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2004 BMW 525iProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 84 owner complaints about the 2004 BMW 525i, most often about the air bags. It has no vehicle safety recalls on record.

36
CarFlaw IndexUse caution1.8× the 525i median · #1 of 11 years by complaints
Safety recalls0None on recordOwner complaints8419 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage95kAir bags, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through December 3, 2018. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 2004 BMW 525i has problems

84 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Air bags330
Electrical system219
Seats1711
Seat belts140
Power train71
Structure42
Vehicle speed control30
Steering20
Engine20
11 other systems151

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

0 recalls

2004 BMW 525i recalls and how many were fixed

No vehicle safety recalls are on record for this model year.

Mileage at failure

When do air bags problems start?

95kmiles, median

Based on the odometer reading in 28 air bags complaints. 61% were reported before 100,000 miles.

median0k50k100k150k200k+
1under 30k miles17under 100k miles11100k miles or more
Best & worst years

2004 vs. every other 525i year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the 525i median. How we score

'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
1 investigation

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2004 BMW 525i, and the recalls they led to.

  1. BMW AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATIONEA08001 · closed Dec 31, 2008
    Led to recall 08V-384
In owners' words

What 525i owners report

Recent air bags complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM WARNING APPEARS EACH TIME WE GET INTO THE VEHICLE AND START THE IGNITION. AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT RED ICON CONSTANTLY ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. THE CAR DOES NOT COOL OR GET COLD UNTIL THE CAR IS IN MOTION. WE HAD A…
Complaint 11005486 · Jul 15, 2017 · 158,000 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 525I. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS CONSTANTLY ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT SENSOR FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS…
Complaint 10882166 · Jul 1, 2016 · 116,799 miles
I PURCHASED A USE 2004 BMW 525I AND WITHIN 2 DAYS THE A MESSAGE CAME UP INDICATING PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG/SEAT BELT ISSUE, REMAIN USING YOUR SEAT BELT BUT SEE YOUR NEAREST BMW CENTER.
Complaint 10824768 · Feb 8, 2016 · 148,000 miles

Own a 2004 525i?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.