IllustrationTHE BRAKE LINES RUSTED THROUGH AND LOST FLUID VERY QUICKLY AS I WAS DRIVING. I WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT TO A GARAGE, DRIVING VERY CAREFULLY. WHY ARE THE BRAKE LINES MADE OF A MATERIAL WHICH RUSTS? THE GARAGE TOLD ME THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE UNTIL THE BRAKE LINES WERE REPLACED. THE COST WAS $491.88.
2006 BMW 525XI
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 525XI 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
125–50K
050–75K
575–100K
8100–150K
6150K+
20 reports with mileage · 8 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 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Service Brakes. Review the 4 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 reports0 injury reports
What owners actually said
28 reportsI GET SEAT BELT/AIRBAG COMMUNICATION FAULT
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 DIAG…
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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 MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.
THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT FLASHED AND SUDDENLY REMAINED ILLUMINATED. IT IS RELATED TO THE CAMPAIGN #13V564000. I CONTACTED BMW AND WAS TOLD THAT MY VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL FOR THIS CAMPAIGN. I BELIEVE IT SHOULD BE AS MY SYMTOMS ARE THE SAME AS LISTED IN THE CAMPAIGN.
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* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 525XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT FLASHED AND SUDDENLY REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V564000 (AIR BAGS). THE FAILU…
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TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 525XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT FLASHED AND SUDDENLY REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V564000 (AIR BAGS). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 06/14/16*LJ
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 FAILU…
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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.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 525XI. WHILE COMING TO A FULL STOP AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE CONTACT HAD TO DEPRESS THE BRAKES WITH BOTH FEET IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT NO WARNING INDICATORS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHERE I…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 525XI. WHILE COMING TO A FULL STOP AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE CONTACT HAD TO DEPRESS THE BRAKES WITH BOTH FEET IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT NO WARNING INDICATORS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE VACUUM PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE UNAVAILABLE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 525XI. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED MORE THAN ONCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 525XI. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK ON A SLIGHT INCLINE, THE BRAKES FAILED AND THE VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARDS. THE CONTACT HAD TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VACUUM PUMP LEAKED OIL INTO THE BRAKE BOOSTER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILU…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 525XI. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK ON A SLIGHT INCLINE, THE BRAKES FAILED AND THE VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARDS. THE CONTACT HAD TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VACUUM PUMP LEAKED OIL INTO THE BRAKE BOOSTER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 114,000.
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.