2005 BMW 530i

Routine

Owners filed 58 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the airbags. No safety recall has been issued.

Not among the BMW 530i years to avoid. Which BMW 530i years to avoid →

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
95,000 milesMedian miles at failure

49 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 90,000–105,000 miles.

Most common 2005 BMW 530i problems

35 of the 58 complaints (60%) are about the airbags.

ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Air Bags · airbags29
204
Electrical System7
010
Power Train · transmission4
000
Air Bags › Frontal · airbags4
100
Tires2
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic · brakes2
000
Air Bags › Frontal › Sensor/Control Module · airbags2
000
Wheels1
000
Visibility1
000
Vehicle Speed Control · throttle and acceleration1
000

What owners reported

Newest filings
Air Bags
Filed Apr 17, 2018CA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 530I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING, WHICH WAS A SAFETY CONCERN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BY A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FAILURE AFFECTED THE AIR BAGS, AND THAT THE FLOOR MAT SENSOR WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND INDICATED THAT AN UNKNOWN RECALL CAMPAIGN WAS AVAILABLE FROM 2009; HOWEVER, THE STATUTE EXPIRED. THE MANUFACTURER PROVIDED NO SOLUTION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Air Bags
Filed Nov 7, 2016141,500 milesAL

I BOUGHT THIS CAR LAST YEAR WITH 140,000 MILES ON IT. THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG LIGHT AND SEATBELT LIGHT BOTH CAME ON AFTER MAYBE A MONTH OF DRIVING. I TOOK IT TO THE BMW SHOP AND THEY SAID THAT IT CAME ON BECAUSE I HAD SOMETHING HEAVY SITTING IN THE SEAT---NOTHING HEAVIER THAN MY PURSE. THEY WANTED TO CHARGE ME A DIAGNOSIS FEE TO TURN THE LIGHT OFF BUT I REFUSED. THAT IS NOT A CAUTION IN THE HANDBOOK SO HOW WAS I SUPPOSE TO KNOW THAT WAS PROBLEM. I'M WORRIED THAT MY SEATBELT AND AIRBAG MAY MALFUNCTION IN THE CASE OF AN ACCIDENT. I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH MY 2005 BMW 525.

Air Bags
Filed Jun 14, 2016134,000 milesNC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 530I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND REFUSED ANY REPAIR OR ASSISTANCE.. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 134,000. UPDATED 10/19/16*LJ UPDATED 10/24/16/16.*JB

Air Bags
Filed May 4, 2016112,000 milesOR

MY IDRIVE SHOWED A MESSAGE INDICATING THAT THE AIRBAG IN THE PASSENGER SIDE WAS DEACTIVATED BECAUSE OF A SENSOR OR SIMILAR ISSUE. I TOOK THIS TO THE DEALER, ASKED FOR IT TO BE COVERED UNDER THE PREVIOUS SERVICE BULLETIN WHICH INDICATED THE SEAT MAT SENSOR WAS DEFECTIVE. THE DEALERSHIP INDICATED THEY WOULD NOT FIX IT. I CONTACTED BMW NORTH AMERICA AND THEY SAID THEY MIGHT FIX IT IF I PAID FOR THE ASSESSMENT. THE ASSESSMENT SUGGESTED THERE WAS A DEFECT IN DIFFERENT SENSOR. AND SUGGESTED THAT A BATTERY CABLE SHOULD BE REPLACED. ALL OTHER SYSTEMS IN THE CAR WORKS FINE. BOTH BMW AND THE DEALER REFUSED TO FIX THIS ISSUE. THERE HAVE BEEN NO OTHER REPORTED CASES OF THE BATTERY CABLE ACTUALLY CAUSING THE AIRBAGS TO BE DEACTIVATED. TODAY, THE AIRBAG IS STILL NOT WORKING, AND BMW HAS REFUSED TO FIX THE PROBLEM.

Air Bags
Filed Mar 25, 2016192,000 milesMA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 530I. THE SRS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED, BUT NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 192,000.

Air Bags
Filed Dec 30, 2015170,000 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 530I. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER AN EXTENDED WARRANTY THROUGH THE MANUFACTURER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR WAS CONSISTENTLY ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED EACH TIME THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V564000 (AIR BAGS) BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER THE MANUFACTURER'S EXTENDED WARRANTY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.

