2005 BMW 525I Problems & Recalls
Detailed safety information and owner complaints
Problem Breakdown
Compare to Other Years
Common Problems
I am encountering persistent issues with my 2005 BMW 525i. Despite having replaced several critical components, including the ignition coils, spark plugs, mass air flow sensor, and throttle body sensors, the vehicle continues to experience performance problems, specifically failing to advance beyond...
I am encountering persistent issues with my 2005 BMW 525i. Despite having replaced several critical components, including the ignition coils, spark plugs, mass air flow sensor, and throttle body sensors, the vehicle continues to experience performance problems, specifically failing to advance beyond...
I am encountering persistent issues with my 2005 BMW 525i. Despite having replaced several critical components, including the ignition coils, spark plugs, mass air flow sensor, and throttle body sensors, the vehicle continues to experience performance problems, specifically failing to advance beyond...
The tail-lights have gone out creating safty issue and number of warning lights to come up on the dashboard. Dealership stated that the wiring harness around ground wire has melted. They stated that this is same issue that is mentioned under NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V407000. The service advisor sa...
I PURCHASED THIS BMW 525I USED FROM A PERSON THAT OBTAINED IT FROM A WHOLESALE DEALER, IT HAD SOME MINOR FRONTEND DAMAGE FROM A FENDER BENDER (BROKEN GRILL, DING TO HOOD) SHOWING 107900 MILES. EVERYTHING ELSE CHECKED OUT. I FEW MONTHS LATER I NOTICED A SLIGHT CHANGE IN TRANSMISSION SOUND, BUT IT ...
Mileage: 112,000
MY CAR HAS A GAS SMELL EVEN IN THE INSIDE SMELLS LIKE GAS
AFTER HAVING AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC SCAN MY VEHICLE WITH AN ADVANCED SCAN TOOL, THE ERROR THAT CAME UP WAS FOR THE "PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR". THIS FAULT HAS CAUSED BOTH THE AIRBAG AND SEATBELT LIGHT TO REMAN ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED, I HAD THE CODE RESET. BUT AFT...
Mileage: 82,000
AFTER HAVING AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC SCAN MY VEHICLE WITH AN ADVANCED SCAN TOOL, THE ERROR THAT CAME UP WAS FOR THE "PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR". THIS FAULT HAS CAUSED BOTH THE AIRBAG AND SEATBELT LIGHT TO REMAN ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED, I HAD THE CODE RESET. BUT AFT...
Mileage: 82,000
FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR HAS FAILED. REAR LEFT HAND BRAKE/BACKUP LIGHT IS PROBLEMATIC AND INTERMITTENTLY WORKS, USUALLY ONLY SHOWS UP ON CAR'S DASHBOARD WHILE IN REVERSE, BUT SOMETIMES WILL STAY ON-SCREEN DURING DRIVING. FRONT ASHTRAY OUTLET/CIGARETTE LIGHTER DOESN'T WORK.
Mileage: 140,000
FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR HAS FAILED. REAR LEFT HAND BRAKE/BACKUP LIGHT IS PROBLEMATIC AND INTERMITTENTLY WORKS, USUALLY ONLY SHOWS UP ON CAR'S DASHBOARD WHILE IN REVERSE, BUT SOMETIMES WILL STAY ON-SCREEN DURING DRIVING. FRONT ASHTRAY OUTLET/CIGARETTE LIGHTER DOESN'T WORK.
Mileage: 140,000
PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM FAULT.
PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM FAULT.
SUNROOF DRAIN CLOGGED INTO TRUNK CAUSING FIRE IN BATTERY COMPARTMENT AND SPARE TIRE AREA. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY IN SHOP AFTER NOT BEING RUN FOR HOURS.
Mileage: 114,000
SUNROOF DRAIN CLOGGED INTO TRUNK CAUSING FIRE IN BATTERY COMPARTMENT AND SPARE TIRE AREA. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY IN SHOP AFTER NOT BEING RUN FOR HOURS.
