U.S. public vehicle records

2004 Bmw 525I: complaints, problems and recalls

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

84 owner complaints analyzed

0 distinct recall campaigns

89,314 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2004 model year. Data updated: 2026-09-30 (September 30, 2026). 72 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 27 of 84 complaints (32.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
Topic	Matching reports	Share of complaints
Transmission and shifting	8	9.5%
Electrical and battery issues	7	8.3%
Braking behavior	4	4.8%
Steering behavior	4	4.8%
Engine operation	1	1.2%

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

Electrical System

Seats

Seat Belts

Air Bags:Frontal

Power Train

Power Train:Automatic Transmission

Unknown Or Other

Air Bags: 27; Electrical System: 17; Seats: 16; Seat Belts: 13; Air Bags:Frontal: 6; Power Train: 4; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 3; Unknown Or Other: 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: 6; 25,000 to 49,999: 9; 50,000 to 74,999: 14; 75,000 to 99,999: 16; 100,000 to 149,999: 16; 150,000 and above: 11

75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (16). 12 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.

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2004: 4; 2005: 3; 2006: 1; 2007: 3; 2008: 2; 2009: 7; 2010: 3; 2011: 10; 2012: 11; 2013: 7; 2014: 11; 2015: 8; 2016: 6; 2017: 6; 2018: 2

Pattern summary

Air Bags leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 8 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 7 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 4 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.

Examples from the source records

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

Owner report 10059435 · 2004-02-19 (February 19, 2004)

CONSUMER NOTICED HOOD MISALIGNMENT. ALSO, DEALER NOTICED A DEFECT ON THE SOS SYSTEM. (NAR) *LA *CB

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10059435 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10079804 · 2004-06-23 (June 23, 2004)

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

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10079804 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10091406 · 2004-09-21 (September 21, 2004)

CAR HAD SHUT DOWN ON HIGHWAY.*AK

Owner-reported narrative. 1,700 miles reported. Look up ODI 10091406 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10091736 · 2004-11-01 (November 1, 2004)

WHILE SHIFTING GEARS FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE BY ENGAGING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. CONSUMER PULLED OVER TO THE SHOULDER. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO RELEASE THE PEDAL. *AK *SC

Owner-reported narrative. 2,700 miles reported. Look up ODI 10091736 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10119238 · 2005-04-27 (April 27, 2005)

WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED CONSUMER NOTICE THE FRONT RIGHT TIRE TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE SIDEWALL. ORGINAL EQUIPMENT, TIRE SIZE 245/45R17, DOT # JNK2707. THIS TIRE WAS MOUNTED ON BMW, 525I ,2004 VEHICLE. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED.*AK

Owner-reported narrative. 11,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10119238 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10127945 · 2005-02-07 (February 7, 2005)

2004 BMW 525I EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKE EQUIPMENT.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR CONSUMER CONTINUED TO EXPERIENCE PROBLEMS WITH BREAKS SQUEAKING AND THE GLOVE BOX LATCH WHICH WAS BROKEN BY THE SERVICE TECHICIAN. DEALERSHIP REFUSES TO GET BACK WITH CONSUMER. *TT *NM

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10127945 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10145972 · 2005-12-23 (December 23, 2005)

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…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10145972 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10162510 · 2006-07-16 (July 16, 2006)

I ALSO HAVE THE FOLLOWING PROBLEM ON MY 525I BMW. I TOOK IT IN A COUPLE OF TIMES AND THEY SAY THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH MY CAR. *JB

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10162510 at NHTSA ↗

Recall history

0 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.

No recall campaigns are recorded in this snapshot.

Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

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

Data completeness

84 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-09-30.