Air Bags
Filed Dec 11, 2015MS

I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FROM SOMEONE. THE PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION SIGNAL ON COMPUTER HAS COME ON, THE BRAKE PAD MALFUNCTION WARNING HAS ALSO COME ON, ALONG WITH THE LEFT BRAKE LIGHT MALFUNCTION! I HAVE TRIED TO HAVE BMW HONOR THE WARRANTY ON THE PROBLEM WITH THE PASSENGER RESTRAINT, TO NO AVAIL! I HAVE ASKED THE SERVICE ADVISOR SEVERAL TIMES, THEY ARE SAYING I NEEDED TO PAY TO HAVE THIS DONE, ALTHOUGH IT WAS STILL UNDER THE TERMS OF 10 YEAR RULE! THE LIGHT AND BRAKES ARE FINE, HOWEVER I CAN'T FIGURE OUT WHY THE COMPUTER SAYS OTHERWISE, UNLESS THERE ARE SOME UNDETERMINED PROBLEMS. THE BRAKES AND SENSOR HAVE BEEN REPLACED! THE LIGHT IS WORKING PROPERLY, YET THE COMPUTERS READING DIFFERENTLY. I HAVE ASKED ON SEVERAL DIFFERENT OCCASIONS ABOUT THE PASSENGER RESTRAINT, THE FEMALE SALES ADVISOR STATES I HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS!

Air Bags
Filed Nov 12, 2015139,900 milesCA

PSS. RESTRAINT SYSTEM SHOWS IN MAIN SCREEN. SEAT BELT SHOWS IN THE FRONT SCREEN. IM CONCER OF ITS ACTUALLY FUNCTIONALITY.

Electrical System
Filed Oct 13, 2015150,000 milesTX

I HAVE XENON ADAPTIVE HEADLIGHTS OEM MADE BY HELLA. THE INSULATION ON ALL OF THE WIRING INSIDE THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY IS FALLING OFF. YOU CANNOT TOUCH A WIRE WITHOUT THE INSULATION CRUMBLING OFF THE WIRING. NOW HAVING NUMEROUS FAULTS AND HID LIGHT ON DRIVERS SIDE IS NON FUNCTIONAL DUE TO WIRING SHORTS.

Electrical System
Filed Sep 28, 201560,000 milesTX

THE IDRIVE, KNOWN AS "CCC", UNIT USED TO WORK JUST FINE. IT CONTROL NAVIGATION, RADIO AND VEHICLE'S INFORMATIONS FOR OWNER. ONCE AWHILE THE SCREEN BLINK AND GO BLANK, AND THEN SOMETIME IT WORK JUST FINE. NOW IT JUST DON'T WORK ANYMORE. THE SCREEN NOW BLINK CONTINUOUSLY WHILE DRIVING. THIS IS CAUSING A MAJOR DISTRACTION FOR ME BEHIND THE WHEEL ESPECIALLY AT NIGHT. I STARTED RESEARCHING ONLINE AND NOTICE A LOT OF OWNERS WITH THIS MODEL ALSO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS. THEY REPLACED THE CCC UNIT AND UPDATE SOFTWARE INFORMATION AT THE DEALER AND IT FIXED THE ISSUES. I CALLED BMW MOMENTUM OF HOUSTON ABOUT THE CCC. THE COST IS $1,500.00 NOT INCLUDING LABOR. I BELIEVE THIS GRAND DEFECTS IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECTS. CAN YOU PLEASE INVESTIGATE INTO THIS MATTER SO THAT A RECALL CAN BE ISSUE.

Tires
Filed Sep 3, 2015OH

DRIVING IN A NEIGHBORHOOD DEVELOPMENT HOME, OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE ABOUT 86 DEGREES, DRY DRIVING CONDITIONS. DRIVER BUMPED INTO A CONCRETE CURB UPON TURNING INTO DRIVEWAY AND TIRE BLEW OUT, TIRE SIDEWALL COMPLETELY SEPARATING FROM TIRE TREAD. TIRES WERE INSTALLED IN APPROXIMATELY JULY 2014 AND INCIDENT OCCURRED IN SEPTEMBER 2015. APPROXIMATELY 12,000 MILES ON THE TIRES. CONTINENTAL EXTREME CONTACT DWS 225/50/R17. DOT NUMBER LM403VR 1313

Air Bags
Filed Jun 13, 201577,070 milesVA

PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT AND SEAT BELT LIGHT ARE ON AGAIN! TOOK TO DEALER COUPLE YEARS AGO DURING RECALL AND IT HAPPEN AGAIN (MAT SENSOR)

Air Bags
Filed Apr 21, 2015177,000 milesCA

I HAVE A 05 BMW 530I WITH SPORT PACKAGE AND I GOT AN ERROR WITH THE PASSENGER RESTRAIN SYSTEM MALFUNCTION. 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. BMW DID NOT WANT TO TAKE CARE OF THIS COMMENT AND RECALL PROBLEM!! *TR

