KnownCarProblems2002 BMW 525i Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 29 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 BMW 525i, most often about the air bags (31% of complaints). It is 6th of 9 525i model years by number of complaints and has 4 recalls.
⚠ Safety advisory2 recalls for this car came with a do-not-drive warning. See below and check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Most common 2002 BMW 525i problems
Air bags
9 complaints · 31%Parts named most often: frontal.
Tl contact owns a 2002 BMW 525i. The manufacturer stated that the contact's VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 08v384000 (air bags:frontal). He stated that the air bag warning indicator illuminates when no one is seated in the passenger seat. The failure and current mileages were 44,000.
The contact owns a 2002 BMW 525i. While in park and attempting to start the vehicle, both the driver and passenger side air bags inadvertently deployed. The contact did not sustain any injuries. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The…
Electrical
5 complaints · 17%Parts named most often: horn, instrument cluster/panel.
While driving and without warning the consumer had to drive a certain speed in order for the ajar indicator light or the alarm sound to come on, to let the consumer know the door or trunk was open. There was also no warning chime to let the driver know that occupants in the vehicle released the seat belts. After the…
Tl contact owns a 2002 BMW 525i. The driver's seat controls make a squeaking noise when moving the seat. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but the failure was not repaired. The dealer stated that there was something in the seat track, which caused the noise. When the contact locks the vehicle, the alarm sounds, but…
Seats
5 complaints · 17%Parts named most often: front assembly.
Tl contact owns a 2002 BMW 525i. The driver's seat controls make a squeaking noise when moving the seat. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but the failure was not repaired. The dealer stated that there was something in the seat track, which caused the noise. When the contact locks the vehicle, the alarm sounds, but…
Body and structure
4 complaints · 14%Parts named most often: body.
While driving and without warning the consumer had to drive a certain speed in order for the ajar indicator light or the alarm sound to come on, to let the consumer know the door or trunk was open. There was also no warning chime to let the driver know that occupants in the vehicle released the seat belts. After the…
When parking the vehicle in a parking lot consumer noticed that the splash shield scrapped the concrete driveway when entering parking lot, and parking space block. This was causing the front bumper to bent, separating from the vehicle. The consumer notified the dealer and manufacturer about this problem.
Seat belts
3 complaints · 10%Parts named most often: rear/other.
While driving and without warning the consumer had to drive a certain speed in order for the ajar indicator light or the alarm sound to come on, to let the consumer know the door or trunk was open. There was also no warning chime to let the driver know that occupants in the vehicle released the seat belts. After the…
Other or unspecified
3 complaints · 10%While driving and without warning the consumer had to drive a certain speed in order for the ajar indicator light or the alarm sound to come on, to let the consumer know the door or trunk was open. There was also no warning chime to let the driver know that occupants in the vehicle released the seat belts. After the…
It started to smell electrical when I was driving the car and when I stopped the car put it in park and tryed to turn the car off the ignition wouldnt turn off and my entire car caught fire ..I saw it start on the passenger side under the hood I threw water on it it woundnt go out and I called the fire department. It…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2002 BMW 525i recalls
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the vehicle has been remedied. Bmw will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicle for an optional sports steering wheel with an affected inflator. Dealers will replace the air bag module as necessary, free of charge. The recall began march 14, 2019. Owners may contact bmw customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Full defect summary
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 2000-2004 x5 sav 3.0i, x5 sav 4.4i, and x5 sav 4.6is vehicles. This recall affects certain vehicles where the original steering wheel has been replaced with the optional sports steering wheel. The sports steering wheel has a frontal air bag inflator that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the vehicle has been remedied. Bmw will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front driver air bag module, free of charge. The recall began aug 2016. Owners may contact bmw customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Note: this recall supersedes recall 14v-348 in its entirety. Additionally, vehicles that have had their driver side frontal air bag replaced previously as part of a recall remedy need to have their air bag replaced under this recall as well. Note: on december 17, 2015 bmw removed the model year 2004 x5 3.0i and 4.4i sports activit
Full defect summary
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 convertibles and 325i, 330i, and m3 coupes, 2002-2003 m5, 540i, 525i sedan, and 530i sedans, and 540i and 525i sportswagons, and 2003 x5 3.0i and 4.4i sports activity vehicles. Please note that the 5-series and x5 vehicles are only included if they are equipped with the optional sports steering wheel. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.
Suspension
Risk: This could affect vehicle handling and control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace both front spring strut upper mounts. Owner notification began march 15, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact bmw at 1-800-831-1117.
Full defect summary
On certain passenger vehicles, during the strut mount manufacturing process, the thrust bearing was not properly positions and secured. If the suspension is fully unloaded, the front strut could separate from the upper mount.
Wheels and tires: sidewall
Risk: Continued driving with low inflation pressure in the tire could ultimately result in damage to the tire, affect vehicle handling and control, and could in some cases result in a vehicle crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect all five tires for a possible cut in the sidewall, and if a cut is found, the tire will be replaced. Owner notification began december 10, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact bmw at 1-800-831-1117.
Full defect summary
Vehicle description: during the tire mounting process on certain passenger vehicles built with standard (non-sport) suspension and equipped with continental contitouringcontact ch95 ecoplus tires, size 225/65r16 95h, having dot codes 4001, 4101, or 4201, the outer sidewall surface of the tires may have been cut by a sharp edge. Operation of the vehicle over a long period of time could lead to a reduction of inflation pressure.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2002 BMW 525i
- What are the most common problems with the 2002 BMW 525i?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: air bags (9 complaints); electrical (5 complaints); seats (5 complaints).
- How many recalls does the 2002 BMW 525i have?
- 4 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from January 14, 2019 (air bags). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2002 a bad year for the BMW 525i?
- It is 6th of 9 525i model years by number of complaints, with 29 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.