U.S. public vehicle records

2006 Bmw 525I problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

77 owner complaints analyzed

3 distinct recall campaigns

99,500 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2006 model year. Data updated: 2026-10-01 (October 1, 2026). 67 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 42 of 77 complaints (54.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
Topic	Matching reports	Share of complaints
Braking behavior	14	18.2%
Electrical and battery issues	7	9.1%
Engine operation	2	2.6%
Steering behavior	2	2.6%
Transmission and shifting	1	1.3%

Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Air Bags

Service Brakes

Electrical System

Seat Belts

Air Bags:Sensor:Occupant Classification

Exterior Lighting

Air Bags:Frontal

Engine

Air Bags: 42; Service Brakes: 8; Electrical System: 7; Seat Belts: 6; Air Bags:Sensor:Occupant Classification: 5; Exterior Lighting: 5; Air Bags:Frontal: 3; Engine: 3

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000

25,000 to 49,999

50,000 to 74,999

75,000 to 99,999

100,000 to 149,999

150,000 and above

Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 6; 50,000 to 74,999: 8; 75,000 to 99,999: 20; 100,000 to 149,999: 19; 150,000 and above: 14

75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (20). 10 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.

Complaints over time

Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2021

2022

2011: 6; 2012: 14; 2013: 7; 2014: 10; 2015: 10; 2016: 7; 2017: 3; 2018: 7; 2019: 8; 2021: 2; 2022: 3

Pattern summary

Air Bags leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 14 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 7 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.

Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.

Complaint evidence

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 10438944 · 2011-12-07 (December 7, 2011)

AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON DASH AND SEAT BELT, WHEN I SLAMMED ON MY BRAKES WHEN A DOG RAN IN FRONT OF ME WHILE DRIVING. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 99,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10438944 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10448052 · 2012-02-15 (February 15, 2012)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 525I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO BRAKE, THE BRAKES DID NOT ENGAGE AND THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO A STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC, WHO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND LOCATED THE FAILURE AT THE BRAKE VACUUM BOOSTER VALVE. THE VALVE WAS DAMAGED BY AN OIL LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 161,000. UPDATED 03/23/12*LJ

Owner-reported narrative. 161,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10448052 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10714127 · 2015-05-01 (May 1, 2015)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 525I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG AND SEAT BELT LIGHT CONTINUOUSLY ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE BATTERY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,000.

Owner-reported narrative. 108,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10714127 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10789115 · 2015-11-08 (November 8, 2015)

WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON A STREET ROAD MY STIRRING WHEEL GOT STUCK AND I LOST CONTROL OF MY CAR SWERVED INTO OTHER LANE AND NEARLY CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. I PUSHED THE WHEEL BACK HARD AND BOUGHT MY CAR ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD . A MECHANIC FOUND THAT NEARLY TWO INCHES OF WATER HAD ACCUMULATED IN THE TRUNK OF MY CAR, THE WATER DAMAGE CAUSED ELECTRICAL FAILURE MAKING THE CAR TO BECOME INOPERABLE. BY SHODDY CONSTRUCTION. THE MODULES, ARE INSTALLED IN THE SPARE TIRE WELL AND INSUFFICIENTLY PROTECTED FROM MOISTURE, MAKING THEM ESPECIALLY PRONE TO …

Owner-reported narrative. 40,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10789115 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10436055 · 2011-11-16 (November 16, 2011)

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…

Owner-reported narrative. 54,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10436055 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11014976 · 2017-08-14 (August 14, 2017)

BRAKES ARE NOT WORKING (STALLING) AFTER FULLY STOPPING AND REAPLYING BRAKE AT A LOWER SPEED. BRAKE PADEL IS BECOMING VERY HARD AND EVEN WITH ALL FOOT FORCE BRAKE PADEL IS NOT BEING DEPRESSED. I HAD MY KIDS IN THE CAR WHEN THIS HAPPENED. I READ IT ONLINE SIMILAR PROBLEM ACCURED IN OTHER BMW MODEL AND RECALL BULLETIN WAS ISSUED. THIS ISSUE IS VERY SERIOUS AND I'M WILLING TO LET INVESTIGATORS CHECK MY VEHICLE IF THEY WISH TO CHECK OUT THE PROBLEM. THANK YOU [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 5…

Owner-reported narrative. 146,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11014976 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10692853 · 2015-03-08 (March 8, 2015)

STEERING FAILURE LOCK LITE COME EVERY TIME YOU START CAR. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 50,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10692853 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11246298 · 2019-08-25 (August 25, 2019)

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 …

Owner-reported narrative. 180,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11246298 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10760041 · 2015-08-28 (August 28, 2015)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 525I. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AND TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE BOOSTER VACUUM WAS TURNED AT THE VACUUM PUMP CAUSING THE BRAKE PUMP TO LEAK OIL AND CONTAMINATE THE BRAKE BOOSTER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

Owner-reported narrative. 140,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10760041 at NHTSA ↗

Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.

Data completeness

77 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.

87.0%Usable mileage67 / 77 records

100.0%Valid incident date77 / 77 records

100.0%Valid filing date77 / 77 records

100.0%Ordered incident and filing dates77 / 77 records

Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.

Problems by model year

Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.

