BMW 525i Complaints

438 consumer complaints on file.

#10437210November 24, 2011
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION, STEERING
WENT TO START CAR AFTER A 5 MINUTE DRIVE. STEERING WHEEL LOCKED, NO SOUND, IGNITION NOT WORKING. HAD TO HAVE CAR TOWED. BMW IS SAYING IT NEEDS A NEW STEERING COLUMN, IGNITION SWITCH, TO THE TUNE OF $3300! THE CAR IS A 2004 BMW 525I. SOUNDS LIKE THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10436221November 17, 2011
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 525I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE OCCUPANCY CENSOR FOR THE AIR BAG WAS INOPERABLE. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE AIR BAG WOULD NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V384000 (AIR BAGS:FRONTAL). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE HOWEVER, DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 105,000 AND THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,000. UPDATED 12/16/11 *BF UPDATED 12/22/11
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10436149November 16, 2011
POWER TRAIN
I OWN A 2004 BMW 525I WITH 119,000 MILES ON THE ENGINE. I EXPERIENCED MY CAR MAKING A THUMP SOUND AND THEN THE I WOULD LOSE ACCELERATION. I CALLED THE MECHANIC AND THEY COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM BECAUSE IT DID NOT SHOW THE DASH ERRORS. THIS HAD BEEN GOING ON FOR 3 WEEKS AND THEN THE MECHANIC TOLD ME MY TRANSMISSION NEEDED REPLACING. I AM DISAPPOINTED THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND NOTHING IS BEING DONE ABOUT THIS. I WILL NEVER BUY A BMW AGAIN. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10436055November 16, 2011
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 525I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND EVENTUALLY STALLED. THE DRIVER WAS INJURED AS A RESULT OF THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS A PRIOR IMPROPER REPAIR PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE THAT CONTRIBUTED TO THE FAILURE, BUT THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PRIOR REPAIR WAS NOT RELATED TO THE AIR BAG. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 54,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10434292November 4, 2011
AIR BAGS
I GOT A WARNING LIGHT ON MY DISPLAY PANEL PASS. RESTRAINT SYSTEM FAULT IN PASSENGER-RESTRAINT SYSTEM AFFECTING AIRBAG, BELT TENSIONER OR BELT-FORCE LIMITER. CONTINUE TO WEAR THE SEAT BELT. ALTHOUGH BMW HAS RECALLED CAR SAME YEAR AND MODEL FOR SIMILAR PROBLEMS, MY VIN IS NOT RECALLED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10433728October 31, 2011
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL, AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 525I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V384000 (AIR BAG: FRONTAL). THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000. UPDATED 11/22/11*LJ UPDATED 02/03/12
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10430840October 19, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
SEVERAL OF THE HEAD BOLTS BROKE DUE TO AN ENGINEERING FLAW. I WAS TOLD BY THE BMW SHOP THAT BECAUSE THE HEAD BOLTS WERE MADE FROM A DIFFERENT METAL THAT THEY HEAT AND COOL AT DIFFERENT RATES AND THE BOLTS TEND TO BREAK, THEY HAD SEEN IT MANY TIMES. WHEN I CONTACTED BMW THEY REFUSED TO ADMIT THAT IT WAS A COMMON PROBLEM AND WOULD NOT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE REPAIRS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10430075October 13, 2011
POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 525I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE CHECK TRANSMISSION FAILSAFE MESSAGE ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION BECAME STUCK IN THIRD GEAR AND DECELERATED UNTIL IT STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO ADVISED THAT THEY WOULD CONTACT HIM AT A LATER DATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,825.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10429305October 10, 2011
STRUCTURE:BODY, VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY
JUNE 2007. WHEN STARTING THE CAR, THE VEHICLE'S ELECTRONIC SYSTEM ISSUED ALERTS, AND INTERRUPTED FUNCTION OF SEVERAL SUBSYSTEMS INCLUDING THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS, ELECTRONIC DISPLAY, ENVIRONMENTAL, AND REDUCED STEERING. THE DISPLAY FLASHED, "CONTINUED DRIVING NOT POSSIBLE" AND THEN FURTHER ALERTS. THE CAR WAS PARKED OUTSIDE IN A HEAVY RAIN WHEN THE WATER ENTERED THE CAR. THE BMW CENTER EXAMINED THE CAR AND STATED THAT WATER HAD ENTERED THE CAR THROUGH A UNKNOWN LOCATION. THE REAR RIGHT PASSENGER SEAT, REAR RIGHT PASSENGER FLOOR, AND TRUNK WERE FILLED WITH WATER. THE PLACEMENT OF THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL SYSTEMS WAS IN TO BOTTOM OF THE TRUNK. THAT IS WHERE ALL THE WATER COLLECTED AND CAUSE MAJOR ELECTRICAL DAMAGE. BMW STATED THAT THE ITEMS WERE NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AND I HAD TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. THE CONTROL UNIT WAS MOVED FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE TRUNK TO PREVENT THIS ISSUE IN THE FUTURE. THE CAUSE OF THE FLOOD WAS NOT IDENTIFIED. CAR PARKED IN GARAGE GOING FORWARD. SECOND MAJOR INCIDENT OCT 2011 . WHILE THE CAR WAS PARKED IN A HEAVY RAIN, WATER ENTERED THE CAR AND FLOODED THE CAR. UPON ENTERING THE CAR,I NOTICED THE WET ROOF LINER. MOISTURE WAS CONCENTRATED IN ONE SPOT. I CALLED BMW TO ASK IF THE WINDOW, DOOR, OR SUNROOF COULD BE DAMAGED AND CAUSE THE FLOOD IN MY CAR. THEY SAID YES AND TO BRING THE CAR IN FOR DIAGNOSIS. I ASKED IF THIS WAS CHECKED THE FIRST TIME THE CAR FLOODED AND THE ANSWER WAS NO. ADDITIONAL RESEARCH UNCOVERED NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS OF THE SUNROOF DRAIN LINES CLOGGING AND CAUSING THE EXACT SAME INTERAL ELECTRICAL AND WATER DAMAGE THAT HAPPENED TO MAY CAR. THE DRAIN SYSTEM IS CONCEALED WITHIN THE ROOF AND IS NOT ACCESSIBLE TO CAR OWNER. THE COMBINATION OF THE DEFECTIVE DRAINAGE SYSTEM AND THE PLACEMENT OF THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL SYSTEMS AT THE POINT OF WATER COLLECTION PRESENTS A SAFETY HAZARD. THESE ITEMS NEED TO BE RESOLVED BY BMW. *KB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10425331September 13, 2011
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, STRUCTURE:BODY
TRUNK LOCKING FAILURE. UNABLE TO OPEN TRUNK WITH REMOTE CONTROL OR SWITCH INSIDE THE CAR. I WAS ONLY ABLE TO OPEN THE TRUNK WITH THE KEY OVER-RIDE FROM THE TRUNK. BMW USA CUSTOMER SERVICE DID NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE TO OPEN THE TRUNK. I HAD TO READ THE MANUAL TO BE ABLE TO OVER-RIDE THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS. ONCE I OPENED THE TRUNK THE TRUNK WOULD NOT CLOSE. AFTER EXTENSIVE INTERNET RESEARCH AND ELECTRICAL TROUBLE-SHOOTING, I FOUND BROKEN BROWN ELECTRICAL WIRE IN THE TRUNK HARNESS BOOT ABOVE THE BATTERY COMPARTMENT. I FOUND SEVERAL CASES POSTED IN THE INTERNET. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH BMW. BMW USA CUSTOMER RELATIONS WAS CONTACTED TO REPORT THIS SAFETY ISSUE AND A DESIGN FLOW BUT SHE DID NOT OFFER ANY INTEREST TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE. I OFFERED THE OPPORTUNITY TO BMW TECHNICIANS / ENGINEERS TO INSPECT THE DESIGN FLOW AND PERHAPS THEY CAN PROVIDE A SOLUTION TO THIS DEFECT BUT SHE WANTED ME TO GO TO THE DEALER AND PAY THE DEALER TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM ($150 PER HOUR FEE). I WAS CLEAR THAT I ALREADY FOUND THE PROBLEM AND CAN SIMPLY SPLICE THE WIRES BACK BUT I WAS CALLING BECAUSE I AM CONCERN ABOUT THE SAFETY OF OTHER BMW DRIVERS. ELECTRICAL SHORTAGE NEXT TO THE BATTERY CAN BE A SAFETY CONCERN! BMW CUSTOMER SERVICE MANAGER DID NOT OFFER ANY HELP EITHER. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10423942September 6, 2011
