2004 BMW 525I recalls and problems

The 2004 BMW 525I has 0 recalls and 84 owner complaints on file with NHTSA; the most reported problem area is air bags.

How the 2004 compares
Fewest complaintsMost complaints

Highest complaint count among 9 525I model years — the most of any year.

0recalls
84complaints
0crashes
17fires
2injuries
89,627median miles

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not verified and not adjusted for sales. Ranking compares this model's own years only.

Does your car have an open recall?
Recalls apply to specific vehicles. Only a VIN lookup on NHTSA's official site shows whether yours is affected and still unrepaired.
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0 recalls

No recall campaigns on file.

Recall text as published by NHTSA and the manufacturer.

What owners complain about

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA; one complaint can name several areas. Not verified by NHTSA.

Complaints by year filed

2004: 4 complaints20042005: 3 complaints2006: 1 complaints20062007: 3 complaints2008: 2 complaints20082009: 7 complaints2010: 3 complaints20102011: 10 complaints2012: 11 complaints2012112013: 7 complaints2014: 11 complaints20142015: 8 complaints2016: 6 complaints20162017: 6 complaints2018: 2 complaints20182

NHTSA investigations

BMW AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATION

EA08001 · opened Jan 4, 2008 · closed Dec 31, 2008 · led to recall 08V384000
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/ 7 SERIES, MY 06/ X5, AND MY04-06/ 5-SERIES WITH COMFORT SEATS.THE AVERAGE FREQUENCY OF FAILURES AMONG THE EXTENDED WARRANTY GROUPS WAS LESS THAN 1/7TH OF THE RECALL VEHICLE GROUPS.PLEASE SEE BMW'S 08V-384 RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR FURTHER DETAILSDEPENDING ON SEAT CONFIGURATION AND VEHICLE GEOMETRY, THE OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT CAN FATIGUE DURING USE DEPENDING ON THE MANNER AND FREQUENCY OF THE FRONT PASSENGER'S ENTRY AND EXIT.SPECIFICALLY, OVER TIME, MICRO-CRACKS COULD DEVELOP IN THE SIDE FLANKS OF THE MAT CAUSING A BROKEN CIRCUIT.A BROKENCIRCUIT CAN LEAD TO THE DEACTIVATION OF THE PASSENGER AIR BAG AND THE ILLUMINATION OF BOTH THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT AND THE PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT.

2004 vs. other BMW 525I years

Owner complaints by model year; the darker bar is the 2004. Click a bar to switch year.

Questions

Does the 2004 BMW 525I have recalls?

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2004 BMW 525I. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to be sure.

What are the most common problems with the 2004 BMW 525I?

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA most often mention air bags (33), electrical system (21), seats (17). Complaints are consumer reports and are not verified by NHTSA.