Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
25,000 – 49,999 miles
14.0%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
624.0%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
936.0%
150,000+ miles
936.0%
When owners complained
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.
Jan 2012peak 4Mar 2023
Recalls on the 2006 BMW 525XI
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
United States — NHTSA
19V273000
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CRANKCASE (PCV)
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.
Risk: 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.
17V428000
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION
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.
Risk: Should the system fail, in the event of a crash, the front passenger air bag would be deactivated, increasing the risk of personal injury.
13V564000
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION
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.
Risk: Should the system fail, in the event of a crash, the front passenger air bag would be deactivated, increasing the risk of personal injury.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 154,000 milesMarietta, PAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
The contact owns a 2006 BMW 525xi. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the contact smelled the odor of burning coming from the vehicle, and the contact noticed smoke coming from the trunk of the vehicle. The contact pulled over and notice that smoking was coming from the battery. The contact was able to stop the smoke. The vehicle would not restart, and the vehicle was towed to the contact's home. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 154,000.
NHTSA complaint #11514500 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Manalapan, NJFire
SEATS
Driver side Seat mysteriously burned. Not sure how. Seat warmers were not on at the time.
NHTSA complaint #11447261 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 140,000 milesPhiladelphia, PAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #10937114 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Reading, PAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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
NHTSA complaint #10863706 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 154,000 milesMarietta, PAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
The contact owns a 2006 BMW 525xi. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the contact smelled the odor of burning coming from the vehicle, and the contact noticed smoke coming from the trunk of the vehicle. The contact pulled over and notice that smoking was coming from the battery. The contact was able to stop the smoke. The vehicle would not restart, and the vehicle was towed to the contact's home. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 154,000.
NHTSA complaint #11514500 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
New York, NY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
PCV issue UNKNOWN
NHTSA complaint #11510178 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
New York, NY
ENGINE
PCV issue UNKNOWN
NHTSA complaint #11510178 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Traverse City, MI
ENGINE
The engine overheated on January 27, 2022 and a warning appeared on the dash to pull over and turn off the engine. It was then towed to a repair facility, where it was determined that overheating caused the failure of radiater hoses, loss of coolant, and other damages. Repairs cost $2574.56 on January 29, 2022. When I contacted BMW and the dealer, I was told that did not want to hear about it until they have determined what remedy was available for the recall, and they told me they would noot listen to any complaints about damages until then.
NHTSA complaint #11463936 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 119,000 milesWest Park, FL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2006 BMW 525XI. The contact stated that the vehicle was overheating while driving. The coolant temperature warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the thermostat and radiator were replaced; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the computer needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact later received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V273000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 119,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
NHTSA complaint #11463023 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Manalapan, NJFire
SEATS
Driver side Seat mysteriously burned. Not sure how. Seat warmers were not on at the time.
NHTSA complaint #11447261 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Elfin, SC
POWER TRAIN
WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE WITH SPEED LIMIT 70 MPH, A WARNING MESSAGE APPEARED TRANSMISSION FAILURE & REDUCE SPEED. THE CAR SLOWED DOWN ITSELF WHILE ONGOING TRAFFIC APPROACHED EXTREMELY FAST. MY CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE TO THE 5TH OR 6TH GEAR. I HAD TO I GET OFF THE INTERSTATE AS QUICKLY AS I COULD. IN A PANIC I CALLED AAA TO TOW MY CAR. THINKING THERE WAS TRULY SOMETHING WRONG WITH MY TRANSMISSION, ALTHOUGH I KEPT UP WITH MAINTENANCE. NEEDLESS TO SAY THIS MESSAGE THAT POPPED UP WAS INCORRECT. THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH MY TRANSMISSION.
NHTSA complaint #11176619 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 150,000 milesEast Greenwich, RI
AIR BAGS
COMPUTER DRAWING DOWN BATTERY AND CAR WILL NOT START SEEMS TO HAPPEN MORE WHEN IT'S DAMP AND RAINING THIS HAPPENS WHEN THE CAR IS PARKED PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON BMW WOULD LIKE $2500. TO REBOOT COMPUTER I THINK ITS A SCAM
NHTSA complaint #11047100 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 150,000 milesEast Greenwich, RI
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
COMPUTER DRAWING DOWN BATTERY AND CAR WILL NOT START SEEMS TO HAPPEN MORE WHEN IT'S DAMP AND RAINING THIS HAPPENS WHEN THE CAR IS PARKED PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON BMW WOULD LIKE $2500. TO REBOOT COMPUTER I THINK ITS A SCAM
NHTSA complaint #11047100 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 40,000 milesReading, PA
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 525XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS LOW SPEEDS, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE BOOSTER FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 40,000.
NHTSA complaint #10967976 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 150,000 milesLenexa, KS
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MY BMW WAS PARKED OUTSIDE A RESTAURANT IN OVERLAND PARK, KS, AT LUNCH TIME ON MARCH 7, 2017. AUTO WAS LOCKED AND ALL WINDOWS AND SKYLIGHT WERE CLOSED. WHEN I RETURNED TO MY CAR AFTER LUNCH, THE CAR WAS UNLOCKED AND ALL WINDOWS AND SKYLIGHT WERE OPEN. THE KEY WAS IN MY PURSE AND WAS UNTOUCHED. POSSIBLE THEFT ATTEMPT?
NHTSA complaint #10959991 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 300,000 milesST. Joseph, MI
SEAT BELTS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 525XI. WHILE AN OCCUPANT WAS SEATED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT THE AIR BAG AND SEAT BELT WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED, INDICATING THAT THE AIR BAGS AND SEAT BELT WERE INOPERABLE THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE PASSENGER SEAT DETECTION MAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 300,000. UPDATED 03/03/17*LJ
NHTSA complaint #10939625 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 300,000 milesST. Joseph, MI
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 525XI. WHILE AN OCCUPANT WAS SEATED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT THE AIR BAG AND SEAT BELT WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED, INDICATING THAT THE AIR BAGS AND SEAT BELT WERE INOPERABLE THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE PASSENGER SEAT DETECTION MAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 300,000. UPDATED 03/03/17*LJ
NHTSA complaint #10939625 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Traverse City, MI
SERVICE BRAKES
THE 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.
NHTSA complaint #10937338 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 250,000 milesSaint Joseph, MI
SEAT BELTS
I GET SEAT BELT/AIRBAG COMMUNICATION FAULT
NHTSA complaint #10937259 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 250,000 milesSaint Joseph, MI
AIR BAGS
I GET SEAT BELT/AIRBAG COMMUNICATION FAULT
NHTSA complaint #10937259 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 140,000 milesPhiladelphia, PAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #10937114 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 134,000 milesSkillman, NJ
AIR BAGS
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.
NHTSA complaint #10884620 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Reading, PAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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
NHTSA complaint #10863706 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 75,000 milesWaukee, IA
AIR BAGS
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
NHTSA complaint #10860724 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 120,000 milesSevn Hills, OH
AIR BAGS
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.
NHTSA complaint #10850716 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Brookefield, WI
SERVICE BRAKES
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.
NHTSA complaint #10731313 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 125,000 milesPhiladelphia, PA
AIR BAGS
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.
NHTSA complaint #10724766 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 114,000 milesCromwell, CT
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM
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.
NHTSA complaint #10632794 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 122,000 milesManayunk, PA
SEATS
THE PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM ALARM CAME ON FOR THE FIRST TIME WHILE SITTING IN A PARKING LOT. BMW SAYS THAT MY VEHICLE, A 2006 BMW 525XI IS NOT CAPTURED UNDER THE CURRENT RECALL 13V564000, WHICH FIXES THIS PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10629216 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.