2006 BMW 525i

Routine

Owners filed 77 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the air bags. It has been recalled 3 times.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
99,500 milesMedian miles at failure

67 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 75,00090,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Air Bags36
011
Service Brakes8
000
Electrical System5
020
Engine and Engine Cooling3
000
Air Bags › Frontal3
000
Tires2
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Power Assist › Vacuum2
000
Seat Belts2
000
Fuel/Propulsion System2
000
Visibility/Wiper1
000

3 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Emission Control › Crankcase (pcv)19V273000
Filed Apr 4, 2019184,505 vehiclesBmw Of North America, Llc

Defect. BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2006 525i, 525xi, 530i, 530xi, 530xi Sports Wagon, 325i, 325xi, 325xi Sports Wagon, 330i, 330xi, Z4 3.0i and Z4 3.0si vehicles. The heater for the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve may short circuit.

Risk. An electrical short can cause the parts within the PCV valve to melt, increasing the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is not in use.

Remedy. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the PCV valve heater, free of charge. The recall began May 30, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Note: This recall is an expansion to recall 17V-683.

Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification17V428000
Filed Jul 6, 20172,158 vehiclesBmw Of North America, Llc

Defect. BMW of North America, Inc. (BMW) is recalling certain 2006 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi, 525i, 525xi, 530i, 530xi, and 550i vehicles equipped with the Sport Seat option and certain 2006 525i, 525xi, 530i, 530xi, 550i vehicles with standard seats. The front passenger seat occupant detection mat that determines if, and how, the passenger frontal air bag should deploy in a crash may fatigue and develop cracks which could lead to a system failure.

Risk. Should the system fail, in the event of a crash, the front passenger air bag would be deactivated, increasing the risk of personal injury.

Remedy. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will repair the occupant detection mat to eliminate the possibility that it may crack, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began September 1, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification13V564000
Filed Nov 12, 201376,565 vehiclesBmw Of North America, Llc

Defect. BMW of North America LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2006 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi sedans and 325xi sports wagons, model year 2007 328i, 328xi, 335i, 335xi sedans and 328i and 328xi sports wagons, model year 2006-2007 525i, 525xi, 530i, 530xi, 550i sedans and 530xi sports wagons, model year 2006 760i sedans, model year 2006-2007 750i, 750Li, and 760Li sedans, and model year 2006 X5 sports activity vehicles, equipped with certain seat types. The front passenger seat occupant detection mat that determines if and how the passenger frontal air bag should deploy in a crash may fatigue and develop cracks which could lead to a system failure.

Risk. Should the system fail, in the event of a crash, the front passenger air bag would be deactivated, increasing the risk of personal injury.

Remedy. BMW will notify owners with an interim notification letter in January 2014 since parts are not currently available. When parts are available, BMW sent a second letter in August and dealers will repair the occupant detection mat to eliminate the possibility that it may crack, free of charge. Additionally, owners of model year 2006-2007 3 Series with standard seats, 5 Series with comfort seats, and Z4 models, will receive an extended warranty on their front passenger seat occupant detection mat. Owners may contact BMW customer relations at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at [email protected].

What owners reported

Newest filings
Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Oct 27, 2022235,641 milesCA

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.

Unknown or Other
Filed May 12, 2022CA

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.

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed May 3, 2022135,000 milesAL

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.

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Nov 30, 2021188,318 milesGA

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.

Air Bags
Filed Feb 4, 2021112,000 milesMD

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 525I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER PASSPORT BMW (4730 AUTH PL, SUITLAND-SILVER HILL, MD 20746, (301) 423-2700) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH NEEDING A BOLT TIGHTENED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V428000 (AIR BAGS). THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER RECALL HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 112,000.

Air Bags
Filed Dec 22, 2019188,000 milesFL

RED AIRBAG LIGHT AND RED SEAT BELT LIGHT CAME ON AND THERE WAS A CHIME GOING OFF. PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY MAT IS GIVING A FAULT CODE AND DISABLING THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG

Service Brakes
Filed Oct 26, 2019187,000 milesFL

BRAKE BOOSTER IS LOOSING VACUUM WHEN SITTING OVER NIGHT CAUSING THE BRAKE PEDAL TO BE ROCK HARD AT STARTUP. THE BRAKES ARE FINE AGAIN AS SOON AS THE CAR STARTS. I KNOW THAT THE E65 FROM THE SAME YEARS HAS A RECALL ON THE BRAKE BOOSTER VACUUM LINE AND CHECK VALVE.

