2006 BMW 525I: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 77 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is air bags (47% of complaints); the 2005 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Apr 2019
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 77 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Apr 2022
“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.”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Nov 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.”Owner report · Air Bags · Feb 2021
Show 7 more owner reports
“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”Owner report · Seats · Dec 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.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Oct 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.”Owner report · Tires · Sep 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.”Owner report · Tires · Sep 2019
“Tl* the contact owns a 2006 bmw 525-I. The contact stated that the vehicle was parked with the engine turned off, smoke started emerging from the engine compartment. The hood was opened and a fire was discovered coming from the passenger side. The fire department was called and they extinguished the fire. The police was present and a report was issued. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for a diagnostic. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 307,726.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jul 2019
“I recently started getting passenger restraint system warning message appearing. After searching online, I discovered 2006 525i vehicles have a recall on the same issue. However when I contacted bmw, I was told based on VIN number my vehicle is not under any recall even though I have same issue with the vehicles under recall and referenced NHTSA campaign number: 17v428000 (air bags). Currently, the passenger airbag will not deploy and can cause serious harm to the passenger if involved in any type of accident, therefore, my vehicle should be part of the recall.”Owner report · Air Bags · Aug 2018
“My passenger seat belt restraints and airbag warnings light comes on. I saw that this year was included in my model 525i, but bmw of honolulu said my bin shows no recall? I'm confused and upset on how bmw can risk such a safety issue by not including all affected by this especially my year and model class because it's obviously an issue we all are having around the same exact time. Is there a solution or should I give up on bmw for such neglect for my safety and yours?”Owner report · Air Bags · Jun 2018
When filing, owners marked a crash in 0 of these complaints and injuries in 1 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
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.
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 CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2006 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact 525I by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2006 BMW 525I reliable?
NHTSA has 77 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 2006 BMW 525I. The most complained-about area is air bags (47% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2006 BMW 525I problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 99,500 miles or less.
Does the 2006 BMW 525I have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning air bags:sensor:occupant classification. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.