Mileage: 114,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 525I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE DECELERATED INDEPENDENTLY WHILE BEING OPERATED AT LOW SPEEDS. THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR AND SERVICE TRANSMISSION WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF TH...
Mileage: 130,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 525I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE DECELERATED INDEPENDENTLY WHILE BEING OPERATED AT LOW SPEEDS. THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR AND SERVICE TRANSMISSION WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF TH...
Mileage: 130,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 525I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE FAULT IN PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM DISPLAYED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. T...
Mileage: 115,712
WHEN THE BATTERY WAS CHANGED IN THE CAR, THE PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM FAILURE LIGHT CAME ON. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT IN MOTION, NOR HAS IT BEEN IN ANY KIND OF WRECK. AN AIRBAG LIGHT AND PASSENGER RESTRAINT LIGHT IS NOW ON. BMW SAYS IT IS NOT UNDER RECALL.
Mileage: 120,000
WHEN THE BATTERY WAS CHANGED IN THE CAR, THE PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM FAILURE LIGHT CAME ON. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT IN MOTION, NOR HAS IT BEEN IN ANY KIND OF WRECK. AN AIRBAG LIGHT AND PASSENGER RESTRAINT LIGHT IS NOW ON. BMW SAYS IT IS NOT UNDER RECALL.
Mileage: 120,000
WHILE DRIVING WITH A PASSENGER, THE PASSENGER WARNING SENSOR ILLUMINATED. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC VERIFIED THAT THE SENSOR IS BAD. I CALLED BMW NORTH AMERICA CONCERNING THE VOLUNTARY RECALL CAMPAIGN #08V384000, BUT THEY SAID MY SPECIFIC VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL THAT COVERED MY MODEL, MA...
Mileage: 94,400
I OWN A 2005 BMW 525I. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG AND PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE OCCUPANCY SEAT SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAI...
Mileage: 140,000
ON APRIL 11, 2015. I WAS TAKING MY VEHICLE TO MY MECHANIC TO GET IT SERVICED AFTER SITTING ALL WINTER. AS I WAS DRIVING I NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. I PULLED OVER, COULD NOT LOCATE THE SOURCE. I CONTINUED TO MY MECHANIC. ONCE THERE WE OPENED THE TRUNK, WE NOTICED AND SMELLED ...
Mileage: 135,000
ON APRIL 11, 2015. I WAS TAKING MY VEHICLE TO MY MECHANIC TO GET IT SERVICED AFTER SITTING ALL WINTER. AS I WAS DRIVING I NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. I PULLED OVER, COULD NOT LOCATE THE SOURCE. I CONTINUED TO MY MECHANIC. ONCE THERE WE OPENED THE TRUNK, WE NOTICED AND SMELLED ...
Mileage: 135,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 525I. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG AND PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE OCCUPANCY SEAT SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICL...
Mileage: 86,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 525I. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG AND PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE OCCUPANCY SEAT SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICL...
Mileage: 86,000
THE FIRST DAY I GOT MY BRAND NEW 2005 BMW 525I WAS IN DECEMBER OF 2004 AND I WAS DRIVING IT AND A EMERGENCY WARNING LIGHT CAME ON TELLING ME THAT SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH THE TRANSMISSION, TO PULL OVER AND HAVE IT TOWED TO THE NEAREST BMW DEALERSHIP. I HAD TO GET MY BRAND NEW CAR TOWED BACK TO THE ...
Mileage: 16
THE FIRST DAY I GOT MY BRAND NEW 2005 BMW 525I WAS IN DECEMBER OF 2004 AND I WAS DRIVING IT AND A EMERGENCY WARNING LIGHT CAME ON TELLING ME THAT SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH THE TRANSMISSION, TO PULL OVER AND HAVE IT TOWED TO THE NEAREST BMW DEALERSHIP. I HAD TO GET MY BRAND NEW CAR TOWED BACK TO THE ...