Tires
Filed Sep 19, 2019160,000 milesFL

WAS ROTATING MY TIRES. THE TIRES HAVE OVER HALF THE USABLE THREAD LEFT ON THEM. FOUND CRACKING AND BLISTERS ON THE TIRE WALL ON THE INSIDE NEAR THE RIM EDGE WHICH WAS NOT VISIBLE UNTIL I GOT THE WHEELS OFF.

Tires
Filed Sep 19, 2019160,000 milesFL

WAS ROTATING MY TIRES. THE TIRES HAVE OVER HALF THE USABLE THREAD LEFT ON THEM. FOUND CRACKING AND BLISTERS ON THE TIRE WALL ON THE INSIDE NEAR THE RIM EDGE WHICH WAS NOT VISIBLE UNTIL I GOT THE WHEELS OFF.

Air BagsFire
Filed Aug 25, 2019180,000 milesGA

I WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK AND HAD DRIVEN ONLY 4 1/2 MILES AT 6:55AM ON THURSDAY, AUGUST 15, 2019. I WAS ABOUT 1/2 FROM WORK ON A CITY STREET WHEN SMOKE BEGAN COMING OUT THE AIR VENTS AND STEERING COLUMN. A SMELL OF PLASTIC, ELECTRICAL FILLED THE CAR AND I PULLED INTO THE NEAREST PLACE WHEN THE SMOKE WAS QUICKLY INCREASING. MY SON AND I JUMPED OUT OF THE CAR AND CALLED 911. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED ALMOST IMMEDIATELY, AND UPON PULLING UP, BEFORE THEY COULD GET OUT OF THE TRUCK, THE DRIVER'S SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAG EXPLODED, THE FIREMEN HEARD THE EXPLOSION. BY THE TIME THEY PULLED THEIR HOSES AND LIFTED THE HOOD, SMOKE WAS HEAVILY COMING FROM THE CAR. WHEN THE AIRBAG EXPLODED, A LARGE PIECE OF PLASTIC SHRAPNEL WAS BLOWN TO THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAR AND STUCK BETWEEN THE WINDSHIELD AND THE WINDOW AND STUCK INTO THE EDGE WINDSHIELD FRAME. THE FIREFIGHTERS TRIED FOR SEVERAL MINUTES TO GET THE SOURCE UNDER CONTROL AND FINALLY WAS ABLE TO WHEN THEY DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY. I HAD MY CAR TOWED TO BMW COLUMBUS, THEY "REPAIRED THE RECALL" AND SAID THAT THE FIRE WAS NOT A RESULT OF THE RECALL. I BELIEVE THAT IF THE FIREFIGHTERS DID NOT RESPOND AS QUICKLY AS THEY DID BECAUSE THEY WERE NEARBY, THEN MY CAR WOULD HAVE GONE UP IN FLAMES.

Electrical SystemFire
Filed Jul 29, 2019307,726 milesNJ

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 525-I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WITH THE ENGINE TURNED OFF, SMOKE STARTED EMERGING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE HOOD WAS OPENED AND A FIRE WAS DISCOVERED COMING FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND THEY EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE POLICE WAS PRESENT AND A REPORT WAS ISSUED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 307,726.

Electrical System
Filed Jun 16, 2019100,000 milesGA

BECAUSE OF POOR QUALITY OF FIBER OPTICS WIRING USED ON THE HEADLIGHT THEY TEND DRY ROT RESULTING IN A BURNT OUT HEADLIGHT. WHICH CAN BECOME A SAFETY HAZARD.

FirerelatedFire
Filed Mar 8, 2019CA

WE RECEANTLY PURCHASED A USED BMW 525 I. AND IT SUDDENLY CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE MY SON CAME TO A STOP. HE BARLEY EXCAPED WITH HIS LIFE. THE WHOLE CAR WAS UP IN FLAMES. WE DONT KNOW WHERE IT CAME FROM BUT IT WAS THE WORST THING THAT I SEEN. THANK GOD HE WAS ABLE TO GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE WHEN HE DID. WE NEVER THOUGHT WE WOULD HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT HIS SAFETY IN THIS VEHICLE, BEING ONE OF THE TOP OF THE LINE VEHICLES!