SEAT BELTS
PASSENGER SEATBELT LIGHT IS ON AT ALL TIMES. ACCORDING TO DEALERSHIP IT IS THE SEAT MAT SENSOR. HARDLY ANYONE RIDES WITH ME IN THE CAR, THIS SHOULD NOT HAVE BROKEN AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED BY THE MANUFACTURER WARRANTY. DEALER PROVIDED AN ESTIMATE OF $1,265.34 TO REPLACE IT. A TOTAL SCAM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10421500August 25, 2011
STRUCTURE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I WAS DRIVING THROUGH A CANYON AREA, AND WATER SPILLED OUT OF MY ICE CHEST INTO THE TRUNK BAY, WHERE THE SPARE TIRE IS STORED. APPARENTLY THE ENTIRE CARS COMPUTER AND WIRING IS UNDERNEATH THE SPARE TIRE. THE WATER FRIED MY TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR MODULE, WHICH CAUSED THE COMPUTER TO RESTART. WHEN IT RESTARTED, THE CAR SHOWED A CAR COMPUTER FAILURE. THE CAR HAS SAFETY FEATURES SUCH AS STABILITY CONTROL, AND MANY OTHER SAFETY MODULES CONNECTED TO THE COMPUTER. THE CARS COMPUTER, INSIDE LIGHTS, GAUGES, AND ALL MY SYSTEMS COMPLETELY RESTARTED EVERY 30-45 SECONDS, CAUSING THE CAR TO BE A DANGEROUS TOY. I HAD TO DRIVE DOWN THE MOUNTAIN WITHOUT ANY SAFETY FEATURES ON MY CAR TURNED ON, WHICH MADE IT HARD TO CONTROL. IT WAS VERY UNSTABLE DRIVING, ALL BECAUSE OF A TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR MODULE GOING OUT. I SPENT OVER $55K ON THIS VEHICLE, I DON'T THINK GETTING A SMALL AMOUNT OF WATER IN MY TRUNK WOULD CAUSE SO MUCH DAMAGE. THE MODULE COST ME $1,800 TO REPLACE, AS WELL AS A $600 UPCHARGE TO MOVE THE COMPUTER TO THE SIDE OF THE TRUNK, AND $560 FOR THE WIRING HARNESS. $2,960 IN DAMAGE FROM WATER SPILLING IN MY WHEEL WELL. GIVE ME A BREAK BMW! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10419473August 15, 2011
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 525I. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH THE CONTACT WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON CRASH WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE DRIVER OF THE OTHER VEHICLE WAS INTOXICATED AND DRIVING ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO HIS FACE, LEFT SHOULDER, BACK AND HEAD DUE TO THE IMPACT. THE CONTACTS FACE COLLIDED WITH THE WINDSHIELD AND HE SUFFERED FROM FREQUENT HEADACHES AND NUMBNESS TO THE LEFT SIDE OF HIS BODY. THE PASSENGER OF THE VEHICLE ALSO SUSTAINED INJURIES TO HIS BACK, RIGHT SHOULDER AND HAND. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOWING FACILITY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THEY WERE NOT GRANTED ACCESS TO THE TOWING YARD IN ORDER TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000. UPDATED 3/27/12 *CN
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
2
Deaths:
0
#10417229July 30, 2011
STRUCTURE:BODY
BODY APPEARS TO BE DEFECTIVE. THE BODY LOOKS LIKE IT IS ABOUT TO FALL APART, IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. FIELDS BMW NORTHFIELD 700 W FRONTAGE ROAD NORTHFIELD, IL 60093 MAY HAVE BEEN NEGLIGENT. THEY INSPECTED VEHICLE ON JUNE 11TH 2011 AND DID NOT MENTION THIS ISSUE AND THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10411839July 11, 2011
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 525I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS WERE ABNORMALLY POINTED DOWNWARD AND WAS CAUSING INEFFECTIVE ILLUMINATION OF THE ROADWAY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ADJUSTERS WERE FRACTURED AND THE HEADLIGHT COULD NOT BE ADJUSTED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY CONFIRMED THE FAILURE. THE ENTIRE HEADLIGHT CASING WAS REPLACED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10410062June 30, 2011
