RoadVitals

2004 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.
84
Latest Dec 3, 2018
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
16
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.
17

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2004 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

  • Airbags3328.0%
  • Electrical2117.8%
  • Seat belts1411.9%
  • Body & structure54.2%
  • Brakes43.4%
  • Driver assistance43.4%
  • Powertrain (other)43.4%
  • Transmission32.5%
  • Engine32.5%
  • Visibility21.7%
  • Exterior lighting21.7%
  • Other / unspecified21.7%
  • Steering21.7%
  • Tires & wheels10.8%
  • Heating & air conditioning10.8%

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.

33
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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.

NHTSA ID 11005486 · filed Jul 15, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 525I. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS CONSTANTLY ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT SENSOR FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 116,799.

NHTSA ID 10882166 · filed Jul 1, 2016
All 33 reports naming airbags

Electrical

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

21
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

ON DEC.2 MY 2004 BMW 525I WAS SITTING OUTSIDE MY HOUSE WHEN IT COUGHT ON FIRE AT THE FUSE PANEL IN THE TRUNK ON THE RIGHT FENDER WELL. THE CAR HAD BEEN DRIVEN OVER 100 MILES THAT DAY. MY STEP-DAUGHTER HAD GOTTEN HOME AT MIDNIGHT AND PARKED THE CAR. SHE SAID THE CAR WAS FINE WHEN SHE GOT HOME AT 3;30 AM MY NEIGHBOR KNOCKED ON MY DOOR TO TELL ME THE CAR WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO PUT IT OUT AS EVER TIME WE WOULD GET THE FIRE OUT IT WOULD SPARK AND START AGAIN. THEY REPORTED THAT IT WAS A MECHANICAL PROBLEM THAT CAUSED THE FIRE.

NHTSA ID 11155751 · filed Dec 3, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2004 BMW 525I. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE, A NEIGHBOR NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT STATED THAT THE FIRE WAS DUE TO A FAULTY BATTERY CABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED IN THE FIRE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED MEDICAL ATTENTION DUE TO SMOKE INHALATION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT CALLED AN UNKNOWN LOCAL BMW DEALER, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

NHTSA ID 11098001 · filed May 25, 2018
All 21 reports naming electrical

Interior & seats

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

17
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 DRIVE IT UNFORTUNATELY NONE OF THE DEALERSHIP CONSIDER A CAR FIRE TOP PRIORITY. THERE IS A HUGE LIKELIHOOD IT COULD CONTINUE BURNING WITHOUT IMMEDIATE REPAIRS. I WISH BMW NORTH AMERICA WOULD ASSIST ME LIKE THEY SAID. I'VE HAD 8 BMW'S AND NEVER HAVE I HAD AN ISSUE . THAT IS WHY I'VE BOUGHT BMW'S BECAUSE AS LONG AS I DID ALL THE SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE (A SIDE FROM THIS ONE) MY VEHICLES HAVE BEEN NOT ONLY RELIABLE BUT A PLEASURE TO OWN. I'VE HAD VERY FEW ISSUES WITH MY CURRENT E60 UNTIL 3 WEEKS AGO. SINCE THEN MY LIFE HAS BEEN CHAOTIC BORROWING VEHICLES RENTING VEHICLES AND RELYING ON OTHERS BECAUSE BMW DOESN'T PRIORITIZE CAR FIRES. I NEED SOMEONE TO HELP ME OTHERWISE I WILL HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO CONTINUE DRIVING A VEHICLE THAT IS A DANGER TO MYSELF AS WELL AS MY MINOR CHILD AND ANY OTHER VEHICLE AROUND ME IF IT WERE TO BECOME FULLY ENGULFED IN FLAMES. PLEASE CALL ME AT YOUR EARLIEST CONVENIENCE SO I CAN BE SAFE . MY CONTACT INFO IS [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] EMAIL [XXX] CALL ME DAY OR NIGHT I'LL BE READY TO GET THE VEHICLE TO THE PROPER FACILITY FOR REPAIR. I HAVE CONTACTED ALL DEALERSHIP IN NEW HAMPSHIRE . TULLEY BMW SAID THAT THE REPAIR WAS BEYOND THEIR EXPERTISE. I SPOKE TO AN ABSOLUTELY CLUELESS GENTLEMAN NAME [XXX] AT TULLEY BMW NASHUA *DL INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).*JB

