2005 BMW 525I Owner Complaints

I am encountering persistent issues with my 2005 BMW 525i. Despite having replaced several critical components, including the ignition coils, spark plugs, mass air flow sensor, and throttle body sensors, the vehicle continues to experience performance problems, specifically failing to advance beyond the fourth cylinder when driving uphill. After conducting numerous diagnostic tests, I have concluded that there may be an air leak in the intake manifold. Additionally, after prolonged use under these conditions, the positive battery cable from the trunk has shown signs of overheating, evidenced by smoke, which I suspect is related to repeated uphill driving. While the vehicle performs adequately on flat surfaces, it exhibits hesitation and jerking once it surpasses the fourth cylinder.

NHTSA ID

11621558

Incident

Feb 12, 2024

The tail-lights have gone out creating safty issue and number of warning lights to come up on the dashboard. Dealership stated that the wiring harness around ground wire has melted. They stated that this is same issue that is mentioned under NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V407000. The service advisor said that his issue would be fixed by same service bulletin SIB 630613, however my date range is not included in the recall. I would like to report an issue to open a case and extend the recall to include all E60 models from 2004 to 2010. Would you please open an investigation into this matter and contact me for additional information and photos.

NHTSA ID

11588889

Incident

May 14, 2024

I PURCHASED THIS BMW 525I USED FROM A PERSON THAT OBTAINED IT FROM A WHOLESALE DEALER, IT HAD SOME MINOR FRONTEND DAMAGE FROM A FENDER BENDER (BROKEN GRILL, DING TO HOOD) SHOWING 107900 MILES. EVERYTHING ELSE CHECKED OUT. I FEW MONTHS LATER I NOTICED A SLIGHT CHANGE IN TRANSMISSION SOUND, BUT IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN DUE TO THE COLD TEMPERATURES HERE IN WISCONSIN. A COUPLE OF DAYS LATER WHILE JUST FINISHING GOING UP A SLIGHT STRAIGHT INCLINE AT AROUND 45MPH THE TRANSMISSION DROPPED DOWN INTO LIMP DOWN MODE AND A TEMPORARY NOTICE CAME UP ON THE COMPUTER SCREEN INDICATING A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. STOPPING AND RESTARTING THE ENGINE CLEARED THE PROBLEM, THE NEXT DAY NEAR THE SAME SPOT IT OCCURRED AGAIN. I ASSUMED THE TRANSMISSION MIGHT BE LOW ON FLUID BUT LOOKING ONLINE BMW INDICATED THIS IS A NO SERVICE TRANSMISSION BUT THAT IT IS POSSIBLE TO CHECK THE FLUID LEVEL BY ACCESSING A PLUG UNDER THE CAR. WHEN A SERVICE TECH CHECKED HE SAID THE FLUID LEVEL WAS NORMAL BUT SMELLED BURNT. HE RECOMMENDED AGAINST ANY SERVICE IN THAT IT LIKELY WOULD RESULT IN FASTER COMPLETE FAILURE. THE PROBLEM HAS NOT REOCCURRED AND NO CODES SHOW IN THE SYSTEM FILE, IN THAT BMW INSISTED ON NO PROVIDING A METHOD TO CHECK THE TRANSMISSION FLUID, THEY ASSUMED THE LIABILITY FOR FAILURE IF REGULAR MAINTAINANCE (TRANSMISSION FLUSH) COULD HAVE PREVENTED THIS FAILURE.

NHTSA ID

11174764

Incident

Dec 28, 2018

Mileage

112,000 mi

MY CAR HAS A GAS SMELL EVEN IN THE INSIDE SMELLS LIKE GAS

NHTSA ID

11151790

Incident

Apr 20, 2018

AFTER HAVING AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC SCAN MY VEHICLE WITH AN ADVANCED SCAN TOOL, THE ERROR THAT CAME UP WAS FOR THE "PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR". THIS FAULT HAS CAUSED BOTH THE AIRBAG AND SEATBELT LIGHT TO REMAN ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED, I HAD THE CODE RESET. BUT AFTER A PERSON SAT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, THE ERROR CODE CAME BACK WITH THE SAME FAULT CODE.

NHTSA ID

11061337

Incident

Oct 1, 2017

Mileage

82,000 mi

FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR HAS FAILED. REAR LEFT HAND BRAKE/BACKUP LIGHT IS PROBLEMATIC AND INTERMITTENTLY WORKS, USUALLY ONLY SHOWS UP ON CAR'S DASHBOARD WHILE IN REVERSE, BUT SOMETIMES WILL STAY ON-SCREEN DURING DRIVING. FRONT ASHTRAY OUTLET/CIGARETTE LIGHTER DOESN'T WORK.

NHTSA ID

10970386

Incident

Jan 1, 2017

Mileage

140,000 mi

PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM FAULT.

NHTSA ID

10968236

Incident

Feb 2, 2017

SUNROOF DRAIN CLOGGED INTO TRUNK CAUSING FIRE IN BATTERY COMPARTMENT AND SPARE TIRE AREA. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY IN SHOP AFTER NOT BEING RUN FOR HOURS.

NHTSA ID

10948007

Incident

Dec 12, 2016

Mileage

114,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 525I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE DECELERATED INDEPENDENTLY WHILE BEING OPERATED AT LOW SPEEDS. THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR AND SERVICE TRANSMISSION WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 130,000. UPDATED 02/16/17*LJ

NHTSA ID

10917934

Incident

Sep 16, 2016

Mileage

130,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 525I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE FAULT IN PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM DISPLAYED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V384000 (AIR BAGS). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,712. UPDATED 04/22/16*LJ *JS

NHTSA ID

10837430

Incident

Oct 11, 2014

Mileage

115,712 mi

WHEN THE BATTERY WAS CHANGED IN THE CAR, THE PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM FAILURE LIGHT CAME ON. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT IN MOTION, NOR HAS IT BEEN IN ANY KIND OF WRECK. AN AIRBAG LIGHT AND PASSENGER RESTRAINT LIGHT IS NOW ON. BMW SAYS IT IS NOT UNDER RECALL.

NHTSA ID

10824040

Incident

Jun 1, 2015

Mileage

120,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING WITH A PASSENGER, THE PASSENGER WARNING SENSOR ILLUMINATED. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC VERIFIED THAT THE SENSOR IS BAD. I CALLED BMW NORTH AMERICA CONCERNING THE VOLUNTARY RECALL CAMPAIGN #08V384000, BUT THEY SAID MY SPECIFIC VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL THAT COVERED MY MODEL, MANUFACTURE DATE AND THIS SPECIFIC ISSUE. THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN FIXED. FAILURE MILEAGE WAS AT 94,400 MILES.

NHTSA ID

10821004

Incident

Jan 4, 2016

Mileage

94,400 mi

I OWN A 2005 BMW 525I. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG AND PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE OCCUPANCY SEAT SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE WHICH SAID IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER A RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 140,000.

NHTSA ID

10820013

Incident

Dec 8, 2015

Mileage

140,000 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 REPAIRS, AND RELOCATED THE MODULE AWAY FROM THE WHEEL WELL. I FEEL WHERE IT WAS PLACED PREVIOUS WAS VERY DANGEROUS. IF I HAD ANY COMBUSTIBLE ITEM IN MY TRUNK MY BMW WOULD HAVE FULLY CAUGHT FIRE. BMW SHOULD RECALL ALL VEHICLE AND RELOCATION ANY ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS THAT CAN BE DAMAGED BY WATER, POSSIBLY CATCH FIRE. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS

NHTSA ID

10764978

Incident

Apr 11, 2015

Mileage

135,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 525I. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG AND PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE OCCUPANCY SEAT SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000.

NHTSA ID

10715193

Incident

Feb 4, 2015

Mileage

86,000 mi

THE FIRST DAY I GOT MY BRAND NEW 2005 BMW 525I WAS IN DECEMBER OF 2004 AND I WAS DRIVING IT AND A EMERGENCY WARNING LIGHT CAME ON TELLING ME THAT SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH THE TRANSMISSION, TO PULL OVER AND HAVE IT TOWED TO THE NEAREST BMW DEALERSHIP. I HAD TO GET MY BRAND NEW CAR TOWED BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION. THIS WAS ONLY THE BEGINNING OF A CYCLE OF EVENTS THAT NEVER HAPPENED WITH MY HONDA ACCORD, MERCEDES, ACURA, BLAZER OR SATURN. MY SCREEN LIGHTS UP LIKE A CHRISTMAS TREE ALL THE TIME WITH ALL KINDS OF STRANGE WARNINGS THAT UNLESS YOU ARE AN ENGINEER MIGHT AS WELL BE IN SWAHILI. I HAVE HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM FAILURE LIGHT STAYING ON AND NO ONE CAN FIGURE THAT ONE OUT. I HAVE HAD A FLAT TIRE LIGHT COME ON (IT'S ON RIGHT NOW) WHEN THERE IS NO FLAT TIRE. THE WOOD PANELING ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE ABOVE THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT HAS 3 HUGE CRACKS THAT GO ALL THE WAY THROUGH IT. MY GLOVE COMPARTMENT WON'T OPEN BECAUSE THE HANDLE BROKE OFF. MY SUNROOF COVER FLIES BACK INTO THE BACK OF THE TOP OF THE CAR AND GETS LOST BACK THERE AND THERE IS NO WAY TO REACH IT. THE LIGHTER (WHICH I NEED FOR A CHARGER FOR MY PHONE) MALFUNCTIONS AND THE WOODEN PANEL COVER DISAPPEARED INTO THE INTERIOR COMPONENT OF THE CAR AS I WATCHED HELPLESS LEAVING A BIG UGLY GAPING HOLE. I AM SO CAREFUL WITH MY CAR AND CAN'T BELIEVE THIS IS WHAT I GOT FOR $50,000. THESE ARE PROBLEMS THAT A 1972 VOLVO MIGHT DEAL WITH BUT MY 2005 BMW? THE REPAIRS AND SERVICE ARE OUTLANDISHLY EXPENSIVE AND TO HAVE THESE PROBLEMS IS SIMPLY UNACCEPTABLE. THE FRONT DRIVER FLOOR MAT GETS STUCK UNDER THE PEDALS ALMOST MAKING ME WRECK! I'M EMBARRASSED WITH HOW MY BRAND NEW BMW HAS TURNED INTO A "GHETTO" RIDE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10678628

Incident

Jan 4, 2005

Mileage

16 mi

ACTIVE STEERING FAULT. *TR

NHTSA ID

10651946

Incident

Oct 31, 2014

Mileage

141,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 525I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG AND SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHTS REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE SEAT MAT SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE SEAT MAT SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000.

NHTSA ID

10619304

Incident

Nov 24, 2006

Mileage

15,000 mi

WARNING LIGHT APPEARED ON DASHBOARD ABOUT A PASSENGER RESTRAINT MALFUNCTION. THE SEATBELT SIGNAL AND AIRBAG SIGNAL REMAINED ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. RECORDS SHOW THAT THE PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR WAS REPLACED AUG 21, 2007 AT FIRST OWNERS EXPENSE. THE LIGHT CAME BACK ON AFTER WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AND WERE TOLD THAT THERE HAS BEEN NO RECALL FOR OUR VIN #. THIS VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED DURING THE TIME SPAN OF THE RECALL THAT BMW ISSUED IN 2008 (WHICH HAPPENS TO BE AFTER THE OCCUPANCY SENSOR HAD BEEN REPLACED AT OWNERS EXPENSE). WHY IS THIS VEHICLE NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL? WHY IS THE REPLACEMENT OCCUPANCY SENSOR FAILING FOR A 2ND TIME? *TR

NHTSA ID

10585163

Incident

Aug 21, 2007

Mileage

51,796 mi

THE AIRBAG LIGHT AND SEATBELT LIGHT CAME ON AND REMAIN ON. AUTO SHOP REFERRED ME TO BMW TO HAVE RECALL ON PASSENGER MAT SENSOR ERROR. BMW DEALERSHIP TELLS ME THE RECALL HAD BEEN PERFORMED ON 7/3/2009, SO IT IS NOT COVERED AND I NEED TO PAY REPAIR PRICES. FROM MY UNDERSTANDING, PASSENGER AIRBAG WILL NOT WORK NOW. *JS

NHTSA ID

10579153

Incident

Feb 17, 2014

Mileage

123,900 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 POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD. I FILED A COMPLAINT WITH BMW OF NORTH AMERICA THE SAME DAY. I WAS INFORMED THAT EVEN THOUGH IT WAS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT, THEY WOULDN'T REPLACE THE PART BECAUSE THERE WASN'T A RECALL.

NHTSA ID

10573218

Incident

Mar 8, 2014

Mileage

157,258 mi

A PASSENGER ENTERED MY CAR AND SAT IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. APPROXIMATELY 30 SECONDS LATER, A WARNING CAME UP ON MY DASHBOARD ABOUT A PASSENGER RESTRAINT MALFUNCTION. THE SEATBELT SIGNAL AND AIRBAG SIGNAL REMAINED ILLUMINATED ON MY DASHBOARD THEREAFTER...EACH TIME I DRIVE MY VEHICLE. I READ AN ONLINE NOTICE FROM 2008 SAYING THAT BMW ISSUED A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE, HOWEVER, UPON ENTERING MY VIN NUMBER ON THEIR WEBSITE, THEY SAID THERE ARE NO KNOWN RECALLS FOR MY VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10566581

Incident

Feb 22, 2014

Mileage

90,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 525I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SEAT BELT AND AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE DEALER CONFIRMED THE OCCUPANT RESTRAINT SYSTEM FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V384000 (AIR BAGS). THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 82,000. *TR

NHTSA ID

10520089

Incident

Jun 10, 2013

Mileage

82,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 525I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR WAS RESET UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 08V384000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER FOR FURTHER INSPECTION AND THE AIR BAG SENSOR WAS RESET AGAIN. THE AIR BAG LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND THE APPROXIMATE CURRENT MILEAGE 102,000.

NHTSA ID

10511644

Incident

Aug 1, 2012

Mileage

1,000 mi

PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM ERROR CAME UP TWO DAYS AFTER BUYING THIS SERVICED BMW AT BMW OF FAIRFAX, VA, PRE OWNED DEALER. THIS HAPPENED WHEN THE PASSENGER SAT IN PASSENGER SEAT FOR THE FIRST TIME AND KEPT STAYING ON SINCE. IN REFERENCE TO THIS THERE IS A RECALL FOR ALL 04-06 5 SERIES FOR A FAULTY SEAT MAT (NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 08V384000) AND I HAVE ALSO CONTACTED NHTSA BY PHONE, REFERENCE # 521-787. I WENT TO THE LOCAL DEALER AND I WAS TOLD THAT FOR SOME REASON MY VIN IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AND THAT I SHOULD CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER. WHEN I CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER THEIR RESPONSE WAS THE SAME, THAT MY VIN IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AND THAT SINCE MY CAR IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY ANYMORE THERE'S NOTHING THEY CAN DO FOR ME EVEN AFTER I MENTIONED THE RECALL CAMPAIGN ASSOCIATED WITH YOUR INVESTIGATION. WHEN ASKED WHY MY VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED (SINCE IT IS OBVIOUS THAT MY CAR HAS THE SAME FAULTY DEVICE) I WAS TOLD THAT THEY HAVE CONDUCTED AN EXTENSIVE INVESTIGATION AND THEY CONCLUDED THAT SOME CARS SHOULD NOT BE INCLUDED. I DON'T KNOW HOW THEY ARE ALLOWED TO DO THAT SINCE OBVIOUSLY THERE ARE CARS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM THAT THEY HAVE EXCLUDED (I AM ALSO REFERRING TO THE SEVERAL OTHER COMPLAINTS FILED WITH NHTSA FOR THE SAME REASON). THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD NOT RIP OFF OWNERS BY CHARGING THEM OR FORCING THEM TO RELY ON EXPENSIVE WARRANTY FOR ALREADY HEAVILY OVERPRICED WORK THAT HAS TO BE DONE TO REPLACE FAULTY PARTS THAT THEY HAVE PUT IN. THEY SHOULDN'T BE ALLOWED TO HAVE THIS LOOPHOLE WHERE THEY CLAIM THAT NOT ALL THE VINS ARE INCLUDED WHEN IT IS OBVIOUS THAT THEY SHOULD BE INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR FAULTY DEVICES THEY PUT IN THE CAR ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO SAFETY. *TR

NHTSA ID

10503951

Incident

Mar 2, 2013

Mileage

106,200 mi