FaultScore

2006 BMW 525I airbag problems

52 of the 111 complaints about the 2006 BMW 525I are about the airbag system — 47% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 100,000 miles.

F

52

Complaints

0

Crashes

1

Fires

1

Injuries

Exactly what failed

AIR Bags 42 80.8%
Occupant Classification 5 9.6%
Frontal 3 5.8%
Sensor/Control Module 1 1.9%
Front Passenger 1 1.9%

Airbags across every BMW 525I year

2003 10 6.9%
2004 34 23.4%
2005 23 15.9%
2006 52 35.9%
2007 26 17.9%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

at 112,000 miles Bowie, MD

AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 525I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER PASSPORT BMW (4730 AUTH PL, SUITLAND-SILVER HILL, MD 20746, (301) 423-2700) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH NEEDING A BOLT TIGHTENED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V428000 (AIR BAGS). THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER RECALL HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 112,000.

NHTSA complaint #11394638 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 188,000 miles Port Saint Lucie, FL

AIR BAGS

RED AIRBAG LIGHT AND RED SEAT BELT LIGHT CAME ON AND THERE WAS A CHIME GOING OFF. PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY MAT IS GIVING A FAULT CODE AND DISABLING THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG

NHTSA complaint #11290732 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 188,000 miles Port Saint Lucie, FL

AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION

RED AIRBAG LIGHT AND RED SEAT BELT LIGHT CAME ON AND THERE WAS A CHIME GOING OFF. PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY MAT IS GIVING A FAULT CODE AND DISABLING THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG

NHTSA complaint #11290732 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 180,000 miles Lagrange, GA Fire

AIR BAGS

I WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK AND HAD DRIVEN ONLY 4 1/2 MILES AT 6:55AM ON THURSDAY, AUGUST 15, 2019. I WAS ABOUT 1/2 FROM WORK ON A CITY STREET WHEN SMOKE BEGAN COMING OUT THE AIR VENTS AND STEERING COLUMN. A SMELL OF PLASTIC, ELECTRICAL FILLED THE CAR AND I PULLED INTO THE NEAREST PLACE WHEN THE SMOKE WAS QUICKLY INCREASING. MY SON AND I JUMPED OUT OF THE CAR AND CALLED 911. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED ALMOST IMMEDIATELY, AND UPON PULLING UP, BEFORE THEY COULD GET OUT OF THE TRUCK, THE DRIVER'S SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAG EXPLODED, THE FIREMEN HEARD THE EXPLOSION. BY THE TIME THEY PULLED THEIR HOSES AND LIFTED THE HOOD, SMOKE WAS HEAVILY COMING FROM THE CAR. WHEN THE AIRBAG EXPLODED, A LARGE PIECE OF PLASTIC SHRAPNEL WAS BLOWN TO THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAR AND STUCK BETWEEN THE WINDSHIELD AND THE WINDOW AND STUCK INTO THE EDGE WINDSHIELD FRAME. THE FIREFIGHTERS TRIED FOR SEVERAL MINUTES TO GET THE SOURCE UNDER CONTROL AND FINALLY WAS ABLE TO WHEN THEY DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY. I HAD MY CAR TOWED TO BMW COLUMBUS, THEY "REPAIRED THE RECALL" AND SAID THAT THE FIRE WAS NOT A RESULT OF THE RECALL. I BELIEVE THAT IF THE FIREFIGHTERS DID NOT RESPOND AS QUICKLY AS THEY DID BECAUSE THEY WERE NEARBY, THEN MY CAR WOULD HAVE GONE UP IN FLAMES.

NHTSA complaint #11246298 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Honolulu, HI

AIR BAGS

MY PASSENGER SEAT BELT RESTRAINTS AND AIRBAG WARNINGS LIGHT COMES ON. I SAW THAT THIS YEAR WAS INCLUDED IN MY MODEL 525I, BUT BMW OF HONOLULU SAID MY BIN SHOWS NO RECALL? I'M CONFUSED AND UPSET ON HOW BMW CAN RISK SUCH A SAFETY ISSUE BY NOT INCLUDING ALL AFFECTED BY THIS ESPECIALLY MY YEAR AND MODEL CLASS BECAUSE IT'S OBVIOUSLY AN ISSUE WE ALL ARE HAVING AROUND THE SAME EXACT TIME. IS THERE A SOLUTION OR SHOULD I GIVE UP ON BMW FOR SUCH NEGLECT FOR MY SAFETY AND YOURS?