From model yearThrough model year

Component complaint heatmap
Component	1998	1999	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007	2008	2009	2010	2011
Air Bags	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	313.6% ODI 10297204 I PURCHASED MY USED 2001 BMW E39 525I TWO YRS AGO WITH MANY ISSUES AS EXPECTED WHEN I LEARNED IT WAS A "LEASE", PRIOR OWNER NEVER MAINTAINED THE VEHICLE. I BEGAN TO EXPERIENCE FOR MONTHS "AIRBAG" LIGHT ON. PAID FOR MONTHS HAVING IT RESET, THEN I FINALLY I STARTED A SEARCH TO LOCATE A "RECALL FOR AIRBAG MODULE" FOR THIS MODEL. I CALLED BMW NORTH AMERICA IMMEDIATELY THAT I'M THE NEW OWNER (THEY HAD NO RECORD OF WHO WAS THE OWNER) I WAS GIVEN DIRECTION HOW TO HANDLE, VEHICLE TAKEN TO A SERVICE CENTER, REPAIRED MADE. TWO MONTHS LATE, AIRBAG LIGHT O… Look up ODI 10297204 at NHTSA ↗	621.4% ODI 10758752 · 189,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 525I. WHILE IN PARK AND ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT DID NOT SUSTAIN ANY INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 189,000. Look up ODI 10758752 at NHTSA ↗	1031.3% ODI 10263226 · 65,000 mi PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG SENSOR FAILURE, SENSOR IN SEAT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED OR AIR BAG WILL NOT FUNCTION. *TR Look up ODI 10263226 at NHTSA ↗	2732.1% ODI 10079804 FAULTY AIR BAG SYSTEM.MR THE PASSENGER RESTRAINT LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER WHO INDICATED THAT THE FIRST AVAILABLE APPOINTMENT WA A MONTH FROM THAT DATE. NM Look up ODI 10079804 at NHTSA ↗	1851.4% ODI 10461375 · 64,000 mi I WAS LEAVING THE BOWING ALLEY AND NOTICED THE RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION LIGHT WAS ON AND IT WILL NOT GO OFF. I CALLED THE COMPANY IN REFERENCE TO A RECALL ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM, HOWEVER, THEY CLAIM THAT MY VIN # ISN'T COVERED UNDER THE RECALL ID # 73379 OR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 08V384000. IT IS VERY DISHEARTENING TO SAVE UP AND BUY YOUR DREAM CAR TO ONLY HAVE IT TO MALFUNCTION IN A MONTHS TIME. I DON' T HAVE ANY FAITH OR TRUST IN THE BMW COMPANY AND WILL NOT RECOMMEND THEM TO ANYONE. THEY ARE NOT LOYAL TO THEIR CUSTOMERS AND FAIL TO ST… Look up ODI 10461375 at NHTSA ↗	4254.5% ODI 10434292 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 Look up ODI 10434292 at NHTSA ↗	2534.7% ODI 10242537 ON SEPTEMBER 16,2009 I WAS INVOLVED IN AN AUTO COLLISION IN MY 2007 BMW 525I SERIES. I WAS STOPPED AT A FREEWAY EXIT OFF THE 405 S. WHERE SUDDENLY A VEHICLE THAT WAS DOING A SPEED OF NO LESS OF 50-60 MPH COLLIDED INTO THE BACK DRIVERS SIDE PASSENGER DOOR WHICH RESULTED ME TO BE PUSHED FORWARD AT LEAST 75-100 FEET. THE FORCE AND IMPACT OF THE OTHER VEHICLE WAS SO SEVERE, THAT IS CAUSED THE OTHER VEHICLE TO FLIP OVER MULTIPLE TIMES AND LAND ABOUT 100 YARDS AWAY FROM IMPACT. WITH SUCH AN IMPACT AND THE SPEED OF THE OTHER CAR WITHOUT HITTING THEIR … Look up ODI 10242537 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Electrical System	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	522.7% ODI 11047515 · 206,000 mi POSSIBLE BMW RECALL ISSUE (CAR SPONTANEOUSLY CAUGHT FIRE WHILE CAR OFF). CAR PURCHASED ON 11/8/17. ON 11/16/17, CAR WAS PARKED IN OUR DRIVEWAY WITH IGNITION OFF AFTER DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MINUTES. APPROXIMATELY 10 MINUTES LATER, DRIVER HEARD THE CAR ALARM GO OFF WHICH PROMPTED HIM TO GO OUTSIDE AND SAW FLAMES AND SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. DRIVER CALLED 911. CAR CONTINUED TO COMBUST SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE FIRE DEPT GOT TO OUR HOUSE. SEE PICTURES FOR DAMAGE. WE STILL HAVE THE BMW CAR IN QUESTION IN OUR DRIVEWAY. Look up ODI 11047515 at NHTSA ↗	517.9% ODI 10024731 · 21,000 mi WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT WARNING THE CONSUMER HAD TO DRIVE A CERTAIN SPEED IN ORDER FOR THE AJAR INDICATOR LIGHT OR THE ALARM SOUND TO COME ON, TO LET THE CONSUMER KNOW THE DOOR OR TRUNK WAS OPEN. THERE WAS ALSO NO WARNING CHIME TO LET THE DRIVER KNOW THAT OCCUPANTS IN THE VEHICLE RELEASED THE SEAT BELTS. *AK AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED IN DRIVE, IT WOULD TAKE ABOUT TWO VEHICLE LENGTHS BEFORE THE GONG SOUNDS, THE FUEL SENDING UNIT WAS INOPERATIVE AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL, AT THE TIME THE VEHICLE SHOWED A HALF A TANK, THERE WAS A LOUD… Look up ODI 10024731 at NHTSA ↗	618.8% ODI 10259104 · 45,000 mi I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND TURNED THE SEAT HEATER ON. AFTER ABOUT 5 MINUTES INTO MY DRIVE, I STARTED TO SMELL SMOKE AND THEN SAW SMOKE IN THE CAR. I PULLED OVER AND SAW THAT THE SEAT WAS CATCHING ON FIRE. I TURNED THE SEAT HEATER OFF AND DOUSED THE FIRE WITH WATER. *TR Look up ODI 10259104 at NHTSA ↗	1720.2% ODI 10278390 · 93,000 mi RADIO,NAVIGATION,CD,PHONE,NOT WORKING. I DRIVE IS BLINK. CAR HAS 93,000 MILES. *TR Look up ODI 10278390 at NHTSA ↗	411.4% ODI 10764978 · 135,000 mi ON APRIL 11, 2015. I WAS TAKING MY VEHICLE TO MY MECHANIC TO GET IT SERVICED AFTER SITTING ALL WINTER. AS I WAS DRIVING I NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. I PULLED OVER, COULD NOT LOCATE THE SOURCE. I CONTINUED TO MY MECHANIC. ONCE THERE WE OPENED THE TRUNK, WE NOTICED AND SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING. WE TOOK OUT THE TIRE AND NOTICED WATER IN THE WHEEL WELL, WHICH MADE AN ELECTRICAL COMPONENT SPARKING, SMOKING AND ON FIRE. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO BMW. THEY STATED THE WATER DAMAGED THE MICRO POWER MODULE. BMW PAID FOR THE REPA… Look up ODI 10764978 at NHTSA ↗	79.1% ODI 10683212 · 139,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 525I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE MICRO POWER MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, THE TECHNICIAN DISCOVERED THAT THE MICRO POWER MODULE WIRES WERE MELTED AND BURNED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 139,000. Look up ODI 10683212 at NHTSA ↗	1318.1% ODI 10275030 TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 525I. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO SLIP. THERE WAS ALSO A VERY LOW POWER RESPONSE WHEN ACCELERATING. THE WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND THEY DETECTED FAILURE WITHIN THE COMPUTERIZED SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AGAIN. THE VIN WAS… Look up ODI 10275030 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	1100.0% ODI 11051020 · 123,000 mi WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE, SUDDENLY WE BEGAN TO SMELL 'SOMETHING' BURNING, AND THEN THE IDRIVE SYSTEM DISPLAYED A BATTERY ICON LIGHT FOLLOWED BY THE MESSAGE "CHARGING SYSTEM MALFUNCTION" AND CONTROL MESSAGES WARNING "YOUR BATTERY IS NOT BEING CHARGED". SECONDS AFTER THAT MESSAGE THE POWER IN THE VEHICLE BEGAN SURGING, AND ANOTHER MESSAGE DISPLAYED "4X4 SYSTEM AND DSC HAVE MALFUNCTIONED". AT THIS POINT WE WERE PULLING OVER, AND THE CAB OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN FILLING WITH SMOKE. THE 4 OF US EXITED THE VEHICLE AND WITNESSED FLAMES AND SMOKE … Look up ODI 11051020 at NHTSA ↗	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Seats	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	414.3% ODI 10235752 · 48,000 mi TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 525I. THE DRIVER'S SEAT CONTROLS MAKE A SQUEAKING NOISE WHEN MOVING THE SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS SOMETHING IN THE SEAT TRACK, WHICH CAUSED THE NOISE. WHEN THE CONTACT LOCKS THE VEHICLE, THE ALARM SOUNDS, BUT THE HORN WOULD NOT. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE BATTERY TO FAIL WHEN THIS OCCURRED OVERNIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE SENSOR; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. IN ADDITION, THE KEYS DO NOT LOC… Look up ODI 10235752 at NHTSA ↗	39.4% ODI 10259104 · 45,000 mi I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND TURNED THE SEAT HEATER ON. AFTER ABOUT 5 MINUTES INTO MY DRIVE, I STARTED TO SMELL SMOKE AND THEN SAW SMOKE IN THE CAR. I PULLED OVER AND SAW THAT THE SEAT WAS CATCHING ON FIRE. I TURNED THE SEAT HEATER OFF AND DOUSED THE FIRE WITH WATER. *TR Look up ODI 10259104 at NHTSA ↗	1619.0% ODI 10294976 · 51,545 mi THE SEAT WARMER MALFUNCTIONED AND BURNED A HOLE IN MY DRIVER SEATS AND ALSO A HOLE IN MY PANTS. IF I HAD A PIECE OF PAPER OR SOMETHING IN MY BACK PAPER, IT WOULD HAVE SET IT ON FIRE. *TR Look up ODI 10294976 at NHTSA ↗	514.3% ODI 10326783 · 100,850 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 525I. WHILE IN THE IDLE POSITION, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE ELECTRIC SEAT WAS NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. HE CALLED THE DEALER AND WAS ADVISED THAT HE WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR REPAIR EXPENSES. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 101,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,850. Look up ODI 10326783 at NHTSA ↗	22.6% ODI 10649817 · 95,500 mi FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG IS DEACTIVATED DUE TO THE FRONT SEAT SENSOR MAT MALFUNCTION. ALARM LIGHTS UP ON INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AS WELL AS THE IDRIVE SERVICE SECTION. VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY. DEALERS ARE ASKING FOR $400 TO DIAGNOSE THE ISSUE. THEY CLAIM THE ISSUE IS COMMON BUT MY SPECIFIC VEHICLE IS NOT AFFECTED BY THE RECALL. BMW USA CANNOT HELP AS THEY WANT AN OFFICIAL DIAGNOSIS AND STANDS BY THEIR POSITION THAT MY CAR IS NOT AFFECTED BY THE RECALL OR WHAT EVER TERM THEY LIKE TO USE. *TR Look up ODI 10649817 at NHTSA ↗	68.3% ODI 10370464 · 60,000 mi FRONT PASSENGER SEAT WARNING LIGHT ACTIVATES WHEN SOMEONE IS SLOW GETTING INTO SEAT. *TR Look up ODI 10370464 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Seat Belts	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	27.1% ODI 10018733 TOOK MY 2002 BMW 525I TO HAVE ITS DRIVER SIDE RAILS REPLACED TO BMW OF PEORIA IN ILLINOIS ABOUT 2 WEEKS AGO. ABOUT 1 WEEK LATER (AROUND MAY 5) AT A STOP LIGHT A LARGE ALLEN TYPE BOLT FELL AND ROLLED TO MY FEET. THIS BOLT WAS TO MY LAP SEAT BELT WHICH I WAS NOW HOLDING IN MY HAND! THE BOLT WAS NEVER TIGHTENED PROPERLY AND I HAD BEEN DRIVING LIKE THIS FOR AROUND 1 WEEK ASSUMING MY SEAT BELT WOULD WORK WHEN NEEDED. BMW OF PEORIA WAS INFORMED OF THIS THE SAME DAY, IT WAS FIXED BY THE NEXT DAY. I WROTE TO BMW-USA ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND THE RESPONSE WA… Look up ODI 10018733 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	1315.5% ODI 10250687 · 35,600 mi AIRBAG AND SEAT BELT RESTRAINT ICONS REMAIN ON VEHICLE DISPLAY WHEN SEAT BELTS ARE ENGAGED/FASTENED. *TR Look up ODI 10250687 at NHTSA ↗	617.1% ODI 