2005 BMW 5 Series

Defect. 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 overheat due to insufficient screwing of the semiconductor on the aluminum heat sink. This primary failure could cause adjacent components on the fan assembly motor circuit board to overheat and short.

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.

Defect. 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 IN ELECTRICAL RESISTANCE AT THIS CABLE CONNECTION IS POSSIBLE AND COULD CAUSE THE CABLE CONNECTION TO OVERHEAT.

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.

Defect. 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. 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.

Defect. BMW IS RECALLING 200,000 MY 2006 3 SERIES SPORT SEAT, MY 2004-2006 5 SERIES STANDARD AND SPORT SEAT, AND MY 2004-2006 X3 PASSENGER VEHICLES. DEPENDING ON THE MANNER AND FREQUENCY OF THE FRONT PASSENGER'S ENTRY AND EXIT, SMALL CRACKS HAVE DEVELOPED IN THE MAT. IF THIS OCCURS, THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAGS, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE HEAD PROTECTION SYSTEM, WILL BE DEACTIVATED AND THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP AS WELL AS THE PASSENGER AIR BAG "ON-OFF" LAMP WILL BE ILLUMINATED.

Risk. IN THIS SITUATION THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY EVEN IF A SUFFICIENTLY SEVERE ACCIDENT WOULD OCCUR AND OCCUPANT PROTECTION PROVIDED BY THE SYSTEM WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REWORK THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR MAT SO THAT EXTERNAL FORCE APPLICATION TO THE SEAT DOES NOT CAUSE A CRACK TO THE MAT. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 6, 2008. BMW WILL ALSO EXTEND THE WARRANTY ON THESE VEHICLES TO 10 YEARS FROM FIRST REGISTRATION WITHOUT ANY MILEAGE LIMIT. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-525-7417.

Defect. CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH AN INCORRECTLY MANUFACTURED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION PARKING PAWL GUIDE PLATE.

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.

THERE ARE 3 RECALLS REPORTED FOR MY YEAR MAKE AND MODEL OF A CAR I JUST PURCHASED THAT AT GIVING ME PROBLEMS AND I'M RECEIVING WARNING MESSAGES ON MY NAVIGATION BUT MY VIN IS NOT REGISTERING WITH DEALERSHIP FOR BEING ELIGIBLE FOR RESOLUTION PLEASE REPLY BACK WITH STEPS TO REPAIR

BMW I-DRIVE CUTS OUT WHILE DRIVING, AND BLINKS OR REBOOTS. WHILE DRIVING HOME IT CUT OUT, AND WOULD NOT STOP BLINKING. THIS DISTRACTION AND MALFUNCTION IS DANGEROUS.

ON THE MORNING OF 3/18/2015 AT 8 AM. I STARTED THE CAR AND RECEIVED A PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM WARNING ON THE DISPLAY. THE CAR WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 5-SERIES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG AND SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR MAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V384000 (AIR BAGS). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71,000.

TRANSMISSION JERKS AS IF YOU ARE MISSING A SPARK OR IT IS TRYING TO FIND A HIGHER OR LOWER GEAR WHILE CRUISING IN TRAFFIC BETWEEN 32-40 MPH. *TR

HELLO, I'VE GOT AN AIRBAG LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD ABOUT TWO MONTHS AGO ON MY BMW E60 530I 2005. THE BOARD COMPUTER IT SAYS: "PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM" MALFUNCTION. I WENT TO THE DEALER IN VEGAS AND HE TOOK THE LIGHT OFF, AFTER ONE WEEK IT CAME OUT AGAIN. I'M WONDERING ABOUT MYSELF SAFETY AND MY PASSENGERS AS WELL. I'M ASKING YOU TO HELP ME TO FIX THAT PROBLEM AS SOONER AS POSSIBLE. THANK YOU *TR

2005 BMW 525I. PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG MALFUNCTION LIGHT ILLUMINATED. TOOK VEHICLE TO INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. CONCLUSION FROM MECHANIC WAS THAT PASSENGER AIR BAG SEAT MAT WAS BROKEN PER NHTSA ACTION NUMBER EA08001. TOOK VEHICLE TO IRVINE BMW FOR REPAIR UNDER EXTENDED SEAT MAT WARRANTY. IRVINE BMW SAID THAT PASSENGER SEAT MAT DID NOT CAUSE MALFUNCTION. REPAIRS WOULD COST $1,075. REPAIRS WERE DECLINED BECAUSE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WOULD CHARGE $400. IRVINE BMW CHARGED A $170 DIAGNOSIS FEE. *TR

