FaultScore report
Owners have filed 41 complaints about the 2002 BMW 525I with NHTSA between 2001 and 2026. The largest single group is the airbags. Across this model's run it ranks 7 of 9 worst.
FaultScore 40/100
Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the BMW 525I.
How this is worked out41
Complaints
0
Crashes reported
2
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
48,000 mi
Median mileage at failure
Half of reported failures happened before this
35%
Failed under 36,000 miles
Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
Click any bar to open that year's report.
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Median failure at 179,200 miles
0 crashes, 1 fires · median 86,000 mi
Median failure at 84,000 miles
Median failure at 25,903 miles
0 crashes, 1 fires · median 169,367 mi
Median failure at 55,500 miles
Median failure at 21,000 miles
Median failure at 75,000 miles
Median failure at 21,000 miles
Median failure at 48,000 miles
Median failure at 30,000 miles
Median failure at 20,000 miles
Median failure at 80,000 miles
Median failure at 120,000 miles
Median failure at 21,000 miles
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The car was off and caught fire due too electrical malfunctioning. The a/c unit was staying on even after cutting the car off . Along with my steering wheel randomly adjusting at start of the car . The fire started inside out .
NHTSA complaint #11431768 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
IT STARTED TO SMELL ELECTRICAL WHEN I WAS DRIVING THE CAR AND WHEN I STOPPED THE CAR PUT IT IN PARK AND TRYED TO TURN THE CAR OFF THE IGNITION WOULDNT TURN OFF AND MY ENTIRE CAR CAUGHT FIRE ..I SAW IT START ON THE PASSENGER SIDE UNDER THE HOOD I THREW WATER ON IT IT WOUNDNT GO OUT AND I CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. IT HAPPENED IN PLACERVILLE WHEN I WAS VISITING FAMILY.
NHTSA complaint #11034600 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
WHILE DRIVING, THE SEAT HEATER FAILED AND CONSEQUENTLY THE CONSUMER WAS BURNED.
NHTSA complaint #10105217 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
AIR BAGS
The contact owns a 2002 BMW 525I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS); and would like to be removed from the recall distribution list. The local dealer and manufacturer were contacted.
NHTSA complaint #11721730 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
regarding the Takata airbag recall for my model bmw, the priority zone A includes the hotter southern states incl Florida. My car is in Canada and currently not under a recall notice; however, the car spent many years in Florida, as my parents resided in Florida every winter for 6 months, and then summers in Canada. I am concerned as the propellant in question degrades FASTER in hot climates, and since i reside in Canada, the priority is low. please advise.
NHTSA complaint #11532286 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS
I can't even get comfortable in the seats in this car they are twisting cause a very uncomfortable drive /ride for us! Evrryone i hear of that owns a bmw has this issue
NHTSA complaint #11434434 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The car was off and caught fire due too electrical malfunctioning. The a/c unit was staying on even after cutting the car off . Along with my steering wheel randomly adjusting at start of the car . The fire started inside out .
NHTSA complaint #11431768 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS
SEATS FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER ARE TWISTING WHEN ADJUSTED ALSO SEAT CONTINUOUSLY MOVES EVEN AFTER THE CONTROL IS LET OF
NHTSA complaint #11399670 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
SEATS FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER ARE TWISTING WHEN ADJUSTED ALSO SEAT CONTINUOUSLY MOVES EVEN AFTER THE CONTROL IS LET OF
NHTSA complaint #11399670 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS
TAKATA RECALL THERE'S A AIRBAG SIGNALS ON DISPLAY SCREEN DOESN'T GO OUT OR CLEAR ANYTIME YOU START OR DRIVE THE CAR
NHTSA complaint #11047323 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
TAKATA RECALL THERE'S A AIRBAG SIGNALS ON DISPLAY SCREEN DOESN'T GO OUT OR CLEAR ANYTIME YOU START OR DRIVE THE CAR
NHTSA complaint #11047323 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
TAKATA RECALL THERE'S A AIRBAG SIGNALS ON DISPLAY SCREEN DOESN'T GO OUT OR CLEAR ANYTIME YOU START OR DRIVE THE CAR
NHTSA complaint #11047323 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
IT STARTED TO SMELL ELECTRICAL WHEN I WAS DRIVING THE CAR AND WHEN I STOPPED THE CAR PUT IT IN PARK AND TRYED TO TURN THE CAR OFF THE IGNITION WOULDNT TURN OFF AND MY ENTIRE CAR CAUGHT FIRE ..I SAW IT START ON THE PASSENGER SIDE UNDER THE HOOD I THREW WATER ON IT IT WOUNDNT GO OUT AND I CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. IT HAPPENED IN PLACERVILLE WHEN I WAS VISITING FAMILY.