10461375 · 64,000 mi I WAS LEAVING THE BOWING ALLEY AND NOTICED THE RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION LIGHT WAS ON AND IT WILL NOT GO OFF. I CALLED THE COMPANY IN REFERENCE TO A RECALL ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM, HOWEVER, THEY CLAIM THAT MY VIN # ISN'T COVERED UNDER THE RECALL ID # 73379 OR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 08V384000. IT IS VERY DISHEARTENING TO SAVE UP AND BUY YOUR DREAM CAR TO ONLY HAVE IT TO MALFUNCTION IN A MONTHS TIME. I DON' T HAVE ANY FAITH OR TRUST IN THE BMW COMPANY AND WILL NOT RECOMMEND THEM TO ANYONE. THEY ARE NOT LOYAL TO THEIR CUSTOMERS AND FAIL TO ST… Look up ODI 10461375 at NHTSA ↗	67.8% ODI 10438944 · 99,500 mi AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON DASH AND SEAT BELT, WHEN I SLAMMED ON MY BRAKES WHEN A DOG RAN IN FRONT OF ME WHILE DRIVING. *TR Look up ODI 10438944 at NHTSA ↗	68.3% ODI 10423942 · 77,000 mi 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 Look up ODI 10423942 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	29.1% ODI 10366961 · 60,000 mi UPON ARRIVING HOME FROM 4 MILE ROUND TRIP LIGHT CITY TRAFFIC (25 MPH AVER SPEED), AND ENTERING BASE OF MY DRIVEWAY, MY WELL-SERVICED 2001 BMW 525I (60,000 MILES) SUDDENLY LOST POWER STEERING, ENGINE QUIT, BATTERY WARNING LIGHTING, AND "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT CAME ON, AND LOUD CLANGING NOISE CAME FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT. RESTARTED CAR TO PULL FROM STREET INTO MY DRIVEWAY AND SMOKE STARTING COMING OUT OF ENGINE COMPARTMENT. SHUT CAR OFF AND OPENED HOOD, SAW STEAM COMING OUT OF COOLING SYSTEM EXPANSION TANK WHICH HAD CRACKED. NO MORE THAN … Look up ODI 10366961 at NHTSA ↗	13.6% ODI 10277320 · 75,000 mi ENGINE OVERHEATING WARNING SOUNDED. LOOKED AT INDICATOR AND IT WAS ALL THE WAY IN THE RED. PULLED OVER IMMEDIATELY. 30 SECONDS LATER THE RADIATOR BLEW WITH THE FORCE OF AN EXPLOSION, SHOOTING COOLANT ABOUT FIVE FEET ACROSS THE STREET EVEN THOUGH THE HOOD WAS DOWN. OPENED HOOD AND FOUND A HOLE IN TOP OF RADIATOR, MORE THAN AN INCH IN DIAMETER. I WOULD HAVE OPENED HOOD BEFORE IT BLEW SO I CAME WITHIN HALF A MINUTE OF BEING BADLY BURNED. MY MECHANIC SAID IT HAPPENS REGULARLY WITH BMW 525'S. HE SAID IT HAPPENS AROUND 80,000 MILES. MY CAR HA… Look up ODI 10277320 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Air Bags:Frontal	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	14.5% ODI 10089874 WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH AND MAKING LEFT TURNING CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION. UPON IMPACT, NEITHER THE SIDE OR FRONT DRIVER AIR BAG DEPLOYED. DRIVER SUSTAINED CHEST, SHOULDERS, AND ARM INJURIES FROM IMPACTING THE STEERING WHEEL. *AK Look up ODI 10089874 at NHTSA ↗	27.1% ODI 10249001 · 44,000 mi TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 525I. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE CONTACT'S VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V384000 (AIR BAGS:FRONTAL). HE STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATES WHEN NO ONE IS SEATED IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 44,000. Look up ODI 10249001 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	67.1% ODI 10255851 · 67,000 mi TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 525I. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR CONSISTENTLY ILLUMINATES ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL, WHICH INDICATES THAT THE PASSENGER AIR BAG IS INOPERATIVE. AS A CONSEQUENCE, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WOULD NOT DEPLOY EVENLY IN THE EVENT OF A SERIOUS CRASH. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V384000 (AIR BAGS:FRONTAL); THEREFORE, HE IS NOT ENTITLED TO A FREE REMEDY AS REFERENCED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE F… Look up ODI 10255851 at NHTSA ↗	514.3% ODI 10341877 · 80,000 mi TL*THE DRIVER OWNS A 2005 BMW 525I. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH THE SRS AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE FAILURE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V384000, AIR BAGS FRONTAL; HOWEVER, HIS VIN WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,000. Look up ODI 10341877 at NHTSA ↗	33.9% ODI 10462601 · 75,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 525. WHILE PARKED, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE SEAT OCCUPANCY DETECTION SENSOR MAT WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V384000 (AIR BAGS:FRONTAL) BUT WAS ADVISED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000. UPDATED 7/11/12 CN ADDED VIN. 07/12/12. JB Look up ODI 10462601 at NHTSA ↗	11.4% ODI 10480145 · 34,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 525I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE EXITING A PARKING SPACE, THE PASSENGER RESTRAINT MALFUNCTION WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE PASSENGER SEAT MAT SENSOR HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 10/31/12LJ UPDATED 12/13/12LJ THE SEAT MAT SENSOR WAS REPLACED FOR A SECOND TIME. UPDATED 12/13/12 Look up ODI 10480145 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Unknown Or Other	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	14.5% ODI 11632314 We arrived at church, and I remained behind finishing my makeup. My husband locked the car with the fob