Power Train
Filed Apr 14, 2015190,358 milesCA

WAS TRAVELING ON THE FREEWAY WHEN THE CAR GAS PEDAL BEGAN TO REV UP ON ITS ON AND THEN THE WARNING LIGHT ALERT "TRANS. MALFUNCTION" THE VEHICLE WILL HAVE REDUCED ACCELERATION. HAVE THE SYSTEM CHECKED BY THE NEAREST BMW CENTER. TRANS. FAULT DRIVE MODERATELY, WE PULLED OFF THE FREEWAY AFTER TURNING OFF THE CAR FOR A WHILE I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE BUT THIS CONTINUES TO HAPPENS, I HAVE CHECKED ON WWW.MOTORTREND.COM FOR RECALLS AND EVERYONE THAT IS LISTED ARE PROBLEMS IM HAVING,RECALL # 76534 AIR BAGS FRONTAL LIGHT, RECALL 51587 POWER TRAIN; AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, RECALL #93389 ENGINE & ENGINE COOLING: COOLING SYSTEM: FAN, RECALL 71260 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC: POWER ASSIST: VACUUM, I'M HAVING TROUBLE WITH MY CAR IN ALL THESE RECALLS, PLEASE HELP. *TR

Air Bags
Filed Apr 1, 201575,000 milesTX

WHILE BMW HAS RECALLED MANY 2005 BMW 530I SEDANS FOR THE AIRBAG CONCERNS, MY VIN IS APPARENTLY NOT INCLUDED IN THIS LIST. I HAVE CONTACTED BMW DIRECTLY, AS WELL AS MANY LOCAL SERVICE DEPARTMENTS, WITH NO AVAIL. BOTH LIGHTS INDICATING SEAT BELT AND AIRBAG MALFUNCTIONS HAVE BEEN ILLUMINATED FOR OVER A YEAR AND I AM VERY CONCERNED THAT IF A CRASH WERE TO OCCUR, THE PASSENGERS IN THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT BE ADEQUATELY PROTECTED. IF THERE ARE AIR BAG ISSUES IN SOME BMW 530I SEDANS, ISN'T IT POSSIBLE THAT OTHERS MAY HAVE THE SAME ISSUE? *TR

Electrical SystemFire
Filed Mar 18, 2015160,000 milesCA

THE MICRO POWER MODULE IN THE TRUNK WAS BURNT ON MY 2005 530I, NOW MY IDRIVE / AUDIO / NAV AND PDC HAS SHUT DOWN. CAR STARTS AND DRIVES NORMAL, EXCEPT THE PREVIOUSLY MENTIONED ACCESSORIES THAT NO LONGER WORK, WHO KNOW WHAT OTHER DAMAGES (IF ANY) RESULTED FROM A MPM MELTDOWN. I'VE READ SOME HORROR POSTS OF SIMILIAR EVENTS THAT CAUSED EVERYTHING ON THE VEHICLE TO SHORT OUT, WHICH MEANT THAT BASICALLY EVERYTHING CCC / M-ASK / TV MODULE / CD ETC. WHEN THIS HAPPENED ON MY VEHICLE, THE CAR WAS ACTUALLY SWITCHED OFF. IT WAS ONLY WHEN I GOT BACK TO THE CAR THE NEXT MORNING WHEN I GOT THIS STRONG ELECTRICAL BURN SMELL FROM THE TRUNK AREA. THE MPM PROBABLY SHORTED OUT DURING THE COURSE OF THE NIGHT. LUCKILY THE CAR DID NOT CAUGHT ON FIRE, CAUSE IT COULD HAVE THEN BURNED DOWN MY APARTMENTS AS WELL, AS THE CAR WAS PARKED NEXT TO MY APARTMENT. FROM WHAT I COULD VISUALLY ACCESS, ONLY THE MPM UNIT BURNED OUT COMPLETELY AND MELTED. I JUST HOPE THAT I KNOCKED THE MPM OUT BEFORE IT COULD CAUSE ANY MORE DAMAGE TO THE CAR'S OTHER ELECTRONICS. MY CAR IS UNFORTUNATELY NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THE CAR HAS ALREADY BEEN TAKEN INTO MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP TO ACCESS THE DAMAGE AND TO GIVE ME A QUOTE TO REPAIR, BUT THEY DID INFORM ME THAT IT IS GOING TO BE A COSTLY AFFAIR. I FIND IT VERY INTERESTING THAT BMW DECIDED TO MOVE THESE MODULES NEWER MODELS FROM THE TRUNK AREA TO THE BODY GATEWAY MODULE WHICH IS A MUCH SAFER ENVIRONMENT. MAKES YOU THINK THAT THEY REALIZED THAT THERE WAS A DEFECT WITH THE VEHICLE