85.7%Usable mileage72 / 84 records

100.0%Valid incident date84 / 84 records

100.0%Valid filing date84 / 84 records

100.0%Ordered incident and filing dates84 / 84 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	67,750–117,099 mi	97,850 mi	24	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 ↗ ODI 10278465 · 14,791 mi SINCE I HAVE PURCHASED THE CAR IN 2005 (WITH ONLY 14,000) I AM HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE PASSENGER AIR BAG AND SEAT BELT MAT SENSOR OF MY BMW 2004. I BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER FOR SERVICE. IT WAS SERVICED. RIGHT AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRES WITH OVER 50,000 MILES, I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. I WENT ONLINE TO THE BMW OF NORTH AMERICA WEBSITE AND THERE'S A RECALL FOR CAR (SAME MODEL AND YEAR AS MINE) BUT, THEY SAID MINE IS NOT INCLUDED. I WENT TO THIS BMW FORUMS AND I REALIZED I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE SUFFERING THIS CONSEQUENCES. (GO TO GOOGLE AND TYPE E6… Look up ODI 10278465 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10398587 · 96,000 mi TL THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 525I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR MAT WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 97,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 96,000. Look up ODI 10398587 at NHTSA ↗
Electrical System	84,653–160,000 mi	130,000 mi	15	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 ↗ ODI 10439304 · 89,627 mi MY PROBLEM WITH MY VEHICLE WAS ALL OF A SUDDEN WHEN I TRIED TO UNLOCK MY CAR ONLY THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER DOORS UNLOCKED. MY REAR DOORS REMAINED LOCKED. I CANNOT OPEN MY DOORS FROM THE OUTSIDE OR INSIDE AND I AM WORRIED IF I EVER HAVE AN EMERGENCY AND MY PASSENGERS HAVE TO GET OUT THEY CANNOT. ALSO WITH THIS PROBLEM MY INTERIOR LIGHTING WENT OUT. THIS ISN'T AN ISSUE BUT MY DOORS ARE. TR Look up ODI 10439304 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10472402 · 79,678 mi IN JUNE 2012, I RECEIVED SERVICE FOR THE BATTERY CABLE RECALL FOR MY 2004 525I AT BEVERY HILLS BMW SERVICE CENTER. ONE WEEK AFTER MY SERVICE A SERVICE INDICATOR ON MY I-DRIVE SAID THERE WAS PASSENGER RESTRAINT/AIRBAG MALFUNCTION. THE BEVERLY HILLS BMW SERVICE DEPARTMENT DETERMINED THAT THIS SERVICE INDICATOR WAS TRIGGERED BY A MALFUNCTION OF THE BATTERY SAFETY TERMINAL WHICH HAPPENED SHORTLY <1000 MILES AFTER THE REPAIR OF THE BATTERY CABLE RECALL. THE RECALL SERVICE DONE AT BEVERLY HILLS BMW WAS RELATED TO THE MOUNTING OF THE BATTERY CAB… Look up ODI 10472402 at NHTSA ↗
Seats	51,545–90,000 mi	78,000 mi	13	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 ↗ ODI 10369486 · 78,000 mi THE DRIVERS SEAT CATCH FIRE FROM SEAT HEATER ON BMW 525I FROM YEAR 2004 . TR Look up ODI 10369486 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10380888 · 87,000 mi FRONT SEAT HEATING ELEMENTS GOT EXTREMELY HOT AND MADE A BURNING SMELL. PASSENGER AND DRIVER'S LEGS GOT UNCOMFORTABLY HOT TO THE POINT OF DISCOMFORT BEFORE THE HEATER WAS SHUT OFF. *TR Look up ODI 10380888 at NHTSA ↗
Seat Belts	47,500–117,339 mi	84,850 mi	12	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 ↗ ODI 10278465 · 14,791 mi SINCE I HAVE PURCHASED THE CAR IN 2005 (WITH ONLY 14,000) I AM HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE PASSENGER AIR BAG AND SEAT BELT MAT SENSOR OF MY BMW 2004. I BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER FOR SERVICE. IT WAS SERVICED. RIGHT AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRES WITH OVER 50,000 MILES, I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. I WENT ONLINE TO THE BMW OF NORTH AMERICA WEBSITE AND THERE'S A RECALL FOR CAR (SAME MODEL AND YEAR AS MINE) BUT, THEY SAID MINE IS NOT INCLUDED. I WENT TO THIS BMW FORUMS AND I REALIZED I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE SUFFERING THIS CONSEQUENCES. (GO TO GOOGLE AND TYPE E6… Look up ODI 10278465 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10501318 · 50,000 mi THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT IS ON AND WILL NOT TURN OFF. I HAVE CALLED THE BMW DEALERSHIP AND THEY STATED THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO RUN A DIAGNOSTICS TEST WHICH WILL COST OVER $100 JUST TO FIND OUT WHAT IS WRONG WITH IT. THEY STATED THAT MY VIN NUMBER WAS ONE OF THE CARS THAT WAS FIXED IN A PREVIOUS RECALL FOR THE SAME ISSUE. I TOLD THEM I DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO PAY TO SEE WHAT IS WRONG IT. WHAT IF THE PASSENGER AIRBAG FAILS AND SOMEONE IS ACTUALLY INJURED DO TO THIS ISSUE. THE WARNING NOTIFICATION ON THE DASH HAS BEEN ON FOR TWO Y… Look up ODI 10501318 at NHTSA ↗
Air Bags:Frontal	Too few reports for a range	73,000 mi	4 (sparse)	ODI 10255851 · 67,000 mi TLTHE 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 ↗ ODI 10316949 · 79,000 mi I WAS DRIVING MY CAR AND HAD A PASSENGER SITTING NEXT TO ME WHEN THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON. THE LIGHT HAS STAYED ON AND WILL NOT GO AWAY. THE MESSAGE ON THE SCREEN SAYS THAT THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WILL NOT GO OFF IN AN ACCIDENT. TR Look up ODI 10316949 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10379992 · 62,000 mi TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 525I. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ALTHOUGH THERE WAS NO PASSENGER SEATED. THE FAILURE WAS SIMILAR TO RECALL 08V384000 (AIR BAGS: FRONTAL). THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED WHO STATED THAT SHE WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR REPAIR COSTS. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AND OFFERED HER A 50% PERCENT DISCOUNT TOWARDS REPAIRS. THE CURRENT MILE… Look up ODI 10379992 at NHTSA ↗
