Complaints by model year
Distinct federal complaints filed against each model year of the BMW 525I, to date. Hover a bar for the count. Older years have had longer to accumulate filings; the rankings below correct for that.
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1998
1999
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
Highest totals within an 8-year windowAll other years
Model years compared
Ranked from the same federal record on an equal exposure window. Click any year for its full file.
Highest complaint totals
- 2007 BMW 525I - 46 complaints in its first 8 years (72 to date)
- 2004 BMW 525I - 44 complaints in its first 8 years (84 to date)
- 2006 BMW 525I - 37 complaints in its first 8 years (77 to date)
Ranked on distinct complaints filed within eight years of the model year, so old and new years get the same exposure window. Not adjusted for sales volume; a best-selling year files more complaints at the same failure rate.
Lowest totals among mature years
- 2006 BMW 525I - 37 complaints in its first 8 years (77 to date)
- 2004 BMW 525I - 44 complaints in its first 8 years (84 to date)
- 2007 BMW 525I - 46 complaints in its first 8 years (72 to date)
Same eight-year window, among model years old enough to have completed it and with at least 25 complaints in it. Model years before 1990 are excluded because the federal file begins in 1995. A low total is not proof of reliability.
What owners report, all years combined
Every model year
| Model year | Complaints to date | Within 8 years | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 BMW 525I | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 2008 BMW 525I | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 2007 BMW 525I | 72 | 46 | 2 |
| 2006 BMW 525I | 77 | 37 | 3 |
| 2005 BMW 525I | 35 | 13 | 0 |
| 2004 BMW 525I | 84 | 44 | 0 |
| 2003 BMW 525I | 32 | 17 | 2 |
| 2002 BMW 525I | 28 | 16 | 4 |
| 2001 BMW 525I | 22 | 10 | 4 |
| 1999 BMW 525I | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 1998 BMW 525I | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| 1995 BMW 525I | 24 | 15 | 3 |
| 1994 BMW 525I | 7 | 6 | 4 |
| 1993 BMW 525I | 5 | 4 | 3 |
| 1992 BMW 525I | 18 | 9 | 4 |
| 1991 BMW 525I | 13 | 9 | 4 |
| 1990 BMW 525I | 11 | 4 | 3 |
| 1989 BMW 525I | 4 | 0 | 2 |
Recall campaigns, all years
Every campaign filed against this model, with the model years it covers. Safety-recall remedies are normally provided at no charge. Under US federal law the mandatory free remedy applies when the vehicle was no more than 15 years old at the time the defect was determined; manufacturers often cover older vehicles voluntarily. Canadian rules differ. Confirm eligibility with the manufacturer using the VIN.
| Campaign | Years | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 19V273000 | 2006 | Engine And Engine Cooling | 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... |
| 19V015000DO NOT DRIVE | 2000-2003 | Air Bags | BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2000-2003 525i Sedan, 530i Sedan, 540i Sedan, 2001-2003 525i Sports Wagon and 540i Sports Wagon vehicles, and... |
| 17V683000 | 2007-2011 | Engine And Engine Cooling | BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2011 128i and 2007-2011 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 525i, 525xi, 528i, 528xi, 530i, 530xi, X3 3.0si, X3 xDrive30i, X5... |
| 17V428000 | 2006 | Air Bags | 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... |
| 15V318000DO NOT DRIVE | 2002-2003 | Air Bags | BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2002-2005 325i, 325xi, 330i, and 330xi Sedans, and 325xi and 325i Sportswagons, 2002-2006 330Ci, 325Ci, and M3... |
| 13V564000 | 2006-2007 | Air Bags | 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... |
| 03V421000 | 2001 | Air Bags | ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, A MICROPROCESSOR IN THE AIR BAG CONTROL MODULE, WHICH ACTIVATES THE FRONT AIR BAGS, THE SIDE AIR BAGS, THE FRONT SEAT SAFETY BELT PRETENSIONERS, AND... |
| 02V138000 | 2001 | Engine And Engine Cooling | ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE ENGINE AUXILIARY/COOLING FAN OPERATION, INCLUDING VARIABLE SPEED, IS ELECTRONICALLY CONTROLLED. |
| 02V057000 | 2002 | Suspension | ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, DURING THE STRUT MOUNT MANUFACTURING PROCESS, THE THRUST BEARING WAS NOT PROPERLY POSITIONS AND SECURED. |
| 01V352000 | 2002 | Tires | VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: DURING THE TIRE MOUNTING PROCESS ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES BUILT WITH STANDARD (NON-SPORT) SUSPENSION AND EQUIPPED WITH CONTINENTAL CONTITOURINGCONTACT... |
| 01V206000 | 2001 | Engine And Engine Cooling | VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE ENGINE AUXILIARY/COOLING FAN OPERATION, INCLUDING VARIABLE SPEED, IS ELECTRONICALLY CONTROLLED. |
| 98V178000 | 1989-1995 | Engine And Engine Cooling | VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. A MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE OF A COOLANT SYSTEM COMPONENT, SUCH AS A THERMOSTAT, WATER PUMP, OR FAN BELT, CAN RESULT IN SIGNIFICANTLY... |
| 97V131000 | 1989-1995 | Vehicle Speed Control | THE CRUISE CONTROL AND THROTTLE CABLES ARE ATTACHED TO THE SAME THROTTLE VALVE ACTUATING LEVER AT THE THROTTLE HOUSING. |
| 96V111000 | 1990-1994 | Exterior Lighting | THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH CAN FAIL ALLOWING THE SWITCH TO REMAIN IN THE "BRAKE LIGHTS OFF" POSITION OR IN THE "BRAKE LIGHTS ON" POSITION. |
| 96V110000 | 1991-1992 | Air Bags | THE AIR BAG CONTACT RING LOCKING TAB LOCATED IN THE STEERING WHEEL ASSEMBLY CAN BREAK WITHOUT WARNING. |
| 94V219000 | 1994-1995 | Latches/Locks/Linkages | THE DOUBLE-LOCK FEATURE CAN ENGAGE WITH OCCUPANTS AND THE DOOR/IGNITION KEY INSIDE THE VEHICLE. |