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Feb 24, 2015102,000 milesNY

I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE FROM A DEALER ON APRIL 2014. APPROXIMATELY A MONTH LATER, THE PASSENGER FRONTAL AIRBAG AUTOMATICALLY DISABLED AND THE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. THE FRONTAL PASSENGER SEATBELT ALSO DISABLED AND THE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. THE BRAKE LIGHT IS ALSO ILLUMINATED. IN JUNE 2014, MY CAR WAS HIT BY A F150 TRUCK. THE IMPACT WAS SO FORCEFUL, MY CAR WAS KNOCKED ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE STREET. NON OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED AND THERE WERE INJURIES TO THE DRIVER. MY VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND I WAS INFORMED BY THE MECHANIC THAT THE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON MY DASHBOARD WERE RECALLS AND A KNOWN SAFETY ISSUE WITH MY VEHICLE'S MAKE AND MODEL. I RESEARCHED THE INFORMATION AND DID FIND RECALLS FOR THE FRONTAL AIRBAG AND FRONTAL SEATBELT. I CONTACTED A BMW DEALERSHIP A COUPLE OF TIMES AND I AM TOLD MY VIN DOES NOT SHOW ANY OPEN RECALLS AND THE REPAIRS WILL BE OUT OF POCKET. THESE PROBLEMS APPEARS TO BE DEFECTS WITH THE VEHICLE AND A DEFINITE SAFETY ISSUE. *JS

Exterior Lighting
Filed Dec 13, 2014102,000 milesIN

THE INSULATION INSIDE THE HEADLIGHT HAS COMPLETELY CRACKED AND FLAKED OFF, LEAVING BARE WIRES EXPOSED THAT CAN SHORT OUT AND PRESENT A FIRE RISK. *TR

Air Bags
Filed Oct 11, 2014CA

PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG FAILURE MESSAGE. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Oct 7, 2014107,000 milesKS

THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING TO OTHER 2005 BMW 530I OWNERS. WHILE BRAKING VEHICLE IDRIVE GAVE WARNING THAT REAR DRIVER SIDE BRAKE LIGHT FAILED AND THEN THAT THE REAR LIGHT HAD A MALFUNCTION. UPON LOOKING AT THE WIRING HARNESS ATTACHED TO THE TAILLIGHT BULB CARRIER, THE BROWN WIRE IS BURNT OUTSIDE OF THE HARNESS. THE RUBBER COATING OF THE WIRE IS BURNT THROUGH AND THE WIRE IS EXPOSED. THE PLASTIC WIRE HARNESS IS BURNT AND MELTED. THE TAILLIGHT BULB CARRIER IS ALSO BURNT AND MELTED. EXACTLY WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO MY CAR. THE GROUND WIRE HAS WAY TOO MUCH CURRENT ON IT RESULTING IN MELTING AND POSSIBLE FIRE. *TR

Air Bags
Filed Jun 12, 201451,051 milesFL

FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANT MAT IS MALFUNCTIONING IN MY 2005 BMW 530I. THERE WAS A RECALL IN ACTION NUMBER EA08001 IN WHICH BMW AGREED TO EXTEND THE WARRANTY OR COMPLETE THE REPAIR OF THE PROBLEM. WHEN I WENT TO THE BMW SERVICE FACILITY, THEY WOULD ONLY FIX THE ISSUE IF I PAID. I CALLED BMW USA AND THEY TOLD ME THAT MY SPECIFIC VIN NUMBER IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE REPAIR/EXTENDED WARRANTY. EVEN THOUGH MY VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING THE PROBLEM, THEY TELL ME MY VIN IS NOT INCLUDED. THEREFORE, MY PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAGS DO NOT WORK. I REPORTED THIS PROBLEM ORIGINALLY IN 2012 TO BMW. *TR

Air Bags
Filed Jun 12, 201450,000 milesFL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 530I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG SENSOR MAT 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 RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V384000 (FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 71,000. UPDATED 8/27/14*CN UPDATED 09/8/2014 *JS

Air BagsCrash3 injured
Filed Jun 9, 2014145,000 milesTX

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 530I. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE NEAR THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL. THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE AND DID NOT STATE IF THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V446000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE IN TIME WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE SUDDENLY MANEUVERED IN HER LANE, WHICH LED TO THE CONTACT CRASHING INTO THE REAR OF THE SECOND VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BURNS TO THE SKIN DUE TO THE CONTENTS THAT WERE RELEASED UPON AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. TWO PASSENGERS WERE ALSO INJURED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS RECEIVED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 145,000.

Air Bags
Filed Mar 8, 2014106,240 milesUT

I'VE GOT AN ALERT ON THE DASHBOARD (PASSENGER RESTRAIN SYSTEM MALFUNCTION). I'VE HEARD THAT IS A RECALL FOR THIS MALFUNCTIONS. I WANT TO CHECK WITH YOU IF MY CAR IS ABLE FOR THAT. THANKS *TR