Power Train	Too few reports for a range	89,500 mi	4 (sparse)	ODI 10436149 · 119,000 mi I OWN A 2004 BMW 525I WITH 119,000 MILES ON THE ENGINE. I EXPERIENCED MY CAR MAKING A THUMP SOUND AND THEN THE I WOULD LOSE ACCELERATION. I CALLED THE MECHANIC AND THEY COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM BECAUSE IT DID NOT SHOW THE DASH ERRORS. THIS HAD BEEN GOING ON FOR 3 WEEKS AND THEN THE MECHANIC TOLD ME MY TRANSMISSION NEEDED REPLACING. I AM DISAPPOINTED THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND NOTHING IS BEING DONE ABOUT THIS. I WILL NEVER BUY A BMW AGAIN. TR Look up ODI 10436149 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10447898 · 20,000 mi TL THE CONTACT OWNS 2004 BMW 525I. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT AND WHEN IT DID SHIFT IT LUNGED FORWARD. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE BUT HE WAS UNABLE TO BE DUPLICATE IT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE MECHATRONIC SLEEVE WAS LEAKING TRANSMISSION FLUID AND AS A RESULT IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE WA… Look up ODI 10447898 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10453353 · 60,000 mi TRANMISSION FAILURE ON THIS CAR. HAD TRANSMISSION REBUILT TO NO AVAIL (OVER $3000). WOUND UP GETTING OUR $$ BACK, THANK GOODNESS. APPARENTLY, IN READING ALL THE INFO ONLINE, THE 2004 525I TRANSMISSION FAILURES IS VERY COMMON. ONLY REMEDY IS A FULL-BLOWN BMW REPLACEMENT WITH THE CLUTCH ALREADY SET. Look up ODI 10453353 at NHTSA ↗
Power Train:Automatic Transmission	Too few reports for a range	70,000 mi	3 (sparse)	ODI 10251684 · 42,000 mi MY 2004 BMW 525I TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED. I WAS DRIVING AND HAD STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN AND ATTEMPTED TO PROCEED AND THE CAR INCHED OUT AND JUST STOPPED.. I ALMOST HAD AN ACCIDENT AT THAT TIME BECAUSE THE CAR WOULD NOT PROCEED IN THE INTERSECTION.. A MESSAGE ON THE DASH READ THAT THE "TRANS DRIVE SAFE DRIVE MODERATELY" OR SOMETHING TO THAT EFFECT. WHEN I GOT TO MY DESTINATION I TURNED THE CARE OFF. THE NEXT TIME I STARTED THE CAR THE MESSAGE WAS GONE UNTIL ABOUT TWO WEEKS LATER. I LOOKED UP ANY INFORMATION THAT I COULD FIND ON BMW TRANSMI… Look up ODI 10251684 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10283339 · 70,000 mi 2004 525I BMW WITH 70,000 MI HAD TRANSMISSION GO OUT SUDDENLY. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND HAVE HAD ALL SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE AT THE DEALER WHERE THE CAR WAS PURCHASED. I WAS TOLD THE TRANSMISSION IS A TOTAL LOSS AND IT IS NOTHING THAT I DID OR COULD HAVE PREVENTED, BUT THE REPAIR BILL IS ~7,000.00. *TR Look up ODI 10283339 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10284870 · 92,000 mi I OWN A 2004 BMW 525I WITH 92,000 MILES ON THE ENGINE. I EXPERIENCED MY CAR CUTTING BACK AND THOUGHT I NEEDED A TUNE UP. I CALLED MY MECHANIC WHO STATED I DIDN'T NEED A TUNE UP. HE REQUESTED THAT I BRING THE CAR IN TO THE SHOP. THE NEXT WEEK I WAS DRIVING ALONG AND THE CAR SLOWED DOWN LOSING ACCELERATION. THE MESSAGE ON THE DIAGNOSTIC SCREEN STATED "TRANSMISSION FAULT". CAR WILL LOSE ACCELERATION AND YOU MAY NOT BE ABLE TO GO INTO "REVERSE". FAILSAFE STATUS..DRIVE MODERATELY. I TOOK MY CAR TO MY MECHANIC. HE PUT THE CAR ON THE DIAGNOSTIC MACHIN… Look up ODI 10284870 at NHTSA ↗
Unknown Or Other	Too few reports for a range	79,028 mi	2 (sparse)	ODI 10453413 · 55 mi DEALER IS TELLING ME A NEW TRANSMISSION IS NEEDED. Look up ODI 10453413 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11005486 · 158,000 mi PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM WARNING APPEARS EACH TIME WE GET INTO THE VEHICLE AND START THE IGNITION. AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT RED ICON CONSTANTLY ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. THE CAR DOES NOT COOL OR GET COLD UNTIL THE CAR IS IN MOTION. WE HAD A MECHANIC WHO WE PURCHASED THE CAR FROM 3 YEARS AGO TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM BUT IT STILL CONTINUES TO NOT COOL PROPERLY. Look up ODI 11005486 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
2024-10	None	No examples available for this selection.
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 (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	Electrical System	Seats	Seat Belts	Air Bags:Frontal	Power Train	Power Train:Automatic Transmission	Unknown Or Other