NHTSA complaint #11156403 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Honolulu, HI

AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION

MY PASSENGER SEAT BELT RESTRAINTS AND AIRBAG WARNINGS LIGHT COMES ON. I SAW THAT THIS YEAR WAS INCLUDED IN MY MODEL 525I, BUT BMW OF HONOLULU SAID MY BIN SHOWS NO RECALL? I'M CONFUSED AND UPSET ON HOW BMW CAN RISK SUCH A SAFETY ISSUE BY NOT INCLUDING ALL AFFECTED BY THIS ESPECIALLY MY YEAR AND MODEL CLASS BECAUSE IT'S OBVIOUSLY AN ISSUE WE ALL ARE HAVING AROUND THE SAME EXACT TIME. IS THERE A SOLUTION OR SHOULD I GIVE UP ON BMW FOR SUCH NEGLECT FOR MY SAFETY AND YOURS?

NHTSA complaint #11156403 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Memphis, TN

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

PASSENGER AIR BAG RESTRAINT LIGHT IS ACTIVATED.

NHTSA complaint #11143963 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Memphis, TN

AIR BAGS

PASSENGER AIR BAG RESTRAINT LIGHT IS ACTIVATED.

NHTSA complaint #11143963 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Memphis, TN

AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION

PASSENGER AIR BAG RESTRAINT LIGHT IS ACTIVATED.

NHTSA complaint #11143963 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 126,525 miles Glen Burnie, MD

AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION

I RECENTLY STARTED GETTING PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM WARNING MESSAGE APPEARING. AFTER SEARCHING ONLINE, I DISCOVERED 2006 525I VEHICLES HAVE A RECALL ON THE SAME ISSUE. HOWEVER WHEN I CONTACTED BMW, I WAS TOLD BASED ON VIN NUMBER MY VEHICLE IS NOT UNDER ANY RECALL EVEN THOUGH I HAVE SAME ISSUE WITH THE VEHICLES UNDER RECALL AND REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V428000 (AIR BAGS). CURRENTLY, THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY AND CAN CAUSE SERIOUS HARM TO THE PASSENGER IF INVOLVED IN ANY TYPE OF ACCIDENT, THEREFORE, MY VEHICLE SHOULD BE PART OF THE RECALL.

NHTSA complaint #11128103 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 126,525 miles Glen Burnie, MD

AIR BAGS

I RECENTLY STARTED GETTING PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM WARNING MESSAGE APPEARING. AFTER SEARCHING ONLINE, I DISCOVERED 2006 525I VEHICLES HAVE A RECALL ON THE SAME ISSUE. HOWEVER WHEN I CONTACTED BMW, I WAS TOLD BASED ON VIN NUMBER MY VEHICLE IS NOT UNDER ANY RECALL EVEN THOUGH I HAVE SAME ISSUE WITH THE VEHICLES UNDER RECALL AND REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V428000 (AIR BAGS). CURRENTLY, THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY AND CAN CAUSE SERIOUS HARM TO THE PASSENGER IF INVOLVED IN ANY TYPE OF ACCIDENT, THEREFORE, MY VEHICLE SHOULD BE PART OF THE RECALL.

NHTSA complaint #11128103 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 140,000 miles Portsmouth, VA

AIR BAGS

WARNING LIGHT PASS. RESTRAINT SYSTEM FAULT IN PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM AFFECTING AIRBAG BELT TENSIONER ETC

NHTSA complaint #11090232 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Frisco, TX

AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER

I RECENTLY STARTED GETTING PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM WARNING MESSAGE APPEARING. AFTER SEARCHING ONLINE, I DISCOVERED 2006 525I VEHICLES HAVE RECALL ON THE SAME ISSUE. HOWEVER WHEN I CONTACTED BMW, I WAS TOLD BASED ON VIN NUMBER MY VEHICLE IS NOT UNDER ANY RECALL EVEN THOUGH I HAVE SAME ISSUE WITH THE VEHICLES UNDER RECALL. AS IS, THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY AND CAN CAUSE SERIOUS HARM TO THE PASSENGER, THEREFORE MY VEHICLE SHOULD BE PART OF THE RECALL.

