BMW 530i Complaints (2007)

73 consumer complaints on file.

#11690187September 28, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
BMW 530I headlights have faulty wiring. Insulation is crumbling an severly degraded leaving bare wires exposed to short circuits. Discovered the faulty wire when I went to replace the parking / angel eye lights. I have attempted to solve the problem short term with electrical tape. As soon as you touch the wire to put electrical tape on it, more of the faulty insulation comes off. Wire has essentially lost all insulation.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11527640June 19, 2023
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
I purchased my BMW & got inside to drive off jumping on 275 freeway & the whole car just started smoking out nowhere the whole car was scorching hot & smoking other cars had to literally pull over because of so much white smoke I took it to several certified car doctors & they all refused to touch it because of the PVC recall valve
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11525149June 3, 2023
AIR BAGS, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Well was driving fine one day then the next it didn't do nothing an still hasn't done or moved since found that the module in the truck were the spare was got wet an melted then I got another put it in an still nothing changed starter still nothing an found out a recall was found called bmw but they wasn't willing to have it towed to a service provider
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11503658January 25, 2023
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2007 BMW 530I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The contact stated that while driving at approximately 65 MPH, there was smoke coming from the hood. The "transmission overheating" message was displayed. The vehicle was inoperable. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the PCV valve and transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle remained with the independent mechanic awaiting the repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 170,000. The VIN was not available.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11480728August 23, 2022
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2007 BMW 530I. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, there was an abnormal burning odor coming from the A/C vents. The contact also noticed the burning odor whenever opening the hood. The message "Service Engine Soon" was displayed. The contact later received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). However, the parts to do the recall repair were not yet available. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated while driving 65-70 MPH, he noticed smoke coming out from underneath the hood of the vehicle. The contact veered to the side of the road for a moment and then opened the hood. The contact was able to continue driving. The contact stated that the failure had reoccurred on two different occasions. 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 175,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11424047July 9, 2021
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
The contact owns a 2007 BMW 530i. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the brakes would not engage when the brake pedal was depressed. The contact also stated that he had to use additional force on the brake pedal to stop the vehicle. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed with the vacuum hose and the brake booster needing to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was relating the failure to NHTSA campaign number: 10V446000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The manufacturer had been informed of the failure and referred the contact to the local dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 137,745.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11405363March 29, 2021
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS AND TRANSMISSION REPAIR ISSUES
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11338837July 12, 2020
SERVICE BRAKES
BRAKE PRESSURE LOSS, UNABLE TO STOP VEHICLE IN A SAFE MANNER. BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. CHECKED BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIR & FLUID LEVEL LOW. DEEPER INSPECTION REVEALED CORRODED REAR BRAKE HARD LINE. VERY COMMON ON E60 & PREVIOUS GENERATION E39 BMW'S.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11328082June 10, 2020
AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MY CAR WAS IN MY DRIVEWAY. MY COMPLAINT IS I JUST BOUGHT THE CAR FROM A FRIEND OF OUR FAMILY AND EVERYTHING WAS. ABOUT A MONTH LATER WHEN I START THE CAR I GET THIS ERROR" FAULT IN PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM EFFECTING AIRBAG-BELT TENSIONER OR BELT FOR DELIMITER. SO I CALL BMWUSA TO SEE IF THIS WAS RECALLED. THE MAN I SPOKE WITH SAID YES IT WAS BUT I LET ME HAVE YOUR VIN# OH NO I'M SORRY NOT FOR YOUR VIN " I WAS SHOCKED TO THINK IT WOULD BE A RECALL ON ONE BUT NOT ANOTHER. IF IT IS EFFECTING MY AIR BAG U WOULD THINK. IT WOULD BE A SAFETY ISSUE FOR ALL CARS THAT GET THAT ERROR. OR WAS THAT CAR BUILT KNOWING IT WAS EVENTUALLY GOING TO GO OUT AND WE THE CUSTOMERS ARE GOING TO HAVE TO PAY FOR IT. I WOULD RATHER NOT HAVE THAT AT ALL. IT MAKES NO SENSE. ESPECIALLY IF YOUR OK TO FIX SOME CARS AND NOT ALL OF THEM AFTER ALL WHY WOULD WE WANT SOMETHING IN THE CAR IF WE KNOW ONE ITS JUST GOING TO GO OUT AND WE HAVE TO PAY FOR IT. AND FOR THE SAFETY PART . IT EVEN SOUNDS MORE CRAZY THAT SOMETHING LIKE THAT COULD MALFUNCTION AND I NOT EVEN SURE IF ANYBODY SHOULD RIDE IN MY PASSENGER SEAT. WELL IT'S [XXX] AT [XXX] IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY. GOOD BLESS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *CC *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11318308March 16, 2020
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
THE HEADLIGHT WENT OUT - REPLACED BULBS AND STILL NOT WORKING. REMOVED THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY AND NOTICED EVERY WIRE WAS BARE WITH BARELY ANY COATING LEFT TO PROTECT THE WIRES- AT LEAST 15 WIRES. HEADLIGHT REPLACEMENT COST IS OVER $650.00.!! THIS IS AN ELECTRICAL HAZARD AND COULD CAUSE SHORTING OUT AND A DANGEROUS DRIVING SITUATION IN THE LEAST.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11267933October 11, 2019
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN, SEAT BELTS
CAR VIBRATES WHEN AC IS ON. PASSENGER SEAT BELT BUZZES WHEN NO ONE IS IN THE SEAT AS WELL AS SEAT BELT TIGHTEN WHILE DRIVING. TRANSMISSION HESITANT AT TIMES. ( TRANSMISSION WARNING LIGHT COME ON AT TIMES, WHEN CAR HAS ALREADY BEEN SERVICE).