Air Bags	—	1 ODI 10501318 · 50,000 mi THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT IS ON AND WILL NOT TURN OFF. I HAVE CALLED THE BMW DEALERSHIP AND THEY STATED THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO RUN A DIAGNOSTICS TEST WHICH WILL COST OVER $100 JUST TO FIND OUT WHAT IS WRONG WITH IT. THEY STATED THAT MY VIN NUMBER WAS ONE OF THE CARS THAT WAS FIXED IN A PREVIOUS RECALL FOR THE SAME ISSUE. I TOLD THEM I DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO PAY TO SEE WHAT IS WRONG IT. WHAT IF THE PASSENGER AIRBAG FAILS AND SOMEONE IS ACTUALLY INJURED DO TO THIS ISSUE. THE WARNING NOTIFICATION ON THE DASH HAS BEEN ON FOR TWO Y… Look up ODI 10501318 at NHTSA ↗	3 ODI 10554625 THE RESTRAINT LIGHT CAME ON IN MY CAR AND FOR SOME UNKNOWN REASON THE LIGHT WILL NOT RESET. I KNOW FOR A FACT THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT COVER OR SOMETHING WHILE UNDER WARRANTY, BUT THIS STARTED AROUND 2010 OR 2011 NOT SURE. BUT JUST A FEW DAYS AGO I WAS TOLD IT MAY BE UNDER A RECALL STATUS AS WELL BECAUSE THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS SERVICED. AND THE LIGHT SAYS PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM FAULT IN PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM AFFECTING AIRBAG,BELT TENSIONER, OR BELT FORCE LIMITER. CONTINUE TO WEAR SAFETY BELT. BUT MY WIFE AND I A… Look up ODI 10554625 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10563165 · 40,000 mi THERE IS A FAULTY RESTRAINT MALFUNCTION ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEAT. REGARDLESS OF WHETHER OR NOT A PASSENGER IS IN THE SEAT AT ALL THE AIRBAG SIGN INDICATES THAT IT IS OFF. I AM AWARE THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND A MALFUNCTION IN OTHER BMW 5 SERIES AND THE DEALER SHIPS THAT I'VE WENT TO REFUSE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THIS EVEN THOUGH BMW HEADQUARTERS RELEASED A RECALL FOR SOME A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO. TR Look up ODI 10563165 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10721898 · 106,100 mi I OWN A 2004 BMW 525I AND THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG AND SEAT BELT SIGN CAME ON FEW WEEKS BACK. THE DEALER SAYS ITS NOT COVERED BUT NHTSA SITE INDICATES IT IS COVERED ON BMW 525I 2004 VEHICLES. THIS DEALER IS ESTIMATING A $650.00 DIAGNOSTIC FEE TO SEE WHAT NEED TO BE DONE. WHAT CAN BE DONE TO GET THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG SENSOR FAULT ISSUE? MY LAST OPTION IS THE JUNK YARD, AND NEVER BUY A BMW. Look up ODI 10721898 at NHTSA ↗	11 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 ↗ ODI 10278465 · 14,791 mi SINCE I HAVE PURCHASED THE CAR IN 2005 (WITH ONLY 14,000) I AM HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE PASSENGER AIR BAG AND SEAT BELT MAT SENSOR OF MY BMW 2004. I BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER FOR SERVICE. IT WAS SERVICED. RIGHT AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRES WITH OVER 50,000 MILES, I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. I WENT ONLINE TO THE BMW OF NORTH AMERICA WEBSITE AND THERE'S A RECALL FOR CAR (SAME MODEL AND YEAR AS MINE) BUT, THEY SAID MINE IS NOT INCLUDED. I WENT TO THIS BMW FORUMS AND I REALIZED I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE SUFFERING THIS CONSEQUENCES. (GO TO GOOGLE AND TYPE E6… Look up ODI 10278465 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10501318 · 50,000 mi THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT IS ON AND WILL NOT TURN OFF. I HAVE CALLED THE BMW DEALERSHIP AND THEY STATED THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO RUN A DIAGNOSTICS TEST WHICH WILL COST OVER $100 JUST TO FIND OUT WHAT IS WRONG WITH IT. THEY STATED THAT MY VIN NUMBER WAS ONE OF THE CARS THAT WAS FIXED IN A PREVIOUS RECALL FOR THE SAME ISSUE. I TOLD THEM I DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO PAY TO SEE WHAT IS WRONG IT. WHAT IF THE PASSENGER AIRBAG FAILS AND SOMEONE IS ACTUALLY INJURED DO TO THIS ISSUE. THE WARNING NOTIFICATION ON THE DASH HAS BEEN ON FOR TWO Y… Look up ODI 10501318 at NHTSA ↗	1 ODI 10433728 · 100,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 525I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V384000 (AIR BAG: FRONTAL). THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000. UPDATED 11/22/11*LJ UPDATED 02/03/12 Look up ODI 10433728 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	1 ODI 11005486 · 158,000 mi PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM WARNING APPEARS EACH TIME WE GET INTO THE VEHICLE AND START THE IGNITION. AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT RED ICON CONSTANTLY ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. THE CAR DOES NOT COOL OR GET COLD UNTIL THE CAR IS IN MOTION. WE HAD A MECHANIC WHO WE PURCHASED THE CAR FROM 3 YEARS AGO TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM BUT IT STILL CONTINUES TO NOT COOL PROPERLY. Look up ODI 11005486 at NHTSA ↗