Engine
Filed Feb 22, 201478,850 milesIA

I HAVE LEFT MY CAR AT THE AIRPORT FOR A 2 DAY BUSINESS TRIP. WHEN I DROVE BACK FROM THE AIRPORT, WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY, I SAW A BIG PLUME OF SMOKE COMING FROM THE BACK OF MY CAR. THE ENGINE KIND OF HESITATED BUT DIDN'T' STALL. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE TO A SAFE PLACE AND CHECK THE OIL DIPSTICK. THERE WAS NO OIL LEFT IN THE OIL COMPARTMENT. WHEN THE ENGINE COOLED DOWN I SAW BLACK LIQUID DRIPPING OFF THE EXHAUST PIPE. THE CAR SMELLED LIKE BURNT OIL. I SPOKE TO THE DEALERSHIP THAT SERVICES MY CAR AND THEY TOLD ME TO TOW IT TO AVOID ANY FURTHER DAMAGE. THE DEALERSHIP IDENTIFIED THE PROBLEM AS A FROZEN OIL SEPARATOR THAT CREATED A VACUUM LOCK AND PUSHED THE OIL TO BURN THRU THE ENGINE AND THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. FROM FURTHER DISCUSSION WITH THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE ADVISOR AND LOOKING INTO BMW POSTING FORUMS I REALIZED THAT THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR A WHILE NOW WITH BMWS IN COLD WEATHER CONDITIONS. I ALSO FOUND OUT THAT BMW HAS RELEASED IN FEB 2009 A SERVICE INFORMATION BULLETIN SIB 11 08 03 THAT RECOGNIZED, THAT THE DEFECTIVE PART MAY FAIL IN COLD WEATHER CONDITIONS, AND RECOMMENDED TO BMW SERVICE DEPTS REPLACEMENT WITH A NEW BETTER DESIGNED PART. HOWEVER, BMW DID NOT TAKE THE STEP TO NOTIFY CUSTOMERS WHO HAVE BEEN OR COULD BE AFFECTED BY THIS DEFECT. IF I KNEW ABOUT THIS ISSUE IN FEB 2009, WHEN MY CAR WAS UNDER THE NEW VEHICLE WARRANTY, I WOULD HAVE REPLACED IT AT NO COST AND THE ENGINE AND EXHAUST WOULD NOT HAVE GONE THRU THIS NEARLY DESTRUCTIVE INCIDENT. I NOW HAD TO IN

Steering
Filed Oct 22, 2013121,000 milesCA

I HAVE A BMW 530I 2005, I TURNED ON THE ENGINE, AND THE "ACTIVE STEERING MALFUNCTION" ICON CAME OUT. FOR SAFETY REASONS, I NEED TO FIX THIS ISSUE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. *TR

Power Train
Filed Sep 30, 2013165,000 milesCA

GOING 55 MPH. THE CAR LOST POWER WITH A LARGE WARNING DIAGNOSTIC ON CONTROL PANEL -- TRANSMISSION ERROR INDICATING THAT CAR WOULD NOW OPERATE IN A DIMINISHED STATE. LUCKILY MANAGED TO PULL OFF TO THE SIDE WITHOUT CAUSING ACCIDENT. THIS IS A HAZARDOUS SITUATION THE LOSS OF POWER COULD EASILY HAVE HAD MORE DISASTROUS CONSEQUENCES. IT WAS SPUTTERING AND I SHUT ENGINE OFF AND IT STARTED AGAIN. I DROVE HOME. TOOK IT TO A BMW REPAIR SHOP AND BMW AND NO ONE COULD FIND PROBLEM. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Sep 23, 2013164,500 milesPA

WHILE BRAKING VEHICLE IDRIVE GAVE WARNING THAT REAR DRIVER SIDE BRAKE LIGHT FAILED AND THEN THAT THE REAR LIGHT HAD A MALFUNCTION. UPON LOOKING AT THE WIRING HARNESS ATTACHED TO THE TAILLIGHT BULB CARRIER, THE BROWN WIRE IS BURNT OUTSIDE OF THE HARNESS. THE RUBBER COATING OF THE WIRE IS BURNT THROUGH AND THE WIRE IS EXPOSED. THE PLASTIC WIRE HARNESS IS BURNT AND MELTED. THE TAILLIGHT BULB CARRIER IS ALSO BURNT AND MELTED.

Air Bags
Filed Jul 15, 201389,000 milesTX

NOTHING CRAZY HAPPENED, WAS JUST DRIVING DOWN THE STREET, AND ALL OF A SUDDEN MESSAGE POPPED ON MY SCREEN "PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEMS MALFUNCTION". IT SHOULD BE FIXED BY BMW DEALERSHIP AT NO COST SINCE THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM, BUT DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO DO IT. *TR