SAME ISSUE AS EVERY OTHER 2005 530I OWNER HAS HAD. MY BATTERY WAS LOW AND NEEDED REPLACED AND AFTER A NEW BATTERY WAS PURCHASED AND INSTALLED THE FAULT LIGHT CAME ON THE I-DRIVE SYSTEM FOR THE AIRBAG. BMW DEALER REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT AS MY VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY WHEN THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON A FAULTY SYSTEM WHY THIS SHOULD NOT BE REPAIRED, OBVIOUSLY THEY KNOW THAT THE ISSUE IS THERE BUT DO NOT WANT TO SPEND THE MONEY TO FIX THEIR ISSUE. SO MUCH FOR THE GERMAN ENGINEERED ULTIMATE DRIVING MACHINE. WITH ALL OF THE TECHNOLOGY COMES ALL OF THE ISSUES IT WOULD BE NICE TO SEE A MANUFACTURER STAND BEHIND THEIR CAR FOR A CHANGE.......IF I FAILED TO MAKE A PAYMENT THEY WOULD HAVE SURELY REPOSSESSED IT......FUNNY HOW WE CANNOT GET SOMETHING FROM THEM WHEN THEY FAIL. *TR

ON 12/5/2011 - WHEN I STARTED THE CAR, I NOTICED THE MESSAGE ON MY DASHBOARD INDICATING A FAULT ON PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM. THERE WAS NOT ANY INCIDENT THAT I CAN RECALL THAT WOULD RESULT IN THE ERROR MESSAGE. AFTER FURTHER RESEARCH, I DISCOVERED THAT THE ERROR MESSAGE WAS A COMMON FAULT ON THESE TYPE OF CARS DUE TO A FAULTY MAT SENSOR LOCATED UNDER THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. I ALSO FOUND OUT THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR SOME BMW CARS OF THE SAME MODEL (DEPENDENT OF VIN). MY HUSBAND IMMEDIATELY CALLED BMW OF FREMONT (NORTHERN CA) TO INQUIRE ABOUT THE RECALL AND I WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE ADVISOR THAT HE WAS NOT AWARE OF SUCH RECALL. I USE THIS CAR DAILY TO DROP OFF OUR KIDS TO SCHOOL. I HONESTLY THINK THE ISSUE REALLY POSES A SERIOUS THREAT ON MY KIDS SAFETY SINCE THERE IS A HIGH POSSIBILITY THAT THE AIR BAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT. LASTLY, I ALSO THINK THAT BMW NA SHOULD FIX THIS ISSUE FREE OF CHARGE SINCE IT IS BECOMING TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM TO BMW CARS (ESPECIALLY THE MODEL SERIES THAT I HAVE). IT WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED IF YOU CAN ASSIST ME RESOLVE THE ISSUE WITH BMW NA. *TR

