2006 BMW 525I problems
The 2006 BMW 525I has 111 complaints on file with NHTSA. The largest share (47%) concerns air bags. After that come brakes (11%) and electrical system (6%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 111 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Air bags 47% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 0 and 7
- Injuries and deaths
- 1 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 100,000 miles 93 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 | 0 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 4 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 11 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 14 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 18 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 14 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 6 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 7 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 9 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 7 |
| 200k+ miles | 3 |
What the data shows
Among the 93 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 100,000 miles. For air bags specifically, the median reported mileage is about 100,000 miles (41 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 7 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 2006 ranks 8th most-complained-about out of 10 model years of the BMW 525I with enough data (9 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 3 safety recall campaigns.
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 BMW 525I. The contact stated that the air bag deployed without warning while the vehicle was in motion. The vehicle lost power and eventually stalled. The driver was injured as a result of the air bag deployment. The dealer diagnosed that there was a prior improper repair performed on the vehicle that contributed to the failure, but the contact stated that the prior repair was not related to the air bag. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but the vehicle was not repaired.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 BMW 525I. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the micro power module needed to be replaced. In addition, the technician discovered that the micro power module wires were melted and burned. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 139,000.
We receantly purchased a used BMW 525 I. And it suddenly caught on fire while my son came to a stop. He barley excaped with his life. The whole car was up in flames. We dont know where it came from but it was the worst thing that I seen. Thank god he was able to get out of the vehicle when he did. We never thought we would have to worry about his safety in this vehicle, being one of the top of the line vehicles!
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 BMW 525I. The contact stated that while parked the air bag light illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagositic testing. The mechanic stated the air bag sensor would have to be replaced. The mechanic stated there was a recall under NHTSA campaign id number: 08v384000 (air bags: frontal) that may be related to the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated the VIN was not included in the recall.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 BMW 525I. The contact stated that the passenger side air bag warning indicator illuminated intermittently. The vehicle was taken to BMW of houston north in houston, tx where it was diagnosed that the passenger detection mat was defective and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact referenced NHTSA campaign number: 17v428000 (air bags). The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in the recall.