Mileage: 16
THE FIRST DAY I GOT MY BRAND NEW 2005 BMW 525I WAS IN DECEMBER OF 2004 AND I WAS DRIVING IT AND A EMERGENCY WARNING LIGHT CAME ON TELLING ME THAT SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH THE TRANSMISSION, TO PULL OVER AND HAVE IT TOWED TO THE NEAREST BMW DEALERSHIP. I HAD TO GET MY BRAND NEW CAR TOWED BACK TO THE ...
Mileage: 16
ACTIVE STEERING FAULT. *TR
Mileage: 141,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 525I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG AND SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHTS REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE SEAT MAT SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT T...
Mileage: 15,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 525I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG AND SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHTS REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE SEAT MAT SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT T...
Mileage: 15,000
WARNING LIGHT APPEARED ON DASHBOARD ABOUT A PASSENGER RESTRAINT MALFUNCTION. THE SEATBELT SIGNAL AND AIRBAG SIGNAL REMAINED ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. RECORDS SHOW THAT THE PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR WAS REPLACED AUG 21, 2007 AT FIRST OWNERS EXPENSE. THE LIGHT CAME BACK ON AFTER WE PURCHAS...
Mileage: 51,796
THE AIRBAG LIGHT AND SEATBELT LIGHT CAME ON AND REMAIN ON. AUTO SHOP REFERRED ME TO BMW TO HAVE RECALL ON PASSENGER MAT SENSOR ERROR. BMW DEALERSHIP TELLS ME THE RECALL HAD BEEN PERFORMED ON 7/3/2009, SO IT IS NOT COVERED AND I NEED TO PAY REPAIR PRICES. FROM MY UNDERSTANDING, PASSENGER AIRBAG WIL...
Mileage: 123,900
THE AIRBAG LIGHT AND SEATBELT LIGHT CAME ON AND REMAIN ON. AUTO SHOP REFERRED ME TO BMW TO HAVE RECALL ON PASSENGER MAT SENSOR ERROR. BMW DEALERSHIP TELLS ME THE RECALL HAD BEEN PERFORMED ON 7/3/2009, SO IT IS NOT COVERED AND I NEED TO PAY REPAIR PRICES. FROM MY UNDERSTANDING, PASSENGER AIRBAG WIL...
Mileage: 123,900
I POPPED THE HOOD AND REMOVED THE ENCLOSURE CAP FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE DAYTIME RUNNING LAMP AND DISCOVERED THAT THE WIRING ON THE HARNESS TO THE LIGHT BULB WAS EXPOSED. THE COVERING AROUND THE WIRING HAD DISINTEGRATED IN SEVERAL PLACES. I ATTEMPTED TO REMOVE THE LIGHT BULB AND RECEIVED AN ELECTRIC S...
Mileage: 157,258
A PASSENGER ENTERED MY CAR AND SAT IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. APPROXIMATELY 30 SECONDS LATER, A WARNING CAME UP ON MY DASHBOARD ABOUT A PASSENGER RESTRAINT MALFUNCTION. THE SEATBELT SIGNAL AND AIRBAG SIGNAL REMAINED ILLUMINATED ON MY DASHBOARD THEREAFTER...EACH TIME I DRIVE MY VEHICLE. I READ AN O...
Mileage: 90,000
A PASSENGER ENTERED MY CAR AND SAT IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. APPROXIMATELY 30 SECONDS LATER, A WARNING CAME UP ON MY DASHBOARD ABOUT A PASSENGER RESTRAINT MALFUNCTION. THE SEATBELT SIGNAL AND AIRBAG SIGNAL REMAINED ILLUMINATED ON MY DASHBOARD THEREAFTER...EACH TIME I DRIVE MY VEHICLE. I READ AN O...
Mileage: 90,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 525I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SEAT BELT AND AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE DEALER CONFIRMED THE OCCUPANT RESTRAINT SYSTEM FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V384...
