Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
50,000 – 74,999 miles
833.3%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
1250.0%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
416.7%
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.
May 2008peak 3Oct 2024
Recalls on the 2007 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
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 72,000 milesAllentown, PAFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 525XI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V683000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. WHILE DRIVING UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE CONTACT DETECTED AN ABNORMAL BURNING ODOR. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CALLED A LOCAL DEALER (DANIELS BMW, 4600 CRACKERSPORT ROAD, ALLENTOWN, PA 18104) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE RECALL PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. - (RECALL RELATED INCIDENT) TS
NHTSA complaint #11105138 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Woonsocket, RI
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
battery problems, was supposedly recalled for it and now the car is dying and the alarm is going off in my driveway at 10:30pm after being off for hours. the alarm doesn’t turn off with the fob or if key is in ignition, i need to remove the battery panel find a ratchet and remove one of the battery terminals while my alarm is simultaneously going off for long period over and over and over.
NHTSA complaint #11620269 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Woonsocket, RI
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
battery problems, was supposedly recalled for it and now the car is dying and the alarm is going off in my driveway at 10:30pm after being off for hours. the alarm doesn’t turn off with the fob or if key is in ignition, i need to remove the battery panel find a ratchet and remove one of the battery terminals while my alarm is simultaneously going off for long period over and over and over.
NHTSA complaint #11620269 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ann Arbor, MI
AIR BAGS
My car is seeing error lights for the passenger restraint system, and the dealer informed me that I should replace the OC3 mat at a cost of $2021. I see that this part is covered under recall for some similar age 525xi models, so I am unclear why this problem doesn't extend to my vehicle if this is a common problem with these models. Is this under evaluation for a possible future recall?
NHTSA complaint #11432915 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ann Arbor, MI
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER
My car is seeing error lights for the passenger restraint system, and the dealer informed me that I should replace the OC3 mat at a cost of $2021. I see that this part is covered under recall for some similar age 525xi models, so I am unclear why this problem doesn't extend to my vehicle if this is a common problem with these models. Is this under evaluation for a possible future recall?
NHTSA complaint #11432915 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 72,000 milesAllentown, PAFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 525XI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V683000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. WHILE DRIVING UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE CONTACT DETECTED AN ABNORMAL BURNING ODOR. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CALLED A LOCAL DEALER (DANIELS BMW, 4600 CRACKERSPORT ROAD, ALLENTOWN, PA 18104) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE RECALL PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. - (RECALL RELATED INCIDENT) TS
NHTSA complaint #11105138 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Omaha, NE
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CRANKCASE (PCV)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 525XI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V683000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. BMW OF OMAHA (716 N 102ND ST OMAHA, NE) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED.
NHTSA complaint #11100551 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Omaha, NE
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 525XI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V683000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. BMW OF OMAHA (716 N 102ND ST OMAHA, NE) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED.
NHTSA complaint #11100551 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 106,000 milesNorth Haven, CT
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
THE WIRES FOR THE PARKING LIGHTS ARE BRITTLE AND FRAYING APART
NHTSA complaint #11047686 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 124,000 milesBohemia, NY
STEERING
ELV BLOCKED MESSAGE POPS ON FROM NO WHERE WHEN DRIVING STEERING WHEEL GETS LOCKED
NHTSA complaint #11035898 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 85,000 milesAuburn, WA
AIR BAGS
THE PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM/AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON REPEATEDLY. TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER. THEY DIAGNOSED PROBLEM AS NEEDING TO REPLACE FRONT SEAT OCCUPANCY MAT, OC3. THEY SAID MY VIN NOT PART OF RECALL #13V564000 SO I HAD TO PAY LABOR COST. DEALER PAID FOR PART AS A COURTESY. CONTACTED BMW NORTH AMERICA TO REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT FOR LABOR. THEY REFUSED BECAUSE VIN NOT PART OF RECALL. APPROXIMATE MILEAGE 85,000. MY VIN SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED AS THIS IS SAME PROBLEM, ON SAME YEAR & MODEL OF CAR AS THOSE INCLUDED IN RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #10839524 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 90,000 milesSpringfield, VA
AIR BAGS
THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT MY VIN IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL CAMPAIGN # 13V564000. TRIED TO CONTACT BMW NORTH AMERICA AND WAS TOLD THE SAME THING BECAUSE THE RECALL IS BASED ON VIN NUMBER. IF IT'S THE SAME PROBLEM, BMW SHOULD ACKNOWLEDGED AND FIX THE ISSUE FOR FREE. MILEAGE IS APPROXIMATELY 95,000.
