RoadVitals

2006 BMW 525I

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

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.
77
Latest Oct 27, 2022
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
3
Latest Apr 4, 2019
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
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.
4
1 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 77 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2006 BMW 525I, most frequently naming the airbags, brakes and electrical categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 54 manufacturer communications are on file.

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

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Airbags4444.4%
  • Brakes1111.1%
  • Electrical77.1%
  • Seat belts77.1%
  • Engine66.1%
  • Exterior lighting55.1%
  • Driver assistance44.0%
  • Fuel system33.0%

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

Safety recalls

3 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
19V273000

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CRANKCASE (PCV)

Apr 4, 2019
184,505 units potentially affected
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2006 525i, 525xi, 530i, 530xi, 530xi Sports Wagon, 325i, 325xi, 325xi Sports Wagon, 330i, 330xi, Z4 3.0i and Z4 3.0si vehicles. The heater for the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve may short circuit.
The risk: An electrical short can cause the parts within the PCV valve to melt, increasing the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is not in use.
The remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the PCV valve heater, free of charge. The recall began May 30, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Note: This recall is an expansion to recall 17V-683.
BMW of North America, LLCView on NHTSA.gov
17V428000

AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION

Jul 6, 2017
2,158 units potentially affected
The defect: BMW of North America, Inc. (BMW) is recalling certain 2006 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi, 525i, 525xi, 530i, 530xi, and 550i vehicles equipped with the Sport Seat option and certain 2006 525i, 525xi, 530i, 530xi, 550i vehicles with standard seats. The front passenger seat occupant detection mat that determines if, and how, the passenger frontal air bag should deploy in a crash may fatigue and develop cracks which could lead to a system failure.
The risk: Should the system fail, in the event of a crash, the front passenger air bag would be deactivated, increasing the risk of personal injury.
The remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will repair the occupant detection mat to eliminate the possibility that it may crack, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began September 1, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
BMW of North America, LLCView on NHTSA.gov
13V564000

AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION

Nov 12, 2013
76,565 units potentially affected
The defect: BMW of North America LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2006 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi sedans and 325xi sports wagons, model year 2007 328i, 328xi, 335i, 335xi sedans and 328i and 328xi sports wagons, model year 2006-2007 525i, 525xi, 530i, 530xi, 550i sedans and 530xi sports wagons, model year 2006 760i sedans, model year 2006-2007 750i, 750Li, and 760Li sedans, and model year 2006 X5 sports activity vehicles, equipped with certain seat types. The front passenger seat occupant detection mat that determines if and how the passenger frontal air bag should deploy in a crash may fatigue and develop cracks which could lead to a system failure.
The risk: Should the system fail, in the event of a crash, the front passenger air bag would be deactivated, increasing the risk of personal injury.
The remedy: BMW will notify owners with an interim notification letter in January 2014 since parts are not currently available. When parts are available, BMW sent a second letter in August and dealers will repair the occupant detection mat to eliminate the possibility that it may crack, free of charge. Additionally, owners of model year 2006-2007 3 Series with standard seats, 5 Series with comfort seats, and Z4 models, will receive an extended warranty on their front passenger seat occupant detection mat. Owners may contact BMW customer relations at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at [email protected].
BMW of North America, LLCView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 77
Engine
Filed Oct 27, 2022

The contact owns a 2006 BMW 525I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, she noticed the odor of burning plastic. The contact stated that the check radiator light was illuminated. The contact stated that she drove the vehicle to a dealer. The dealer diagnosed that the failure was with the PCV valve and replaced the PCV valve. The vehicle was repaired; however, the contact was billed by the dealer for the repair. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The failure mileage was 235,641. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ID
11491227
Incident
Apr 16, 2022
Mileage
235,641 mi
Engine
Filed May 12, 2022

I received a notice in the mail stating that my vehicle with the matching Vin had a recall for the pc value heater. And that it causes the vehicle to over heat and catch fire I contacted the dealership and manufacturer and I was told that there was no remedy available as I started experiencing issue's with my vehicle. It worries me because I constantly have my grandchildren with me and don't want them in a unsafe vehicle.

NHTSA ID
11464424
Incident
Apr 4, 2022
Engine
Filed May 3, 2022

The contact owns a 2006 BMW 525i. The contact stated while driving 60-65 MPH, the vehicle started to overheat. The coolant temperature warning light was illuminated. The contact veered to the side of the road and added coolant in the vehicle. The contact then continued to drive. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred while driving. The contact stated that he replaced the thermostat himself. However, the failure persisted and the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The contact later received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 135,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ID
11463215
Incident
Jan 3, 2021
Mileage
135,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Nov 30, 2021

The contact owns a 2006 BMW 525I. The contact stated that there was a strong fuel odor coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the dealer where it was both diagnosed that the vehicle was leaking fuel. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 188,318.

NHTSA ID
11442068
Incident
Nov 4, 2021
Mileage
188,318 mi
Airbags
Filed Feb 4, 2021

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 525I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER PASSPORT BMW (4730 AUTH PL, SUITLAND-SILVER HILL, MD 20746, (301) 423-2700) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH NEEDING A BOLT TIGHTENED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V428000 (AIR BAGS). THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER RECALL HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 112,000.

NHTSA ID
11394638
Incident
Feb 1, 2021
Mileage
112,000 mi
AirbagsInterior & seats
Filed Dec 22, 2019

RED AIRBAG LIGHT AND RED SEAT BELT LIGHT CAME ON AND THERE WAS A CHIME GOING OFF. PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY MAT IS GIVING A FAULT CODE AND DISABLING THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG

NHTSA ID
11290732
Incident
Dec 15, 2019
Mileage
188,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Oct 26, 2019

BRAKE BOOSTER IS LOOSING VACUUM WHEN SITTING OVER NIGHT CAUSING THE BRAKE PEDAL TO BE ROCK HARD AT STARTUP. THE BRAKES ARE FINE AGAIN AS SOON AS THE CAR STARTS. I KNOW THAT THE E65 FROM THE SAME YEARS HAS A RECALL ON THE BRAKE BOOSTER VACUUM LINE AND CHECK VALVE.

NHTSA ID
11271265
Incident
Oct 19, 2019
Mileage
187,000 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Sep 19, 2019

WAS ROTATING MY TIRES. THE TIRES HAVE OVER HALF THE USABLE THREAD LEFT ON THEM. FOUND CRACKING AND BLISTERS ON THE TIRE WALL ON THE INSIDE NEAR THE RIM EDGE WHICH WAS NOT VISIBLE UNTIL I GOT THE WHEELS OFF.

NHTSA ID
11256763
Incident
Sep 19, 2019
Mileage
160,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

B510819

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.

B611305

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few years. This has led to increased demands being placed on the battery. This document covers important information for the dealer on how to handle “discharged battery” complaints.

B160623

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING; FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

Engine will crank but not start. There is no communication with the integrated fuel module (TFE) whendiagnosing with ISTA. The following two fault codes will be stored in the DME: 032B43 - Low fuel pressure system, electric fuel pump: pressure value too low CDA594 - Message (- 0x33E) missing, receiver DME, transmitter TFE

B653423

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT

Customers may state that the alarm system (DWA) is not active after locking their unoccupied vehicle. Depending on the vehicle’s equipment and settings, no acoustic or optical confirmation (folding the mirrors/blinking confirmation) is noticeable. Additionally, the red anti-theft alarm LED in the interior mirror does not briefly flash every 2 seconds, indicating the alarm is armed.

B340414

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:DISC; STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR

Diagnosis of Compound Brake System Complaints in M Vehicles: 1. Visible cracks are caused by high thermal stresses during rapid heating and cooling of the brake discs. Braking from high speed with cold brake components (less than 212 degrees F) increases the likelihood of cracks to form.

B611305

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT; EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY

Discharged Battery Energy Diagnosis Must Be Performed: The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few years. This has led to increased demands being placed on the battery. This document covers important information for the dealer on how to handle "discharged battery" complaints. In order to properly repair the vehicle the first time in the workshop, it is very important that the diagnostic test plans are performed to completion, with all results taken into consideration. Without performing the energy diagnosis test plan, the root cause of the discharged battery cannot be identified. This increases the chances of a repeat repair.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

BMW 525I by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2011010—
2010010—
2009110—
2008110—
2007722044.5
2006Viewing773047.2
2005350245.1
2004840146.3
2003322052.6
2002284056.6
2001224059.9
2000010—
1999100—
1998200—
1997000—
1996000—
1995243046.9
1994740—
1993530—
1992184057.0
1991134051.9
1990113052.1
1989420—

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. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.