NHTSA ID 10954390 · filed Feb 13, 2017

LITERALLY A COUPLE WEEKS AGO MY DRIVERS SIDE SEAT CAUGHT ON FIRE BURNING A VERY DEEP HOLE THROUGH TO THE FRONT OF THE SEAT AND BURNING A HOLE IN MY JACKED THEN BURNING MY SKIN. IMMEDIATELY I NOTIFIED BMW WHO WAS EXTREMELY ACCOMMODATING EVEN HELPING ME SCHEDULE A REPAIR APPOINTMENT.. THEN THE DEALERSHIP CLOSEST TO ME CALLED ME AND TOLD ME THEY DIDN'T DO RECALLS AND THEY COULDN'T ASSIST ME. AFTER BMW NORTH AMERICA AUTHORIZED THIS. I HAD AN EXTRA VEHICLE UNTIL LAST WEEK WHEN MY DAUGHTER BROUGHT OUR BMW X3 TO COLLEGE WITH HER. THEY HIGHLY SUGGESTED WE NOT USE THE VEHICLE UNTIL ITS REPAIRED THE SEAT HEATER KEEPS INTERMITTENTLY GOING OFF AND WON'T TURN OFF AND THEN IT STARTS BURNING . I'VE BEEN AFRAID OF DRIVING IT BECAUSE OF THE FRIGHTENING BURNING SMELL. I WOULDN'T BE WRITING U IF I WASN'T BETWEEN A ROCK AND A HARD PLACE BY BMW . NOW I'M WITHOUT TRANSPO AND I HAVE A CHILD WITH EPILEPSY WHO I NEED ADEQUATE RELIABLE TRANSPORTATION FOR. IT DIFFICULT BEING TOLD YES BY BMW NORTH AMERICA THEN THE DEALER WON'T ACCOMMODATE YOU UNLESS YOU CONSIDER REPLACING YOUR VEHICLE WITH A NEW BMW! I AM VERY UPSET AND DISAPPOINTED WITH W

NHTSA ID 10954313 · filed Feb 13, 2017
All 17 reports naming interior & seats

Seat belts

Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.

14
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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.

NHTSA ID 11005486 · filed Jul 15, 2017

PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM LIGHT ON,EFFECTING AIRBAG,BELT TENSIONER OR BELT FORCE LIMITER. CALLED BMW WAS TOLD VIN NUMBER NOT IN RECALL HOW CAN THAT BE RECALL IS FOR 2004 BMW. COST IS OVER 1000. CAR WAS STATIONARY.

NHTSA ID 10958698 · filed Mar 5, 2017
All 14 reports naming seat belts

Body & structure

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

5
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

ON DEC.2 MY 2004 BMW 525I WAS SITTING OUTSIDE MY HOUSE WHEN IT COUGHT ON FIRE AT THE FUSE PANEL IN THE TRUNK ON THE RIGHT FENDER WELL. THE CAR HAD BEEN DRIVEN OVER 100 MILES THAT DAY. MY STEP-DAUGHTER HAD GOTTEN HOME AT MIDNIGHT AND PARKED THE CAR. SHE SAID THE CAR WAS FINE WHEN SHE GOT HOME AT 3;30 AM MY NEIGHBOR KNOCKED ON MY DOOR TO TELL ME THE CAR WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO PUT IT OUT AS EVER TIME WE WOULD GET THE FIRE OUT IT WOULD SPARK AND START AGAIN. THEY REPORTED THAT IT WAS A MECHANICAL PROBLEM THAT CAUSED THE FIRE.