Electrical System	1 ODI 10501318 · 50,000 mi THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT IS ON AND WILL NOT TURN OFF. I HAVE CALLED THE BMW DEALERSHIP AND THEY STATED THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO RUN A DIAGNOSTICS TEST WHICH WILL COST OVER $100 JUST TO FIND OUT WHAT IS WRONG WITH IT. THEY STATED THAT MY VIN NUMBER WAS ONE OF THE CARS THAT WAS FIXED IN A PREVIOUS RECALL FOR THE SAME ISSUE. I TOLD THEM I DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO PAY TO SEE WHAT IS WRONG IT. WHAT IF THE PASSENGER AIRBAG FAILS AND SOMEONE IS ACTUALLY INJURED DO TO THIS ISSUE. THE WARNING NOTIFICATION ON THE DASH HAS BEEN ON FOR TWO Y… Look up ODI 10501318 at NHTSA ↗	—	3 ODI 10567498 · 69,000 mi I STARTED MY CAR AND TURNED THE SEAT HEATER ON LOW. APPROX 5 MINS LATER, SMOKE STARTED COMING OUT OF THE DASH BECAUSE THE SEAT HEATER HAD BURNED TWO HOLES IN THE LEATHER AND SMOKE HAD CIRCULATED IN MY CAR. I STOPPED THE CAR, TURNED IT OFF, AND TURNED IT BACK ON AND THE SMOKE CLEARED. I HAD CONTACTED MY LOCAL DEALER AND BMW NA IN DEC 2012 BECAUSE I FELT THE SEAT HEATERS WERE GETTING TOO HOT - THE DRIVERS SEAT REGISTERED 132 DEGREES AT THAT TIME. THE DEALER TOLD ME THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE SEAT HEATER AND BMW NA NEVER RESPONDED, OUTSI… Look up ODI 10567498 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10854213 WHILE DRIVING MY 2004 BMW 525I, MY RIGHT HIP STARTED BURNING. FOLLOWED BY AN ODOR. WHEN I PULLED THE CAR OVER, I LOOKED TO MY RIGHT & ON THE BACK PORTION OF THE SEAT I NOTICED A BURN MARK. THE SEAT HEATER GOT SO HOT THAT IT BURNED MY BLOUSE TO THE SEAT. I SENT AN EMAIL TO BMW WHO RESPONDED THEY WOULD GET BACK TO ME AFTER ASKING ME TO SEND THEM MY VIN #, ALONG WITH PICTURES OF THE SEAT. I DID SO, AND AS OF TODAY NO ONE HAS GOTTEN IN TOUCH WITH ME. (?) AFTER PURCHASING THE CAR BRAND-NEW IN 2004 THIS SAME SITUATION HAPPENED TO THE PASSENGER SEAT … Look up ODI 10854213 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10954390 I REALLY NEED SOME ASSISTANCE. MY SEAT CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE I WAS DRIVING. THE SEAT HEATER KEEPS TURNING ON AND OCCASIONALLY WON'T GO OFF I'VE DRIVEN THE CAR MAYBE 35 MINUTES TOPS SINCE THE SEAT CAUGHT FIRE 3 WEEKS AGO. BMW NORTH AMERICA HAS TRIED TO ASSIST ME, UNFORTUNATELY THE DEALERS ARE EITHER BOOKED SOLID OR ARE CAPABLE OF FIXING THIS TECHNICAL A PROBLEM. THEY'VE AGREED TO FIX EVERYTHING FOR FREE & PROVIDE ME WITH A LOANER CAR UNTIL THE ISSUES ARE TOTALLY RESOLVED BMW DOES NOT WANT MY VEHICLE TO CATCH FIRE AGAIN. I WAS TOLD NOT TO… Look up ODI 10954390 at NHTSA ↗	1 ODI 10501318 · 50,000 mi THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT IS ON AND WILL NOT TURN OFF. I HAVE CALLED THE BMW DEALERSHIP AND THEY STATED THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO RUN A DIAGNOSTICS TEST WHICH WILL COST OVER $100 JUST TO FIND OUT WHAT IS WRONG WITH IT. THEY STATED THAT MY VIN NUMBER WAS ONE OF THE CARS THAT WAS FIXED IN A PREVIOUS RECALL FOR THE SAME ISSUE. I TOLD THEM I DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO PAY TO SEE WHAT IS WRONG IT. WHAT IF THE PASSENGER AIRBAG FAILS AND SOMEONE IS ACTUALLY INJURED DO TO THIS ISSUE. THE WARNING NOTIFICATION ON THE DASH HAS BEEN ON FOR TWO Y… Look up ODI 10501318 at NHTSA ↗	0	1 ODI 10924120 · 156,000 mi I WAS DRIVING ON MY WAY TO WORK AND STARTED SMELLING SOMETHING BURNING. ALL ELECTRICAL WARNING LIGHTS STARTED LIGHTING UP THE DASH AND THEN DISPLAYS GO BLANK. PASSENGER COMPARTMENT WAS FILLING UP WITH SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER GLOVE BOX. I PULLED OVER AND CALLED FIRE DEPARTMENT. WE DISCONNECTED BATTERY AND TOOK TO BMW. THEY SAID MICRO-PROCESSOR LOCATED IN SPARE TIRE STORAGE AREA HAD SHORTED OUT DUE TO WATER. I DON'T CARRY COOLERS AND DON'T LEAVE MY TRUNK OPEN WHEN IT RAINS. HOW DID WATER GET THERE. BULLETINS SHOW THAT SUNROOF DRAINS GET C… Look up ODI 10924120 at NHTSA ↗	0	0
Seats	3 ODI 10554625 THE RESTRAINT LIGHT CAME ON IN MY CAR AND FOR SOME UNKNOWN REASON THE LIGHT WILL NOT RESET. I KNOW FOR A FACT THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT COVER OR SOMETHING WHILE UNDER WARRANTY, BUT THIS STARTED AROUND 2010 OR 2011 NOT SURE. BUT JUST A FEW DAYS AGO I WAS TOLD IT MAY BE UNDER A RECALL STATUS AS WELL BECAUSE THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS SERVICED. AND THE LIGHT SAYS PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM FAULT IN PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM AFFECTING AIRBAG,BELT TENSIONER, OR BELT FORCE LIMITER. CONTINUE TO WEAR SAFETY BELT. BUT MY WIFE AND I A… Look up ODI 10554625 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10563165 · 40,000 mi THERE IS A FAULTY RESTRAINT MALFUNCTION ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEAT. REGARDLESS OF WHETHER OR NOT A PASSENGER IS IN THE SEAT AT ALL THE AIRBAG SIGN INDICATES THAT IT IS OFF. I AM AWARE THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND A MALFUNCTION IN OTHER BMW 5 SERIES AND THE DEALER SHIPS THAT I'VE WENT TO REFUSE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THIS EVEN THOUGH BMW HEADQUARTERS RELEASED A RECALL FOR SOME A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO. TR Look up ODI 10563165 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10721898 · 106,100 mi I OWN A 2004 BMW 525I AND THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG AND SEAT BELT SIGN CAME ON FEW WEEKS BACK. THE DEALER SAYS ITS NOT COVERED BUT NHTSA SITE INDICATES IT IS COVERED ON BMW 525I 2004 VEHICLES. THIS DEALER IS ESTIMATING A $650.00 DIAGNOSTIC FEE TO SEE WHAT NEED TO BE DONE. WHAT CAN BE DONE TO GET THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG SENSOR FAULT ISSUE? MY LAST OPTION IS THE JUNK YARD, AND NEVER BUY A BMW. Look up ODI 10721898 at NHTSA ↗	3 ODI 10567498 · 69,000 mi I STARTED MY CAR AND TURNED THE SEAT HEATER ON LOW. APPROX 5 MINS LATER, SMOKE STARTED