Mileage: 82,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 525I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR WAS RESET UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 08V384000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER FOR FURTHER INSP...
Mileage: 1,000
PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM ERROR CAME UP TWO DAYS AFTER BUYING THIS SERVICED BMW AT BMW OF FAIRFAX, VA, PRE OWNED DEALER. THIS HAPPENED WHEN THE PASSENGER SAT IN PASSENGER SEAT FOR THE FIRST TIME AND KEPT STAYING ON SINCE. IN REFERENCE TO THIS THERE IS A RECALL FOR ALL 04-06 5 SERIES FOR A FAULTY SE...
Mileage: 106,200
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 525I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SEAT HEATING SYSTEM FAILED. THE CONTACT SMELLED SMOKE WHILE THE HEATING SYSTEM WAS ACTIVATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE FAILURE WAS LOCATED AT THE BACK REST HEATING SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUF...
Mileage: 157,000
I WAS LEAVING THE BOWING ALLEY AND NOTICED THE RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION LIGHT WAS ON AND IT WILL NOT GO OFF. I CALLED THE COMPANY IN REFERENCE TO A RECALL ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM, HOWEVER, THEY CLAIM THAT MY VIN # ISN'T COVERED UNDER THE RECALL ID # 73379 OR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 08V384000. IT ...
Mileage: 64,000
I WAS LEAVING THE BOWING ALLEY AND NOTICED THE RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION LIGHT WAS ON AND IT WILL NOT GO OFF. I CALLED THE COMPANY IN REFERENCE TO A RECALL ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM, HOWEVER, THEY CLAIM THAT MY VIN # ISN'T COVERED UNDER THE RECALL ID # 73379 OR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 08V384000. IT ...
Mileage: 64,000
I WAS LEAVING THE BOWING ALLEY AND NOTICED THE RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION LIGHT WAS ON AND IT WILL NOT GO OFF. I CALLED THE COMPANY IN REFERENCE TO A RECALL ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM, HOWEVER, THEY CLAIM THAT MY VIN # ISN'T COVERED UNDER THE RECALL ID # 73379 OR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 08V384000. IT ...
Mileage: 64,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 525I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A PAN SLEEVE GASKET LEAK COMING FROM THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A ROUTINE INSPECTION WHEN THEY FOUND THE TRANSMISSION LEAK. THE DEALER STATED THAT A GASKET NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NO...
Mileage: 80,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 525I. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WHERE THE TECHNICIAN WAS ABLE TO TURN THE WARNING LIGHT OFF, BUT THE LIGHT LATER ILLUMINATED INTE...
Mileage: 60,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 525I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE OCCUPANCY CENSOR FOR THE AIR BAG WAS INOPERABLE. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE AIR BAG WOULD NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED ...
Mileage: 104,000
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 525I. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON AND OFF WITH A PASSENGER IN THE SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE CONTINUED AND THE VEHICLE ...
Mileage: 27,000
TL*THE DRIVER OWNS A 2005 BMW 525I. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH THE SRS AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE FAILURE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V384000, AIR BAGS FRONT...
Mileage: 80,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 545I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE BRAKING, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTED AND THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED BARELY MISSING A COLLISION WITH A PEDESTRIAN. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR INTERMITTENTLY WHEN DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 20-40 MPH. THE DEALER ADVISE...
Mileage: 40,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 525I. WHILE IN THE IDLE POSITION, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE ELECTRIC SEAT WAS NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. HE CALLED THE DEALER AND WAS ADVISED THAT HE WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR REPAIR EXPENSES. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE VIN WA...
Mileage: 100,850
I GOT A SECOND DEGREE BURN FROM MY CAR SEAT HEAT MALFUNCTION FROM MY 2005 BMW 525I. THE CAR SEAT WENT ON FIRE AND BURNED MY CLOTH AND MY SKIN. *JB