NHTSA ID 11155751 · filed Dec 3, 2018

THERE IS A COMPONENT CALLED MPM(MICRO POWER MODULE) BENEATH THE SPARE TIRE AND IS COMPLETELY BURNT DUE TO SOME WATER IN THE TRUNK. THE PLASTIC CASE WHICH COVERS THE COMPONENT IS BURNT AND THERE IS CLEAR INDICATION OF FIRE. SPOKE TO BMW CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND THEY ADVISED ME TO FILE A COMPLAINT HERE . PLEASE LOOK IN TO THIS ISSUE AS THIS MAY BE HAZARDOUS. *TR

NHTSA ID 10534099 · filed Aug 7, 2013

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.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

I EXPERIENCED A ROUGH IDLE WHILE PARKED OR STOPPED AT LIGHT. INDEPENDENT MECHANIC SAID THERE WAS A VAC LEAK ASSOCIATED WITH THE BRAKE VAC PUMP WHICH COULD CAUSE BRAKE DAMAGE AND/OR FAILURE. BMW STATED THAT THE RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM WAS VIN SPECIFIC. #2 PASSENGER RESTRAINT AND AIR BAG LITE ARE ON, SAME ANSWER FROM BMW.

NHTSA ID 10822225 · filed Jan 26, 2016

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 DIAPHRAGM WAS BAD AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED NOW THE QUOTE WENT UP OVER $2000 THEY INSTALLED ALL THE PARTS AND GAVE THE CAR BACK TO US SAID EVERYTHING WAS PERFECT. WE WENT ON THE FREEWAY AND HEARD A LOUD POUNDING NOISE,PULLED OVER ON THE FREEWAY AT THIS TIME THERE WAS NO CHANGE IN THE BRAKING IT WAS THE SAME AS WE HAD ORIGINALLY COMPLAINED ABOUT .WE TOOK THE CAR BACK IN AND THEY FOUND THAT THE ENGINE COVER WAS MISSING I TOLD THEM THE CAR WAS FINE EXCEPT FOR THE BRAKES SO THEY KEPT THE CAR IN THE SHOP AND ORDERED THE MISSING PARTS AND INSTALLED THEM FOR NO CHARGE. THEY DELIVERED THE CAR BACK TO US FRIDAY APRIL 10TH NOW NEARLY 3 WEEKS LATER WE LEFT THE CAR IN THE DRIVEWAY AND USED OUR OTHER CARS AS IT WAS LOW ON GAS AND WE DIDN'T HAVE TIME TO REFILL IT. TODAY APRIL 12TH MY WIFE TOOK THE CAR TO GET IT GASSED UP AND READY FOR MONDAY. SHE DROVE OFF AND TRIED TO STOP AT THE FIRST STOP SIGN AND THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AND SINCE SHE WAS REALLY SLOW THE CAR DID STOP BUT WAY PAST THE STOP SIGN ALMOST HITTING THE CURB. THE BMW DEALERSHIP TOLD US THAT THEY HAD LOOKED AT THE CAR AND IT WAS FINE. THEY RELEASED AN UNSAFE MOTOR VEHICLE ON THE STREET WHEN THE BRAKES WERE CLEARLY NOT REPAIRED TO STANDARD I HAVE PAID OVER $2000 AND I HAVE A CAR THAT IS STILL BROKEN PLEASE HELP RESOLVE THIS. *TR UPDATED 10/3/2014 *JS

NHTSA ID 10579404 · filed Apr 13, 2014

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.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 CLOGGED AND WATER GETS INTO TRUNK AND SHORTS OUT ELECTRICAL. SERVICE BULLETIN SAYS IF THIS HAPPENS, CUSTOMER PAY BUT MOVE ELECTRICAL TO WHERE IT CAN'T GET WET. SO BMW KNOWS IT'S A PROBLEM AND CAN CAUSE A FIRE BUT DOESN'T CARE TO COVER REPAIR. NOW I'M STUCK WITH $1000 REPAIR FOR MICRO-PROCESSOR JUST TO BE ABLE TO TELL WHAT ELSE IS BURNED UP. I HAVE TO PAY BEFORE I WILL KNOW IF IT WILL COST AN ADDITIONAL $5,000 TO REPAIR. I'M LUCKY ELECTRICAL DIDN'T CATCH FIRE AND BURN UP ENTIRE CAR. *TR

