Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
00–25K
625–50K
850–75K
2075–100K
19100–150K
14150K+
67 reports with mileage · 10 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Air Bags. Review the 44 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Service Brakes. Review the 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
0 crash reports4 fire reports1 injury reports
What owners actually said
77 reports
40,000 miles · Dec 21, 2015
Air Bags
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 525I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 525I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V564000 (AIR BAGS). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.
NHTSA ODI #10811528
162,000 miles · Dec 17, 2015
Air Bags
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 525I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 162,000.
NHTSA ODI #10810930
121,000 miles · Nov 15, 2015
Air Bags
AIR BAG RESTRAINT SYSTEM FAILURE.
NHTSA ODI #10790450
40,000 miles · Nov 8, 2015
Electrical SystemSteeringVehicle Speed Control
WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON A STREET ROAD MY STIRRING WHEEL GOT STUCK AND I LOST CONTROL OF MY CAR SWERVED INTO OTHER LANE AND NEARLY CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. I PUSHED THE WHEEL BACK HARD AND BOUGHT MY CAR ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD . A MECHANIC FOUND THAT NEARLY TWO INCHES OF WATER HAD ACCUMULATED IN THE TRUNK OF MY CAR, THE WATER DAMAGE…
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WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON A STREET ROAD MY STIRRING WHEEL GOT STUCK AND I LOST CONTROL OF MY CAR SWERVED INTO OTHER LANE AND NEARLY CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. I PUSHED THE WHEEL BACK HARD AND BOUGHT MY CAR ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD . A MECHANIC FOUND THAT NEARLY TWO INCHES OF WATER HAD ACCUMULATED IN THE TRUNK OF MY CAR, THE WATER DAMAGE CAUSED ELECTRICAL FAILURE MAKING THE CAR TO BECOME INOPERABLE. BY SHODDY CONSTRUCTION. THE MODULES, ARE INSTALLED IN THE SPARE TIRE WELL AND INSUFFICIENTLY PROTECTED FROM MOISTURE, MAKING THEM ESPECIALLY PRONE TO WATER DAMAGE THAT CAN BE CAUSED THROUGH THE NORMAL AND ORDINARY USE OF THE VEHICLE. MY LIFE WAS PUT IN DANGER BECAUSE OF THIS SHODDY CONSTRUCTION BY BMW. WHEN I NOTIFIED THEM, THEY DENIED AND REFUSED TO PAY OR FIX. THEY LITERALLY PUT MY LIFE AS WELL AS OTHER DRIVERS LIFE IN DANGER, BECAUSE MY CAR SWERVED UNCONTROLLABLY.
NHTSA ODI #10789115
140,000 miles · Aug 28, 2015
Service Brakes
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 525I. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AND TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE BOOSTER VACUUM WAS TURNED AT THE VACUUM PUMP CAUSING THE BRAKE PUMP TO LEAK OIL AND CONTAMINATE THE BRAKE BOOSTER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAI…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 525I. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AND TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE BOOSTER VACUUM WAS TURNED AT THE VACUUM PUMP CAUSING THE BRAKE PUMP TO LEAK OIL AND CONTAMINATE THE BRAKE BOOSTER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.
NHTSA ODI #10760041
82,000 miles · May 24, 2015
Air Bags
PASSENGER AIRBAG FAULTS HAS SHOWN UP ON MY 2006 BMW 525I. THIS IS THE 2ND TIME IT SHOWS UP. THE FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG IS DEACTIVATED WITH THIS FAULT AND WILL NOT PROTECT PASSENGER IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT. FIRST TIME, I HAD TO FIX IT MYSELF BECAUSE MY VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE VOLUNTARY RECALL NOTICE SENT BY BMW. NOW IT IS HAPP…
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PASSENGER AIRBAG FAULTS HAS SHOWN UP ON MY 2006 BMW 525I. THIS IS THE 2ND TIME IT SHOWS UP. THE FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG IS DEACTIVATED WITH THIS FAULT AND WILL NOT PROTECT PASSENGER IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT. FIRST TIME, I HAD TO FIX IT MYSELF BECAUSE MY VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE VOLUNTARY RECALL NOTICE SENT BY BMW. NOW IT IS HAPPENING FOR THE 2ND TIME. I HAD IT CHECK AT A SERVICE STATION AND IT IS BECAUSE OF ANOTHER ISSUE IN THE SAME SYSTEM. EACH REPAIR COSTS APPROX. $1000. BMW NORTH AMERICA HAS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS.
NHTSA ODI #10721226
108,000 miles · May 1, 2015
Air BagsSeat Belts
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 525I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG AND SEAT BELT LIGHT CONTINUOUSLY ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE BATTERY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWAR…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 525I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG AND SEAT BELT LIGHT CONTINUOUSLY ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE BATTERY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,000.
NHTSA ODI #10714127
86,000 miles · Mar 16, 2015
Air Bags
PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM FAULT LIGHT HAS STARTED SHOWING ON MY BMW, THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL REPORTED ON THE SAME COMPONENT "STATEMENT ON VOLUNTARY RECALL INVOLVING FRONT PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR MAT ON U.S.A. MODEL BMWS - AUGUST 13, 2008". I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM BUT MY VIN IS NOT SHOWING UP IN THE RECALL. I TOOK THE CAR TO DEALE…
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PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM FAULT LIGHT HAS STARTED SHOWING ON MY BMW, THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL REPORTED ON THE SAME COMPONENT "STATEMENT ON VOLUNTARY RECALL INVOLVING FRONT PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR MAT ON U.S.A. MODEL BMWS - AUGUST 13, 2008". I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM BUT MY VIN IS NOT SHOWING UP IN THE RECALL. I TOOK THE CAR TO DEALER AND DEALER SAYS ITS EXACTLY THE SAME PART BUT I AM NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL WARRANTY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10694636
50,000 miles · Mar 8, 2015
Steering
STEERING FAILURE LOCK LITE COME EVERY TIME YOU START CAR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10692853
139,000 miles · Feb 13, 2015
Electrical SystemFire
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 REP…
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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.
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.
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.
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 ↗
NHTSA investigations
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
2006 BMW 525I Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year