NHTSA complaint #11088461 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Frisco, TX

AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION

I RECENTLY STARTED GETTING PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM WARNING MESSAGE APPEARING. AFTER SEARCHING ONLINE, I DISCOVERED 2006 525I VEHICLES HAVE RECALL ON THE SAME ISSUE. HOWEVER WHEN I CONTACTED BMW, I WAS TOLD BASED ON VIN NUMBER MY VEHICLE IS NOT UNDER ANY RECALL EVEN THOUGH I HAVE SAME ISSUE WITH THE VEHICLES UNDER RECALL. AS IS, THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY AND CAN CAUSE SERIOUS HARM TO THE PASSENGER, THEREFORE MY VEHICLE SHOULD BE PART OF THE RECALL.

NHTSA complaint #11088461 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Frisco, TX

AIR BAGS

I RECENTLY STARTED GETTING PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM WARNING MESSAGE APPEARING. AFTER SEARCHING ONLINE, I DISCOVERED 2006 525I VEHICLES HAVE RECALL ON THE SAME ISSUE. HOWEVER WHEN I CONTACTED BMW, I WAS TOLD BASED ON VIN NUMBER MY VEHICLE IS NOT UNDER ANY RECALL EVEN THOUGH I HAVE SAME ISSUE WITH THE VEHICLES UNDER RECALL. AS IS, THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY AND CAN CAUSE SERIOUS HARM TO THE PASSENGER, THEREFORE MY VEHICLE SHOULD BE PART OF THE RECALL.

NHTSA complaint #11088461 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 105,000 miles Culpeper, VA

AIR BAGS

MY BMW APPEARS TO THE HAVE AN ISSUE WITH THE PASSENGER AIR BAG SENSOR, BUT THE VIN ISN'T INCLUDE IN THE RECALL LIST. KINDLY REQUEST RECALL, AS THE VEHICLE HASN'T BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT, BUT PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT REMAINS ON.

NHTSA complaint #11078903 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 143,000 miles Santa Clara, CA

AIR BAGS

WAS DROPPING OFF A PASSENGER AND WHEN I PARKED ON A CITY STREET .HE TOOK HIS SEATBELT OFF AND OPENED THE PASSENGER DOOR . WHEN HE GOT OFF THE SEAT I NOTICED TWO LIGHTS COME ON IN THE DASHBOARD . THEN THE NOTIFICATION CAME UP ON MY MENU SCREEN DISPLAYING RESTRAINT AUSTEN MALFUNCTION . I'VE LOOKED UP MY 2006 BMW 525I TO NOTICE IT HAPPENING TO ALLOT OF THE SAME YEAR MAKE AND MODEL AS MINE.

NHTSA complaint #11066112 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 158,000 miles Houston, TX

AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 525I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BMW OF HOUSTON NORTH IN HOUSTON, TX WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE PASSENGER DETECTION MAT WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V428000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 158,000.

NHTSA complaint #11046039 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 40,000 miles Henderson, NV

AIR BAGS

SEATBELT NOT RETRACTING AND WARNING LIGHT STATING SEATBELT AND AIRBAG MAY NOT FUNCTION IN CRASH. INITIALLY INTERMITTENT BUT NOW STEADY WARNING LIGHTS. * EXTREME FADING OF PAINT ON HOOD, ROOF, DECK LID.

NHTSA complaint #10934341 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 165,000 miles Dearborn, MI

AIR BAGS

I HAVE A 2006 BMW 525I AND RECEIVING PASS. RESTAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION AFFECTING THE AIRBAG. THIS IS A PROBLEM BMW SHOULD SERVICE AS THEY ARE FAMOUS FOR THESE MALFUNCTIONS. IT IS DANGEROUS AND ITS RUINS THE INTEGRITY OF THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #10925357 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 170,000 miles Yazoocity, MS

AIR BAGS

VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION DURING THESE EVENTS . ELECTRIC WARNING MALFUNCTION, ALERT PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION. A MESSAGE RIGHT LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT WAS MALFUNCTIONING. ELECTRONIC CONTROL SUDDEN MALFUNCTION OF THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS.

NHTSA complaint #10876854 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 40,000 miles Fort Washington, PA

AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 525I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V564000 (AIR BAGS). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.

NHTSA complaint #10811528 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 162,000 miles Coral Springs, FL

AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 525I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 162,000.

NHTSA complaint #10810930 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 121,000 miles Mechanicsville, VA

AIR BAGS

AIR BAG RESTRAINT SYSTEM FAILURE.

