NHTSA vehicle safety data

2007 BMW 525I Recalls & Complaints

The 2007 BMW 525I has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns and 72 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 2007 BMW 525I. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2007 BMW 525I owner complaints

Owners have filed 72 complaints with NHTSA about the 2007 BMW 525I, describing incidents dated April 9, 2008 to June 6, 2025.

Most-cited components

Air Bags 25 complaints
Electrical System 14 complaints
Steering 12 complaints
Engine 9 complaints
Seat Belts 6 complaints
Seats 6 complaints

Of the 72 complaints on file, 3 report a crash and 2 a fire; across all 72 complaints, owners report 5 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11676992 · Filed July 29, 2025
Unknown, the car shut down on me two time in a month.
ODI #11504420 · Filed January 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…
ODI #11503385 · Filed January 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.

Read all 72 complaints

PCV Heater may Short Circuit

NHTSA #17V683000 · Engine and Engine Cooling — Exhaust System — Emission Control — Crankcase (PCV) · NHTSA notice

Reported October 30, 2017 · BMW of North America, LLC

Potentially affected: 740,561 vehicles

Repair completion: 53.7% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Owners notified June 18, 2018 · Vehicles built February 16, 2006 – August 31, 2011 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

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. Interim letters were mailed on November 27, 2017. Owners will receive a second notification by the end of October 2018. 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 2007 BMW 525I. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

72 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2007 BMW 525I.

Unknown or Other

ODI #11676992

Incident: June 6, 2025 · Filed: July 29, 2025

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

Air Bags

ODI #11504420

Incident: May 1, 2022 · Filed: January 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.

Air Bags

ODI #11503385

Incident: May 24, 2022 · Filed: January 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.

Engine and Engine Cooling

ODI #11489838

Incident: October 17, 2022 · Filed: October 18, 2022

The contact owns a 2007 BMW 525I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The vehicle was taken to the dealer for the recall repair however, upon retrieving the vehicle, the contact noticed that the vehicle was shaking while driving at various speeds. The contact stated that the failure had worsened while at a complete stop. Over time, the service engine warning light illuminated. The dealer was notified of the failure and the contact was placed on an indefinite hold until the call disconnected. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 284,191.

Engine

ODI #11478651

Incident: August 6, 2022 · Filed: August 10, 2022

The contact owns a 2007 BMW 525i. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 75-85 MPH, she smelled smoke coming from the hood of the vehicle. The contact was unsure if any warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where he referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine And Engine Cooling) , but the vehicle was not diagnosed for the failure. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 189,000.

Engine and Engine Cooling

ODI #11464204

Incident: March 2, 2022 · Filed: May 11, 2022

The contact owns a 2007 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 that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Engine and Engine Cooling

ODI #11456091

Fire

Incident: June 25, 2021 · Filed: March 10, 2022

The contact owns a 2007 BMW 525i. The vehicle had previously been serviced by the dealer under an unknown NHTSA campaign; however, the failure recurred with a burning odor detected. Additionally, several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact then received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was made aware of the failure but confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but confirmed that parts were not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 34,406. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Electrical System; Exterior Lighting; Visibility/Wiper

ODI #11432327

Incident: September 9, 2021 · Filed: September 9, 2021

I purchased said automobile from my neighbor for my son to drive. I figured it was a good car to buy because it was serviced by Hendrick BMW (Charlotte, NC) only and regularly. BMW's also have a reputation for being safe as well as reputable so this also weighed into my decision. Fast forward 18 months. The passenger rear brake bulb went out. We replaced the bulb, it worked for a short time, then went out. We replaced the bulb again. This time it didnt work. About a week later the front passenger side head light went out, then the other side. We took it to Hendrick BMW for repair. Hendrick has told us the car wiring basically needs to be replaced due to the protective coat wearing off and corroding the bare wire underneath. The headlights/ brake light will also need to be replaced due to the corrosion blowing out the bulb. For the front headlight the whole assembly needs to be replaced at a tremendous cost. I performed a google search on this and found many, many instances of the same issue. Ive seen many of these cars while casually driving around town. It would seem to be a MAJOR issue if an active drivers head and tail lights suddenly stopped working on a busy road. Also due to the cost most people probably wouldnt fix the issue on their own and drive the car anyway causing an ever bigger safety issue. I have never had this issue with any other vehicle brand ive owned. Ive looked into this issue with other brands and most tell me they use wiring which will not do this. I am not sure why BMW would not do the same. The car is also up for inspection. The car will not pass inspection unless I pony up over $6k ($2500 NADA value) to fix. My taxes are also due. In NC you cant pay the tax unless the car passes inspection. This is costing me daily penalties in addition to the major safety issue. I believe the NHTSA has a duty to look into this major manufacturing defect and have BMW provide remedy to those other unfortunate folks who are experiencing the same issue.

Power Train

ODI #11350120

Incident: August 15, 2020 · Filed: August 18, 2020

TRANSMISSION GOES IN TO SAFE MODE SUDDENLY ON THE FREEWAY AT HIGH SPEED RANDOMLY AND SLOWS DOWN MAKING IT DANGEROUS SITUATION. CODE P17EC .

Electrical System; Exterior Lighting

ODI #11340546

Incident: July 20, 2020 · Filed: July 21, 2020

HEADLIGHT WIRING INSULATION ROT LEAD TO FAILED HIGH AND LOW BEAMS ON DRIVER SIDE AND INTERMITTENT FAILURES OF BOTH BEAMS ON PASSENGER SIDE. SEE PHOTO FOR EXAMPOLE OF DISINTEGRATED WIRING ON DRIVER HIGH BEAM WIRING HARNESS. ONLY KNOWN OPTION IS TO BUY A COMPLETE NEW HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY ($1250+ PER SIDE) OR ATTEMPT DIY. THIS PROBLEM IS WELL-KNOWN AND HAS LONG BEEN REPORTED BY OTHER BMW E60 (5 SERIES 2004-2010) OWNERS AT BIMMERFEST.COM AND 5SRIEST.NET. SEE THESE URLS FOR MORE INFORMATION: HTTPS://WWW.BIMMERFEST.COM/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=798640 HTTPS://WWW.BIMMERFEST.COM/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=883000 HTTPS://5SERIES.NET/FORUMS/E60-E61-PARTS-ACCESSORIES-MODS-22/OPENING-UP-E60-HEADLIGHTS-138473/

Other BMW 525I model years

Check your 2007 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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