Total Complaints
34 filings
BMW 525XI · model year
34 NHTSA complaints, and 3 active recalls for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2006BMW525XI carries 34 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 4 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2006 525XI is air bags with 13 filings, followed by electrical system (5) and service brakes (4). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 3 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.
NHTSA currently has 34 investigation files overlapping the 2006 525XI. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
Total Complaints
34 filings
Crashes Reported
0 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| AIR BAGS | 13 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 5 |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 4 |
| ENGINE | 3 |
| SEATS | 2 |
| SEAT BELTS | 2 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM | 1 |
| POWER TRAIN | 1 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 1 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY | 1 |
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION
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 328i and 328xi sports wagons, model year 2006-2007 525i, 525xi, 530i, 530xi, 550i sedans and 530xi sports wagons, model yea
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION
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 2006 525i, 525xi, 530i, 530xi, 550i vehicles with standard seats. The front passenger seat occupant detection mat that det
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CRANKCASE (PCV)
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 vehicles. The heater for the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve may short circuit.
The contact owns a 2006 BMW 525xi. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the contact smelled the odor of burning coming from the vehicle, and the contact noticed smoke coming from the trunk of the vehicle. The contact pulled over and notice that smoking was coming from the battery. The contact was able to stop the smoke. The vehicle would not restart, and the vehicle was towed to the contact's home. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 154,000.
Mileage: 154,000
PCV issue UNKNOWN
PCV issue UNKNOWN
The engine overheated on January 27, 2022 and a warning appeared on the dash to pull over and turn off the engine. It was then towed to a repair facility, where it was determined that overheating caused the failure of radiater hoses, loss of coolant, and other damages. Repairs cost $2574.56 on January 29, 2022. When I contacted BMW and the dealer, I was told that did not want to hear about it until they have determined what remedy was available for the recall, and they told me they would noot listen to any complaints about damages until then.
The contact owns a 2006 BMW 525XI. The contact stated that the vehicle was overheating while driving. The coolant temperature warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the thermostat and radiator were replaced; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the computer needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact later received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V273000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 119,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Mileage: 119,000
Driver side Seat mysteriously burned. Not sure how. Seat warmers were not on at the time.
WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE WITH SPEED LIMIT 70 MPH, A WARNING MESSAGE APPEARED TRANSMISSION FAILURE & REDUCE SPEED. THE CAR SLOWED DOWN ITSELF WHILE ONGOING TRAFFIC APPROACHED EXTREMELY FAST. MY CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE TO THE 5TH OR 6TH GEAR. I HAD TO I GET OFF THE INTERSTATE AS QUICKLY AS I COULD. IN A PANIC I CALLED AAA TO TOW MY CAR. THINKING THERE WAS TRULY SOMETHING WRONG WITH MY TRANSMISSION, ALTHOUGH I KEPT UP WITH MAINTENANCE. NEEDLESS TO SAY THIS MESSAGE THAT POPPED UP WAS INCORRECT. THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH MY TRANSMISSION.
COMPUTER DRAWING DOWN BATTERY AND CAR WILL NOT START SEEMS TO HAPPEN MORE WHEN IT'S DAMP AND RAINING THIS HAPPENS WHEN THE CAR IS PARKED PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON BMW WOULD LIKE $2500. TO REBOOT COMPUTER I THINK ITS A SCAM
Mileage: 150,000
COMPUTER DRAWING DOWN BATTERY AND CAR WILL NOT START SEEMS TO HAPPEN MORE WHEN IT'S DAMP AND RAINING THIS HAPPENS WHEN THE CAR IS PARKED PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON BMW WOULD LIKE $2500. TO REBOOT COMPUTER I THINK ITS A SCAM
Mileage: 150,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 525XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS LOW SPEEDS, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE BOOSTER FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 40,000.
Mileage: 40,000
MY BMW WAS PARKED OUTSIDE A RESTAURANT IN OVERLAND PARK, KS, AT LUNCH TIME ON MARCH 7, 2017. AUTO WAS LOCKED AND ALL WINDOWS AND SKYLIGHT WERE CLOSED. WHEN I RETURNED TO MY CAR AFTER LUNCH, THE CAR WAS UNLOCKED AND ALL WINDOWS AND SKYLIGHT WERE OPEN. THE KEY WAS IN MY PURSE AND WAS UNTOUCHED. POSSIBLE THEFT ATTEMPT?
Mileage: 150,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 525XI. WHILE AN OCCUPANT WAS SEATED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT THE AIR BAG AND SEAT BELT WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED, INDICATING THAT THE AIR BAGS AND SEAT BELT WERE INOPERABLE THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE PASSENGER SEAT DETECTION MAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 300,000. UPDATED 03/03/17*LJ *TR
Mileage: 300,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 525XI. WHILE AN OCCUPANT WAS SEATED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT THE AIR BAG AND SEAT BELT WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED, INDICATING THAT THE AIR BAGS AND SEAT BELT WERE INOPERABLE THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE PASSENGER SEAT DETECTION MAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 300,000. UPDATED 03/03/17*LJ *TR
Mileage: 300,000
THE BRAKE LINES RUSTED THROUGH AND LOST FLUID VERY QUICKLY AS I WAS DRIVING. I WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT TO A GARAGE, DRIVING VERY CAREFULLY. WHY ARE THE BRAKE LINES MADE OF A MATERIAL WHICH RUSTS? THE GARAGE TOLD ME THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE UNTIL THE BRAKE LINES WERE REPLACED. THE COST WAS $491.88.
I GET SEAT BELT/AIRBAG COMMUNICATION FAULT
Mileage: 250,000
I GET SEAT BELT/AIRBAG COMMUNICATION FAULT
Mileage: 250,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 525XI. WHILE DRIVING, THE CONTACT NOTICED AN ODOR OF BURNING RUBBER AND THE ALTERNATOR WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. ALSO, THE POWER FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ABLE TO START WITHOUT RECEIVING A JUMP. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE WIRES CONNECTED TO THE BATTERY WERE BURNED. THE CONTACT STATED THEY WOULD TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO RECEIVE AN OFFICIAL DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.
Mileage: 140,000
THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT FLASHED AND SUDDENLY REMAINED ILLUMINATED. IT IS RELATED TO THE CAMPAIGN #13V564000. I CONTACTED BMW AND WAS TOLD THAT MY VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL FOR THIS CAMPAIGN. I BELIEVE IT SHOULD BE AS MY SYMTOMS ARE THE SAME AS LISTED IN THE CAMPAIGN.
Mileage: 134,000
MCM BURNED UP GOT WET AND STANK UP WHOLE TRUNK BECAUSE OF DESIGN FLAW BY BMW WE WERE DRIVING AS IT BURNED UP TILL WE HAD TO PULL OVER BECAUSE OF THE AWFUL SMELL
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 525XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT FLASHED AND SUDDENLY REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V564000 (AIR BAGS). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 06/14/16*LJ
Mileage: 75,000
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.