BMW 525I recalls and problems by year
NHTSA lists 11 recalls and 351 owner complaints for the BMW 525I (model years 2000–2011). The most reported problem area is air bags (147 complaints), followed by electrical system (65 complaints). The 2002 model year has the most recalls (4).
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2010 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2009 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | |
| 2008 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2007 | 2 | 72 | 3 | 2 | |
| 2006 | 3 | 77 | 0 | 4 | |
| 2005 | 0 | 35 | 0 | 4 | |
| 2004 | 0 | 84 | 0 | 17 | |
| 2003 | 2 | 32 | 3 | 1 | |
| 2002 | 4 | 29 | 0 | 2 | |
| 2001 | 4 | 22 | 2 | 6 | |
| 2000 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
By complaints filed, the peak model years are 2004 (84), 2006 (77) and 2007 (72). Among model years at least two years old, the 2000 has the fewest complaints on file (0).
Most reported problem areas
What owners name in their complaints across all BMW 525I model years. A complaint can name more than one area.
| Problem area | Complaints | Model years | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 147 | 7 of 12 | |
| Electrical system | 65 | 7 of 12 | |
| Seat belts | 39 | 6 of 12 | |
| Seats | 39 | 6 of 12 | |
| Power train | 18 | 5 of 12 |
Latest 8 of 11 recalls
| Recall | Date | Problem area | Model years | Vehicles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19V273000 | Apr 4, 2019 | Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system, emission control, crankcase (pcv) | 2006 | 184,505 |
| 19V015000 | Jan 14, 2019 | Air bags: frontal, driver side, inflator module | 2001–2003 | 157,549 |
| 17V683000 | Oct 30, 2017 | Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system, emission control, crankcase (pcv) | 2007 | 740,561 |
| 17V428000 | Jul 6, 2017 | Air bags: sensor, occupant classification | 2006 | 2,158 |
| 15V318000 | May 28, 2015 | Air bags: frontal, driver side, inflator module | 2002–2003 | 419,235 |
| 13V564000 | Nov 12, 2013 | Air bags: sensor, occupant classification | 2006–2007 | 76,565 |
| 03V421000 | Oct 24, 2003 | Air bags: frontal, sensor/control module-inactive | 2001 | 23,000 |
| 02V138000 | May 16, 2002 | Engine and engine cooling: cooling system, fan | 2001 | 1,550 |
Vehicles: the manufacturer's estimate of all vehicles potentially affected by the recall, across every model it covers. Each model-year page lists what its recalls fix.
Owners reported a crash in 8 complaints and a fire in 36 complaints; 19 people injured and 0 deaths are recorded in these reports. These are the owners' accounts, not findings of cause.
Complaint counts grow with how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road; compare years with that in mind. Complaints are unverified owner reports.