RoadVitals

2002 BMW 525I Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
28
Latest Mar 3, 2026
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
13
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
2

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2002 BMW 525I, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

  • Airbags823.5%
  • Electrical514.7%
  • Body & structure411.8%
  • Interior & seats411.8%
  • Seat belts38.8%
  • Engine25.9%
  • Fuel system25.9%
  • Tires & wheels12.9%
  • Heating & air conditioning12.9%
  • Exterior lighting12.9%
  • Powertrain (other)12.9%
  • Brakes12.9%
  • Driver assistance12.9%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Airbags

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.

8
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The contact owns a 2002 BMW 525I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS); and would like to be removed from the recall distribution list. The local dealer and manufacturer were contacted.

NHTSA ID 11721730 · filed Mar 3, 2026

regarding the Takata airbag recall for my model bmw, the priority zone A includes the hotter southern states incl Florida. My car is in Canada and currently not under a recall notice; however, the car spent many years in Florida, as my parents resided in Florida every winter for 6 months, and then summers in Canada. I am concerned as the propellant in question degrades FASTER in hot climates, and since i reside in Canada, the priority is low. please advise.

NHTSA ID 11532286 · filed Jul 14, 2023
All 8 reports naming airbags

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

5
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The car was off and caught fire due too electrical malfunctioning. The a/c unit was staying on even after cutting the car off . Along with my steering wheel randomly adjusting at start of the car . The fire started inside out .

NHTSA ID 11431768 · filed Sep 5, 2021

I AND NUMEROUS OTHERS HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER PIXEL ON THE BMW 525I VEHICLES, WHICH MAKES IT EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO READ WHETHER YOU HAVE A ENGINE CONCERNS OR WORSE IF THE ENGINE IS OVERHEATING, ETC. THIS COULD BE POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS AND THE MANUFACTURER IS WELL AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, AND THEY HAVE EVEN REPAIRED A FEW BMWS AT NO CHARGE. HOWEVER, WHEN I NOTIFIED THE COMPANY OF MY COMPLAINT, THEY ADVISED ME THAT THEY WOULD COVER 25% OF THE PARTS AND LABOR, AND LEAVE ME TO PAY THE REMAINING $452.00. AS I MENTIONED EARLIER, THIS IS A HUGE PROBLEM AND THE VEHICLES SHOULD BE RECALLED. TO SEE ADDITIONAL COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER BMW OWNERS, PLEASE GO TO HTTP://FORUMS.BIMMERFORUMS.COM/FORUM/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=419695. *KB

NHTSA ID 10452436 · filed Mar 20, 2012

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Body & structure

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 525I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT DUE TO THE WAY THE TIRE WAS MOUNTED ON THE VEHICLE, THE TIRE HAD A SLOW LEAK. THE FAILURE HAD BEEN OCCURRING FOR TWO YEARS. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 110,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID 10367190 · filed Nov 22, 2010

THE REAR FLOOR OF MY 2002 BMW(525I) HAS 2 INCHES OF WATER, CARPET SOAKED,MILDEW, THE FRONT CARPET WAS SOAKED , DRIVERS SIDE(FRONT) WETTER THAN THE PASSENGER FRONT .ALEXANDER BMW SAID THEY HAD NO REPORTS OF THIS HAPPENING BEFORE, THIS MUST BE A MANUFACTURE DEFECT IN THE CAR.

NHTSA ID 10112284 · filed Feb 28, 2005

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Interior & seats

Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

I can't even get comfortable in the seats in this car they are twisting cause a very uncomfortable drive /ride for us! Evrryone i hear of that owns a bmw has this issue

NHTSA ID 11434434 · filed Sep 26, 2021

SEATS FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER ARE TWISTING WHEN ADJUSTED ALSO SEAT CONTINUOUSLY MOVES EVEN AFTER THE CONTROL IS LET OF

NHTSA ID 11399670 · filed Mar 8, 2021

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Seat belts

Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

PASSENGER SIDE REAR SAFETY BELT RECEPTACLE IS MALFUNCTIONING.*JB

NHTSA ID 10149687 · filed Feb 8, 2006

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 POPPING THAT HAD COME FROM THE CENTER OF THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE JUMPED BETWEEN GEAR(1ST TO 2ND GEAR AND WOULD JERK), THE REMOTE KEY WOULDN'T WORK, THE LEFT REAR SEAT BELT WOULD NOT EXTEND, THE VEHICLE WOULD CRANK BUT WOULDN'T START, THE VEHICLE ALARM WAS TOO SENSITIVE, AND THE RIGHT REAR DOOR'S FULL SHADE DID NOT RETRACT. *SCC THE FUSE IN THE GLOVE BOX WAS LOOSE. *JB