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11217523June 3, 2019
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
INSULATION ON ELECTRICAL WIRING INSIDE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY IS CRUMBLING APART. THIS LETS BARE WIRE TOUCH EACH OTHER AND SHORTS OUT HEADLIGHT, LEADING TO MALFUNCTIONING / VERY UNPREDICTABLE AND DANGEROUS LIGHTING. OTHER DRIVERS MAY NOT SEE YOU COMING
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11190076March 19, 2019
STEERING
I WAS SITTING STILL AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCK CAME ON. IT STATED THAT THE CAR MAY NOT BE ABLE TO START. I AM TIRED OF PUTTING MONEY IN THIS. THEY WANY $130.OO JUST TO DIAGNOSIS IT BEFORE THEY EVEN WANT TO FIX IT. PLEASE MAKE THIS A RECALL. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TT
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11180906February 18, 2019
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER, AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION, AIR BAGS, SEATS
THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANT DETECTION LIGHT IS ON DUE TO THE MAT CUSHION FAILURE. THIS IS VERY COMMON ON BMW AND MOST OF THEM HAVE A RECALL ISSUED, BUT NOT FOR MY 2007. PLEASE ADVISE AS THE DEALERSHIP WANTS $1800 FOR A NEW ONE. PASSENGER AIRBAG WILL NOT WORK UNLESS REPLACED
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11172155January 25, 2019
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER, AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION, AIR BAGS
MY MESSAGE DISPLAY IS STATING THAT THE AIRBAG ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT DEPLOY IN A CRASH DUE TO CRACKS AND FATIGUE WHICH COULD LEAD TO A SYSTEM FAILURE, THIS LOOKS LIKE IT COULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL ISSUE THAT I WASN'T NOTIFIED ABOUT
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11162827December 20, 2018
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION, AIR BAGS, SEATS
THE PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY MAT SENSOR HAS FAILED AND IT HAS TRIGGERED THE SEAT BELT AND AIRBAG LIGHT SENSOR FOR MY BMW. BMW SAYS IT IS NOT UNDER RECALL, BUT THEY HAVE RECALLED THE 2006 BMW E60 (MINE IS A 2007) FOR THE SAME PROBLEM.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11153521November 24, 2018
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY HAD A HALO LIGHT THAT BURNT OUT. I WENT TO THE DEALER AND BOUGHT A REPLACEMENT BULB. WHEN I UNSCREWED THE LIGHT BULB, THE WIRING INSULATION FELL OFF AND EXPOSED ALL OF THE COPPER WIRING IN THE HEADLIGHT WIRING HARNESS. THEY DO NOT SELL A REPLACEMENT WIRING HARNESS AND NOW I'M REQUIRED TO BUY A NEW HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY FOR THE PASSENGERS SIDE WHICH COSTS APPROX $1700+ AT MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP. DUE TO THE HIGH COSTS OF THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY, I'M NOT ABLE TO AFFORD IT AND NOW MY CAR WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION WHICH HAS PREVENTED ME FROM DRIVING IT. I CAN ONLY IMAGINE THAT THE OTHER HEADLIGHT HAS THE SAME ISSUE FROM READING 100'S OF OTHER FORUM POSTS ON THE INTERNET ABOUT THIS SAME ISSUE WITH THEIR VEHICLES. I'VE ATTEMPTED TO FIX THIS ISSUE MYSELF USING ELECTRICAL TAPE BUT THAT DIDN'T WORK FOR LONG. I'VE CONTACTED REPAIR SHOPS AND THEY WON'T TAKE THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY APART DUE TO THE AGE OF IT. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION WHEN THE LIGHT BULB BURNT OUT. THIS ISSUE HAPPENED IN 2015 AND I DECIDED TO DRIVE WITH THE HALO LIGHT BULB BURNT OUT BUT THEN THE LOW BEAM BULB BURNT OUT. NOW MY CAR WON'T PASS INSPECTION TO CONTINUE DRIVING IT IN TEXAS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11130557September 21, 2018
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, WHEELS, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
WIRING ON HEADLIGHTS FLAKING APART LEAVING BEAR EXPOSE WIRES !!!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11122866August 27, 2018
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE
MY CAR AUTOMATICALLY SHUT OFF AND I SMELLED A BURNING PLASTIC ODOR COMING FROM THE ENGINE. I TOOK MY CAR TO THE BMW LICENSED MECHANIC THAT I NORMALLY SEE WHO REPAIRED THE ISSUE THAT WAS DEEMED TO BE THE PCV VALVE HEATER. THIS HAPPENED AT THE END OF MAY. THEN AT THE END OF JUNE, I RECEIVED A LOWER FROM BMW ANNOUNCING RECALL # 17V-683: PCV VALVE HEATER. BMW TOLD ME TODAY THAT THEY CAN NOT REFUND ME FOR THE REPAIRS THAT I HAD DONE BECAUSE THESE REPAIRS HAD TO BE PERFORMED AT A BMW DEALERSHIP. I HAVE ALL MY RECEIPTS. TOTAL REPAIRS COST $2626.91 + RENTAL CAR EXPENSES OF $204.16 AND $76.71. * (RECALL RELATED INCIDENT) TS
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11104465June 28, 2018
ENGINE
THERE'S A RECALL FOR MY CAR'S PCV AND BMW STILL HASN'T DEVELOPED A REMEDY TO FIX THE ISSUE....GOING ON 9 MONTHS NOW. HOW LONG ARE BMW DRIVERS WITH RECALLS SUPPOSED TO WAIT TO FIX THEIR CARS. I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT THE COMPANY WOULD LEAVE THEIR CUSTOMERS STANDING IDLE ON THIS ISSUE FOR SO LONG.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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