NHTSA ID 10924120 · filed Nov 3, 2016

SUDDEN ACCELERATION ON A BMW 525I 2004. NO PREVIOUS INCIDENTS. WHILE TURNING INTO A PARKING SPACE, PERPENDICULAR TO THE ROAD, IN FRONT OF A BAKERY, DURING THE FINAL APPROACH THE ENGINE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED, ABRUPTLY AND WITHOUT A REASON, GOING OVER THE BUMP STOP. THE CAR ENDED UP IN THE SIDEWALK, NO INJURIES (FORTUNATELY NO PEDESTRIANS WERE ON THE SIDEWALK AT THE TIME). LUCKILY THE DRIVER HAD THE FOOT ON THE BREAK PEDAL AND COULD TAKE ACTION PREVENTING A CRASH WITH THE BUILDING'S DOOR AND AVOIDING HITTING THE PEOPLE INSIDE THE SHOP. CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND WILL UNDERGO TESTING. SERVICE ADVISER CLAIMS NO ISSUE LIKE THIS HAS HAPPENED BEFORE, ONLY IN TOYOTA'S. NOT TRUE AT ALL. *TR

NHTSA ID 10578099 · filed Apr 7, 2014

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.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 CLOGGED AND WATER GETS INTO TRUNK AND SHORTS OUT ELECTRICAL. SERVICE BULLETIN SAYS IF THIS HAPPENS, CUSTOMER PAY BUT MOVE ELECTRICAL TO WHERE IT CAN'T GET WET. SO BMW KNOWS IT'S A PROBLEM AND CAN CAUSE A FIRE BUT DOESN'T CARE TO COVER REPAIR. NOW I'M STUCK WITH $1000 REPAIR FOR MICRO-PROCESSOR JUST TO BE ABLE TO TELL WHAT ELSE IS BURNED UP. I HAVE TO PAY BEFORE I WILL KNOW IF IT WILL COST AN ADDITIONAL $5,000 TO REPAIR. I'M LUCKY ELECTRICAL DIDN'T CATCH FIRE AND BURN UP ENTIRE CAR. *TR

NHTSA ID 10924120 · filed Nov 3, 2016

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.

NHTSA ID 10453353 · filed Mar 28, 2012

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

Transmission

Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 MACHINE AND STATED NO CODE WAS INDICATED. IT DID NOT SHOW ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION. I FOLLOWED UP BY MAKING A CALL TO A LOCAL BMW DEALER. I TOOK THE CAR IN TO HAVE THE PROBLEM CHECKED. I WAS INFORMED THAT I NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION. I WAS DEVASTATED. I CALLED BMW NA AFTER I READ THAT NUMEROUS BMW OWNERS HAVE AND ARE STILL EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. BMW NA WAS NOT WILLING TO OFFER ME ANY ASSISTANCE TO REPLACE MY TRANSMISSION. I WAS TOLD THE WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED AND THE ENGINE'S AT BMW DID NOT AGREE THAT THE "NO REVERSE" TRANSMISSION PROBLEM WAS A RECALL ISSUE. I RECEIVED A FOLLOW UP CALL ON 9/22/09 FROM BMW NA RESTATING THE FACT THAT THEY COULD NOT OFFER ME ANY ASSISTANCE. I FEEL THEIR IS A PROBLEM WITH THE ENGINEERING OF ALL BMW TRANSMISSIONS. *TR

NHTSA ID 10284870 · filed Sep 22, 2009

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

NHTSA ID 10283339 · filed Sep 8, 2009

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.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