NHTSA complaint #11034600 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 525I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #10914029 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 525I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE RECALL WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10855675 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 525I. WHILE IN PARK AND ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT DID NOT SUSTAIN ANY INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 189,000.
NHTSA complaint #10758752 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I AND NUMEROUS OTHERS HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER PIXEL ON THE BMW 525I VEHICLES, WHICH MAKES IT EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO READ WHETHER YOU HAVE A ENGINE CONCERNS OR WORSE IF THE ENGINE IS OVERHEATING, ETC. THIS COULD BE POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS AND THE MANUFACTURER IS WELL AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, AND THEY HAVE EVEN REPAIRED A FEW BMWS AT NO CHARGE. HOWEVER, WHEN I NOTIFIED THE COMPANY OF MY COMPLAINT, THEY ADVISED ME THAT THEY WOULD COVER 25% OF THE PARTS AND LABOR, AND LEAVE ME TO PAY THE REMAINING $452.00. AS I MENTIONED EARLIER, THIS IS A HUGE PROBLEM AND THE VEHICLES SHOULD BE RECALLED. TO SEE ADDITIONAL COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER BMW OWNERS, PLEASE GO TO HTTP://FORUMS.BIMMERFORUMS.COM/FORUM/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=419695.
NHTSA complaint #10452436 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
I AND NUMEROUS OTHERS HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER PIXEL ON THE BMW 525I VEHICLES, WHICH MAKES IT EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO READ WHETHER YOU HAVE A ENGINE CONCERNS OR WORSE IF THE ENGINE IS OVERHEATING, ETC. THIS COULD BE POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS AND THE MANUFACTURER IS WELL AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, AND THEY HAVE EVEN REPAIRED A FEW BMWS AT NO CHARGE. HOWEVER, WHEN I NOTIFIED THE COMPANY OF MY COMPLAINT, THEY ADVISED ME THAT THEY WOULD COVER 25% OF THE PARTS AND LABOR, AND LEAVE ME TO PAY THE REMAINING $452.00. AS I MENTIONED EARLIER, THIS IS A HUGE PROBLEM AND THE VEHICLES SHOULD BE RECALLED. TO SEE ADDITIONAL COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER BMW OWNERS, PLEASE GO TO HTTP://FORUMS.BIMMERFORUMS.COM/FORUM/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=419695.
NHTSA complaint #10452436 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 525I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS WERE ABNORMALLY POINTED DOWNWARD AND WAS CAUSING INEFFECTIVE ILLUMINATION OF THE ROADWAY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ADJUSTERS WERE FRACTURED AND THE HEADLIGHT COULD NOT BE ADJUSTED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY CONFIRMED THE FAILURE. THE ENTIRE HEADLIGHT CASING WAS REPLACED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
NHTSA complaint #10411839 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE BATTERY WARNING LIGHT FAILS TO ILLUMINATE WHEN THE CAR'S ALTERNATOR FAILS. AT IDLE A VOLTMETER READ 11.5V. WITH THE CAR OFF THE READING WAS 12.2V. EVEN IF MY METER IS INACCURATE A RUNNING CAR SHOULD PRODUCE A HIGHER READING THAN A BATTERY IN A NON-RUNNING CAR IF THE ALTERNATOR IS WORKING. I REMOVED THE BATTERY FROM THE CAR AND ATTACHED IT TO A "SMART" CHARGER. THE CHARGER STARTED OUT READING "LO." MY CHARGER READS "LO" WHEN THE CHARGE IS LESS THAN 50% OR SO, AND ABOVE THAT REPORTS ESTIMATED CHARGE IN INCREMENTS OF 10%.
