NHTSA vehicle safety data

2006 BMW 525XI Recalls & Complaints

The 2006 BMW 525XI has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns and 28 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 525XI. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2006 BMW 525XI owner complaints

Owners have filed 28 complaints with NHTSA about the 2006 BMW 525XI, describing incidents dated March 14, 2008 to March 26, 2023.

Most-cited components

Air Bags 13 complaints
Electrical System 6 complaints
Service Brakes 5 complaints
Engine 4 complaints
Seat Belts 2 complaints
Seats 2 complaints

Of the 28 complaints on file, 4 report a fire (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11514500 · Filed March 29, 2023
The contact owns a 2006 BMW 525xi. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the contact smelled the odor of burning coming from the vehicle, and the contact noticed smoke coming from the trunk of the vehicle. The contact pulled over and notice that smoking was coming from the battery. The contact…
ODI #11510178 · Filed March 4, 2023
PCV issue UNKNOWN
ODI #11463936 · Filed May 9, 2022
The engine overheated on January 27, 2022 and a warning appeared on the dash to pull over and turn off the engine. It was then towed to a repair facility, where it was determined that overheating caused the failure of radiater hoses, loss of coolant, and other damages. Repairs cost $2574.56 on…

Read all 28 complaints

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 525XI. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

28 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2006 BMW 525XI.

Electrical System

ODI #11514500

Fire

Incident: March 26, 2023 · Filed: March 29, 2023

The contact owns a 2006 BMW 525xi. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the contact smelled the odor of burning coming from the vehicle, and the contact noticed smoke coming from the trunk of the vehicle. The contact pulled over and notice that smoking was coming from the battery. The contact was able to stop the smoke. The vehicle would not restart, and the vehicle was towed to the contact's home. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 154,000.

Electrical System; Engine

ODI #11510178

Incident: August 25, 2022 · Filed: March 4, 2023

PCV issue UNKNOWN

Engine

ODI #11463936

Incident: January 27, 2022 · Filed: May 9, 2022

The engine overheated on January 27, 2022 and a warning appeared on the dash to pull over and turn off the engine. It was then towed to a repair facility, where it was determined that overheating caused the failure of radiater hoses, loss of coolant, and other damages. Repairs cost $2574.56 on January 29, 2022. When I contacted BMW and the dealer, I was told that did not want to hear about it until they have determined what remedy was available for the recall, and they told me they would noot listen to any complaints about damages until then.

Engine and Engine Cooling

ODI #11463023

Incident: February 18, 2022 · Filed: May 2, 2022

The contact owns a 2006 BMW 525XI. The contact stated that the vehicle was overheating while driving. The coolant temperature warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the thermostat and radiator were replaced; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the computer needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact later received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V273000 (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 failure mileage was approximately 119,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Seats

ODI #11447261

Fire

Incident: January 12, 2022 · Filed: January 12, 2022

Driver side Seat mysteriously burned. Not sure how. Seat warmers were not on at the time.

Power Train

ODI #11176619

Incident: January 28, 2019 · Filed: February 12, 2019

WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE WITH SPEED LIMIT 70 MPH, A WARNING MESSAGE APPEARED TRANSMISSION FAILURE & REDUCE SPEED. THE CAR SLOWED DOWN ITSELF WHILE ONGOING TRAFFIC APPROACHED EXTREMELY FAST. MY CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE TO THE 5TH OR 6TH GEAR. I HAD TO I GET OFF THE INTERSTATE AS QUICKLY AS I COULD. IN A PANIC I CALLED AAA TO TOW MY CAR. THINKING THERE WAS TRULY SOMETHING WRONG WITH MY TRANSMISSION, ALTHOUGH I KEPT UP WITH MAINTENANCE. NEEDLESS TO SAY THIS MESSAGE THAT POPPED UP WAS INCORRECT. THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH MY TRANSMISSION.

Electrical System; Air Bags

ODI #11047100

Incident: October 28, 2017 · Filed: November 17, 2017

COMPUTER DRAWING DOWN BATTERY AND CAR WILL NOT START SEEMS TO HAPPEN MORE WHEN IT'S DAMP AND RAINING THIS HAPPENS WHEN THE CAR IS PARKED PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON BMW WOULD LIKE $2500. TO REBOOT COMPUTER I THINK ITS A SCAM

Service Brakes

ODI #10967976

Incident: March 14, 2008 · Filed: March 23, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 525XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS LOW SPEEDS, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE BOOSTER FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 40,000.

Electrical System

ODI #10959991

Incident: March 7, 2017 · Filed: March 10, 2017

MY BMW WAS PARKED OUTSIDE A RESTAURANT IN OVERLAND PARK, KS, AT LUNCH TIME ON MARCH 7, 2017. AUTO WAS LOCKED AND ALL WINDOWS AND SKYLIGHT WERE CLOSED. WHEN I RETURNED TO MY CAR AFTER LUNCH, THE CAR WAS UNLOCKED AND ALL WINDOWS AND SKYLIGHT WERE OPEN. THE KEY WAS IN MY PURSE AND WAS UNTOUCHED. POSSIBLE THEFT ATTEMPT?

Air Bags; Seat Belts

ODI #10939625

Incident: November 15, 2016 · Filed: January 4, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 525XI. WHILE AN OCCUPANT WAS SEATED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT THE AIR BAG AND SEAT BELT WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED, INDICATING THAT THE AIR BAGS AND SEAT BELT WERE INOPERABLE THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE PASSENGER SEAT DETECTION MAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 300,000. UPDATED 03/03/17*LJ *TR

Other BMW 525XI model years

Check your 2006 BMW 525XI VIN

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

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