SINCE 2012, THE NIGHTMARES BEGIN WITH TRYING TO GET MY 525I SMOGGED, FROM WEBER BMW FRESNO UNDER A WHOOPING $500.00. EVERY TIME THE SMOG IS DUE WHICH IS EVER 2-YRS THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON.... AND BMW GIVES YOU THE CODE YOU REPLACE WHAT THE CODE SAYS AND THEN GUESS WHAT THE LIGHT COMES BACK ON THEY KEEP CHARGING YOU A DIAGNOSTICS CHARGE OF $130.00 EACH TIME AND WHEN YOU GET TO $500.00 THEY NOW KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS WHICH WILL COST YOU AROUND $1000.00 OR SO. BMW GAVE HIM A CODE FOR $130.00, HE MADE THE REPAIR BASED ON THEIR INFORMATION AND GUESS WHAT IT DIDN'T PASS SMOG. SO, MY MECHANIC TOOK IT BACK, SERVICE ADVISER NOT IN WHO HANDLED THE CAR THE FIRST TIME SO THEIR IS ANOTHER DIAGNOSTICS FEE OF $130.00, MY MECHANIC TELLS THEM FINE JUST SMOG IT. WELL IT'S BEEN TWO WEEKS WITH THE BMW SERVICE CENTER, THEY CLAIM TO NOT KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS BUT THEY NEED AUTHORIZATION NOW FOR ADDITIONAL DIAGNOSTICS WHICH WOULD BRING THE TOTAL TO $520.00, AND YOU GUESSED IT THE CAR STILL HASN'T PASSED SMOG. I CALLED TO SPEAK TO THE SERVICE MANGER ON 2/11, FOR ASSISTANCE AND OF COURSE HE IS GOING TO LOOK INTO IT AND CALL ME BACK. MY MECHANIC SAYS HE WAS LAST INFORMED THIS SAME THING BY THE SERVICE MANAGER BUT THE SERVICE ADVISER SAID HE WOULD NEED AUTHORIZATION TO PROCEED WITH THE CHARGE OF $520.00 IN ORDER TO DO ANOTHER DIAGNOSTICS?? ...WHEN IN FACT ALL THEY DO IS RAKE UP FALSE CHARGES AND CODES BASED ON THE MILEAGE OF YOUR VEHICLE, YOU CAN FORGET THE FACT THAT YOU KEEP UP THE MAINTENANCE ON YOUR VEHICLE, IT WON'T MATTER WHEN THE TIME COMES TO GET YOUR VEHICLE SMOG BE PREPARED TO BE SCAMMED BY WEBER BMW IN FRESNO.

NHTSA ID 10836455 · filed Feb 16, 2016

SUDDEN ACCELERATION ON A BMW 525I 2004. NO PREVIOUS INCIDENTS. WHILE TURNING INTO A PARKING SPACE, PERPENDICULAR TO THE ROAD, IN FRONT OF A BAKERY, DURING THE FINAL APPROACH THE ENGINE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED, ABRUPTLY AND WITHOUT A REASON, GOING OVER THE BUMP STOP. THE CAR ENDED UP IN THE SIDEWALK, NO INJURIES (FORTUNATELY NO PEDESTRIANS WERE ON THE SIDEWALK AT THE TIME). LUCKILY THE DRIVER HAD THE FOOT ON THE BREAK PEDAL AND COULD TAKE ACTION PREVENTING A CRASH WITH THE BUILDING'S DOOR AND AVOIDING HITTING THE PEOPLE INSIDE THE SHOP. CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND WILL UNDERGO TESTING. SERVICE ADVISER CLAIMS NO ISSUE LIKE THIS HAS HAPPENED BEFORE, ONLY IN TOYOTA'S. NOT TRUE AT ALL. *TR

NHTSA ID 10578099 · filed Apr 7, 2014

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

Visibility

Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

VERY UNPLEASANT EXPERIENCE WITH THE DECISIONS OF BMW UPON THIS CAR AND ITS HEADLIGHTS. ANY CAR OF THIS CHASSIS E60 FROM THE DATES 2004-2010 HAVE ROTTING PROBLEMS WITH THE WIRING ON THE INSIDE OF THE HEADLIGHTS. ASKING AROUND DID NOT HELP MY SITUATION ONE BIT AT ALL. ALL THE WIRES ON THE INSIDE OF THE HEADLIGHT HAVE BEEN STRIPPED SINCE THE INSULATION SURROUNDING THEM HAVE BEEN DEGRADED DOWN. CAUSING SHORTS, MASSIVE PROBLEMS WITH ADAPTIVE HEADLIGHTS, ETC. GOOGLING THIS FOUND THOUSANDS OF OTHERS FRUSTRATED ALL ACROSS ONLINE FORUM DISCUSSIONS ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS, YOU CANNOT DRIVE ON THESE FOR TOO LONG. MY ADAPTIVE HEADLIGHTS FAILING PUT MY SECURITY AT RISK WHEN I RELIED ON THEM TO HELP ME WHILE DRIVING. *TR