WHILE DRIVING WITH MY FAMILY OVER THE WEEKEND, I NOTICED THE PASSENGER AIR BAG AND SEAT BELT LIGHT ILLUMINATE ON THE DASH. THE IDRIVE STATED THERE WAS A MALFUNCTION IN THE PASS AIR BAG. I TOOK MY CAR TO THE NEAREST DEALER THE NEXT MORNING AFTER FINDING THAT THIS IS AN ONGOING/ COMMON ISSUE WITH THE 5 SERIES. BUT WHAT I DON'T GET IS WHY IS MY VEHICLES VIN NOT INCLUDED?? IT'S OBVIOUS THIS IS A DEFECT WITH THE PRODUCTION OF THESE VEHICLES SO WHY SHOULD MYSELF OR ANY OTHER OWNER BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS EXPENSIVE REPAIR? WHY ARE THERE ONLY CERTAIN VEHICLES INCLUDED? THEN I FIND OUT THAT IF I'M IN A CRASH, MY PASSENGER WILL NOT BE PROTECTED!! THIS IS NOT FAIR TO OWNERS AND BMW SHOULD BE HELD FULLY RESPONSIBLE. ANOTHER THING I DON'T UNDERSTAND IS THAT I HAVE A RECALL ON THE BATTERY CABLES AND THAT'S COVERED! I READ ONLINE THAT CERTAIN VEHICLES DEPENDING ON THE PRODUCTION DATE (THRU 11/2005) ARE COVERED UNDER THE AIRBAG RECALL. WELL MY BMW WAS MANUFACTURED IN 11/2004! AGAIN, I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY MY VIN ISN'T COVERED. NOT FAIR!! PLEASE HELP..... *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 5 SERIES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE SENSOR PRESSURE MAT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 34,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 545. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN DRIVING 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN EXHIBITING BRAKING ISSUE WITH AN INCREASE IN STOPPING DISTANCE AND TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WHICH DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE AS A FAULTY BRAKE VACUUM PUMP. THE CONTACT THEN TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC TO HAVE THE VACUUM PUMP REPLACED BUT DID NOT REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR FURTHER DIAGNOSIS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 91,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 5 SERIES. THE CONTACT RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 10V446000 - (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM). HE HAD THE REPAIRS SPECIFIED ON THE LETTER DONE ON THE VEHICLE BUT IT DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY DIAGNOSED THAT THE VACUUM PUMP ITSELF WAS LEAKING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE MANUFACTURER WAS ONLY PROVIDING A TEMPORARY FIX TO THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 70,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 5 SERIES. THE FRONTAL AIR BAG LIGHTS REMAINED ILLUMINATED AT ALL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER PREVIOUSLY AND WAS REPAIRED. THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AND THE WARRANTY WAS NOT VALID. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 78,000.

I WAS DRIVING MY CAR AND WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF A TURN THROUGH AN INTERSECTION WHEN MY BELT TENSIONER AND BROKE. MY CAR IS EQUIPPED WITH BMW'S "ACTIVE STEERING" SYSTEM THAT IS DRIVEN BY THE SERPENTINE BELT. WHEN THE BELT BROKE, I WAS NOT ABLE TO STEER MY CAR AND IT FELT LIKE THE STEERING COLUMN WAS LOCKED. I BARELY AVOIDED AN ACCIDENT WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE AND ENDED CRASHING ON TO THE MEDIAN. MY KIDS WERE IN THE CAR WITH ME AT THE TIME. IF MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE CAR, SHE WOULD HAVE CRASHED INTO THE OTHER VEHICLE BECAUSE THE FORCED REQUIRED TO TURN THE STEERING WAS EXTREMELY HIGH. I'VE DRIVEN CARS WITHOUT POWER STEERING BEFORE, AND THIS IS NOTHING LIKE IT. NORMALLY CARS CAN TURN WHEN MOVING - EVEN WITH NO POWER STEERING, BUT WITH A DEFECTIVE "ACTIVE STEERING" SYSTEM, I WAS BARELY ABLE TO MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL. MY CAR HAD ONLY 52000 MILES AND IT WAS SERVICED AT THE DEALER AT 48000 MILES AND NOTHING WAS DETECTED. THE DEALER SAID THE CASTING OF THE TENSIONER PULLEY BROKE AND THE PULLEY CAME OFF AND MADE THE BELT SNAP, THEREBY LOSING MY STEERING CONTROL. I CONSIDER MYSELF VERY LUCKY THAT I WAS ABLE TO AVOID A MAJOR ACCIDENT AND I DO NOT WANT OTHER PEOPLE TO GET INJURED OR DIE DUE TO THIS MECHANICAL DEFECT. THIS HAPPENED VERY SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. THIS CONDITION NOT ONLY CAUSES THE LOSS OF STEERING, BUT CAN ALSO LEAD TO ENGINE OVERHEATING AND BATTERY DISCHARGE SINCE THIS PULLEY ALSO DRIVES THE ALTERNATOR AND WATER PUMP. *TR