out of habit, and my foot was holding the passenger door open. Forgetting the door had been locked with the fob, I accidentally allowed the passenger door to close. I had no keys. Services began, not a soul in site outside. I began to panic when I could not get the door or any other to open. The alarm would not trigger, and the sunroof was cracked accidentally about an inch. It was July. I could not get anyone to hear me, and could not get an… Look up ODI 11632314 at NHTSA ↗	310.7% ODI 10024731 · 21,000 mi WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT WARNING THE CONSUMER HAD TO DRIVE A CERTAIN SPEED IN ORDER FOR THE AJAR INDICATOR LIGHT OR THE ALARM SOUND TO COME ON, TO LET THE CONSUMER KNOW THE DOOR OR TRUNK WAS OPEN. THERE WAS ALSO NO WARNING CHIME TO LET THE DRIVER KNOW THAT OCCUPANTS IN THE VEHICLE RELEASED THE SEAT BELTS. *AK AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED IN DRIVE, IT WOULD TAKE ABOUT TWO VEHICLE LENGTHS BEFORE THE GONG SOUNDS, THE FUEL SENDING UNIT WAS INOPERATIVE AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL, AT THE TIME THE VEHICLE SHOWED A HALF A TANK, THERE WAS A LOUD… Look up ODI 10024731 at NHTSA ↗	13.1% ODI 10125016 · 14,500 mi WHILE CHANGING THE TIRE ON MY 2003 BMW 525 CAR JACK SLIPPED OUT CAUSING CAR TO DROP ON MY ARM, BREAKING MY ARM. I BELIEVE THE CAR JACK FOR THIS CAR IS POORLY DESIGNED Look up ODI 10125016 at NHTSA ↗	33.6% ODI 10145972 THE I-DRIVE SOFTWARE OBVIOUSLY HAS A LOT OF "BUGS" THE LATEST INCIDENT OCCURRED ON 12/13/05, WHEN PRESSING THE STEERING WHEEL CONTROL BUTTONS, THE MODE (FM/AM/CD) WOULD NOT CHANGE; THIS IS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM THAT HAS GONE ON FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. IN ADDITION, MOST TIMES WHEN I START THE CAR IN THE MORNINGS, THE RADIO STATION FREQUENCY DOES NOT APPEAR IN THE DISPLAY UNLESS I CHANGE THE STATION. PRESSING THE UP/DOWN STATION BUTTON DID NOT WORK EITHER. AS I WAS NEARBY MY DEALER, I STOPPED BY SO A SERVICE REP COULD DOCUMENT THE PROBLEM. HE DOCU… Look up ODI 10145972 at NHTSA ↗	38.6% ODI 10573218 · 157,258 mi I POPPED THE HOOD AND REMOVED THE ENCLOSURE CAP FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE DAYTIME RUNNING LAMP AND DISCOVERED THAT THE WIRING ON THE HARNESS TO THE LIGHT BULB WAS EXPOSED. THE COVERING AROUND THE WIRING HAD DISINTEGRATED IN SEVERAL PLACES. I ATTEMPTED TO REMOVE THE LIGHT BULB AND RECEIVED AN ELECTRIC SHOCK. I THEN PUT THE LIGHT BULB AND HARNESS BACK INSIDE THE LAMP HOUSING AND PUT THE CAP BACK ON. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN GLOBAL IMPORTS, AUTHORIZED BMW DEALER IN ATLANTA, GA ON MARCH 11, 2014. I WAS TOLD THAT THE CONDITION OF THE HARNESS WAS A POTE… Look up ODI 10573218 at NHTSA ↗	33.9% ODI 10560152 · 92,000 mi BOUGHT FROM MANAGER AT BMW SERVICE DEPARTMENT W/89,920 ON 10/25/13. 2 OVERHEATED BROKE DOWN ON 11/29/13 ON JANUARY 7 RARELY PARK IN DRIVEWAY, PULL UP ON DRIVEWAY WITH AN INCLINE AT MY HOME. CAR WAS PLACED IN PARK BUT SORTA DID NOT CATCH GEAR RIGHT, FELT A ROLLBACK SO I ENGAGED MY E-BRAKE. DID NOT WANT TO RELEASE KEY, SO I GET STUFF AT HOUSE AND RESUMED INSPECTION OF VEHICLE, CAR DID NOT START. SO I ATTEMPTED TO REMOVE OUT OF PARK, TO NO AVAIL, THEN AFTER OFF AND ON ATTEMPTS IT CHANGED GEARS. SCREEN SAID GEAR CHANGE WITHOUT BRAKE POSSIBLE. TOO… Look up ODI 10560152 at NHTSA ↗	68.3% ODI 10534273 · 73,000 mi TRANSMISSION JERKS WHEN VEHICLE IS ABOUT TO STOP, DOWNSHIFTING TRANSMISSION ISSUE FROM 2 TO 1 SPEED. *TR Look up ODI 10534273 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Steering	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	14.5% ODI 10366961 · 60,000 mi UPON ARRIVING HOME FROM 4 MILE ROUND TRIP LIGHT CITY TRAFFIC (25 MPH AVER SPEED), AND ENTERING BASE OF MY DRIVEWAY, MY WELL-SERVICED 2001 BMW 525I (60,000 MILES) SUDDENLY LOST POWER STEERING, ENGINE QUIT, BATTERY WARNING LIGHTING, AND "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT CAME ON, AND LOUD CLANGING NOISE CAME FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT. RESTARTED CAR TO PULL FROM STREET INTO MY DRIVEWAY AND SMOKE STARTING COMING OUT OF ENGINE COMPARTMENT. SHUT CAR OFF AND OPENED HOOD, SAW STEAM COMING OUT OF COOLING SYSTEM EXPANSION TANK WHICH HAD CRACKED. NO MORE THAN … Look up ODI 10366961 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	13.1% ODI 10249556 · 39,377 mi BEGAN TO HEAR A "CLICKING NOISE" UNDER FRONT END OF VEHICLE. UPON INVESTIGATION, BMW SERVICE DEPARTMENT DETERMINED RMFD HYDRO STEERING BOX DEFECTIVE AND REPLACED IT. SERVICE DEPARTMENT STATED NOISE WOULD GET WORSE IF NOT REPLACED BUT COULDN'T ADVISE ME AS TO SAFETY ISSUE. VEHICLE METICULOUSLY MAINTAINED WITH UNDER 40,000 MILES. CONTACTED BMW VIA EMAIL WITH NO RESPONSE. *TR Look up ODI 10249556 at NHTSA ↗	22.4% ODI 10410062 · 92,302 mi ACTIVE STEERING PROBLEM. *TR Look up ODI 10410062 at NHTSA ↗	12.9% ODI 10651946 · 141,000 mi ACTIVE STEERING FAULT. *TR Look up ODI 10651946 at NHTSA ↗	22.6% ODI 10692853 · 50,000 mi STEERING FAILURE LOCK LITE COME EVERY TIME YOU START CAR. *TR Look up ODI 10692853 at NHTSA ↗	1216.7% ODI 10356596 · 54,000 mi 2007 BMW 525 HAS A MESSAGE INDICATING THE STEERING LOCK IS ACTIVATED. MESSAGE WILL NOT GO AWAY. BMW INDICATES THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM BUT IS NOT COVERED OUT OF WARRANTY. *TR Look up ODI 10356596 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.

Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.

Failure mileage by component

Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.

Component failure mileage distribution
Component	Mileage range (25th–75th percentile)	Median	Usable records	Examples
Air Bags	78,275–122,381 mi	99,750 mi	36	ODI 10436055 · 54,000 mi 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… Look up ODI 10436055 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10438944 · 99,500 mi AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON DASH AND SEAT BELT, WHEN I SLAMMED ON MY BRAKES WHEN A DOG RAN IN FRONT OF ME WHILE DRIVING. TR Look up ODI 10438944 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10439206 · 100,000 mi TL THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 525I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER MADE THE CONTACT AWARE OF THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V384000 (AIR BAGS:FRONTAL), BUT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 100,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. Look up ODI 10439206 at NHTSA ↗
Service Brakes	85,000–143,000 mi	125,000 mi	7	ODI 10475941 · 125,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 525-I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING OIL ONTO THE BRAKES BOOSTER, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LOSE BRAKE PRESSURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO CONFIRMED THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE WHO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS AND OFFERED NO ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 129,000. Look up ODI 10475941 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10520189 · 78,300 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 525I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, HE APPLIED THE BRAKES BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT DECELERATE. THE CONTACT PUMPED THE BRAKES FURIOUSLY UNTIL THE BRAKES RESPONDED. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND MOTOR OIL INSIDE THE BRAKE BOOSTER AND THE VACUUM PUMP. THE BRAKE BOOSTER, VACUUM PUMP AND VACUUM PIPE WERE ALL REPLACED. THE FAILURE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 78,300. Look up ODI 10520189 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10583291 · 80,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 5 SERIES 525I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WOULD HAVE TO BE APPLIED WHEN ATTEMPTING TO BRAKE TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE BRAKES HAD NOT PROPERLY WORKED IN THE VEHICLE FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME AND THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY THE EMERGENCY BRAKE IN DRIVE OR REVERSE BECAUSE THE BRAKES WOULD NOT STOP THE VEHICLE WITH THE APPLYING FORCE. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN TAKEN TO THREE REPAIR SHOPS WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER VACUUM PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIG… Look up ODI 10583291 at NHTSA ↗
Electrical System	100,730–159,500 mi	105,000 mi	7	ODI 10683212 · 139,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 525I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE MICRO POWER MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, THE TECHNICIAN DISCOVERED THAT THE MICRO POWER MODULE WIRES WERE MELTED AND BURNED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 139,000. Look up ODI 10683212 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10789115 · 40,000 mi WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON A STREET ROAD MY STIRRING WHEEL GOT STUCK AND I LOST CONTROL OF MY CAR SWERVED INTO OTHER LANE AND NEARLY CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. I PUSHED THE WHEEL BACK HARD AND BOUGHT MY CAR ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD . A MECHANIC FOUND THAT NEARLY TWO INCHES OF WATER HAD ACCUMULATED IN THE TRUNK OF MY CAR, THE WATER DAMAGE CAUSED ELECTRICAL FAILURE MAKING THE CAR TO BECOME INOPERABLE. BY SHODDY CONSTRUCTION. THE MODULES, ARE INSTALLED IN THE SPARE TIRE WELL AND INSUFFICIENTLY PROTECTED FROM MOISTURE, MAKING THEM ESPECIALLY PRONE TO … Look up ODI 10789115 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10854560 · 101,460 mi MAIN HEADLIGHT FAILURE DURING NIGHT DRIVING CAUSE BY ELECTRICAL SHORT CIRCUIT, DUE TO HEADLIGHT INTERNAL ELECTRICAL WIRING INSULATION FAILURE. INTERNAL ELECTRICAL WIRING INSULATION SEEMS NOT TO MEET SAE, NEC, ASME, ETC. CODES AND STANDARD FOR THE USES, LIKE ENGINE ELECTRICAL WIRING, SUBJECT TO HEAT EXPOSURE FROM HEADLIGHT BULB GENERATION. MAJOR SAFETY ISSUES CAN RESULT FROM SUDDEN HEADLIGHT FAILURE WITHOUT PREVIOUS NOTICE, WHICH CAN CAUSE ACCIDENT AT DARK ROADS. HEADLIGHT FAILURE OCCURS WHILE DRIVING IN A DARK ROAD AT NIGHT. Look up ODI 10854560 at NHTSA ↗
Seat Belts	60,000–108,000 mi	99,500 mi	5	ODI 10438944 · 99,500 mi AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON DASH AND SEAT BELT, WHEN I SLAMMED ON MY BRAKES WHEN A DOG RAN IN FRONT OF ME WHILE DRIVING. TR Look up ODI 10438944 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10508422 · 60,000 mi MY BMW 525I HAS A PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM WARNING; FAULT IN PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM EFFECTING AIRBAG, BELT TENSIONER, OR BELT FORCE LIMITER. THIS HAS CAUSED THE AIRBAG SYSTEM IN THE PASSENGER SIDE TO BE PERMANENTLY TURNED OFF AND ACKNOWLEDGES FAULTS IN THE RESTRAINT SYSTEM. I FEEL THIS IS EXTREMELY UNSAFE FOR PASSENGERS IN MY VEHICLE. A MECHANIC HAS TOLD ME THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT WHICH APPEARS DEFECTIVE. I OBSERVED THAT THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL ON A SIMILAR ISSUE WITH THE BMW VEHICLE (RECALL ID 08V38400). … Look up ODI 10508422 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10714127 · 108,000 mi TL THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 525I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG AND SEAT BELT LIGHT CONTINUOUSLY ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE BATTERY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,000. Look up ODI 10714127 at NHTSA ↗
Air Bags:Sensor:Occupant Classification	Too few reports for a range	157,263 mi	2 (sparse)	ODI 11128103 · 126,525 mi 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 PA… Look up ODI 11128103 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11290732 · 188,000 mi 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 Look up ODI 11290732 at NHTSA ↗
Exterior Lighting	69,000–96,000 mi	78,000 mi	5	ODI 10547798 · 34,000 mi THE MESSAGE OF "LEFT BACK-UP LIGHT MALFUNCTION" HAS BEEN COMES AND GOES SINCE THEN. IT IS THE EXACTLY PROBLEM DESCRIBED AS THE RECENT BMW RECALL. TR Look up ODI 10547798 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10598454 · 96,000 mi TL THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 525I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER 13V56400 (AIR BAG); HOWEVER, THE PART WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE AIR BAG WARNING AND REAR LIGHT MALFUNCTION INDICATOR WERE ILLUMINATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000. UPDATED 8/19/14CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER REPAIRED THE INTIAL RECALL. UPDATED 8/28/2014 JS Look up ODI 10598454 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10854560 · 101,460 mi MAIN HEADLIGHT FAILURE DURING NIGHT DRIVING CAUSE BY ELECTRICAL SHORT CIRCUIT, DUE TO HEADLIGHT INTERNAL ELECTRICAL WIRING INSULATION FAILURE. INTERNAL ELECTRICAL WIRING INSULATION SEEMS NOT TO MEET SAE, NEC, ASME, ETC. CODES AND STANDARD FOR THE USES, LIKE ENGINE ELECTRICAL WIRING, SUBJECT TO HEAT EXPOSURE FROM HEADLIGHT BULB GENERATION. MAJOR SAFETY ISSUES CAN RESULT FROM SUDDEN HEADLIGHT FAILURE WITHOUT PREVIOUS NOTICE, WHICH CAN CAUSE ACCIDENT AT DARK ROADS. HEADLIGHT FAILURE OCCURS WHILE DRIVING IN A DARK ROAD AT NIGHT. Look up ODI 10854560 at NHTSA ↗
Air Bags:Frontal	Too few reports for a range	92,500 mi	2 (sparse)	ODI 10462601 · 75,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 525. WHILE PARKED, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE SEAT OCCUPANCY DETECTION SENSOR MAT WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V384000 (AIR BAGS:FRONTAL) BUT WAS ADVISED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000. UPDATED 7/11/12 CN ADDED VIN. 07/12/12. JB Look up ODI 10462601 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10478370 · 110,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 525I. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED HE NEEDED A NEW SENSOR IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED OF THE RECALL FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V384000 ( AIR BAGS:FRONTAL) BUT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 110,000. UPDATED 11/28/12*LJ UPDATED 12/03/12 Look up ODI 10478370 at NHTSA ↗
Engine	Too few reports for a range	199,863 mi	2 (sparse)	ODI 10560152 · 92,000 mi BOUGHT FROM MANAGER AT BMW SERVICE DEPARTMENT W/89,920 ON 10/25/13. 2 OVERHEATED BROKE DOWN ON 11/29/13 ON JANUARY 7 RARELY PARK IN DRIVEWAY, PULL UP ON DRIVEWAY WITH AN INCLINE AT MY HOME. CAR WAS PLACED IN PARK BUT SORTA DID NOT CATCH GEAR RIGHT, FELT A ROLLBACK SO I ENGAGED MY E-BRAKE. DID NOT WANT TO RELEASE KEY, SO I GET STUFF AT HOUSE AND RESUMED INSPECTION OF VEHICLE, CAR DID NOT START. SO I ATTEMPTED TO REMOVE OUT OF PARK, TO NO AVAIL, THEN AFTER OFF AND ON ATTEMPTS IT CHANGED GEARS. SCREEN SAID GEAR CHANGE WITHOUT BRAKE POSSIBLE. TOO… Look up ODI 10560152 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11240285 · 307,726 mi 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. Look up ODI 11240285 at NHTSA ↗