NHTSA ID 10662492 · filed Dec 6, 2014

JUNE 2007. WHEN STARTING THE CAR, THE VEHICLE'S ELECTRONIC SYSTEM ISSUED ALERTS, AND INTERRUPTED FUNCTION OF SEVERAL SUBSYSTEMS INCLUDING THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS, ELECTRONIC DISPLAY, ENVIRONMENTAL, AND REDUCED STEERING. THE DISPLAY FLASHED, "CONTINUED DRIVING NOT POSSIBLE" AND THEN FURTHER ALERTS. THE CAR WAS PARKED OUTSIDE IN A HEAVY RAIN WHEN THE WATER ENTERED THE CAR. THE BMW CENTER EXAMINED THE CAR AND STATED THAT WATER HAD ENTERED THE CAR THROUGH A UNKNOWN LOCATION. THE REAR RIGHT PASSENGER SEAT, REAR RIGHT PASSENGER FLOOR, AND TRUNK WERE FILLED WITH WATER. THE PLACEMENT OF THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL SYSTEMS WAS IN TO BOTTOM OF THE TRUNK. THAT IS WHERE ALL THE WATER COLLECTED AND CAUSE MAJOR ELECTRICAL DAMAGE. BMW STATED THAT THE ITEMS WERE NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AND I HAD TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. THE CONTROL UNIT WAS MOVED FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE TRUNK TO PREVENT THIS ISSUE IN THE FUTURE. THE CAUSE OF THE FLOOD WAS NOT IDENTIFIED. CAR PARKED IN GARAGE GOING FORWARD. SECOND MAJOR INCIDENT OCT 2011 . WHILE THE CAR WAS PARKED IN A HEAVY RAIN, WATER ENTERED THE CAR AND FLOODED THE CAR. UPON ENTERING THE CAR,I NOTICED THE WET ROOF LINER. MOISTURE WAS CONCENTRATED IN ONE SPOT. I CALLED BMW TO ASK IF THE WINDOW, DOOR, OR SUNROOF COULD BE DAMAGED AND CAUSE THE FLOOD IN MY CAR. THEY SAID YES AND TO BRING THE CAR IN FOR DIAGNOSIS. I ASKED IF THIS WAS CHECKED THE FIRST TIME THE CAR FLOODED AND THE ANSWER WAS NO. ADDITIONAL RESEARCH UNCOVERED NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS OF THE SUNROOF DRAIN LINES CLOGGING AND CAUSING THE EXACT SAME INTERAL ELECTRICAL AND WATER DAMAGE THAT HAPPENED TO MAY CAR. THE DRAIN SYSTEM IS CONCEALED WITHIN THE ROOF AND IS NOT ACCESSIBLE TO CAR OWNER. THE COMBINATION OF THE DEFECTIVE DRAINAGE SYSTEM AND THE PLACEMENT OF THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL SYSTEMS AT THE POINT OF WATER COLLECTION PRESENTS A SAFETY HAZARD. THESE ITEMS NEED TO BE RESOLVED BY BMW. *KB

NHTSA ID 10429305 · filed Oct 10, 2011

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.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

VERY UNPLEASANT EXPERIENCE WITH THE DECISIONS OF BMW UPON THIS CAR AND ITS HEADLIGHTS. ANY CAR OF THIS CHASSIS E60 FROM THE DATES 2004-2010 HAVE ROTTING PROBLEMS WITH THE WIRING ON THE INSIDE OF THE HEADLIGHTS. ASKING AROUND DID NOT HELP MY SITUATION ONE BIT AT ALL. ALL THE WIRES ON THE INSIDE OF THE HEADLIGHT HAVE BEEN STRIPPED SINCE THE INSULATION SURROUNDING THEM HAVE BEEN DEGRADED DOWN. CAUSING SHORTS, MASSIVE PROBLEMS WITH ADAPTIVE HEADLIGHTS, ETC. GOOGLING THIS FOUND THOUSANDS OF OTHERS FRUSTRATED ALL ACROSS ONLINE FORUM DISCUSSIONS ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS, YOU CANNOT DRIVE ON THESE FOR TOO LONG. MY ADAPTIVE HEADLIGHTS FAILING PUT MY SECURITY AT RISK WHEN I RELIED ON THEM TO HELP ME WHILE DRIVING. *TR