STEERING
ACTIVE STEERING PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10398587May 2, 2011
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 525I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR MAT WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 97,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 96,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10395342April 9, 2011
STRUCTURE
2003 BMW 525I 11 MONTHS AGO BROUGHT IN DUE TO WATER AND MOLD IN REAR FLOOR DEALER FOUND MOLD, DOOR PANELS CRUMBLING FROM WATER AND CLAIMED NEEDED TO REPLACE VAPOR BARRIERS. WANTED TO CHARGE ME $4,000 OR SO I FOUGHT AND BMW FURNISHED PARTS I PAID LABOR OVER 1200.00 WHEN ASKED THEY CLAIM NEVER SAW PROBLEM IN PAST, AND WAS DUE TO POOR ADHESIVE ON VAPOR BARRIERS, NOW 2 WEEKS AGO SAME PROBLEM. MY WIFE HAS BEEN HAVING MEDICAL PROBLEMS AS WELL AS I AND THEY ARE DUE TO TOXIC MOLD SYNDROME. DEALER REFUSES TO ADMIT THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM THRU ALL MODEL AND YEARS WHICH I HAVE RESEARCHED AND CONFIRMED THEY DEMANDED THE LOANER CAR BACK AND NOW THE RENTAL CAR, THEY WANT MY VEHICLE OFF THEIR LOT OBVIOUSLY, I SIMPLY WANTED A WRITTEN CONFIRMATION THAT THEIR IS NO MOLD AND THEY REFUSE, AN INVESTIGATOR FROM BMW WAS THERE AND HEAD OFFICE CLAIMS HIS REPORT WILL NOT REACH THEM FOR 2 WEEKS... I NOW HAVE LUNG ISSUES AS DOES MY WIFE ALONG WITH 8 SYPTOMS DOCUMENTED SINCE 2005 FROM PHYSICIANS CONFIRMING TOXIC MOLD EXPOSURE AND SYNDROME. THE DEALER AND BMW REFUSE TO ADMIT AND RESPONSIBLITIY OR KNOWLEDGE OF THIS PROBLEM HOWEVER LOOKING ON INTERNET IT IS WIDESPREAD, NOT EVEN AN APOLOGY. I HAVE CONTACT THE EPA AND MEDIA TO EXPOSE THERE TOTAL LACK OF ETHICS, HONEST AND CONCERN FOR THE HEALTH OF CONSUMERS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
2
Deaths:
0
#10383814February 22, 2011
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
CONSUMER IS THE OWNER OF A 1997 328I AND A 2004 525I BMW. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO AIRBAG SYSTEM FAILURE MESSAGE IN VEHICLE AND SEAT SENSOR MAT. CONSUMER EXPRESSED DISCONTENT CONCERNING PAYMENT FOR REPAIRS *TGW WHILE EXITING THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND A MESSAGE PASSENGER AIRBAG SYSTEM FAILURE APPEARED AS ON SEVERAL OTHER OCCASIONS. AFTER SEVERAL WEEKS, THE WARNING LIGHT AND MESSAGE REMAINED ILLUMINATED. WHILE DOING SOME RESEARCH , THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED A RECALL IDENTIFYING THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR MATS IN BMW MODEL YEARS 2004-2006. IT ALSO STATED BMW EXTENDING THE WARRANTY TO 10 YEARS WITHOUT ANY MILEAGE LIMIT TO SEVERAL MODELS INCLUDING THE CONSUMERS 2004 MODEL. THE CONSUMER MADE AN APPOINTMENT AT THE DEALER. THE NEXT THE DAY, THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE SENSOR MAT IN THE VEHICLE WAS ALREADY AN UPDATED SEAT MAT AND THEREFORE, HE DID NOT QUALIFY FOR THE EXTENDED WARRANTY EXTENSION AND THE COST WOULD BE $1,242.78. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE UPDATED SENSOR MAT WAS JUST AS FAULTY AS THE NON-UPDATED MAT AND FAILED AFTER 6 YEARS UNDER NORMAL USAGE. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10380888February 6, 2011
SEATS
FRONT SEAT HEATING ELEMENTS GOT EXTREMELY HOT AND MADE A BURNING SMELL. PASSENGER AND DRIVER'S LEGS GOT UNCOMFORTABLY HOT TO THE POINT OF DISCOMFORT BEFORE THE HEATER WAS SHUT OFF. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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