2003 BMW 525I

2 recalls, 40 complaints - 18 TSBs

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Defect Description

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 steeri... Read more

Consequence

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy

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 ... Read more

157,549 vehicles affected

Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Defect Description

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, ... Read more

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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... Read more

419,235 vehicles affected

Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC

Complaint Statistics

40 total complaints 3 crashes 2 fires 6 injuries

Top Reported Components

Component	Complaints
AIR BAGS	10
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	6
SEATS	3
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION	2
VISIBILITY/WIPER	2
EXTERIOR LIGHTING	2
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS	1
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WARNING LIGHT/DEVICES	1
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	1
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER	1

Incident date: Oct 1, 2020

Abs module failure trifecta abs light traction amd brake light. Sometimes used to auto Accelerate when brake was pressed and cruise control doesnt work

Incident date: Oct 1, 2020

Abs module failure trifecta abs light traction amd brake light. Sometimes used to auto Accelerate when brake was pressed and cruise control doesnt work

Incident date: Oct 1, 2020

Abs module failure trifecta abs light traction amd brake light. Sometimes used to auto Accelerate when brake was pressed and cruise control doesnt work

Incident date: Sep 9, 2021

GM3 Body module failure interior lights dont function, alarm whipers sprayers locks doors dont funtion

Incident date: Sep 9, 2021

GM3 Body module failure interior lights dont function, alarm whipers sprayers locks doors dont funtion

Incident date: Sep 9, 2021

GM3 Body module failure interior lights dont function, alarm whipers sprayers locks doors dont funtion

Incident date: May 27, 2021

I was driving and antitheft system went off while driving. Then wiper failed to work. I was told by dealer mechanic that the body control module was failing and advised not to drive the car because the antitheft system may cause the car to stop and the wiper system will stop when raining causing m... Read more

Incident date: Jan 5, 2017

BAD AIR BAG

Incident date: Aug 1, 2016

MODULE FAILS THAT CONTROLS WINDSHIELD WIPERS. IF RAINING, THERE WOULD BE NO VISIBLITY AND WOULD RESULT IN AN ACCDENT. THIS HAPPENED WHEN THE CAR WAS MOVING.

Incident date: Jul 20, 2015

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 525I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER DID NOT GIVE A SPECIFIC DATE FOR WHEN THE PART WOU... Read more

Incident date: Jul 9, 2015

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 525I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACT... Read more

Incident date: Aug 31, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 525I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED WAS UNAVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS ... Read more

Incident date: May 29, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 525I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS... Read more

Incident date: Jul 1, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 525I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V428000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MA... Read more

Incident date: Jul 29, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 525I. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE DRIVER VEERED AND CRASHED INTO A CURB. THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY, THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR AIR BAG DEPLOYED, BUT THE PASSENGER SIDE HEAD LINER AIR BAG DID NOT FULLY DEPLOY. THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THERE WER... Read more

Crash

Incident date: Jan 10, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 525I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STARTING THE IGNITION THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE FAILURE RECURRED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE... Read more

Incident date: Aug 20, 2012

DRIVER SEAT AND PASSENGER POWER MOTOR OF SEAT NOT WORKING, AND CAN I ASKING IF I BUY THIS CAR FROM DEALER USED CAR,THIS CAR HAVE 5 RECALL,,THE DEALER DON'T TELL ME ABOUT THE CAR HAVE RECALL, THAT ILLEGAL OR LEGAL , IF ILLEGAL WITH CUSTOMER,WHERE AND WHAT THE OFFICES CAN I DO COMPLAIN REPORT THI... Read more

Crash

Incident date: Jan 11, 2013

2003 BMW 525I. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO POTENTIAL FIRE IN TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE FAILED INSPECTION, DUE TO A FAULTY LEFT TAIL LIGHT. THE LIGHT WAS REPAIRED. HOWEVER, THE ENTIRE TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY/HOUSING HAD TO BE REPLACED, RATHER THAN JUST REPLACING A BUL... Read more

Incident date: Feb 5, 2012

I HAVE A COMPLETE FAILURE OF THE PASSENGER(RIGHT) SIDE TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY ON OUR 2003 BMW 525I. THE TAIL LIGHT IS CONNECTED TO A WIRING HARNESS VIA A CONNECTOR. ONE OF THE CONNECTOR PINS HAS BEEN OVERHEATED BY THE ELECTRICAL CURRENT AND HAS BEEN BURNT TO A CRISP. THIS EXACT PROBLEM HAS FORCED BMW... Read more