NHTSA complaint #10373574 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 525I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT DUE TO THE WAY THE TIRE WAS MOUNTED ON THE VEHICLE, THE TIRE HAD A SLOW LEAK. THE FAILURE HAD BEEN OCCURRING FOR TWO YEARS. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 110,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10367190 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
ENGINE OVERHEATING WARNING SOUNDED. LOOKED AT INDICATOR AND IT WAS ALL THE WAY IN THE RED. PULLED OVER IMMEDIATELY. 30 SECONDS LATER THE RADIATOR BLEW WITH THE FORCE OF AN EXPLOSION, SHOOTING COOLANT ABOUT FIVE FEET ACROSS THE STREET EVEN THOUGH THE HOOD WAS DOWN. OPENED HOOD AND FOUND A HOLE IN TOP OF RADIATOR, MORE THAN AN INCH IN DIAMETER. I WOULD HAVE OPENED HOOD BEFORE IT BLEW SO I CAME WITHIN HALF A MINUTE OF BEING BADLY BURNED. MY MECHANIC SAID IT HAPPENS REGULARLY WITH BMW 525'S. HE SAID IT HAPPENS AROUND 80,000 MILES. MY CAR HAD 75,000 MILES. MECHANIC SAID HE TESTIFIED IN A CASE A FEW YEARS AGO WHERE AN OWNER WAS BADLY BURNED. HE HAD A BOX WITH A BUNCH OF PIECES OF RADIATORS THAT HAD FAILED. I KEPT MY RADIATOR AS EVIDENCE. NONE OF THE HOSES FAILED BUT THE RADIATOR BLEW A HOLE OUT OF THE TOP. IT IS MADE OF PLASTIC AND IS ONLY ABOUT AN EIGHT OF AN INCH THICK. I WOULD EXPECT THAT ANY POINT OF CONNECTION SUCH AS A HOSE OR A SEAL WOULD BUST UNDER PRESSURE BEFORE THE RADIATOR ITSELF WOULD FAIL. I'D NEVER HEARD OF SUCH A THING HAPPENING IN 30 YEARS OF DRIVING. I BELIEVE THIS IS A DANGEROUS DESIGN DEFECT, EITHER IN THE MATERIAL USED OR IT'S THICKNESS. THOUGH THE REPAIR COST ALMOST A THOUSAND DOLLARS I FELT LUCKY BECAUSE I KNEW THAT I OPENED THE A HALF MINUTE EARLIER I COULD HAVE BEEN EXTREMELY BADLY BURNED OR EVENED BLINDED. THE FORCE OF THE EXPLOSION WAS INCREDIBLE. I'M LESS CONCERNED ABOUT THE MONEY THAN ABOUT SOMEBODY BEING SERIOUSLY INJURED BY THIS DEFECT.
NHTSA complaint #10277320 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 525I. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE CONTACT'S VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V384000 (AIR BAGS:FRONTAL). HE STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATES WHEN NO ONE IS SEATED IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 44,000.
NHTSA complaint #10249001 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 525I. THE DRIVER'S SEAT CONTROLS MAKE A SQUEAKING NOISE WHEN MOVING THE SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS SOMETHING IN THE SEAT TRACK, WHICH CAUSED THE NOISE. WHEN THE CONTACT LOCKS THE VEHICLE, THE ALARM SOUNDS, BUT THE HORN WOULD NOT. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE BATTERY TO FAIL WHEN THIS OCCURRED OVERNIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE SENSOR; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. IN ADDITION, THE KEYS DO NOT LOCK OR UNLOCK THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT HE NEEDED A NEW MODULE, WHICH HAS NOT YET ARRIVED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000.
NHTSA complaint #10235752 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 525I. THE DRIVER'S SEAT CONTROLS MAKE A SQUEAKING NOISE WHEN MOVING THE SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS SOMETHING IN THE SEAT TRACK, WHICH CAUSED THE NOISE. WHEN THE CONTACT LOCKS THE VEHICLE, THE ALARM SOUNDS, BUT THE HORN WOULD NOT. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE BATTERY TO FAIL WHEN THIS OCCURRED OVERNIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE SENSOR; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. IN ADDITION, THE KEYS DO NOT LOCK OR UNLOCK THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT HE NEEDED A NEW MODULE, WHICH HAS NOT YET ARRIVED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000.
NHTSA complaint #10235752 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 525I. THE DRIVER'S SEAT CONTROLS MAKE A SQUEAKING NOISE WHEN MOVING THE SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS SOMETHING IN THE SEAT TRACK, WHICH CAUSED THE NOISE. WHEN THE CONTACT LOCKS THE VEHICLE, THE ALARM SOUNDS, BUT THE HORN WOULD NOT. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE BATTERY TO FAIL WHEN THIS OCCURRED OVERNIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE SENSOR; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. IN ADDITION, THE KEYS DO NOT LOCK OR UNLOCK THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT HE NEEDED A NEW MODULE, WHICH HAS NOT YET ARRIVED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000.
NHTSA complaint #10235752 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 525I. THE DRIVER'S SEAT CONTROLS MAKE A SQUEAKING NOISE WHEN MOVING THE SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS SOMETHING IN THE SEAT TRACK, WHICH CAUSED THE NOISE. WHEN THE CONTACT LOCKS THE VEHICLE, THE ALARM SOUNDS, BUT THE HORN WOULD NOT. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE BATTERY TO FAIL WHEN THIS OCCURRED OVERNIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE SENSOR; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. IN ADDITION, THE KEYS DO NOT LOCK OR UNLOCK THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT HE NEEDED A NEW MODULE, WHICH HAS NOT YET ARRIVED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000.
NHTSA complaint #10235752 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS: REAR/OTHER:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
PASSENGER SIDE REAR SAFETY BELT RECEPTACLE IS MALFUNCTIONING.
NHTSA complaint #10149687 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.