Air Bags
Filed Jun 30, 201385,000 milesNY

AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED , PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM ERROR . CURRENT RECALL ON OVER 200,000 CARS DOESN'T INCLUDE THE 05 530I AS STATED BY DEALER . AIRBAG ON PASSAGES SIDE RENDERED IN OPERABLE WITH FAULT CODES. AS PER RECALL THIS IS DUE TO DEFECTIVE PASSENGER SIDE MAT. I BELIEVE THIS TO BE AN EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS SAFETY ISSUE. AIRBAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY UPON IMPACT ! RECALL ID # 05V504000 . AS I HAVE SEEN IN THE COMPLAINTS FILED I'M NOT THE ONLY 2005 530I WITH THIS ISSUE . I HAVE SEEN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS , I GUESS BMW IS WAITING FOR A FATALITY TO OCCUR . *TR

Air Bags
Filed Jun 25, 201395,000 milesTX

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 530I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT DID NOT ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL TO INDICATED THAT THE AIR BAG WAS ACTIVATED. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE WAS IDENTICAL TO NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V384 (AIR BAGS), BUT THE MANUFACTURER CONFIRMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 97,600. *TR

Power Train
Filed Apr 2, 201397,000 milesMD

I WAS DRIVING ALONG THE HIGHWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH IN MYCERTIFIED PRE OWNED 2005 BMW 530I THAT I HAVE OWNED FOR 3 AND A HALF YEARS WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN I GOT A MESSAGE IN THE IDRIVE THAT READ :TRANSMISSION FAILSAFE, DRIVE MODERATELY". I THEN PROCEEDED TO DRIVE HOME APPROXIMATELY 15 MILES. AFTER A COUPLE OF DAY I HAD MY VEHICLE TOWED TO THE NEAREST BWM SERVICE CENTER WHERE I WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRASMISSION WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD 46K MILES ON IT WHEN I PURCHASED IT SO THAT MEANS THAT I HAVE ONLY DRIVEN 50K WHEN THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. I JUST FIND IT DISCERNING THAT A VEHICLE WITH SUCH LOW MILEAGE IS IN NEED OF A TRANSMISSION. I HAVE KEPT UP THE MAINTENANCE ON MY VEHICLE AND AS I MENTION ABOVED I PURCHASE A PRE- CERTIFIED VEHICLE AND I HAVE NEVER HAS A VEHICLE TO NEED A TRANSMISSION THIS SOON. AFTER CHECKING THE INTERNET IT CONCERNS ME THAT ALOT OF OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE AND THAT BMW HAS NO ADDRESS IT. *TR

Power Train
Filed Mar 25, 201374,500 milesCA

COMING ONTO HIGHWAY PUSHED GAS PEDAL TO ACCELERATE, THE CAR ATTEMPTED TO DOWNSHIFT BUT LOST POWER WITH A LARGE WARNING DIAGNOSTIC ON CONTROL PANEL -- TRANSMISSION ERROR INDICATING THAT CAR WOULD NOW OPERATE IN A DIMINISHED STATE. LUCKILY MANAGED TO PULL OFF TO THE SIDE WITHOUT CAUSING ACCIDENT. THIS IS A HAZARDOUS SITUATION THE LOSS OF POWER COULD EASILY HAVE HAD MORE DISASTROUS CONSEQUENCES. *TR

Equipment Adaptive/Mobility
Filed Mar 11, 201390,000 milesTN

THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS YEAR BMW. FOR THE SEAT MAT THAT ACTIVATES THE AIRBAG, BUT MY DEALERSHIP TELLS ME THAT OUR CAR DOES NOT QUALIFY . I AM ALSO HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH AIRBAG AND THE SEAT MAT NOT FUNCTIONING. WHY DOES THIS RECALL NOT COVER MY CAR. *TR

Structure › Body
Filed Dec 3, 201282,000 milesNJ

I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 35 MILES AN HOUR ON A BUMPY ROAD(NORTH RT 18, NJ), THEN SUDDENLY A FRONT PASSENGER DOOR POPPED OPEN DURING DRIVING. WHEN I MEAN BY POPPED OPEN, IT GOES FROM DOOR FULLY CLOSED & LOCKED TO PARTIALLY OPEN, AS IF THE DOOR WASN'T COMPLETELY SHUT. WHEN IT HAPPENED, THE "DOOR OPEN" SIGNAL CAME UP IMMEDIATELY AND THE INTERIOR LIGHTS CAME UP. I TOLD A LOCAL BMW DEALERSHIP, WAS TOLD THE DOOR ACTUATOR IS BAD, AND I SHOULD PAY FOR THE COST OF $500.00, WHICH SEEMED UNFAIR WHEN IT LOOKS LIKE A SYSTEM MALFUNCTION. I HAD NOT HAD A PROBLEM UNTIL NOW. *TR

