NHTSA vehicle safety data

2006 BMW 525I Recalls & Complaints

The 2006 BMW 525I has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns and 77 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized BMW dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2006 BMW 525I. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2006 BMW 525I owner complaints

Owners have filed 77 complaints with NHTSA about the 2006 BMW 525I, describing incidents dated October 15, 2008 to April 16, 2022.

Most-cited components

Air Bags 44 complaints
Service Brakes 11 complaints
Electrical System 7 complaints
Seat Belts 7 complaints
Engine 6 complaints
Exterior Lighting 5 complaints

Of the 77 complaints on file, 4 report a fire; across all 77 complaints, owners report 1 injury (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11491227 · Filed October 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…
ODI #11464424 · 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…
ODI #11463215 · 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…

Read all 77 complaints

Owner-reported

2006 BMW 525I mileage at failure

67 of the 77 complaints on file for the 2006 BMW 525I give the vehicle's mileage when the problem happened.

Mileage at failure by component, from owners' complaints to NHTSA
Component	Median	Middle half	Based on
Air Bags	Median 95,000 miles	Middle half 75,000–120,000 miles	Based on 38 complaints

A component's median is its 50th percentile, and its middle half runs from its 25th to its 75th percentile.

Owners give the mileage themselves, often as a round number, and NHTSA doesn't check it. A complaint that names several components counts under each one, and mileages that can't be right, such as 999,999, or 50 miles on a five-year-old car, are left out.

These figures describe the complaints owners filed. They don't predict when a particular vehicle will have a problem, and vehicles that never had one aren't counted.

Mileage from NHTSA's complaints file of October 31, 2026. How these figures are worked out

PCV Heater may Short Circuit

NHTSA #19V273000 · Engine and Engine Cooling — Exhaust System — Emission Control — Crankcase (PCV) · NHTSA notice

Reported April 4, 2019 · BMW of North America, LLC

Potentially affected: 184,505 vehicles

Repair completion: 31.39% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Owners notified May 30, 2019 · Vehicles built April 1, 2005 – February 25, 2006 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Front Passenger Seat Occupant Detection Mat Defect

NHTSA #17V428000 · Air Bags — Sensor — Occupant Classification · NHTSA notice

Reported July 6, 2017 · BMW of North America, LLC

Potentially affected: 2,158 vehicles

Repair completion: 30.36% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Owners notified September 1, 2017 · Vehicles built November 23, 2005 – November 30, 2005 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

Should the system fail, in the event of a crash, the front passenger air bag would be deactivated, increasing the risk of personal injury.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Front Seat Occupant Protection Mat Defect

NHTSA #13V564000 · Air Bags — Sensor — Occupant Classification · NHTSA notice

Reported November 12, 2013 · BMW of North America, LLC

Potentially affected: 76,565 vehicles

Repair completion: 45.89% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Owners notified August 29, 2014 · Vehicles built December 1, 2005 – September 29, 2006 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

Should the system fail, in the event of a crash, the front passenger air bag would be deactivated, increasing the risk of personal injury.

Manufacturer 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].

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 2006 BMW 525I. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

77 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2006 BMW 525I.

Engine and Engine Cooling

ODI #11491227

Incident: April 16, 2022 · Filed: October 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.

Unknown or Other; Engine

ODI #11464424

Incident: April 4, 2022 · 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.

Engine and Engine Cooling

ODI #11463215

Incident: January 3, 2021 · 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.

Fuel System, Gasoline

ODI #11442068

Incident: November 4, 2021 · Filed: November 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.

Air Bags

ODI #11394638

Incident: February 1, 2021 · Filed: February 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.

Air Bags; Seats

ODI #11290732

Incident: December 15, 2019 · Filed: December 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

Service Brakes

ODI #11271265

Incident: October 19, 2019 · Filed: October 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.

Tires

ODI #11256763

Incident: September 19, 2019 · Filed: September 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.

Tires

ODI #11256761

Incident: September 19, 2019 · Filed: September 19, 2019

Electrical System; Air Bags

ODI #11246298

Fire

Incident: August 15, 2019 · Filed: August 25, 2019

I WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK AND HAD DRIVEN ONLY 4 1/2 MILES AT 6:55AM ON THURSDAY, AUGUST 15, 2019. I WAS ABOUT 1/2 FROM WORK ON A CITY STREET WHEN SMOKE BEGAN COMING OUT THE AIR VENTS AND STEERING COLUMN. A SMELL OF PLASTIC, ELECTRICAL FILLED THE CAR AND I PULLED INTO THE NEAREST PLACE WHEN THE SMOKE WAS QUICKLY INCREASING. MY SON AND I JUMPED OUT OF THE CAR AND CALLED 911. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED ALMOST IMMEDIATELY, AND UPON PULLING UP, BEFORE THEY COULD GET OUT OF THE TRUCK, THE DRIVER'S SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAG EXPLODED, THE FIREMEN HEARD THE EXPLOSION. BY THE TIME THEY PULLED THEIR HOSES AND LIFTED THE HOOD, SMOKE WAS HEAVILY COMING FROM THE CAR. WHEN THE AIRBAG EXPLODED, A LARGE PIECE OF PLASTIC SHRAPNEL WAS BLOWN TO THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAR AND STUCK BETWEEN THE WINDSHIELD AND THE WINDOW AND STUCK INTO THE EDGE WINDSHIELD FRAME. THE FIREFIGHTERS TRIED FOR SEVERAL MINUTES TO GET THE SOURCE UNDER CONTROL AND FINALLY WAS ABLE TO WHEN THEY DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY. I HAD MY CAR TOWED TO BMW COLUMBUS, THEY "REPAIRED THE RECALL" AND SAID THAT THE FIRE WAS NOT A RESULT OF THE RECALL. I BELIEVE THAT IF THE FIREFIGHTERS DID NOT RESPOND AS QUICKLY AS THEY DID BECAUSE THEY WERE NEARBY, THEN MY CAR WOULD HAVE GONE UP IN FLAMES.

Other BMW 525I model years

Check your 2006 BMW 525I VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your BMW 525I at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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