2006 BMW 525XI problems
Owners have filed 34 complaints with NHTSA about the 2006 BMW 525XI. Air bags is the most reported problem area, at 38% of complaints. After that come electrical system (18%) and brakes (15%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 34 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Air bags 38% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 0 and 4
- Injuries and deaths
- 0 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 122,000 miles 25 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 | 0 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 1 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 2 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 4 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 3 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 5 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 5 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 1 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 0 |
| 200k+ miles | 4 |
What the data shows
Among the 25 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 122,000 miles. For air bags specifically, the median reported mileage is about 124,000 miles (12 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 4 complaints mention a fire.
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.
Mcm burned up got wet and stank up whole trunk because of design flaw by BMW we were driving as it burned up till we had to pull over because of the awful smell
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 BMW 525xi. While driving, the contact noticed an odor of burning rubber and the alternator warning indicator illuminated. Also, the power failed without warning. The contact stated the vehicle was not able to start without receiving a jump. The contact took the vehicle to a certified mechanic who diagnosed that the wires connected to the battery were burned. The contact stated they would take the vehicle to the dealer to receive an official diagnostic test. The vehicle was not repaired.
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.
When I came to red light and went to push my brake a warning light appeared on dash with the message left brake lamp malfunction and my brake would not push down. This has happened several times since last week and I found an open recall that fits my car exactly but my car in not covered. Why????
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 BMW 525xi. The contact stated that the air bag warning light illuminated. The dealer diagnosed that the frontal air bag sensor module experienced a failure. The vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 13v564000 (air bags). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact was notified that the warranty period was expired. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.
Other model years of the 525XI
- 2007
- 2006