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2005 BMW 525iProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 35 owner complaints about the 2005 BMW 525i, most often about the air bags. It has no vehicle safety recalls on record.

2005 BMW 525i
60
CarFlaw IndexSolid year34% below the 525i median · #5 of 11 years by complaints
Safety recalls0None on recordOwner complaints355 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage84kAir bags, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through October 23, 2024. Updated daily. Photo: RL GNZLZ from Chile, CC BY-SA 2.0.

Complaints by system

Where the 2005 BMW 525i has problems

35 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 bags220
Seat belts70
Seats62
Power train40
Electrical system42
Fuel/propulsion system10
Exterior lighting10
Engine10
Service brakes10
1 other systems10

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

0 recalls

2005 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?

84kmiles, median

Based on the odometer reading in 21 air bags complaints. 62% were reported before 100,000 miles.

median0k50k100k150k200k+
4under 30k miles13under 100k miles8100k miles or more
Best & worst years

2005 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
2 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2005 BMW 525i, and the recalls they led to.

  1. BMW AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATIONEA08001 · closed Dec 31, 2008
    Led to recall 08V-384
  2. BMW AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATIONPE07045 · closed Jan 4, 2008
    No recall
In owners' words

What 525i owners report

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

AFTER HAVING AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC SCAN MY VEHICLE WITH AN ADVANCED SCAN TOOL, THE ERROR THAT CAME UP WAS FOR THE "PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR". THIS FAULT HAS CAUSED BOTH THE AIRBAG AND SEATBELT LIGHT TO REMAN ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED, I HAD THE CODE RESET. BUT…
Complaint 11061337 · Jan 9, 2018 · 82,000 miles
FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR HAS FAILED. REAR LEFT HAND BRAKE/BACKUP LIGHT IS PROBLEMATIC AND INTERMITTENTLY WORKS, USUALLY ONLY SHOWS UP ON CAR'S DASHBOARD WHILE IN REVERSE, BUT SOMETIMES WILL STAY ON-SCREEN DURING DRIVING. FRONT ASHTRAY OUTLET/CIGARETTE LIGHTER DOESN'T WORK.
Complaint 10970386 · Apr 3, 2017 · 140,000 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 525I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE DECELERATED INDEPENDENTLY WHILE BEING OPERATED AT LOW SPEEDS. THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR AND SERVICE TRANSMISSION WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF…
Complaint 10917934 · Oct 21, 2016 · 130,000 miles

Own a 2005 525i?

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