2005 BMW 525I problems
The 2005 BMW 525I has 52 complaints on file with NHTSA. The largest share (44%) concerns air bags. After that come seat belts (13%) and seats (12%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 52 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Air bags 44% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 0 and 6
- Injuries and deaths
- 1 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 92,000 miles 44 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 6 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 1 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 2 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 4 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 10 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 7 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 8 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 6 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 0 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 0 |
| 200k+ miles | 0 |
What the data shows
Among the 44 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 92,000 miles. For air bags specifically, the median reported mileage is about 84,000 miles (22 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 6 complaints mention a fire; 1 injury reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2005 ranks 5th most-complained-about out of 10 model years of the BMW 525I with enough data (11 complaints in that window).
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
I got a second degree burn from my car seat heat malfunction from my 2005 BMW 525I. The car seat went on fire and burned my cloth and my skin.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 BMW 525I. The contact stated that the driver seat heating system failed. The contact smelled smoke while the heating system was activated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The failure was located at the back rest heating system. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer advised that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign id number: 04v575000 (seats: front assembly: seat heater/cooler). The approximate failure mileage was 157,000 and the current mileage was 158,000.
On april 11, 2015. I was taking my vehicle to my mechanic to get it serviced after sitting all winter. As I was driving I noticed smoke coming from the rear of the vehicle. I pulled over, could not locate the source. I continued to my mechanic. Once there we opened the trunk, we noticed and smelled something burning. We took out the tire and noticed water in the wheel well, which made an electrical component sparking, smoking and on fire. I had the vehicle towed to BMW.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 BMW 525I. While parked, the contact noticed that the air bag warning light was illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing where the technician was able to turn the warning light off, but the light later illuminated intermittently. The contact referenced the recall under NHTSA campaign id number: 08v384000 (air bags:frontal) but was advised by the manufacturer that the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 BMW 525I. The contact stated that the seat belt and air bag light illuminated on the instrument panel. The dealer confirmed the occupant restraint system failed. The manufacturer advised the contact that his VIN was not included in NHTSA recall campaign id number: 08v384000 (air bags). The failure and current mileage was 82,000.