Air Bags
Filed Nov 1, 2012110,000 milesCA

MUCH LIKE THE OTHER COMPLAINTS, I JUST COPIED AND PASTED THIS FROM ANOTHER COMPLAINANT. THE PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION ALARM CAME ON THE IDRIVE. THE DEALER SAYS THAT THE VEHICLE IS NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL. HOWEVER, THE RECALL ID #73368 EXACTLY MATCHES THE DESCRIPTION OF MY PROBLEM. THEREFORE, WE BELIEVE THAT OUR VEHICLE SHOULD BE COVERED. PLEASE ADVISE HOW TO GET THIS RESOLVED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE SO THAT I CAN GET THE CAR FIXED. WE ARE CONCERNED BECAUSE IT'S A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE WHEN THE FRONT AIR BAGS WILL NOT COME ON IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT. I WENT AS FAR AS TO SPEAK WITH BMW DIRECTLY AND THEY SAID IT ONLY GOES TO THE 2004 MODELS, AND THEN TO THE 2006 MODELS....YEA, WHATEVER. IT'S A SAFETY RECALL, THEY SHOULD HONOR IT, AND BMW IS COMPLETELY INFLEXIBLE WHEN IT COMES TO THEIR CUSTOMERS. IT'S A SHAME NOT ONLY WILL THEY NOT HELP, THEY WANT TO CHARGE OVER $1000 TO THE CUSTOMER FOR A RECALL PART. I'M TRADING MY OTHER BMW IN ON ANYTHING BUT ANOTHER BMW AND WILL DRIVE MY AFFECTED 530I UNTIL IT REACHES THE SCRAP YARD. *TR

Air Bags
Filed Sep 11, 201257,900 milesNV

THE PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION ALARM CAME ON THE IDRIVE. THE DEALER SAYS THAT THE VEHICLE IS NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL. HOWEVER, THE RECALL ID #73368 EXACTLY MATCHES THE DESCRIPTION OF MY PROBLEM. THEREFORE, WE BELIEVE THAT OUR VEHICLE SHOULD BE COVERED. PLEASE ADVISE HOW TO GET THIS RESOLVED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE SO THAT I CAN GET THE CAR FIXED. WE ARE CONCERNED BECAUSE IT'S A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE WHEN THE FRONT AIR BAGS WILL NOT COME ON IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT. *TR

Air Bags
Filed Sep 5, 201240,000 milesDC

THANKS TO YOUR ORGANIZATION, BMW USA AGREED TO EXTEND THE WARRANTY FOR THE BMW PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR MAT AIRBAG TO 10 YEARS. HOWEVER, BMW USA IS NOT HONORING THIS COMMITMENT FOR MY VEHICLE, A 2005 BMW 530I. IS THERE ANY WAY TO ASK BMW USA TO HONOR THIS COMMITMENT? THIS PART OF MY VEHICLE IS AFFECTED BY THIS PROBLEM, IN THE MANNER DESCRIBED BY THE RECALL, FOR THE REASONS DESCRIBED IN THE RECALL, AND IT IS ONE OF THE VEHICLES COVERED BY THIS RECALL--BASED ON MODEL AND YEAR INFORMATION PUBLISHED. *TR

Air Bags
Filed Jun 14, 201240,000 milesNJ

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 530I. THE CONTACT NOTICED THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC. THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V384000 (AIR BAGS:FRONTAL) BUT THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED BY THE DEALER THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.

Air Bags
Filed Apr 10, 2012100,400 milesNJ

MY CAR IS SAYING THAT THE PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM HAS A FAULT AND THE SEAT BELT OR AIR BAGS MAY BE DAMAGED FOR NO ABSOLUTE REASON. *TR

Air Bags › Frontal
Filed Apr 3, 2012100,000 milesGA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 530I. WHILE PARKED, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG SENSOR OCCUPANCY DETECTION MAT WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. UPDATED 04/18/12*BF THE CONSUMER REFERENCED RCALL # 08V384000 IN HIS COMPLAINT. UPDATED 04/23/12

Visibility
Filed Mar 6, 2012115,000 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 530I. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE WINDOW WAS IN AN UPRIGHT POSITION AND WHEN ACTIVATED A LOUD POPPING AND CRACKING NOISE EMITTED AND THEN THE WINDOW GLASS FORCEFULLY RELEASED INTO THE INSIDE OF THE DOOR PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE WINDOW REGULATOR WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE MALFUNCTION. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Feb 23, 2012GA

WHEN I COME TO A COMPLETE STOP, LET'S SAY A RED LIGHT OR STOP SIGN, I FEEL THE CAR JERKS AND MOVES ABOUT A FOOT FORWARD. I BEEN SEARCHING ON-LINE AND SAW THERE ARE A LOT OF CASES LIKE MINE BUT, NO FIX. THE PROBLEM THE CONSUMERS THINK IS WITH SOFT STOP BECAUSE THE BRAKE PRESSURE IS BEING RELEASED AFTER A STOP, THUS ALLOWING THE CAR TO MOVE FORWARD, AND PUTS PRESSURE BACK INTO THE BRAKING SYSTEM BRING THE CAR TO A STOP AGAIN. PLEASE HELP..THX!!!!! *TR