THE PASSENGER SIDE "AIRBAG IS DEACTIVATED" LAMP STAYS ON CONSTANTLY AND THE WARNING LAMP ON THE COMMUNICATION SYSTEM TELLS ME I HAVE A FAULT IN THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG. I WAS TOLD BY A BMW REP THAT THIS WOULD BE A SAFETY RECALL EVENTUALLY IF I WANTED TO WAIT OR I COULD PAY $1400 NOW OUT OF POCKET AND HAVE IT FIXED. THE BMW REP TOLD ME JUST NOT TO LET ANYONE RIDE IN THE FRONT SEAT WITH ME. THAT IS VERY AWKWARD AS I AM IN SALES AND OCCASSIONALLY MUST TRANSPORT CUSTOMERS. *TR

THE RIGHT REAR PASSENGER DOOR POPPED OPEN WHILE THE CAR WAS MOVING. THE DOOR COULD NOT BE LATCHED CLOSED AND HAD TO BE HELD CLOSED. *TR

FAILURE OF TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR GAUGE 2005 BMW X3 3.0I THE BMW ELECTRONIC TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR GAUGE FAILS TO SHOW ANY CHANGE (LOSS) OF PRESSURE. THE GAUGE, IF FUNCTIONING PROPERLY, SHOWS EITHER A YELLOW OR RED TIRE WARNING LIGHT ON THE DASH BOARD IF TIRE PRESSURE IS LOST. ON MY VEHICLE, NO WARNING LIGHT CAME ON DESPITE LOW TIRE PRESSURE RESULTING IN THE REPLACEMENT OF ALL FOUR TIRES. CONSUMERS ARE TOLD TO UTILIZE THE GAUGE TO MONITOR TIRE AIR PRESSURE (BMW CUSTOMERS DON'T NEED TO CHECK THEIR TIRE AIR PRESSURE MANUALLY PER BMW INSTRUCTIONS), BUT BMW DISREGARDS THE SAFETY OF CONSUMERS BY HAVING THEM RELY ON A FAULTY TIRE AIR PRESSURE SENSOR. NHTSA'S "VEHICLE INFORMATION" PULL-DOWN MENUS LACK THE OPTION FOR THE 2005 BMW X3 3.0. *NM

TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE 2005 BMW X3 SUV, WAS TAKEN TO A DEALERSHIP IN BURLINGTON, VERMONT FOR INSPECTION 12/06. THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED HIM THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT PASS INSPECTION BECAUSE THE LOWER LEFT BALL JOINTS WERE FAILING. THE DEALERSHIP ORDERED THE BALL JOINTS, AND THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ON 12/18/06. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE STARTED A TRIP TO CALIFORNIA, AND AFTER DRIVING 500-1,000 MILES, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. HE DROVE A COUPLE HUNDRED MORE MILES BEFORE GETTING TO A BMW DEALERSHIP. THE BMW DEALERSHIP CALLED ROAD SHOW BMW DID A DIAGNED THE VEHICLE AND THEY REPROGRAMMED THE COMPUTER. THE CONTACT CONTINUED WITH HIS ROAD TRIP AND DROVE TO CALIFORNIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ONCE HE ARRIVED THERE HE NOTICED THAT WHEN HITTING A BUMP HE WOULD HEAR A CLINKING NOISE FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT CALLED A DEALERSHIP WHILE IN SANTA BARBARA AND WAS TOLD THEY COULDN'T DO ANYTHING TO THE VEHICLE FOR AT LEAST ONE WEEK. THE CONTACT THEN DROVE VEHICLE TO SEASIDE CALIFORNIA AND THE DEALERSHIP TDROVE THE VEHICLE AND HEARD THE SAME NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. SEASIDE BMW INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE SHOULD NOT BE DRIVEN BECAUSE THE THRUST RODS WERE BAD AND POSSIBLY THE LEFT FRONT SHOCK ABSORBER AS WELL. BMW OFFER TO PAY FOR $750.00 FOR RENTAL AND ACCOMMODATION REFUND. *AK

I WAS DRIVING DOWN I-25 IN MARCH OF 2006, WHEN THE PANORAMIC SUNROOF OF MY 2005 BMW X5 4.8IS (PURCHASED NEW ON DECEMBER 2, 2005, WHICH ONLY HAVE 5000 MILES ON IT) EXPLODED SUDDENLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY FOR NO REASON WHAT SO EVER. I AM VERY GLAD THAT I DIDN'T HAVE THE SUN SHADE OPEN OR ELSE I WOULD'VE HAD GLASS ALL OVER ME!!!!*JB