Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 2 of 6 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
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 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Exterior Lighting. Review the 1 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 reports1 fire reports0 injury reports
What owners actually said
6 reports
Mileage unknown · Oct 28, 2016
Air Bags
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 525IA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE IS…
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TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 525IA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
NHTSA ODI #10919788
Mileage unknown · Oct 5, 2016
Air Bags
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 525I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 525I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
NHTSA ODI #10914076
Mileage unknown · Apr 7, 2016
Air Bags
TL* TAKATA RECALL.THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 525IA SPORT WAGON. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS). THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF TH…
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TL* TAKATA RECALL.THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 525IA SPORT WAGON. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS). THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10854044
112,000 miles · Dec 1, 2014
Electrical SystemFire
APPROXIMATELY ONE AND A HALF HOURS AFTER ARRIVING AT WORK THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CAR WAS PARKED, NOT RUNNING, SITTING IN A PARKING SPACE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT FELT THAT THE FIRE ORIGINATED BEHIND AND BELOW THE PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY. THERE APPEARS TO BE SOME KIND OF FAN/BLOWER LOCATED IN THAT AREA J…
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APPROXIMATELY ONE AND A HALF HOURS AFTER ARRIVING AT WORK THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CAR WAS PARKED, NOT RUNNING, SITTING IN A PARKING SPACE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT FELT THAT THE FIRE ORIGINATED BEHIND AND BELOW THE PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY. THERE APPEARS TO BE SOME KIND OF FAN/BLOWER LOCATED IN THAT AREA JUST AHEAD OF THE PASSENGER FRONT TIRE. THE WEATHER WAS GOOD, NO PRECIPITATION AND APPROXIMATELY 60 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT. *JS
NHTSA ODI #10661445
15,000 miles · Jun 4, 2004
Tires
AFTER THE TIRES WERE ROTATED, THE TREAD WORE OUT. A BMW HOT LINE REPRESENTATIVE INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE TIRES SHOULDN'T BE ROTATED BECAUSE TREAD WEAR WILL OCCUR. THIS INFORMATION WAS NOT LISTED IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL. *AK THERE WAS EXCESSIVE TIRE NOISE. *SC *JB
NHTSA ODI #10068634
Mileage unknown · Jan 18, 2003
Exterior Lighting
MY COMPLAINT IS THE NEW XENON HEADLIGHTS ON AUTOMOBILES. THE ARE SO BRIGHT THAT I AM CONTINUALLY BLINDED BY ONCOMING VEHICLES HAVING THEM. THERE IS REALLY NO NEED FOR SUCH OVERLY BRIGHT HEADLIGHTS, ESPECIALLY CONSIDERING THE HAZARD THEY POSE TO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THERE MUST BE SOMETHING THAT CAN BE DONE TO MINIMIZE THE EFFECT …
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MY COMPLAINT IS THE NEW XENON HEADLIGHTS ON AUTOMOBILES. THE ARE SO BRIGHT THAT I AM CONTINUALLY BLINDED BY ONCOMING VEHICLES HAVING THEM. THERE IS REALLY NO NEED FOR SUCH OVERLY BRIGHT HEADLIGHTS, ESPECIALLY CONSIDERING THE HAZARD THEY POSE TO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THERE MUST BE SOMETHING THAT CAN BE DONE TO MINIMIZE THE EFFECT OF THESE LIGHTS.
NHTSA ODI #10002920
Official recalls
0
No recalls in this snapshot.
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.
2003 BMW 525IA Sport Wagon Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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