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CarsLore / Makes / BMW / 525i

BMW 525i

Model years 1989–2011 in the US safety record. Years that drew the most complaints: 2004, 2006, 2007. Fewest complaints: 1999, 2008, 2009.

438owner complaints
16recall campaigns
307service bulletins
23model years on record

Complaints by model year

Each bar is one model year. Highlighted: 2004. The most recent years are still collecting complaints.

’90’93’96’99’02’04’05’08’1184’90’93’96’99’02’04’05’08’1184

NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026

Year by year

Model yearComplaintsRecallsBulletinsCrashes · fires
20110150 · 0
20100150 · 0
20091150 · 1
20081150 · 0
2007 525iMost complaints722573 · 2
2006 525iMost complaints773540 · 4
2005 525i350530 · 4
2004 525iMost complaints840490 · 17
2003 525i322133 · 1
2002 525i294120 · 2
2001 525i224122 · 6
20000130 · 0
19991010 · 0
19982010 · 0
19970020 · 0
19960030 · 0
1995 525i24351 · 1
1994 525i7450 · 0
1993 525i5340 · 1
1992 525i18444 · 2
1991 525i13440 · 0
1990 525i11341 · 0
19894210 · 0

A model year gets its own page when it has enough data for at least three sections

Most common problems

  • Air bags157
  • Electrical system81
  • Seats43
  • Engine and engine cooling43
  • Seat belts42
  • Power train29
  • Exterior lighting24
  • Steering23

NHTSA ODI complaints, all model years

Fatal crashes in the US

From 2020 to 2023, 41 525i vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died, and 34 people died inside them. These are counts, not crash rates: a model with more cars on the road shows up more often, and people killed outside the vehicle are not counted here.

Model yearVehicles in fatal crashesDeaths in the vehicleRolled over
20079114
2006663
2005320
2004851
2002871
2001100
1995221
1994310
1991100

NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain) · how we count

Fuel consumption by year

Official Canadian test results for 8 model years, best variant per year. Combined consumption ranges from 10.2–11.7 L/100 km.

YearVariantEngineTransmissionCityHighwayCombinedCO₂ g/km
2007525i · Mid-size · Premium gasoline3.0 L, 6 cyl.A612.88.510.8248
2006525i · Mid-size · Premium gasoline3.0 L, 6 cyl.M612.98.510.9251
2005525i · Mid-size · Premium gasoline2.5 L, 6 cyl.AM612.08.010.2235
2004525i · Mid-size · Premium gasoline2.5 L, 6 cyl.M613.28.811.2258
2003525i · Compact · Premium gasoline2.5 L, 6 cyl.M513.18.811.2258
2002525i · Compact · Premium gasoline2.5 L, 6 cyl.M513.18.811.2258
2001525i · Compact · Premium gasoline2.5 L, 6 cyl.M513.08.711.0253
1995525i · Compact · Premium gasoline2.5 L, 6 cyl.M513.79.111.7269

Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada

Recalls

16 campaigns cover the 525i; the latest 12 are below.

19V273000 · Engine and engine cooling4 Apr 2019 · 2006

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.

19V015000 · Air bags14 Jan 2019 · 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2000-2003 525i Sedan, 530i Sedan, 540i Sedan, 2001-2003 525i Sports Wagon and 540i Sports Wagon vehicles, and 2000-2004 X5 SAV 3.0i, X5 SAV 4.4i, and X5 SAV 4.6is vehicles. This recall affects certain vehicles where the original steering wheel has been replaced with the optional sports steering wheel. The sports steering wheel has a frontal air bag inflator that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

17V683000 · Engine and engine cooling30 Oct 2017 · 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2011 128i and 2007-2011 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 525i, 525xi, 528i, 528xi, 530i, 530xi, X3 3.0si, X3 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive30i, Z4 3.0i, Z4 3.0si and Z4 sDrive30i vehicles. The heater for the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve may short circuit.

17V428000 · Air bags6 Jul 2017 · 2006

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.

15V318000 · Air bags28 May 2015 · 2002, 2003

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2002-2005 325i, 325xi, 330i, and 330xi Sedans, and 325xi and 325i Sportswagons, 2002-2006 330Ci, 325Ci, and M3 Convertibles and 325i, 330i, and M3 Coupes, 2002-2003 M5, 540i, 525i Sedan, and 530i Sedans, and 540i and 525i Sportswagons, and 2003 X5 3.0i and 4.4i Sports Activity Vehicles. Please note that the 5-series and X5 vehicles are only included if they are equipped with the optional sports steering wheel. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.

13V564000 · Air bags12 Nov 2013 · 2006, 2007

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.

03V421000 · Air bags24 Oct 2003 · 2001

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, A MICROPROCESSOR IN THE AIR BAG CONTROL MODULE, WHICH ACTIVATES THE FRONT AIR BAGS, THE SIDE AIR BAGS, THE FRONT SEAT SAFETY BELT PRETENSIONERS, AND THE BATTERY SAFETY TERMINAL, MAY HAVE A MALFUNCTION THAT COULD LEAD TO AN UNINTENDED ACTIVATION OF ONE OR MORE OF THESE COMPONENTS.

02V138000 · Engine and engine cooling16 May 2002 · 2001

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE ENGINE AUXILIARY/COOLING FAN OPERATION, INCLUDING VARIABLE SPEED, IS ELECTRONICALLY CONTROLLED. FAILURE OF THE FAN MOTOR CAN CAUSE THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUITRY OF THE FAN CONTROL UNIT TO OVERLOAD AND FAIL, CAUSING THE FAN TO STOP OPERATING.

02V057000 · Suspension19 Feb 2002 · 2002

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, DURING THE STRUT MOUNT MANUFACTURING PROCESS, THE THRUST BEARING WAS NOT PROPERLY POSITIONS AND SECURED. IF THE SUSPENSION IS FULLY UNLOADED, THE FRONT STRUT COULD SEPARATE FROM THE UPPER MOUNT.

01V352000 · Tires26 Nov 2001 · 2002

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: DURING THE TIRE MOUNTING PROCESS ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES BUILT WITH STANDARD (NON-SPORT) SUSPENSION AND EQUIPPED WITH CONTINENTAL CONTITOURINGCONTACT CH95 ECOPLUS TIRES, SIZE 225/65R16 95H, HAVING DOT CODES 4001, 4101, OR 4201, THE OUTER SIDEWALL SURFACE OF THE TIRES MAY HAVE BEEN CUT BY A SHARP EDGE. OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE OVER A LONG PERIOD OF TIME COULD LEAD TO A REDUCTION OF INFLATION PRESSURE.

01V206000 · Engine and engine cooling21 Jun 2001 · 2001

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE ENGINE AUXILIARY/COOLING FAN OPERATION, INCLUDING VARIABLE SPEED, IS ELECTRONICALLY CONTROLLED. FAILURE OF THE FAN MOTOR CAN CAUSE THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUITRY OF THE FAN CONTROL UNIT TO OVERLOAD AND FAIL, CAUSING THE FAN TO STOP OPERATING.

98V178000 · Engine and engine cooling4 Aug 1998 · 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. A MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE OF A COOLANT SYSTEM COMPONENT, SUCH AS A THERMOSTAT, WATER PUMP, OR FAN BELT, CAN RESULT IN SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED COOLANT TEMPERATURE AND SYSTEM PRESSURE. IF THE INDICATIONS OF A CRITICAL OVERHEATING CONDITION IS NOT NOTICED BY THE DRIVER, IT IS POSSIBLE THAT DAMAGE TO, OR FAILURE OF, A COOLANT SYSTEM COMPONENT COULD OCCUR.

NHTSA recalls