COMING OUT OF THE DASH BECAUSE THE SEAT HEATER HAD BURNED TWO HOLES IN THE LEATHER AND SMOKE HAD CIRCULATED IN MY CAR. I STOPPED THE CAR, TURNED IT OFF, AND TURNED IT BACK ON AND THE SMOKE CLEARED. I HAD CONTACTED MY LOCAL DEALER AND BMW NA IN DEC 2012 BECAUSE I FELT THE SEAT HEATERS WERE GETTING TOO HOT - THE DRIVERS SEAT REGISTERED 132 DEGREES AT THAT TIME. THE DEALER TOLD ME THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE SEAT HEATER AND BMW NA NEVER RESPONDED, OUTSI… Look up ODI 10567498 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10854213 WHILE DRIVING MY 2004 BMW 525I, MY RIGHT HIP STARTED BURNING. FOLLOWED BY AN ODOR. WHEN I PULLED THE CAR OVER, I LOOKED TO MY RIGHT & ON THE BACK PORTION OF THE SEAT I NOTICED A BURN MARK. THE SEAT HEATER GOT SO HOT THAT IT BURNED MY BLOUSE TO THE SEAT. I SENT AN EMAIL TO BMW WHO RESPONDED THEY WOULD GET BACK TO ME AFTER ASKING ME TO SEND THEM MY VIN #, ALONG WITH PICTURES OF THE SEAT. I DID SO, AND AS OF TODAY NO ONE HAS GOTTEN IN TOUCH WITH ME. (?) AFTER PURCHASING THE CAR BRAND-NEW IN 2004 THIS SAME SITUATION HAPPENED TO THE PASSENGER SEAT … Look up ODI 10854213 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10954390 I REALLY NEED SOME ASSISTANCE. MY SEAT CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE I WAS DRIVING. THE SEAT HEATER KEEPS TURNING ON AND OCCASIONALLY WON'T GO OFF I'VE DRIVEN THE CAR MAYBE 35 MINUTES TOPS SINCE THE SEAT CAUGHT FIRE 3 WEEKS AGO. BMW NORTH AMERICA HAS TRIED TO ASSIST ME, UNFORTUNATELY THE DEALERS ARE EITHER BOOKED SOLID OR ARE CAPABLE OF FIXING THIS TECHNICAL A PROBLEM. THEY'VE AGREED TO FIX EVERYTHING FOR FREE & PROVIDE ME WITH A LOANER CAR UNTIL THE ISSUES ARE TOTALLY RESOLVED BMW DOES NOT WANT MY VEHICLE TO CATCH FIRE AGAIN. I WAS TOLD NOT TO… Look up ODI 10954390 at NHTSA ↗	—	4 ODI 10554625 THE RESTRAINT LIGHT CAME ON IN MY CAR AND FOR SOME UNKNOWN REASON THE LIGHT WILL NOT RESET. I KNOW FOR A FACT THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT COVER OR SOMETHING WHILE UNDER WARRANTY, BUT THIS STARTED AROUND 2010 OR 2011 NOT SURE. BUT JUST A FEW DAYS AGO I WAS TOLD IT MAY BE UNDER A RECALL STATUS AS WELL BECAUSE THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS SERVICED. AND THE LIGHT SAYS PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM FAULT IN PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM AFFECTING AIRBAG,BELT TENSIONER, OR BELT FORCE LIMITER. CONTINUE TO WEAR SAFETY BELT. BUT MY WIFE AND I A… Look up ODI 10554625 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10563165 · 40,000 mi THERE IS A FAULTY RESTRAINT MALFUNCTION ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEAT. REGARDLESS OF WHETHER OR NOT A PASSENGER IS IN THE SEAT AT ALL THE AIRBAG SIGN INDICATES THAT IT IS OFF. I AM AWARE THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND A MALFUNCTION IN OTHER BMW 5 SERIES AND THE DEALER SHIPS THAT I'VE WENT TO REFUSE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THIS EVEN THOUGH BMW HEADQUARTERS RELEASED A RECALL FOR SOME A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO. TR Look up ODI 10563165 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10577829 · 55,000 mi I WAS DRIVING IN TRAFFIC WHEN SMELL AND SMOKE CAME FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY CAR, I PARK THE CAR AND CHECK, MY SEAT WAS BURN, I TURN OFF THE HEATING AND I'M NOT BE ABLE TO USED AGAIN THE DEALER ON PARK AVE IN SOUTH HACKENSACK NJ DON'T GET BACK TO ME. PLUS NOW LAST WEEK MAY 31 THE PASSENGER SAFETY LIGHT CAME ON WE ARE THINKING THE CAR IS CURS.EVERY REPAIR IS VERY EXPENSIVE. Look up ODI 10577829 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	0	0
Seat Belts	11 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 ↗ ODI 10278465 · 14,791 mi SINCE I HAVE PURCHASED THE CAR IN 2005 (WITH ONLY 14,000) I AM HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE PASSENGER AIR BAG AND SEAT BELT MAT SENSOR OF MY BMW 2004. I BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER FOR SERVICE. IT WAS SERVICED. RIGHT AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRES WITH OVER 50,000 MILES, I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. I WENT ONLINE TO THE BMW OF NORTH AMERICA WEBSITE AND THERE'S A RECALL FOR CAR (SAME MODEL AND YEAR AS MINE) BUT, THEY SAID MINE IS NOT INCLUDED. I WENT TO THIS BMW FORUMS AND I REALIZED I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE SUFFERING THIS CONSEQUENCES. (GO TO GOOGLE AND TYPE E6… Look up ODI 10278465 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10501318 · 50,000 mi THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT IS ON AND WILL NOT TURN OFF. I HAVE CALLED THE BMW DEALERSHIP AND THEY STATED THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO RUN A DIAGNOSTICS TEST WHICH WILL COST OVER $100 JUST TO FIND OUT WHAT IS WRONG WITH IT. THEY STATED THAT MY VIN NUMBER WAS ONE OF THE CARS THAT WAS FIXED IN A PREVIOUS RECALL FOR THE SAME ISSUE. I TOLD THEM I DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO PAY TO SEE WHAT IS WRONG IT. WHAT IF THE PASSENGER AIRBAG FAILS AND SOMEONE IS ACTUALLY INJURED DO TO THIS ISSUE. THE WARNING NOTIFICATION ON THE DASH HAS BEEN ON FOR TWO Y… Look up ODI 10501318 at NHTSA ↗	1 ODI 10501318 · 50,000 mi THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT IS ON AND WILL NOT TURN OFF. I HAVE CALLED THE BMW DEALERSHIP AND THEY STATED THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO RUN A DIAGNOSTICS TEST WHICH WILL COST OVER $100 JUST TO FIND OUT WHAT IS WRONG WITH IT. THEY STATED THAT MY VIN NUMBER WAS ONE OF THE CARS THAT WAS FIXED IN A PREVIOUS RECALL FOR THE SAME ISSUE. I TOLD THEM I DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO PAY TO SEE WHAT IS WRONG IT. WHAT IF THE PASSENGER AIRBAG FAILS AND SOMEONE IS ACTUALLY INJURED DO TO THIS ISSUE. THE WARNING NOTIFICATION ON THE DASH HAS BEEN ON FOR TWO Y… Look up ODI 10501318 at NHTSA ↗	4 ODI 10554625 THE RESTRAINT LIGHT CAME ON IN MY CAR AND FOR SOME UNKNOWN REASON THE LIGHT WILL NOT RESET. I KNOW FOR A FACT THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT COVER OR SOMETHING WHILE UNDER WARRANTY, BUT THIS STARTED AROUND 2010 OR 2011 NOT SURE. BUT JUST A FEW DAYS AGO I WAS TOLD IT MAY BE UNDER A RECALL STATUS AS WELL BECAUSE THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS SERVICED. AND THE LIGHT SAYS PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM FAULT IN PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM AFFECTING AIRBAG,BELT TENSIONER, OR BELT FORCE LIMITER. CONTINUE TO WEAR SAFETY BELT. BUT MY WIFE AND I A… Look up ODI 10554625 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10563165 · 40,000 mi THERE IS A FAULTY RESTRAINT MALFUNCTION ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEAT. REGARDLESS OF WHETHER OR NOT A PASSENGER IS IN THE SEAT AT ALL THE AIRBAG SIGN INDICATES THAT IT IS OFF. I AM AWARE THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND A MALFUNCTION IN OTHER BMW 5 SERIES AND THE DEALER SHIPS THAT I'VE WENT TO REFUSE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THIS EVEN THOUGH BMW HEADQUARTERS RELEASED A RECALL FOR SOME A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO. TR Look up ODI 10563165 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10577829 · 55,000 mi I WAS DRIVING IN TRAFFIC WHEN SMELL AND SMOKE CAME FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY CAR, I PARK THE CAR AND CHECK, MY SEAT WAS BURN, I TURN OFF THE HEATING AND I'M NOT BE ABLE TO USED AGAIN THE DEALER ON PARK AVE IN SOUTH HACKENSACK NJ DON'T GET BACK TO ME. PLUS NOW LAST WEEK MAY 31 THE PASSENGER SAFETY LIGHT CAME ON WE ARE THINKING THE CAR IS CURS.EVERY REPAIR IS VERY EXPENSIVE. Look up ODI 10577829 at NHTSA ↗	—	0	0	0	1 ODI 11005486 · 158,000 mi PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM WARNING APPEARS EACH TIME WE GET INTO THE VEHICLE AND START THE IGNITION. AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT RED ICON CONSTANTLY ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. THE CAR DOES NOT COOL OR GET COLD UNTIL THE CAR IS IN MOTION. WE HAD A MECHANIC WHO WE PURCHASED THE CAR FROM 3 YEARS AGO TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM BUT IT STILL CONTINUES TO NOT COOL PROPERLY. Look up ODI 11005486 at NHTSA ↗
Air Bags:Frontal	1 ODI 10433728 · 100,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 525I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V384000 (AIR BAG: FRONTAL). THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000. UPDATED 11/22/11*LJ UPDATED 02/03/12 Look up ODI 10433728 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	0	—	0	0	0
Power Train	0	1 ODI 10924120 · 156,000 mi I WAS DRIVING ON MY WAY TO WORK AND STARTED SMELLING SOMETHING BURNING. ALL ELECTRICAL WARNING LIGHTS STARTED LIGHTING UP THE DASH AND THEN DISPLAYS GO BLANK. PASSENGER COMPARTMENT WAS FILLING UP WITH SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER GLOVE BOX. I PULLED OVER AND CALLED FIRE DEPARTMENT. WE DISCONNECTED BATTERY AND TOOK TO BMW. THEY SAID MICRO-PROCESSOR LOCATED IN SPARE TIRE STORAGE AREA HAD SHORTED OUT DUE TO WATER. I DON'T CARRY COOLERS AND DON'T LEAVE MY TRUNK OPEN WHEN IT RAINS. HOW DID WATER GET THERE. BULLETINS SHOW THAT SUNROOF DRAINS GET C… Look up ODI 10924120 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	0	—	0	0
Power Train:Automatic Transmission	0	0	0	0	0	0	—	0
Unknown Or Other	1 ODI 11005486 · 158,000 mi PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM WARNING APPEARS EACH TIME WE GET INTO THE VEHICLE AND START THE IGNITION. AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT RED ICON CONSTANTLY ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. THE CAR DOES NOT COOL OR GET COLD UNTIL THE CAR IS IN MOTION. WE HAD A MECHANIC WHO WE PURCHASED THE CAR FROM 3 YEARS AGO TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM BUT IT STILL CONTINUES TO NOT COOL PROPERLY. Look up ODI 11005486 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	1 ODI 11005486 · 158,000 mi PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM WARNING APPEARS EACH TIME WE GET INTO THE VEHICLE AND START THE IGNITION. AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT RED ICON CONSTANTLY ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. THE CAR DOES NOT COOL OR GET COLD UNTIL THE CAR IS IN MOTION. WE HAD A MECHANIC WHO WE PURCHASED THE CAR FROM 3 YEARS AGO TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM BUT IT STILL CONTINUES TO NOT COOL PROPERLY. Look up ODI 11005486 at NHTSA ↗	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