Incident date: Oct 14, 2009

I WAS HELPING A PASSENGER OUT OF THE PASSENGER SEAT OF MY 2003 BMW 525I WHEN THE PASSENGER ACCIDENTLY BUMPED THE THE AUTO-UP WINDOW BUTTON. THE DOOR WAS OPEN, THE WINDOW WAS DOWN, AND I HAD FINGER IN THE WAY OF THE NOW CLOSING WINDOW. ALL OFF A SUDDEN THE WINDOW CHOPPED OFF A DIGIT OF MY PINKY FINGE... Read more

1 injured

Incident date: Oct 6, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 525I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE CHECK TRANSMISSION FAILSAFE MESSAGE ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION BECAME STUCK IN THIRD GEAR AND DECELERATED UNTIL IT STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED TH... Read more

Incident date: Jun 9, 2009

2003 BMW 525I 11 MONTHS AGO BROUGHT IN DUE TO WATER AND MOLD IN REAR FLOOR DEALER FOUND MOLD, DOOR PANELS CRUMBLING FROM WATER AND CLAIMED NEEDED TO REPLACE VAPOR BARRIERS. WANTED TO CHARGE ME $4,000 OR SO I FOUGHT AND BMW FURNISHED PARTS I PAID LABOR OVER 1200.00 WHEN ASKED THEY CLAIM NEVER SAW PRO... Read more

2 injured

Incident date: Jun 4, 2010

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 525I. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE FRONT AND REAR AIR BAGS ON THE DRIVER SIDE SUDDENLY DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE HAZARD LIGHTS BLINKED AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AFTER THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND ... Read more

1 injured

Incident date: May 30, 2009

I WAS DRIVING ALONG THE FREEWAY WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN MY CAR ENGINE STARTED TO RUN VERY ROUGH AND THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. MY CAR HAVE TO BE TOWED TO THE BMW DEALERSHIP AND I WAS TOLD THE ALL OF THE IGNITION COILS HAVE TO BE REPLACED. MY CAR THEN HAD ONLY 29K+ MILES. *TR

Incident date: Oct 24, 2009

UPON TURNING ON THE MANUFACTURER INSTALLED DRIVERS SEAT HEATER, THE DRIVERS SEAT HEATER SHORTED OUT CAUSING EXTREME HEAT AND SMOKE TO RISE FROM THE LEFT SIDE OF THE SEAT. ALTHOUGH THIS DID NOT CAUSE A FIRE, IT WAS EXTREMELY CLOSE TO CAUSING A FIRE. THE HEATER WAS TURNED OFF, AND THE SMOKE AND HEAT... Read more

Incident date: Oct 24, 2009

Incident date: Feb 1, 2009

PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG SENSOR FAILURE, SENSOR IN SEAT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED OR AIR BAG WILL NOT FUNCTION. *TR

Incident date: Feb 15, 2009

I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND TURNED THE SEAT HEATER ON. AFTER ABOUT 5 MINUTES INTO MY DRIVE, I STARTED TO SMELL SMOKE AND THEN SAW SMOKE IN THE CAR. I PULLED OVER AND SAW THAT THE SEAT WAS CATCHING ON FIRE. I TURNED THE SEAT HEATER OFF AND DOUSED THE FIRE WITH WATER. *TR

Fire

Incident date: Feb 15, 2009

Fire

Incident date: Dec 24, 2008

2003 525I BMW FRONT PASSENGER DOOR JAMMED IN "DOUBLE LOCK." THIS CONDITION OCCURRED WITHOUT USER INVOLVEMENT AND COULD HAVE LEFT THE PASSENGER WITH NO MEANS OF A QUICK EXIT IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT OR OTHER EVENT REQUIRING A QUICK EXIT. ONLY MEANS OF EGRESS WAS TO CRAWL THOUGHT THE WINDOW OR OV... Read more