Complaint and recall timeline

Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.

ComponentPeriod

Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.

Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples

Monthly complaint and recall timeline
Month	Campaigns announced	Examples
2024-11	None	No examples available for this selection.
2024-12	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-01	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-02	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-03	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-04	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-05	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-06	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-07	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-08	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-09	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-10	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-11	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-12	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-01	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-02	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-03	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-04	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-05	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-06	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-07	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-08	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-09	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-10 (partial)	None	No examples available for this selection.

Emerging complaint spikes

Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.

This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.

No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.

Equal-age model-year comparison

Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.

Observation windowFirst model yearSecond model year

2010: 0 complaints · 2011: 0 complaints

Equal observation windows
Model year	Through age 0	Through age 1	Through age 2
2010	0	0	0
2011	0	0	0

Date coverage across each selected cohort

Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
Year	Incident dates used	Filing date fallbacks	Excluded dates
2010	0	0	0
2011	0	0	0

Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.

Components reported together

Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.

Component co-occurrence matrix
Component	Air Bags	Service Brakes	Electrical System	Seat Belts	Air Bags:Sensor:Occupant Classification	Exterior Lighting	Air Bags:Frontal	Engine
Air Bags	—	0	2 ODI 11078903 · 105,000 mi 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. Look up ODI 11078903 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11246298 · 180,000 mi 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 … Look up ODI 11246298 at NHTSA ↗	6 ODI 10438944 · 99,500 mi AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON DASH AND SEAT BELT, WHEN I SLAMMED ON MY BRAKES WHEN A DOG RAN IN FRONT OF ME WHILE DRIVING. TR Look up ODI 10438944 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10508422 · 60,000 mi MY BMW 525I HAS A PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM WARNING; FAULT IN PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM EFFECTING AIRBAG, BELT TENSIONER, OR BELT FORCE LIMITER. THIS HAS CAUSED THE AIRBAG SYSTEM IN THE PASSENGER SIDE TO BE PERMANENTLY TURNED OFF AND ACKNOWLEDGES FAULTS IN THE RESTRAINT SYSTEM. I FEEL THIS IS EXTREMELY UNSAFE FOR PASSENGERS IN MY VEHICLE. A MECHANIC HAS TOLD ME THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT WHICH APPEARS DEFECTIVE. I OBSERVED THAT THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL ON A SIMILAR ISSUE WITH THE BMW VEHICLE (RECALL ID 08V38400). … Look up ODI 10508422 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10714127 · 108,000 mi TL THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 525I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG AND SEAT BELT LIGHT CONTINUOUSLY ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE BATTERY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,000. Look up ODI 10714127 at NHTSA ↗	5 ODI 11088461 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. Look up ODI 11088461 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11128103 · 126,525 mi 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 PA… Look up ODI 11128103 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11143963 PASSENGER AIR BAG RESTRAINT LIGHT IS ACTIVATED. Look up ODI 11143963 at NHTSA ↗	1 ODI 10598454 · 96,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 525I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER 13V56400 (AIR BAG); HOWEVER, THE PART WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE AIR BAG WARNING AND REAR LIGHT MALFUNCTION INDICATOR WERE ILLUMINATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000. UPDATED 8/19/14CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER REPAIRED THE INTIAL RECALL. UPDATED 8/28/2014 JS Look up ODI 10598454 at NHTSA ↗	2 ODI 10478370 · 110,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 525I. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED HE NEEDED A NEW SENSOR IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED OF THE RECALL FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V384000 ( AIR BAGS:FRONTAL) BUT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 110,000. UPDATED 11/28/12*LJ UPDATED 12/03/12 Look up ODI 10478370 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11143963 PASSENGER AIR BAG RESTRAINT LIGHT IS ACTIVATED. Look up ODI 11143963 at NHTSA ↗	0
Service Brakes	0	—	0	0	0	0	0	0
Electrical System	2 ODI 11078903 · 105,000 mi 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. Look up ODI 11078903 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11246298 · 180,000 mi 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 … Look up ODI 11246298 at NHTSA ↗	0	—	0	0	1 ODI 10854560 · 101,460 mi MAIN HEADLIGHT FAILURE DURING NIGHT DRIVING CAUSE BY ELECTRICAL SHORT CIRCUIT, DUE TO HEADLIGHT INTERNAL ELECTRICAL WIRING INSULATION FAILURE. INTERNAL ELECTRICAL WIRING INSULATION SEEMS NOT TO MEET SAE, NEC, ASME, ETC. CODES AND STANDARD FOR THE USES, LIKE ENGINE ELECTRICAL WIRING, SUBJECT TO HEAT EXPOSURE FROM HEADLIGHT BULB GENERATION. MAJOR SAFETY ISSUES CAN RESULT FROM SUDDEN HEADLIGHT FAILURE WITHOUT PREVIOUS NOTICE, WHICH CAN CAUSE ACCIDENT AT DARK ROADS. HEADLIGHT FAILURE OCCURS WHILE DRIVING IN A DARK ROAD AT NIGHT. Look up ODI 10854560 at NHTSA ↗	0	1 ODI 11240285 · 307,726 mi 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. Look up ODI 11240285 at NHTSA ↗