NHTSA ID 10662492 · filed Dec 6, 2014

THE SEAT BELT AND AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ARE ON IN CAR, BASED ON MY RESEARCH, I'VE FOUND THAT THIS IS MANUFACTURE FAULT, WHEN I CALLED BMW DEALER THEY TOLD ME THAT MY CAR IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL CAMPAIGN FOR THE SAME MANUFACTURE FAULT. I THINK BMW MANUFACTURER IS AT LIBEL AT PRESENT, LET'S JUST HOPE NOTHING HAPPENED TO MYSELF AND FAMILY WHILE OPERATING THIS VEHICLE. I WANT BMW TO ADD MY CAR TO THE RECALL CAMPAIGN BECAUSE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ID 10562431 · filed Jan 31, 2014

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

Other / unspecified

Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

THE EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE FAILURE WAS NORMAL DRIVING. THE RIM HAD DEVELOPED A CRACK AFTER 50K MILES. I HAVE TAKEN PICTURES OF THE CRACKS IN THE RIM AND CAN PROVIDE THESE IF NEEDED. I'M HAVING THE RIM REPAIRED BECAUSE THE COST IS TO HIGH TO REPLACE IT. THIS IS A GENUINE BMW RIM. *TR

NHTSA ID 10280160 · filed Aug 11, 2009

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 DOCUMENTED THE PROBLEM AND MADE AN APPOINTMENT FOR ME TO BRING IN THE CAR ON 12/21/05. ON 12/21/05, THE CAR WAS BROUGHT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY KEPT IT THROUGH 12/22. THEY WERE UNABLE TO REPLICATE THE PROBLEM. I SPOKE WITH BOTH THE SERVICE MANAGER AND THE LEAD SERVICE TECH. TOLD THEM THAT I WORK IN IT AND THAT IT APPEARS THE SOFTWARE MUST HAVE A BUG, SINCE THIS PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT. THE LEAD SERVICE TECH SAID THAT RELOADING THE SOFTWARE AT THIS TIME WOULD NOT HELP, AS TO HIS KNOWLEDGE, THE SOFTWARE HASN'T BEEN UPDATED IN MONTHS. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME I'VE EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE I-DRIVE SYSTEM. THE SOFTWARE IS FRAUGHT WITH PROBLEMS AND IT IS ABOUT TIME BMW DEMAND OF THE SOFTWARE ENGINEERS TO FIX THE PROBLEMS ONCE AND FOR ALL! *JB

NHTSA ID 10145972 · filed Dec 23, 2005

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

Steering

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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

NHTSA ID 10437210 · filed Nov 24, 2011

ACTIVE STEERING PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID 10410062 · filed Jun 30, 2011

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 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

NHTSA ID 10119238 · filed Apr 27, 2005

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

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 525I. ON APRIL 6, 2007, WHILE DRIVING 55MPH, THERE WAS SMOKE PRESENT IN THE VEHICLE. THE HEATED PASSENGER SEAT CAUGHT FIRE. THE CONTACTS COAT BURNED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED NO INJURIES. THERE WERE NO PASSENGERS IN THE VEHICLE. THE SALES TEAM IS AWARE THAT THE FAILURE EXIST. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THE CAUSE WAS FALSE MEMORY. THE FRONT AND BACK SEATS WERE REPLACED. THE CONTACT HAS AN INVOICE WITH THE SPECIFICS RELATED TO THE REPAIRS. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATOR LIGHTS PRESENT. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND POLICE WERE NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 52000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51653.

NHTSA ID 10192937 · filed Jun 11, 2007

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

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