2007 BMW 525XI: problems, recalls and reliability
1 recall and 20 owner complaints on record; most reports concern air bags.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Nov 2013
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 20 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“battery problems, was supposedly recalled for it and now the car is dying and the alarm is going off in my driveway at 10:30pm after being off for hours. the alarm doesn't turn off with the fob or if key is in ignition, i need to remove the battery panel find a ratchet and remove one of the battery terminals while my alarm is simultaneously going off for long period over and over and over.”Owner report · Electrical System · Oct 2024
“My car is seeing error lights for the passenger restraint system, and the dealer informed me that I should replace the OC3 mat at a cost of $2021. I see that this part is covered under recall for some similar age 525xi models, so I am unclear why this problem doesn't extend to my vehicle if this is a common problem with these models. Is this under evaluation for a possible future recall?”Owner report · Air Bags · Sep 2021
“Tl* the contact owns a 2007 bmw 525xi. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 17v683000 (engine and engine cooling); however, the parts to do the repair were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. Bmw of omaha (716 n 102nd st omaha, ne) was contacted and confirmed that the parts were not available for the recall remedy. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and was not able to confirm when the parts were to become available. The contact had not experienced a failure. The VIN was not provided.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Dec 2017
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl* the contact owns a 2007 bmw 525xi. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 17v683000 (engine and engine cooling); however, the parts to do the repair were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. While driving unknown speeds, the contact detected an abnormal burning odor. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The contact called a local dealer (daniels bmw, 4600 crackersport road, allentown, pa 18104) and was informed that the recall parts were not available. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 72,000. Parts distribution disconnect. - (recall related incident) ts”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Oct 2017
“The passenger restraint system/air bag warning light came on repeatedly. Took the car to the dealer. They diagnosed problem as needing to replace front seat occupancy mat, oc3. They said my VIN not part of recall #13v564000 so I had to pay labor cost. Dealer paid for part as a courtesy. Contacted bmw north america to request reimbursement for labor. They refused because VIN not part of recall. Approximate mileage 85,000. My VIN should have been included as this is same problem, on same year & model of car as those included in recall.”Owner report · Air Bags · Feb 2016
“The air bag warning indicator light came on. Took the car to the dealer and was informed that my VIN is not part of the recall campaign # 13v564000. Tried to contact bmw north america and was told the same thing because the recall is based on VIN number. If it's the same problem, bmw should acknowledged and fix the issue for free. Mileage is approximately 95,000.”Owner report · Air Bags · Sep 2015
“Tl* the contact owns a 2007 bmw 525xi. The contact stated that the air bag warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the front seat occupant protection mat needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 13v564000 (air bags). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 75,000.”Owner report · Air Bags · Aug 2015
“Tl* the contact owns a 2007 bmw 525xi. While the vehicle was being serviced at the dealer, the ignition was turned to the on position but the engine did not start. The dealer diagnosed that the steering wheel lock mechanism failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 73,000. Updated 8/10/15*cn updated 10/17/2017*cn”Owner report · Steering · May 2015
“I was traveling approximately 40 mph on a city causeway. I went to apply the brakes for a red light and had none. The pedal was very stiff and had no hydraulic assist. I pushed the pedal as hard as I could and downshifted, finally stopping about 8 feet into the intersection. The car acted fine all morning up to that point. I had no warning light or anything to alert me to the failure. I have since found out that bmw issued a recall for this very issue on the v8 engine but not for the i6 engine which I have. *tr”Owner report · Engine · Apr 2015
“2007 bmw 525xi model not limited to or exclusive of this make/model but has a known issue where a red light indicator appears on the dash signaling an electronic steering column fault has occurred, do not turn the engine off or the car may not be able to be started again, contact your local bmw service department. This has yet to make it on the NHTSA database as an official recall but I have researched and made note of several hundred customers experiencing this same issue on their bmw. This could leave you in a dangerous position if you needed to leave an area and were unable to start your car and it could leave you stranded as it could cause a no start situation. *tr”Owner report · Steering · Sep 2014
Recalls - 1 campaign
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.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2007 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact 525XI 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 2007 BMW 525XI reliable?
NHTSA has 20 owner complaints and 1 recall campaign on record for the 2007 BMW 525XI. The most complained-about area is air bags.
Does the 2007 BMW 525XI have open recalls?
1 recall campaign has 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.