Seat Belts	6 ODI 10438944 · 99,500 mi AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON DASH AND SEAT BELT, WHEN I SLAMMED ON MY BRAKES WHEN A DOG RAN IN FRONT OF ME WHILE DRIVING. TR Look up ODI 10438944 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10508422 · 60,000 mi MY BMW 525I HAS A PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM WARNING; FAULT IN PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM EFFECTING AIRBAG, BELT TENSIONER, OR BELT FORCE LIMITER. THIS HAS CAUSED THE AIRBAG SYSTEM IN THE PASSENGER SIDE TO BE PERMANENTLY TURNED OFF AND ACKNOWLEDGES FAULTS IN THE RESTRAINT SYSTEM. I FEEL THIS IS EXTREMELY UNSAFE FOR PASSENGERS IN MY VEHICLE. A MECHANIC HAS TOLD ME THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT WHICH APPEARS DEFECTIVE. I OBSERVED THAT THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL ON A SIMILAR ISSUE WITH THE BMW VEHICLE (RECALL ID 08V38400). … Look up ODI 10508422 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10714127 · 108,000 mi TL THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 525I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG AND SEAT BELT LIGHT CONTINUOUSLY ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE BATTERY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,000. Look up ODI 10714127 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	—	1 ODI 11156403 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? Look up ODI 11156403 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	0
Air Bags:Sensor:Occupant Classification	5 ODI 11088461 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. Look up ODI 11088461 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11128103 · 126,525 mi 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 PA… Look up ODI 11128103 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11143963 PASSENGER AIR BAG RESTRAINT LIGHT IS ACTIVATED. Look up ODI 11143963 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	1 ODI 11156403 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? Look up ODI 11156403 at NHTSA ↗	—	0	1 ODI 11143963 PASSENGER AIR BAG RESTRAINT LIGHT IS ACTIVATED. Look up ODI 11143963 at NHTSA ↗	0
Exterior Lighting	1 ODI 10598454 · 96,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 525I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER 13V56400 (AIR BAG); HOWEVER, THE PART WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE AIR BAG WARNING AND REAR LIGHT MALFUNCTION INDICATOR WERE ILLUMINATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000. UPDATED 8/19/14CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER REPAIRED THE INTIAL RECALL. UPDATED 8/28/2014 JS Look up ODI 10598454 at NHTSA ↗	0	1 ODI 10854560 · 101,460 mi MAIN HEADLIGHT FAILURE DURING NIGHT DRIVING CAUSE BY ELECTRICAL SHORT CIRCUIT, DUE TO HEADLIGHT INTERNAL ELECTRICAL WIRING INSULATION FAILURE. INTERNAL ELECTRICAL WIRING INSULATION SEEMS NOT TO MEET SAE, NEC, ASME, ETC. CODES AND STANDARD FOR THE USES, LIKE ENGINE ELECTRICAL WIRING, SUBJECT TO HEAT EXPOSURE FROM HEADLIGHT BULB GENERATION. MAJOR SAFETY ISSUES CAN RESULT FROM SUDDEN HEADLIGHT FAILURE WITHOUT PREVIOUS NOTICE, WHICH CAN CAUSE ACCIDENT AT DARK ROADS. HEADLIGHT FAILURE OCCURS WHILE DRIVING IN A DARK ROAD AT NIGHT. Look up ODI 10854560 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	—	0	0
Air Bags:Frontal	2 ODI 10478370 · 110,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 525I. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED HE NEEDED A NEW SENSOR IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED OF THE RECALL FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V384000 ( AIR BAGS:FRONTAL) BUT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 110,000. UPDATED 11/28/12*LJ UPDATED 12/03/12 Look up ODI 10478370 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11143963 PASSENGER AIR BAG RESTRAINT LIGHT IS ACTIVATED. Look up ODI 11143963 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	0	1 ODI 11143963 PASSENGER AIR BAG RESTRAINT LIGHT IS ACTIVATED. Look up ODI 11143963 at NHTSA ↗	0	—	0
Engine	0	0	1 ODI 11240285 · 307,726 mi 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. Look up ODI 11240285 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	0	0	—

Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.

Recurring narrative patterns

Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.

Search patterns

3 patterns with matching reports.

Warning lights and dashboard alerts

13 mentions · 16.9% of complaints

Median mileage: 98,000 mi (12 usable records).

ODI 10434292

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

Look up ODI 10434292 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10439206 · 100,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 525I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER MADE THE CONTACT AWARE OF THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V384000 (AIR BAGS:FRONTAL), BUT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 100,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Look up ODI 10439206 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10458414 · 71,800 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 525. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER RESTRAIN SYSTEM BELT TENSIONER AND AIR BAG WARNING LIGHTS REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V384000 (AIR BAGS: FRONTAL) AND DENIED ASSISTANCE WITH THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71,800 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 72,300.

Look up ODI 10458414 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(warning light\w*|check engine|dashboard warning\w*|malfunction indicator)\b

Brake response concerns

5 mentions · 6.5% of complaints

Median mileage: 145,000 mi (4 usable records).

ODI 10475958 · 150,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 525I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS BEING DEPRESSED, IT ABNORMALLY TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD, CAUSING A BRAKING FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THAT THE BRAKE WAS LEAKING OIL AND CONTAMINATED THE BRAKE BOOSTER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED WHO ADVISED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE FAILURE UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V446000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC: POWER ASSIST: VACUUM) HOWEVER, THE CONTACT'S VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE M…

Look up ODI 10475958 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10509408

BRAKES BECAME HARD TO PRESS AND STOPPING TAKES MORE EFFORT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. CONDITION LISTED AS RECALL 10V-446 BY BMW . *TR

Look up ODI 10509408 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10597043 · 90,000 mi

TL * THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 525I. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE BECAME DIFFICULT TO STOP WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT HAD TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL WITH GREAT FORCE IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE VIBRATED PRIOR TO COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE FAILURE OCCURRED REGULARLY. THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

Look up ODI 10597043 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

Stalling or loss of power

2 mentions · 2.6% of complaints

Median mileage: 100,000 mi (2 usable records).

ODI 10436055 · 54,000 mi

Look up ODI 10436055 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 11014976 · 146,000 mi

Look up ODI 11014976 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(stall\w*|loss of power|lost power|engine shut\w* off)\b