NHTSA ID 10024731 · filed Jul 18, 2003

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 HAD 75,000 MILES. MECHANIC SAID HE TESTIFIED IN A CASE A FEW YEARS AGO WHERE AN OWNER WAS BADLY BURNED. HE HAD A BOX WITH A BUNCH OF PIECES OF RADIATORS THAT HAD FAILED. I KEPT MY RADIATOR AS EVIDENCE. NONE OF THE HOSES FAILED BUT THE RADIATOR BLEW A HOLE OUT OF THE TOP. IT IS MADE OF PLASTIC AND IS ONLY ABOUT AN EIGHT OF AN INCH THICK. I WOULD EXPECT THAT ANY POINT OF CONNECTION SUCH AS A HOSE OR A SEAL WOULD BUST UNDER PRESSURE BEFORE THE RADIATOR ITSELF WOULD FAIL. I'D NEVER HEARD OF SUCH A THING HAPPENING IN 30 YEARS OF DRIVING. I BELIEVE THIS IS A DANGEROUS DESIGN DEFECT, EITHER IN THE MATERIAL USED OR IT'S THICKNESS. THOUGH THE REPAIR COST ALMOST A THOUSAND DOLLARS I FELT LUCKY BECAUSE I KNEW THAT I OPENED THE A HALF MINUTE EARLIER I COULD HAVE BEEN EXTREMELY BADLY BURNED OR EVENED BLINDED. THE FORCE OF THE EXPLOSION WAS INCREDIBLE. I'M LESS CONCERNED ABOUT THE MONEY THAN ABOUT SOMEBODY BEING SERIOUSLY INJURED BY THIS DEFECT. *TR

NHTSA ID 10277320 · filed Jul 18, 2009

WHILE DRIVING SMELLED RUBBER BURNING. THEN CONSUMER NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. SHE PULLED OVER AND SHUT OFF ENGINE. THER EWA SNO FIRE. CONSUMER HAD COOLING FAN REPLACED 4 WEEKS AGO. VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER WHO DETERMINED IT WAS COOLING SYSTEM FAILURE. *AK

NHTSA ID 898270 · filed Oct 25, 2001

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Fuel system

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 POPPING THAT HAD COME FROM THE CENTER OF THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE JUMPED BETWEEN GEAR(1ST TO 2ND GEAR AND WOULD JERK), THE REMOTE KEY WOULDN'T WORK, THE LEFT REAR SEAT BELT WOULD NOT EXTEND, THE VEHICLE WOULD CRANK BUT WOULDN'T START, THE VEHICLE ALARM WAS TOO SENSITIVE, AND THE RIGHT REAR DOOR'S FULL SHADE DID NOT RETRACT. *SCC THE FUSE IN THE GLOVE BOX WAS LOOSE. *JB

NHTSA ID 10024731 · filed Jul 18, 2003

GAS GAUGE DID NOT WORK. VEHICLE RAN OUT OF GAS WHILE INDICATOR SHOWED 1/8 OF A TANK. GAS INDICATOR LIGHT NEVER CAME ON TO SHOW THAT FUEL WAS LOW. ALSO, ALMOST HAD AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE VEHICLE STOPPED SUDDENLY WITH NO WARNING.*AK FUEL GAUGE WAS REPLACED. *TT

NHTSA ID 8013950 · filed Jul 15, 2002

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Tires & wheels

Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

WHILE DRIVING FRONT END VIBRATED. THE DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT VEHICLE VIBRATED BECAUSE THE TWO FRONT TIRES WERE CUPPING. THE TIRES WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM.*AK

NHTSA ID 10044591 · filed Oct 23, 2003

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Heating & air conditioning

Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

WHILE DRIVING, THE SEAT HEATER FAILED AND CONSEQUENTLY THE CONSUMER WAS BURNED. *JB

NHTSA ID 10105217 · filed Dec 22, 2004

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Exterior lighting

Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 525I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS WERE ABNORMALLY POINTED DOWNWARD AND WAS CAUSING INEFFECTIVE ILLUMINATION OF THE ROADWAY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ADJUSTERS WERE FRACTURED AND THE HEADLIGHT COULD NOT BE ADJUSTED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY CONFIRMED THE FAILURE. THE ENTIRE HEADLIGHT CASING WAS REPLACED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

NHTSA ID 10411839 · filed Jul 11, 2011

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Powertrain (other)

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

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 POPPING THAT HAD COME FROM THE CENTER OF THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE JUMPED BETWEEN GEAR(1ST TO 2ND GEAR AND WOULD JERK), THE REMOTE KEY WOULDN'T WORK, THE LEFT REAR SEAT BELT WOULD NOT EXTEND, THE VEHICLE WOULD CRANK BUT WOULDN'T START, THE VEHICLE ALARM WAS TOO SENSITIVE, AND THE RIGHT REAR DOOR'S FULL SHADE DID NOT RETRACT. *SCC THE FUSE IN THE GLOVE BOX WAS LOOSE. *JB

NHTSA ID 10024731 · filed Jul 18, 2003

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

SEATS FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER ARE TWISTING WHEN ADJUSTED ALSO SEAT CONTINUOUSLY MOVES EVEN AFTER THE CONTROL IS LET OF

NHTSA ID 11399670 · filed Mar 8, 2021

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Driver assistance

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

WHILE GOING OVER A BUMP VEHICLE LOST CONTROL AND SHOOK. CONSUMER HAD TO BRAKE CONSTANTLY TO GAIN CONTROL. DEALER WAS ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE BUSHINGS WERE FOUND TO HAVE NO FLUID. HOWEVER, THE BUSHINGS WERE CHECKED ON PREVIOUS VISITS ,AND NO DEFECTS WERE FOUND.*AK

NHTSA ID 10112880 · filed Feb 22, 2005

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .