NHTSA Data Explorer

BMW 525i

Data refreshed May 30, 2026

Select a model year to filter results to that year of the BMW 525i.

Complaints

941

Active records

Recalls

43

Active records

TSBs

353

Active records

Filing history

Monthly totals over the last 20 years. Click a legend item to show or hide that series.

Reported severity

Based on consumer complaints filed since 2000. Recalls and TSBs do not include severity data.

Deaths

0

Injuries

53

Crashes

46

Fires

70

Top reported issues — BMW 525i

Click a category to expand its values.

Safety restraint issue

325

Reporting mechanism

250

Condition issue

249

Operating state

198

Thermal issue

137

Engine behavior

92

Performance issue

90

Access/entry issue

58

Transmission/drivetrain behavior

47

Fluid issue

45

Lighting behavior

45

Braking behavior

43

Electrical issue

43

Noise

42

Safety restraint behavior

41

Vibration/harshness

35

Smell

31

Steering behavior

27

Ride/handling behavior

26

Starting behavior

21

Infotainment behavior

20

Driver assistance issue

13

Recent change

11

HVAC behavior

10

Powering on/off behavior

9

Wiper/washer behavior

8

Communication/network issue

1

Recent filings

The 10 most recent filings for each type.

2002 BMW 525I

Filed Mar 3, 2026


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.

2008 BMW 5 SERIES

Filed Nov 5, 2025


My vehicle had a faulty PCV valve that was under Stop Drive, order. I received no correspondence from the NHTSA nor from BMW of North America in regards to this. My BMW X-5 had significant issues that are directly associated with this issue. After contacting BMW of North America directly because I could not reach anyone at my nearest BMW Service Department, it was escalated twice to attempt to arrange for my vehicle that I unknowingly continued to drive. My vehicle has sat undriven since May…

2007 BMW 525I

Filed Jul 29, 2025


Unknown, the car shut down on me two time in a month.

2001 BMW 525I

Filed Dec 25, 2024


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…

2005 BMW 525I

Filed Oct 23, 2024


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…

2005 BMW 525I

Filed May 15, 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…

2002 BMW 525I

Filed Jul 14, 2023


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.

2011 BMW 5 SERIES

Filed Mar 21, 2023


The contact owns a 2011 BMW 5 Series. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed as a camshaft failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number- 14V176000 ( Engine and Engine Cooling). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 67,000. The VIN was not available.

2007 BMW 525I

Filed Jan 30, 2023


The contact owns a 2007 BMW 535I. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the passenger’s side air bag warning light remain illuminated, indicating a possible failure to the air bag system. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was not yet notified. The failure mileage was 100,000.

2007 BMW 525I

Filed Jan 24, 2023


The contact owns a 2007 BMW 525I. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 102,000.

Data sourced from NHTSA's public datasets. Issue classifications are generated by Repair Surge. About this data.

Updated May 30, 2026. Refreshed nightly.