KnownCarProblems2005 BMW 525i Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 35 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005 BMW 525i, most often about the air bags (63% of complaints, typically around 86,000 miles). It is 4th of 9 525i model years by number of complaints.
Most common 2005 BMW 525i problems
Air bags
22 complaints · 63%Half of these problems showed up before 86,000 miles. Parts named most often: frontal.
The contact owns a 2005 BMW 525i. While driving at an unknown speed, the passenger side air bag and passenger side seat belt warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the passenger side occupancy seat sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The…
The contact owns a 2005 BMW 525i. The contact stated that the seat belt and air bag light illuminated on the instrument panel. The dealer confirmed the occupant restraint system failed. The manufacturer advised the contact that his VIN was not included in NHTSA recall campaign id number: 08v384000 (air bags). The…
Seat belts
7 complaints · 20%Half of these problems showed up before 75,000 miles. Parts named most often: front.
I was leaving the bowing alley and noticed the restraint system malfunction light was on and it will not go off. I called the company in reference to a recall about the same problem, however, they claim that my VIN # isn't covered under the recall id # 73379 or NHTSA campaign number 08v384000. It is very disheartening…
The contact owns a 2005 BMW 525i. While driving at an unknown speed, the passenger side air bag and passenger side seat belt warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the passenger side occupancy seat sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The…
Seats
6 complaints · 17%Half of these problems showed up before 90,000 miles. Parts named most often: front assembly.
A passenger entered my car and sat in the front passenger seat. Approximately 30 seconds later, a warning came up on my dashboard about a passenger restraint malfunction. The seatbelt signal and airbag signal remained illuminated on my dashboard thereafter...each time I drive my vehicle. I read an online notice from…
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 after a person sat in…
Transmission
4 complaints · 11%The contact owns a 2005 BMW 545i. The contact stated that while braking, the transmission shifted and the vehicle abnormally accelerated barely missing a collision with a pedestrian. The contact stated the failure would occur intermittently when driving at speeds of 20-40 MPH. The dealer advised there was a…
The contact owns a 2005 BMW 525i. The contact stated that there was a pan sleeve gasket leak coming from the transmission. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for a routine inspection when they found the transmission leak. The dealer stated that a gasket needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The…
Electrical
4 complaints · 11%On april 11, 2015. I was taking my vehicle to my mechanic to get it serviced after sitting all winter. As I was driving I noticed smoke coming from the rear of the vehicle. I pulled over, could not locate the source. I continued to my mechanic. Once there we opened the trunk, we noticed and smelled something burning.…
Sunroof drain clogged into trunk causing fire in battery compartment and spare tire area. Vehicle was stationary in shop after not being run for hours.
Other or unspecified
3 complaints · 9%I popped the hood and removed the enclosure cap for the passenger side daytime running lamp and discovered that the wiring on the harness to the light bulb was exposed. The covering around the wiring had disintegrated in several places. I attempted to remove the light bulb and received an electric shock. I then put…
On april 11, 2015. I was taking my vehicle to my mechanic to get it serviced after sitting all winter. As I was driving I noticed smoke coming from the rear of the vehicle. I pulled over, could not locate the source. I continued to my mechanic. Once there we opened the trunk, we noticed and smelled something burning.…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2005 BMW 525i recalls
NHTSA lists no recalls for this model year.
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.
NHTSA defect investigations
Bmw airbag light illumination
Summary
Bmw is conducting a safety recall campaign on approximately 200,000 my04 through my06 subject vehicles built through 11/30/05 to correct the front passenger seat air bag occupant detection mat. The specific vehicles included in the recall aremy04- 06/ 5-series with standard and sport seats, my04-06/ x3-series and my06/ 3-series with sport seats. In addition, bmw will extend the warranty coverage of the passenger seat air bag occupant detection mat to 10-year/unlimited mileage on approximately 120,000 remaining my04-06 subject vehicles built through 11/30/05. The specific vehicles included in the extended warranty are my 06/ 6 series, my 06/ 3-series with standard seats, my04-05/ z4, my04-06/
Bmw airbag light illumination
Summary
In certain my 2005 through my 2006 bmw vehicles, the occupant classification system (ocs) for the passenger frontal airbag may malfunction and render the passenger airbag inoperative.in june 2006, bmw issued a technical service bulletin (si b 72 02 06) regarding the illumination of the airbag warning light and the passenger airbag status lamp.illumination of these lights warn that an open electrical circuit may be present within the passenger seat mat sensor.when both of the lights are illuminated, the passenger frontal air bag will not deploy in a frontal crash.certain bmw vehicles in addition to the subject vehicles contain the same seat mat sensor.these are the my 2004 5-series, 7-series
Questions about the 2005 BMW 525i
- What are the most common problems with the 2005 BMW 525i?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: air bags (22 complaints, typically around 86,000 miles); seat belts (7 complaints, typically around 75,000 miles); seats (6 complaints, typically around 90,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2005 BMW 525i have?
- NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2005 BMW 525i. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls in case one is issued later.
- Is the 2005 a bad year for the BMW 525i?
- It is 4th of 9 525i model years by number of complaints, with 35 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.