IllustrationTHE MESSAGE OF "LEFT BACK-UP LIGHT MALFUNCTION" HAS BEEN COMES AND GOES SINCE THEN. IT IS THE EXACTLY PROBLEM DESCRIBED AS THE RECENT BMW RECALL. *TR
2006 BMW 525I
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all 525I years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
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 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 525I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, HE APPLIED THE BRAKES BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT DECELERATE. THE CONTACT PUMPED THE BRAKES FURIOUSLY UNTIL THE BRAKES RESPONDED. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND MOTOR OIL INSIDE THE BRAKE BOOSTER AND THE VACUUM PUMP. THE BRAK…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 525I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, HE APPLIED THE BRAKES BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT DECELERATE. THE CONTACT PUMPED THE BRAKES FURIOUSLY UNTIL THE BRAKES RESPONDED. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND MOTOR OIL INSIDE THE BRAKE BOOSTER AND THE VACUUM PUMP. THE BRAKE BOOSTER, VACUUM PUMP AND VACUUM PIPE WERE ALL REPLACED. THE FAILURE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 78,300.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 525I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON STARTING THE IGNITION, THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THERE WAS A RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH THE FAILURE UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V384000 ( AIR BAGS); HOWEVER THE CONTACT'S VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 525I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON STARTING THE IGNITION, THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THERE WAS A RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH THE FAILURE UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V384000 ( AIR BAGS); HOWEVER THE CONTACT'S VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 117,500. ...UPDATED 07-24-13 *BF THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE SEAT BELT LIGHT ILLUMINATED, AS WELL. UPDATED 07/29/13
BRAKES BECAME HARD TO PRESS AND STOPPING TAKES MORE EFFORT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. CONDITION LISTED AS RECALL 10V-446 BY BMW . *TR
MY BMW 525I HAS A PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM WARNING; FAULT IN PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM EFFECTING AIRBAG, BELT TENSIONER, OR BELT FORCE LIMITER. THIS HAS CAUSED THE AIRBAG SYSTEM IN THE PASSENGER SIDE TO BE PERMANENTLY TURNED OFF AND ACKNOWLEDGES FAULTS IN THE RESTRAINT SYSTEM. I FEEL THIS IS EXTREMELY UNSAFE FOR PASSENGER…
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MY BMW 525I HAS A PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM WARNING; FAULT IN PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM EFFECTING AIRBAG, BELT TENSIONER, OR BELT FORCE LIMITER. THIS HAS CAUSED THE AIRBAG SYSTEM IN THE PASSENGER SIDE TO BE PERMANENTLY TURNED OFF AND ACKNOWLEDGES FAULTS IN THE RESTRAINT SYSTEM. I FEEL THIS IS EXTREMELY UNSAFE FOR PASSENGERS IN MY VEHICLE. A MECHANIC HAS TOLD ME THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT WHICH APPEARS DEFECTIVE. I OBSERVED THAT THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL ON A SIMILAR ISSUE WITH THE BMW VEHICLE (RECALL ID 08V38400). I ATTEMPTED TO CONTACT THE DEALERSHIP, NORTH SCOTTSDALE BMW AND BMW COSTUMER SERVICE BUT BOTH SAID THE RECALL DIDNT INVOLVE MY VEHICLE EVEN THOUGH IT INCLUDED THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL WITH THE SAME ISSUE. *TR
I HAVE RECEIVED A WARNING ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS THAT THERE IS A MALFUNCTION IN THE PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM. I TOOK THE CAR IN FOR REPAIR AT THE BMW DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT I NEED TO REPLACE THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR. THERE IS A RECALL FOR MY 2004-2006 BMW 5-SERIES FOR THIS ISSUE (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID 08V384000), HOW…
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I HAVE RECEIVED A WARNING ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS THAT THERE IS A MALFUNCTION IN THE PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM. I TOOK THE CAR IN FOR REPAIR AT THE BMW DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT I NEED TO REPLACE THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR. THERE IS A RECALL FOR MY 2004-2006 BMW 5-SERIES FOR THIS ISSUE (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID 08V384000), HOWEVER I WAS TOLD MY CAR WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL. *TR
THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE FOR THE PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM. NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: EA08001 THE DEALERS ARE REFUSING TO FIX THE PROBLEM AT NO COSTS TO ME AND BMW NORTH AMERICA SAYS THERE IS NO RECALL ON MY VEHICLE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 525I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE STARTED THE VEHICLE AND THE PASSENGER AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE DID NOT TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.
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 I…
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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. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,000.
RESTRAINT SYSTEM FAILURE,THE AIRBAGS ON MY PASSANGER SEAT WILL NOT GO OFF IN CASE OF A CRASH.THIS IS A BMW FACTORY ISSUE.W
Official recalls
319V273000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:emission Control:crankcase (pcv)
Apr 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.
17V428000 · Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification
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.
13V564000 · Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification
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 ↗
NHTSA investigations
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.