Air Bags
Filed Dec 13, 201174,000 milesNC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 530I. THE CONTACT STARTED THE IGNITION WHEN THE FRONT PASSENGER RESTRAINT DEFAULT WARNING LIGHT AND THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR BEGAN TO ILLUMINATE. THE WARNING INDICATORS REMAINED ILLUMINATED UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND THEY STATED THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR MAT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WAS A RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V384000 (AIR BAGS: FRONTAL). THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DEFECT. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Air Bags
Filed Dec 7, 2011VA

MY AIR BAG/SRS LIGHTS ARE BOTH ILLUMINATED ON MY CAR'S DASHBOARD AND THERE ARE NO CODES OF ANY KIND LISTED. THERE IS CURRENTLY A RECALL FOR MY VEHICLE BUT MY CAR'S VIN IS NOT ON BMW'S LIST. I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE IN GERMANY WHILE STATIONED OVERSEAS IN THE MILITARY AND WONDER IF THAT IS HAVING A BEARING ON MY STATUS? I AM EXPERIENCING EXACTLY WHAT IS LISTED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V384000 NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: EA08001 BUT NOBODY IS TRYING TO ASSIST ME BECAUSE MY VIN IS NOT LISTED IN THE RECALL. ANY ASSISTANCE YOU ARE ABLE TO PROVIDE WOULD BE MUCH APPRECIATED. *TR

Air Bags
Filed Nov 29, 201150,000 milesTX

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 530I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR WAS ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE DEFECT BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT ASSOCIATED WITH THE RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V384000 (AIR BAGS:FRONTAL). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 102,000.

Air Bags › Frontal
Filed Aug 26, 201189,700 milesNY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 530I. THE CONTACT STATED THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATES ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT CHECKED FOR RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE AND THEN TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXPERIENCING THE FAILURE OF THE OCCUPANT DETECTION ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, BUT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V384000 (AIR BAGS: FRONTAL) AND WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,700 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WS 89,800.

Wheels
Filed Aug 26, 201165,000 milesLA

CRACKED RIMS. THREE OF THE FOUR RIMS ON THE CAR HAVE CRACKED IN THE LAST FOUR YEARS. THESE ARE THE ORIGINAL RIMS WITH FACTORY RUN-FLAT TIRES. TWO OF THE RIMS CRACKED, WERE REPAIRED AND CRACKED AGAIN. ALL FIVE CRACKS OCCURRED UNDER NORMAL CITY DRIVING CONDITIONS. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER BLAME POT HOLES AND SPEED BUMPS, BUT IT IS OBVIOUS THE RIMS ARE UNDER-DESIGNED TO HANDLE NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS, ESPECIALLY WITH THE RUN-FLAT TIRES THEY PROVIDE. *TT

Air Bags › Frontal
Filed Mar 31, 2011100,000 milesAZ

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 530I. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THE PASSENGER MALFUNCTION AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIANS STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT MAT SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE TECHNICIANS STATED THERE WAS A RELATED RECALL 08V384000 (AIR BAGS: FRONTAL) BUT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

Electrical System
Filed Jan 27, 201173,594 milesIN

MY 2005 BMW 530I HAS A MICROPROCESSOR UNIT LOCATED IN THE SPARE TIRE SUMP IN THE TRUNK. WATER GOT INTO THE TRUNK AND SHORTED OUT THIS UNIT. THIS IS A POOR PLACE TO LOCATE SUCH A VITAL PART, AS THIS PARTICULAR MICROPROCESSOR CONTROLS THE VEHICLE'S IDRIVE SYSTEM (BMW'S INTEGRATED SYSTEM WHICH INCLUDES THE RADIO, HEAT/AIR SETTINGS, DIAGNOSTICS, ETC). BMW WILL ONLY FIX THIS ITEM AS PART OF A NEW CAR WARRANTY. REPAIRS CAUSED BY THE POOR PLACEMENT OF THIS UNIT CAN COSTS INTO THE THOUSANDS IF CONDUCTED BY A BMW DEALERSHIP. IF THE MICROPROCESSOR SHORTS OUT WHILE IN OPERATION IT COULD CATCH FIRE. *TR

Complaints 1-50 of 58, newest first, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2004
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20251400Routine
202413600Routine
20232100Routine
20228300Routine
202117700Routine
202010510Routine
201915100Routine
201826200Routine
201718100Routine
20110100Routine
20100100Routine
20090100Routine
20080100Routine
200773230Routine
200684340Routine
2005 — this page58010Routine
20041290210High concern
200346260Do not drive
200229430Do not drive
200125400Do not drive
20000100Do not drive
19955200Routine
19949300Routine
19930100Routine
19920100Routine
19910100Routine
19900100Routine

Compare every 530i 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.

Most recent recall on file: none. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.