Air Bags
Filed Dec 5, 2018HI

MY PASSENGER SEAT BELT RESTRAINTS AND AIRBAG WARNINGS LIGHT COMES ON. I SAW THAT THIS YEAR WAS INCLUDED IN MY MODEL 525I, BUT BMW OF HONOLULU SAID MY BIN SHOWS NO RECALL? I'M CONFUSED AND UPSET ON HOW BMW CAN RISK SUCH A SAFETY ISSUE BY NOT INCLUDING ALL AFFECTED BY THIS ESPECIALLY MY YEAR AND MODEL CLASS BECAUSE IT'S OBVIOUSLY AN ISSUE WE ALL ARE HAVING AROUND THE SAME EXACT TIME. IS THERE A SOLUTION OR SHOULD I GIVE UP ON BMW FOR SUCH NEGLECT FOR MY SAFETY AND YOURS?

Air Bags › Frontal
Filed Oct 29, 2018TN

PASSENGER AIR BAG RESTRAINT LIGHT IS ACTIVATED.

Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification
Filed Sep 7, 2018126,525 milesMD

I RECENTLY STARTED GETTING PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM WARNING MESSAGE APPEARING. AFTER SEARCHING ONLINE, I DISCOVERED 2006 525I VEHICLES HAVE A RECALL ON THE SAME ISSUE. HOWEVER WHEN I CONTACTED BMW, I WAS TOLD BASED ON VIN NUMBER MY VEHICLE IS NOT UNDER ANY RECALL EVEN THOUGH I HAVE SAME ISSUE WITH THE VEHICLES UNDER RECALL AND REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V428000 (AIR BAGS). CURRENTLY, THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY AND CAN CAUSE SERIOUS HARM TO THE PASSENGER IF INVOLVED IN ANY TYPE OF ACCIDENT, THEREFORE, MY VEHICLE SHOULD BE PART OF THE RECALL.

Air Bags
Filed Apr 26, 2018140,000 milesVA

WARNING LIGHT PASS. RESTRAINT SYSTEM FAULT IN PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM AFFECTING AIRBAG BELT TENSIONER ETC

Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification › Front Passenger
Filed Apr 16, 2018TX

I RECENTLY STARTED GETTING PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM WARNING MESSAGE APPEARING. AFTER SEARCHING ONLINE, I DISCOVERED 2006 525I VEHICLES HAVE RECALL ON THE SAME ISSUE. HOWEVER WHEN I CONTACTED BMW, I WAS TOLD BASED ON VIN NUMBER MY VEHICLE IS NOT UNDER ANY RECALL EVEN THOUGH I HAVE SAME ISSUE WITH THE VEHICLES UNDER RECALL. AS IS, THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY AND CAN CAUSE SERIOUS HARM TO THE PASSENGER, THEREFORE MY VEHICLE SHOULD BE PART OF THE RECALL.

Air Bags
Filed Mar 13, 2018105,000 milesVA

MY BMW APPEARS TO THE HAVE AN ISSUE WITH THE PASSENGER AIR BAG SENSOR, BUT THE VIN ISN'T INCLUDE IN THE RECALL LIST. KINDLY REQUEST RECALL, AS THE VEHICLE HASN'T BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT, BUT PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT REMAINS ON.

Air Bags
Filed Jan 31, 2018143,000 milesCA

WAS DROPPING OFF A PASSENGER AND WHEN I PARKED ON A CITY STREET .HE TOOK HIS SEATBELT OFF AND OPENED THE PASSENGER DOOR . WHEN HE GOT OFF THE SEAT I NOTICED TWO LIGHTS COME ON IN THE DASHBOARD . THEN THE NOTIFICATION CAME UP ON MY MENU SCREEN DISPLAYING RESTRAINT AUSTEN MALFUNCTION . I'VE LOOKED UP MY 2006 BMW 525I TO NOTICE IT HAPPENING TO ALLOT OF THE SAME YEAR MAKE AND MODEL AS MINE.

20 of 77 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2004
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20110100Routine
20100100Routine
20091110Routine
20081100Routine
200772220Routine
2006 — this page77340Routine
200535040Routine
2004840170Routine
200332210Do not drive
200228420Do not drive
200122460Do not drive
20000100Do not drive
19991000Routine
19982000Routine
199524310Routine
19947400Routine
19935310Routine
199218420Routine
199113400Routine
199011300Routine

Compare every 525i year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Apr 4, 2019. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.