Incident date: Nov 10, 2008

BEGAN TO HEAR A "CLICKING NOISE" UNDER FRONT END OF VEHICLE. UPON INVESTIGATION, BMW SERVICE DEPARTMENT DETERMINED RMFD HYDRO STEERING BOX DEFECTIVE AND REPLACED IT. SERVICE DEPARTMENT STATED NOISE WOULD GET WORSE IF NOT REPLACED BUT COULDN'T ADVISE ME AS TO SAFETY ISSUE. VEHICLE METICULOUSLY MAI... Read more

Incident date: Aug 1, 2005

2003 BMW 525I DIED TWICE LEAVING THE CONSUMER STRANDED.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***.*MR THE IGNITION COILS FAILED ON THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE MADE A TERRIBLE NOISE WHEN IT WAS FIRST STARTED, THE DEALER REPLACED NUMEROUS PARTS, BUT TO NO AVAIL. *JB

Incident date: Aug 1, 2005

Incident date: Apr 24, 2005

WHILE CHANGING THE TIRE ON MY 2003 BMW 525 CAR JACK SLIPPED OUT CAUSING CAR TO DROP ON MY ARM, BREAKING MY ARM. I BELIEVE THE CAR JACK FOR THIS CAR IS POORLY DESIGNED

1 injured

Incident date: Mar 8, 2005

ON 8 MARCH 2005 AT APPROXIMATELY 3:20PM, [XXX] (SPOUSE) AND [XXX] (4 YEAR OLD CHILD) WERE HEADING WESTBOUND ON GRAND RIVER AVE. IN NOVI MICHIGAN. [XXX] WAS SECURED IN A GRACO BOOSTER SEAT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLE IN THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE. THE GRACO BOOSTER SEAT WAS TETHERED TO THE REAR BENCH SEAT ... Read more

Crash 1 injured

Incident date: Sep 21, 2004

REPEATED IGNITION COIL FAILURE ON MY 2003 BMW 525I SERIES. THE DEALERS HAS ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR PAIR THIS SAME PROBLEM FOUR TIMES. I QUESTION THE SAFETY OF THIS VEHICLE. *AK

Incident date: Feb 23, 2004

WHILE SHIFTING GEARS FROM FIRST TO SECOND, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE BY ENGAGING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. THE CONSUMER PULLED OVER TO THE SHOULDER AND NOTICED THAT THE GAS PEDAL WAS STUCK. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO RELEASE THE PEDAL.*AK THE VEHICLE... Read more

Incident date: Feb 19, 2003

THE SEAT BELT WARNING CHIME HAS A MALFUNCTION, THAT RESULTS IN THE CHIME REMAINING ON EVEN IF THE SEAT BELT HAS BEEN FASTENED. THIS IS CAUSED BY A PROGRAMMING ISSUE WHEN VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED AND CANNOT BE FIX, PER DEALERSHIP.*AK

Incident date: Feb 12, 2003

BOUGHT CAR NEW IN APRIL OF 2001. SINCE THAT TIME, DRIVER SIDE HEADLIGHT (LOW BEAM) HAS BURNED OUT 3 TIMES. DO NOT KNOW IF THIS IS A SAFETY DEFECT OR NOT, BUT THOUGHT I WOULD REPORT IT JUST IN CASE.

EPA Fuel Economy, 2003 BMW 525I

Trim / Engine	City MPG	Highway MPG	Combined MPG	Fuel Type	Annual Fuel Cost
2.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (S5) (Rear-Wheel Drive)	18.0	26.0	21.0	Premium	$3,650
2.5L 6-cyl, Manual 5-spd (Rear-Wheel Drive)	18.0	27.0	21.0	Premium	$3,650

CO2 Emissions: -1.0 g/mile (Compact Cars)

Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Actual fuel economy may vary based on driving conditions.

Technical Service Bulletins, 2003 BMW 525I

18 manufacturer communications from 11 unique bulletins. TSBs describe known problems and recommended fixes from the manufacturer.

Most Affected Components

Component	Bulletins
140000 AIR BAGS	5
110000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	3
350000 EQUIPMENT	2
114100 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD	1
072100 FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP	1
120000 EXTERIOR LIGHTING	1
355200 EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL	1
140100 AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE	1

133000 VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.

110000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.

