fob. He was 15, so he was not young. I had no idea he could not exit the vehicle should he choose. I know there is some emergency release in the hatch somehow but could not locate. Air bags were scheduled to be replaced, had rental scheduled with dealership, drove 45 minutes to leave car for repair, but they had no rental as was promised, so I returned home in the vehicle.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11621558October 23, 2024
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE
I am encountering persistent issues with my 2005 BMW 525i. Despite having replaced several critical components, including the ignition coils, spark plugs, mass air flow sensor, and throttle body sensors, the vehicle continues to experience performance problems, specifically failing to advance beyond the fourth cylinder when driving uphill. After conducting numerous diagnostic tests, I have concluded that there may be an air leak in the intake manifold. Additionally, after prolonged use under these conditions, the positive battery cable from the trunk has shown signs of overheating, evidenced by smoke, which I suspect is related to repeated uphill driving. While the vehicle performs adequately on flat surfaces, it exhibits hesitation and jerking once it surpasses the fourth cylinder.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11588889May 15, 2024
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
The tail-lights have gone out creating safty issue and number of warning lights to come up on the dashboard. Dealership stated that the wiring harness around ground wire has melted. They stated that this is same issue that is mentioned under NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V407000. The service advisor said that his issue would be fixed by same service bulletin SIB 630613, however my date range is not included in the recall. I would like to report an issue to open a case and extend the recall to include all E60 models from 2004 to 2010. Would you please open an investigation into this matter and contact me for additional information and photos.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11532286July 14, 2023
AIR BAGS
regarding the Takata airbag recall for my model bmw, the priority zone A includes the hotter southern states incl Florida. My car is in Canada and currently not under a recall notice; however, the car spent many years in Florida, as my parents resided in Florida every winter for 6 months, and then summers in Canada. I am concerned as the propellant in question degrades FASTER in hot climates, and since i reside in Canada, the priority is low. please advise.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11504420January 30, 2023
AIR BAGS
The contact owns a 2007 BMW 535I. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the passenger’s side air bag warning light remain illuminated, indicating a possible failure to the air bag system. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was not yet notified. The failure mileage was 100,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11503385January 24, 2023
AIR BAGS
The contact owns a 2007 BMW 525I. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 102,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11498676December 23, 2022
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
RECAL 94V219000: Double-lock Feature GCM Revised. "The double-lock feature can engage with occupants and the door/ignition key inside of the vehicle. The occupants of the vehicle would be unable to exit either from the doors or from the windows of the vehicle." NOTE: IF YOUR VEHICLE IS PRESENTED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND THE REMEDY IS NOT PROVIDED FREE OF CHARGE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME OR THE REMEDY DOES NOT CORRECT THE DEFECT, CONTACT BMW AND THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE My car locked me in it and I was unable to exit exactly as described in this Recall. Called BMW and they are saying the recall was remedied. Clearly it is not corrected. BMW says they cant do anything. 1995 or not this is a serious safety issue, this car is perfectly safe running and driving vehicle besides this issue.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11491227October 27, 2022
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2006 BMW 525I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, she noticed the odor of burning plastic. The contact stated that the check radiator light was illuminated. The contact stated that she drove the vehicle to a dealer. The dealer diagnosed that the failure was with the PCV valve and replaced the PCV valve. The vehicle was repaired; however, the contact was billed by the dealer for the repair. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The failure mileage was 235,641. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11489838October 18, 2022
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2007 BMW 525I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The vehicle was taken to the dealer for the recall repair however, upon retrieving the vehicle, the contact noticed that the vehicle was shaking while driving at various speeds. The contact stated that the failure had worsened while at a complete stop. Over time, the service engine warning light illuminated. The dealer was notified of the failure and the contact was placed on an indefinite hold until the call disconnected. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 284,191.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11478651August 10, 2022
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2007 BMW 525i. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 75-85 MPH, she smelled smoke coming from the hood of the vehicle. The contact was unsure if any warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where he referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine And Engine Cooling) , but the vehicle was not diagnosed for the failure. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 189,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11464424May 12, 2022
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, ENGINE
I received a notice in the mail stating that my vehicle with the matching Vin had a recall for the pc value heater. And that it causes the vehicle to over heat and catch fire I contacted the dealership and manufacturer and I was told that there was no remedy available as I started experiencing issue's with my vehicle. It worries me because I constantly have my grandchildren with me and don't want them in a unsafe vehicle.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11464204May 11, 2022
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2007 BMW 525i. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11463215May 3, 2022
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2006 BMW 525i. The contact stated while driving 60-65 MPH, the vehicle started to overheat. The coolant temperature warning light was illuminated. The contact veered to the side of the road and added coolant in the vehicle. The contact then continued to drive. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred while driving. The contact stated that he replaced the thermostat himself. However, the failure persisted and the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The contact later received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 135,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11456091March 10, 2022
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2007 BMW 525i. The vehicle had previously been serviced by the dealer under an unknown NHTSA campaign; however, the failure recurred with a burning odor detected. Additionally, several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact then received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was made aware of the failure but confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but confirmed that parts were not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 34,406. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11442068November 30, 2021
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
The contact owns a 2006 BMW 525I. The contact stated that there was a strong fuel odor coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the dealer where it was both diagnosed that the vehicle was leaking fuel. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 188,318.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11434434September 26, 2021
SEATS
I can't even get comfortable in the seats in this car they are twisting cause a very uncomfortable drive /ride for us! Evrryone i hear of that owns a bmw has this issue
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11432444September 10, 2021
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, VISIBILITY/WIPER
GM3 Body module failure interior lights dont function, alarm whipers sprayers locks doors dont funtion
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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