4 patterns with matching reports.

Warning lights and dashboard alerts

12 mentions · 14.3% of complaints

Median mileage: 96,000 mi (11 usable records).

ODI 10379992 · 62,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 525I. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ALTHOUGH THERE WAS NO PASSENGER SEATED. THE FAILURE WAS SIMILAR TO RECALL 08V384000 (AIR BAGS: FRONTAL). THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED WHO STATED THAT SHE WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR REPAIR COSTS. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AND OFFERED HER A 50% PERCENT DISCOUNT TOWARDS REPAIRS. THE CURRENT MILE…

Look up ODI 10379992 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10383814

CONSUMER IS THE OWNER OF A 1997 328I AND A 2004 525I BMW. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO AIRBAG SYSTEM FAILURE MESSAGE IN VEHICLE AND SEAT SENSOR MAT. CONSUMER EXPRESSED DISCONTENT CONCERNING PAYMENT FOR REPAIRS *TGW WHILE EXITING THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND A MESSAGE PASSENGER AIRBAG SYSTEM FAILURE APPEARED AS ON SEVERAL OTHER OCCASIONS. AFTER SEVERAL WEEKS, THE WARNING LIGHT AND MESSAGE REMAINED ILLUMINATED. WHILE DOING SOME RESEARCH , THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED A RECALL IDENTIFYING THE FRONT PASSENGER SEA…

Look up ODI 10383814 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10398587 · 96,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 525I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR MAT WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 97,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 96,000.

Look up ODI 10398587 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

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

Brake response concerns

1 mentions · 1.2% of complaints

Median mileage: 132,746 mi (1 usable records).

ODI 10579404 · 132,746 mi

OUR CARS BRAKES FAILED AND IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO STOP WE REPLACED THE BRAKE PADS AND SENSORS AND TESTED THE CAR AND IT DID NOT MAKE ANY DIFFERENCE AS THE OLD PADS WERE STILL OVER 60%.WE TOOK THE CAR TO BMW OF ARLINGTON TEXAS FOR REPAIRS. THE DEALERSHIP TOOK THE VEHICLE IN AND TOLD US THAT THE MASTER CYLINDER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED,THEY ORDERED THE MASTER CYLINDER AND AT THAT TIME THE QUOTE WAS A LITTLE OVER $1000.THEY CALLED US BACK AND SAID THAT WHEN THEY TOOK OUT THE MASTER CYLINDER THEY NOTICED THE BRAKE BOOSTER SERVO HAD OIL IN IT AND THE DI…

Look up ODI 10579404 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

Stalling or loss of power

1 mentions · 1.2% of complaints

Median mileage: 130,000 mi (1 usable records).

ODI 10780148 · 130,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 525I. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART UNTIL AFTER REPEATED ATTEMPTS. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE COMPUTERIZED SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

Look up ODI 10780148 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

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

Steering assistance concerns

1 mentions · 1.2% of complaints

Median mileage: 175,200 mi (1 usable records).

ODI 10437210 · 175,200 mi

WENT TO START CAR AFTER A 5 MINUTE DRIVE. STEERING WHEEL LOCKED, NO SOUND, IGNITION NOT WORKING. HAD TO HAVE CAR TOWED. BMW IS SAYING IT NEEDS A NEW STEERING COLUMN, IGNITION SWITCH, TO THE TUNE OF $3300! THE CAR IS A 2004 BMW 525I. SOUNDS LIKE THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. *TR

Look up ODI 10437210 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(power steer\w*|steering assist\w*|steering lock\w*|steering wheel lock\w*)\b