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2007 BMW 525I

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

About this comparison →
72Owner complaints

Model-year median: 11

2Recall campaigns

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0Investigations

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
84
200435
200577
200672
20071
20081
20090
2010
Compare all 525I years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Air Bags
25Electrical System
14Steering
12Engine
6Seat Belts
6
All reported categories
Seats
6Unknown Or Other
6Exterior Lighting
4Power Train
4Service Brakes
4Engine And Engine Cooling
3Structure
3Service Brakes, Hydraulic
1Tires
1Vehicle Speed Control
1Visibility/wiper
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

56 reports with mileage · 16 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Air Bags. Review the 25 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Steering. Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

3 crash reports2 fire reports3 injury reports

Seats complaints

6 reports
Clear category filter
75,000 miles · Apr 6, 2015
Electrical SystemSeatsUnknown Or Other

BOUGHT THE CAR IN AUG STARTED USING THE SEAT WARMER ABOUT DECEMBER OF 2014. HERE AND THERE UPON USING I'D SMELL SOMETHING BURNING SO I WOULD TURN IT OFF! BUT NOT ALL THE TIME WHEN USING THE WARMER DID I SMELL BURNING! LATE MARCH MY HUSBAND NOTICED A BURN HOLE ON MY DRIERS SEAT, I INSTANTLY REMEMBERED THE BURNING SMELL WHEN SOMET…

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BOUGHT THE CAR IN AUG STARTED USING THE SEAT WARMER ABOUT DECEMBER OF 2014. HERE AND THERE UPON USING I'D SMELL SOMETHING BURNING SO I WOULD TURN IT OFF! BUT NOT ALL THE TIME WHEN USING THE WARMER DID I SMELL BURNING! LATE MARCH MY HUSBAND NOTICED A BURN HOLE ON MY DRIERS SEAT, I INSTANTLY REMEMBERED THE BURNING SMELL WHEN SOMETIMES USING THE SEAT HEATER! I'M LUCKY I WAS NOT BURNED BUT MY DRIVER SEAT IS RUINED AND I'M NOW AFRAID TO USE THE HEATERS, EVER! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10703920

73,000 miles · Sep 9, 2014
Seats

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 525I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE ELECTRONIC SEAT CONTROL SWITCH WOULD REVERSE WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO MOVE THE SEAT FORWARD. THE DEALER REPLACED THE SWITCH ASSEMBLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,000.

NHTSA ODI #10631963

96,673 miles · Feb 2, 2014
Air BagsSeats

2007 BMW SEAT MAT SENSOR FOR ACTIVATION OF AIR BAG, FAILED. THE CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEM HE EXPERIENCED, IS NOW THE SUBJECT OF A RECALL. THE CONSUMER SOLD THE VEHICLE. HOWEVER, HE IS STILL SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT. UPDATED 02/19/14 UPDATED 06/09/14. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10562542

63,000 miles · Jul 22, 2013
Air BagsSeat BeltsSeats

STARTED THE ENGINE. PASSENGER SAT IN VEHICLE. THE PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM FAILURE LIGHT APPEARED ON SCREEN. I THOUGHT IT WAS A GLITCH. THE LIGHT APPEARED ON AND OFF FOR SEVERAL WEEKS. WENT TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND TOLD THAT IT WAS THE SEAT MAT OR SENSOR AND THE COST WOULD RUN AROUND 1500 AT THE DEALER. WAS TOLD TO…

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STARTED THE ENGINE. PASSENGER SAT IN VEHICLE. THE PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM FAILURE LIGHT APPEARED ON SCREEN. I THOUGHT IT WAS A GLITCH. THE LIGHT APPEARED ON AND OFF FOR SEVERAL WEEKS. WENT TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND TOLD THAT IT WAS THE SEAT MAT OR SENSOR AND THE COST WOULD RUN AROUND 1500 AT THE DEALER. WAS TOLD TO CHECK TO SEE IF THERE WAS A RECALL. CHECKED ON THE WEBSITE AND THERE WAS NO RECALL BUT MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURRING FOR THE 2006 VEHICLES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10526128

106,000 miles · May 7, 2013
Air BagsSeat BeltsSeats

WARNING MESSAGE FOR PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG MALFUNCTION. TOOK TO DEALER AND TOLD IT WAS THE SEAT SENSOR. I DID NOT REPLACE IT BECAUSE IT WAS WAY TO MUCH MONEY. THERE ARE TONS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME THING HAPPENING TO PEOPLE WITH THIS CAR. PRIOR YEAR CARS HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR THE SAME ISSUE. IT SURE SEEMS LIKE THIS YEAR CA…

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WARNING MESSAGE FOR PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG MALFUNCTION. TOOK TO DEALER AND TOLD IT WAS THE SEAT SENSOR. I DID NOT REPLACE IT BECAUSE IT WAS WAY TO MUCH MONEY. THERE ARE TONS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME THING HAPPENING TO PEOPLE WITH THIS CAR. PRIOR YEAR CARS HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR THE SAME ISSUE. IT SURE SEEMS LIKE THIS YEAR CAR HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. PLEASE HELP ALL OF US BMW OWNERS OUT. THANK YOU! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10510929

60,000 miles · Dec 13, 2010
Seats

FRONT PASSENGER SEAT WARNING LIGHT ACTIVATES WHEN SOMEONE IS SLOW GETTING INTO SEAT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10370464

Official recalls

2

17V683000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:emission Control:crankcase (pcv)

Oct 30, 2017

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 xDrive30i, Z4 3.0i, Z4 3.0si and Z4 sDrive30i vehicles. The heater for the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve may short circuit.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An electrical short can cause the parts within the PCV valve to melt, increasing the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is not in use.

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the PCV valve heater, free of charge. Interim letters were mailed on November 27, 2017. Owners will receive a second notification by the end of October 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

13V564000 · Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification

Nov 12, 2013

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 year 2006 760i sedans, model year 2006-2007 750i, 750Li, and 760Li sedans, and model year 2006 X5 sports activity vehicles, equipped with certain seat types. The front passenger seat occupant detection mat that determines if and how the passenger frontal air bag should deploy in a crash may fatigue and develop cracks which could lead to a system failure.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Should the system fail, in the event of a crash, the front passenger air bag would be deactivated, increasing the risk of personal injury.

Remedy: BMW will notify owners with an interim notification letter in January 2014 since parts are not currently available. When parts are available, BMW sent a second letter in August and dealers will repair the occupant detection mat to eliminate the possibility that it may crack, free of charge. Additionally, owners of model year 2006-2007 3 Series with standard seats, 5 Series with comfort seats, and Z4 models, will receive an extended warranty on their front passenger seat occupant detection mat. Owners may contact BMW customer relations at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.