060000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Engine will crank but not start. There is no communication with the integrated fuel module (TFE) whendiagnosing with ISTA. The following two fault codes will be stored in the DME: 032B43 - Low fuel pressure system, electric fuel pump: pre

070000 FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

350000 EQUIPMENT

Customers may state that the alarm system (DWA) is not active after locking their unoccupied vehicle. Depending on the vehicle??A?A?s equipment and settings, no acoustic or optical confirmation (folding the mirrors/blinking confirmation) i

110000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

140000 AIR BAGS

TAKATA AIR BAG RECALL-RELATED SHORT-TERM ALTERNATE TRANSPORTATION AND CONSEQUENTIAL REPAIRS This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI B01 31 18 dated October 2018.

140000 AIR BAGS

TAKATA AIR BAG RECALL-RELATED SHORT-TERM ALTERNATE TRANSPORTATION AND CONSEQUENTIAL REPAIRS This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI B01 31 18 dated October 2018.

140000 AIR BAGS

TAKATA CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT. CUSTOMER SUPPORT PROGRAM. FRONT DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG MODULES.

140100 AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE

TAKATA CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT. CUSTOMER SUPPORT PROGRAM. FRONT DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG MODULES.

350000 EQUIPMENT

Radio / Navigation / Head Unit Identification Guide

110000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

For the above-referenced vehicles with driver?s side airbag modules, BMW of North America, LLC (?BMW NA?) will provide a Customer Support Program as outlined in the Takata Settlement Customer Support Program Overview attachment. This ?comp

140000 AIR BAGS

In an effort to improve the completion rate on Takata air bag recall affected vehicles; BMW NA has expanded the BMW Ultimate Rewards platform to include a new Recall Support page. This page will allow IRFs to check their customers VINs for

355200 EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

SERVICE ACTION: PROGRAM DME: The incorrect dataset could be programmed into DME 5.2.1 control module.

120000 EXTERIOR LIGHTING

BMW: PROCEDURE FOR DETERMINING AND REPLACING INCANDESCENT AND HALOGEN LIGHT BULBS UNDER WARRANTY. *RM

072100 FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

BMW VEHICLES: FUEL LEVEL SENSOR REPAIRS. WHERE IT IS NECESSARY TO REPLACE THE RIGHT OR THE LEFT SIDE FUEL LEVEL SENSOR DUE TO A FAILURE, THE ENTIRE PUMP AND HOUSING OR DELIVERY UNIT (SUCTION JET ASSEMBLY) DO NOT NEED TO BE REPLACED AS WEL

114100 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

ENGINE WIRING HARNESS SECTION REPLACEMENT FOR IGNITION COILS. *TT

NHTSA Safety Investigations, BMW 525I

Investigations opened by NHTSA into potential safety defects. These are separate from recalls and may or may not result in a recall.

PE, Closed , Model Year: 2005

BMW AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATION

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 WARNIN... Read more

BMW 525I - All Years Overview

Complete safety history for the BMW 525I across all model years (1989, 2011).

43 Total Recalls

663 Total Complaints

1 Investigations

15 Reported Crashes

63 Reported Fires

0 Reported Deaths

BMW 525I - Year by Year

Compare recalls and complaints across model years. Click any year to see full details.

Year	Recalls	Complaints
2011	1	0	View
2010	1	0	View
2009	1	1	View
2008	1	1	View
2007	2	98	View
2006	3	111	View
2005	0	52	View
2004	0	123	View
2003 (current)	2	40
2002	4	41	View
2001	4	31	View
2000	1	0	View
1999	0	1	View
1998	0	2	View
1995	3	37	View
1994	4	10	View
1993	3	9	View
1992	4	30	View
1991	4	21	View
1990	3	51	View
1989	2	4	View

Other BMW Models

Model	Recalls	Complaints
X5	223	4,349	View
X3	155	2,661	View
330I	122	1,050	View
X6	110	293	View
328I	108	3,743	View
M3	95	550	View
325I	83	1,809	View
Z4	83	1,439	View

Vehicle Safety

Consumer Safety

Infrastructure

Public Health

2003 BMW 525I

Complaint Statistics

Top Reported Components

EPA Fuel Economy, 2003 BMW 525I

Technical Service Bulletins, 2003 BMW 525I

Most Affected Components

NHTSA Safety Investigations, BMW 525I

BMW 525I - All Years Overview

BMW 525I - Year by Year

Other BMW Models