NHTSA complaint #10817689 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 75,000 milesBrookside, NJ
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 525XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT SEAT OCCUPANT PROTECTION MAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V564000 (AIR BAGS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.
NHTSA complaint #10762990 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 73,000 milesHuntington Station, NY
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 525XI. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED AT THE DEALER, THE IGNITION WAS TURNED TO THE ON POSITION BUT THE ENGINE DID NOT START. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL LOCK MECHANISM FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 73,000. UPDATED 8/10/15*CN UPDATED 10/17/2017
NHTSA complaint #10722313 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 73,000 milesHuntington Station, NY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 525XI. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED AT THE DEALER, THE IGNITION WAS TURNED TO THE ON POSITION BUT THE ENGINE DID NOT START. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL LOCK MECHANISM FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 73,000. UPDATED 8/10/15*CN UPDATED 10/17/2017
NHTSA complaint #10722313 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 108,000 milesSmyrna, TN
ENGINE
I WAS TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH ON A CITY CAUSEWAY. I WENT TO APPLY THE BRAKES FOR A RED LIGHT AND HAD NONE. THE PEDAL WAS VERY STIFF AND HAD NO HYDRAULIC ASSIST. I PUSHED THE PEDAL AS HARD AS I COULD AND DOWNSHIFTED, FINALLY STOPPING ABOUT 8 FEET INTO THE INTERSECTION. THE CAR ACTED FINE ALL MORNING UP TO THAT POINT. I HAD NO WARNING LIGHT OR ANYTHING TO ALERT ME TO THE FAILURE. I HAVE SINCE FOUND OUT THAT BMW ISSUED A RECALL FOR THIS VERY ISSUE ON THE V8 ENGINE BUT NOT FOR THE I6 ENGINE WHICH I HAVE.
NHTSA complaint #10703729 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 108,000 milesSmyrna, TN
SERVICE BRAKES
I WAS TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH ON A CITY CAUSEWAY. I WENT TO APPLY THE BRAKES FOR A RED LIGHT AND HAD NONE. THE PEDAL WAS VERY STIFF AND HAD NO HYDRAULIC ASSIST. I PUSHED THE PEDAL AS HARD AS I COULD AND DOWNSHIFTED, FINALLY STOPPING ABOUT 8 FEET INTO THE INTERSECTION. THE CAR ACTED FINE ALL MORNING UP TO THAT POINT. I HAD NO WARNING LIGHT OR ANYTHING TO ALERT ME TO THE FAILURE. I HAVE SINCE FOUND OUT THAT BMW ISSUED A RECALL FOR THIS VERY ISSUE ON THE V8 ENGINE BUT NOT FOR THE I6 ENGINE WHICH I HAVE.