NHTSA complaint #10790450 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 82,000 miles SAN Ramon, CA

AIR BAGS

PASSENGER AIRBAG FAULTS HAS SHOWN UP ON MY 2006 BMW 525I. THIS IS THE 2ND TIME IT SHOWS UP. THE FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG IS DEACTIVATED WITH THIS FAULT AND WILL NOT PROTECT PASSENGER IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT. FIRST TIME, I HAD TO FIX IT MYSELF BECAUSE MY VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE VOLUNTARY RECALL NOTICE SENT BY BMW. NOW IT IS HAPPENING FOR THE 2ND TIME. I HAD IT CHECK AT A SERVICE STATION AND IT IS BECAUSE OF ANOTHER ISSUE IN THE SAME SYSTEM. EACH REPAIR COSTS APPROX. $1000. BMW NORTH AMERICA HAS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS.

NHTSA complaint #10721226 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 108,000 miles Temple, TX

AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 525I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG AND SEAT BELT LIGHT CONTINUOUSLY ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE BATTERY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,000.

NHTSA complaint #10714127 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 86,000 miles Houston, TX

AIR BAGS

PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM FAULT LIGHT HAS STARTED SHOWING ON MY BMW, THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL REPORTED ON THE SAME COMPONENT "STATEMENT ON VOLUNTARY RECALL INVOLVING FRONT PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR MAT ON U.S.A. MODEL BMWS - AUGUST 13, 2008". I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM BUT MY VIN IS NOT SHOWING UP IN THE RECALL. I TOOK THE CAR TO DEALER AND DEALER SAYS ITS EXACTLY THE SAME PART BUT I AM NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL WARRANTY.

NHTSA complaint #10694636 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 95,500 miles Boca, FL

AIR BAGS

FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG IS DEACTIVATED DUE TO THE FRONT SEAT SENSOR MAT MALFUNCTION. ALARM LIGHTS UP ON INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AS WELL AS THE IDRIVE SERVICE SECTION. VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY. DEALERS ARE ASKING FOR $400 TO DIAGNOSE THE ISSUE. THEY CLAIM THE ISSUE IS COMMON BUT MY SPECIFIC VEHICLE IS NOT AFFECTED BY THE RECALL. BMW USA CANNOT HELP AS THEY WANT AN OFFICIAL DIAGNOSIS AND STANDS BY THEIR POSITION THAT MY CAR IS NOT AFFECTED BY THE RECALL OR WHAT EVER TERM THEY LIKE TO USE.

NHTSA complaint #10649817 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 75,000 miles EL Cajon, CA

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 525I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG AND THE RESTRAINT INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.

NHTSA complaint #10621614 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 79,200 miles Bakersfield, CA

AIR BAGS

HAD HEARD FROM FRIENDS ABOUT NHTSA RECALL 13V564000 REGARDING THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG SYSTEM ON 2006 BMW 5 SERIES SEDANS AND OTHERS. I NEVER RECEIVED ANY NOTIFICATIONS FROM BMW IN THE MAIL REGARDING THIS RECALL. IN JUNE 2014, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG SENSOR IN MY CAR FAILED AS DESCRIBED IN THE NHTSA RECALL NOTICE. I WENT TO THE BMW DEALER TO INQUIRY ABOUT THE RECALL AND TO FIND OUT WHY I DID NOT RECEIVE A NOTICE IN THE MAIL. I WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE THAT MY PARTICULAR VEHICLE VIN WAS NOT ASSOCIATED WITH THE RECALL. I ASKED THE SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE EXACTLY WHY IT WAS NOT COVERED AT WHICH HE REPLIED "I'M NOT SURE, IT'S JUST NOT ON THE LIST". I THEN PROCEEDED TO CONTACT BMW OF NORTH AMERICA TO INQUIRE ABOUT THE RECALL. THE REPRESENTATIVE FOR BMW ON THE PHONE BASICALLY HAD THE SAME RESPONSE AS THE SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE AT THE DEALERSHIP, SHE WAS UNCERTAIN WHY MY VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED AND WHY CERTAIN VEHICLES OF THE SAME MAKE, MODEL, AND YEAR WERE COVERED BY THE RECALL. THE REPRESENTATIVE AT BMW NORTH AMERICA SUGGESTED THAT I CONTACT NHTSA REGARDING THE ISSUE. PLEASE HELP SHED SOME LIGHT ON WHY MY PARTICULAR BMW IS NOT COVERED EVEN THOUGH IT HAS THE FAILURE AS OUTLINED IN THE RECALL NOTICE. IN ADDITION, WHAT CRITERIA WAS USED TO DETERMINE WHICH VEHICLES AND PARTS WERE RECALLED.

NHTSA complaint #10617729 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 2006 BMW 525I problems

← Full 2006 BMW 525I report