NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
77 reports158,000 miles · Nov 14, 2017
Air Bags
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 …
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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. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 158,000.
NHTSA ODI #11046039
146,000 miles · Aug 14, 2017
Service Brakes
BRAKES ARE NOT WORKING (STALLING) AFTER FULLY STOPPING AND REAPLYING BRAKE AT A LOWER SPEED. BRAKE PADEL IS BECOMING VERY HARD AND EVEN WITH ALL FOOT FORCE BRAKE PADEL IS NOT BEING DEPRESSED. I HAD MY KIDS IN THE CAR WHEN THIS HAPPENED. I READ IT ONLINE SIMILAR PROBLEM ACCURED IN OTHER BMW MODEL AND RECALL BULLETIN WAS ISSUED. …
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BRAKES ARE NOT WORKING (STALLING) AFTER FULLY STOPPING AND REAPLYING BRAKE AT A LOWER SPEED. BRAKE PADEL IS BECOMING VERY HARD AND EVEN WITH ALL FOOT FORCE BRAKE PADEL IS NOT BEING DEPRESSED. I HAD MY KIDS IN THE CAR WHEN THIS HAPPENED. I READ IT ONLINE SIMILAR PROBLEM ACCURED IN OTHER BMW MODEL AND RECALL BULLETIN WAS ISSUED. THIS ISSUE IS VERY SERIOUS AND I'M WILLING TO LET INVESTIGATORS CHECK MY VEHICLE IF THEY WISH TO CHECK OUT THE PROBLEM. THANK YOU [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA ODI #11014976
Mileage unknown · Apr 9, 2017
Fuel/propulsion System
WATER PUMP WAS REPLACED TWICE THE THIRD TIME I WAS DRIVING CITY STREET CAR STOPPED HAD TO TOW IT HOME.
NHTSA ODI #10971514
40,000 miles · Dec 10, 2016
Air BagsSeat BeltsStructure
SEATBELT NOT RETRACTING AND WARNING LIGHT STATING SEATBELT AND AIRBAG MAY NOT FUNCTION IN CRASH. INITIALLY INTERMITTENT BUT NOW STEADY WARNING LIGHTS. * EXTREME FADING OF PAINT ON HOOD, ROOF, DECK LID.
NHTSA ODI #10934341
165,000 miles · Nov 10, 2016
Air Bags
I HAVE A 2006 BMW 525I AND RECEIVING PASS. RESTAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION AFFECTING THE AIRBAG. THIS IS A PROBLEM BMW SHOULD SERVICE AS THEY ARE FAMOUS FOR THESE MALFUNCTIONS. IT IS DANGEROUS AND ITS RUINS THE INTEGRITY OF THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA ODI #10925357
69,000 miles · Jul 26, 2016
Exterior Lighting
I OWN A 2006 525I BMW WITH 69K MILES AND MY ADAPTIVE HEADLIGHTS WIRING INSIDE THE LIGHT, THE PROTECTIVE COATING ON ALL THE WIRES ARE ALL DETERIORATING AND GIVING ME A FAULT FOR THE APATIVE HEADLIGHT SYSTEM AND THEY ARE NOT WORKING.
NHTSA ODI #10888668
170,000 miles · Jun 27, 2016
Air BagsElectronic Stability Control (esc)Visibility/wiper
VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION DURING THESE EVENTS . ELECTRIC WARNING MALFUNCTION, ALERT PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION. A MESSAGE RIGHT LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT WAS MALFUNCTIONING. ELECTRONIC CONTROL SUDDEN MALFUNCTION OF THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS.
NHTSA ODI #10876854
78,500 miles · May 15, 2016
Fuel/propulsion System
VALVE COVER GASKET IS LEAKING OIL THERE IS KNOWN DEFECT CAUSED BY OVER TIGHTENING AT MANUFACTURE. HOLD BMW RESPONSIBLE AND RECALL THIS DEFECT.
NHTSA ODI #10865013
78,000 miles · Apr 12, 2016
Exterior LightingVisibility/wiper
WIRING INSULATION ON HEADLIGHTS IS DISINTEGRATING AND FALLING OFF WIRING CAUSING ELECTRICAL SHORTS AND LOSS OF LIGHTING
NHTSA ODI #10855089
101,460 miles · Apr 9, 2016
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting
MAIN HEADLIGHT FAILURE DURING NIGHT DRIVING CAUSE BY ELECTRICAL SHORT CIRCUIT, DUE TO HEADLIGHT INTERNAL ELECTRICAL WIRING INSULATION FAILURE. INTERNAL ELECTRICAL WIRING INSULATION SEEMS NOT TO MEET SAE, NEC, ASME, ETC. CODES AND STANDARD FOR THE USES, LIKE ENGINE ELECTRICAL WIRING, SUBJECT TO HEAT EXPOSURE FROM HEADLIGHT BULB …
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MAIN HEADLIGHT FAILURE DURING NIGHT DRIVING CAUSE BY ELECTRICAL SHORT CIRCUIT, DUE TO HEADLIGHT INTERNAL ELECTRICAL WIRING INSULATION FAILURE. INTERNAL ELECTRICAL WIRING INSULATION SEEMS NOT TO MEET SAE, NEC, ASME, ETC. CODES AND STANDARD FOR THE USES, LIKE ENGINE ELECTRICAL WIRING, SUBJECT TO HEAT EXPOSURE FROM HEADLIGHT BULB GENERATION. MAJOR SAFETY ISSUES CAN RESULT FROM SUDDEN HEADLIGHT FAILURE WITHOUT PREVIOUS NOTICE, WHICH CAN CAUSE ACCIDENT AT DARK ROADS. HEADLIGHT FAILURE OCCURS WHILE DRIVING IN A DARK ROAD AT NIGHT.
NHTSA ODI #10854560
Official recalls
3Apr 4, 2019
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An electrical short can cause the parts within the PCV valve to melt, increasing the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is not in use.
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.
Jul 6, 2017
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Should the system fail, in the event of a crash, the front passenger air bag would be deactivated, increasing the risk of personal injury.
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.
Nov 12, 2013
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Should the system fail, in the event of a crash, the front passenger air bag would be deactivated, increasing the risk of personal injury.
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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
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