NHTSA complaint #10703729 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 75,000 milesNorth Babylon, NY
STEERING
2007 BMW 525XI MODEL NOT LIMITED TO OR EXCLUSIVE OF THIS MAKE/MODEL BUT HAS A KNOWN ISSUE WHERE A RED LIGHT INDICATOR APPEARS ON THE DASH SIGNALING AN ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN FAULT HAS OCCURRED, DO NOT TURN THE ENGINE OFF OR THE CAR MAY NOT BE ABLE TO BE STARTED AGAIN, CONTACT YOUR LOCAL BMW SERVICE DEPARTMENT. THIS HAS YET TO MAKE IT ON THE NHTSA DATABASE AS AN OFFICIAL RECALL BUT I HAVE RESEARCHED AND MADE NOTE OF SEVERAL HUNDRED CUSTOMERS EXPERIENCING THIS SAME ISSUE ON THEIR BMW. THIS COULD LEAVE YOU IN A DANGEROUS POSITION IF YOU NEEDED TO LEAVE AN AREA AND WERE UNABLE TO START YOUR CAR AND IT COULD LEAVE YOU STRANDED AS IT COULD CAUSE A NO START SITUATION.
NHTSA complaint #10640052 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 50,000 milesScotch Plains, NJ
ENGINE
CLICKING NOISE ON CAR OFTEN. AFTER RESEARCHING THERE WERE MORE COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME PROBLEM HAPPENING WITH OTHER BMW'S. WAS TOLD BY THE BMW SERVICE CENTER THAT THE LIFTERS NEED REPLACING. THERE ARE FAULTY LIFTERS ON THE CAR COULD EVENTUALLY RUIN THE ENGINE HEAD.
NHTSA complaint #10595465 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 84,000 milesPembroke Pines, FL
SEAT BELTS
HELLO, MY 2007 BMW 525XI HAS AN ERROR WITH THE AIRBAGS AND PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM. I WAS TOLD THERE IS A RECALL BUT BMW SAYS I DON'T HAVE ONE CURRENTLY MY AIRBAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY IN THE CASE OF AN ACCIDENT AND BMW DOES NOT WANT TO COVER. PLEASE HELP. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #10577469 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 84,000 milesPembroke Pines, FL
AIR BAGS
HELLO, MY 2007 BMW 525XI HAS AN ERROR WITH THE AIRBAGS AND PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM. I WAS TOLD THERE IS A RECALL BUT BMW SAYS I DON'T HAVE ONE CURRENTLY MY AIRBAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY IN THE CASE OF AN ACCIDENT AND BMW DOES NOT WANT TO COVER. PLEASE HELP. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #10577469 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 60,000 milesRiverdale, NY
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 525XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO START THE VEHICLE. THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT WAS ALSO ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER; HOWEVER THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
NHTSA complaint #10509591 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 95,000 milesRochester, NY
SEATS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 525XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED STATING THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WAS FAULTY AND WAS NOT ACTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PASSENGER SEAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 95,000.
NHTSA complaint #10502317 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 95,000 milesRochester, NY
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 525XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED STATING THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WAS FAULTY AND WAS NOT ACTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PASSENGER SEAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 95,000.
NHTSA complaint #10502317 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 79,000 milesIndianapolis, IN
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 525 XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE ENGINE WAS STARTED, THE AIRBAG AND RESTRAINT WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE PASSENGER SEAT MAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 81,000.
NHTSA complaint #10454082 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 88,000 milesCoventry, RI
SEATS
MY 2007 525XI HAS ENCOUNTERED THE SAME PROBLEM COVERED BY NHTSA CAMPAIGN 08V384000 IN 2008 WHICH DISABLES THE FRONT AIRBAG. MY FOR RECALL IN THAT CAMPAIGN ENDED IN 2006. I WAS ABLE TO VERIFY WITH BMW THAT THE PART NUMBER FOR THE SEAT TO REPAIR THE ISSUE IN MY2007 IS THE SAME AS MY2006. HAS ANY TRACKING OF THE OCCURRENCE IN MY2007 OCCURRED? WHY WOULD THE SAME PART NOT BE COVERED UNDER THE MANUFACTURES EXTENSION TO THE WARRANTY OF 10 YEARS UNLIMITED MILEAGE? THIS IS APPROXIMATELY A $1200.00 REPAIR TO REPLACE THE SEAT AS BMW DOES NOT SELL THE SENSOR MAT WITHOUT THE SEAT.
NHTSA complaint #10433573 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.