2004 BMW 525I: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed Dec 3, 2018 · Body, Electrical · 211,000 miles · VA · fire

On dec.2 my 2004 bmw 525i was sitting outside my house when it cought on fire at the fuse panel in the trunk on the right fender well. The car had been driven over 100 miles that day. My step-daughter had gotten home at midnight and parked the car. She said the car was fine when she got home at 3;30 am my neighbor knocked on my door to tell me the car was on fire. The fire department was called to put it out as ever time we would get the fire out it would spark and start again. They reported that it was a mechanical problem that caused the fire.

Filed May 25, 2018 · Electrical · 160,000 miles · AZ · fire

Tl* the contact owned a 2004 bmw 525i. While the vehicle was parked in the garage, a neighbor noticed that the vehicle was on fire. The fire department was called and extinguished the fire. The fire department stated that the fire was due to a faulty battery cable. The contact stated that the vehicle was destroyed in the fire. The contact received medical attention due to smoke inhalation. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact called an unknown local bmw dealer, but they were unable to assist. The failure mileage was 160,000.

Filed Jul 7, 2017 · Electrical · 160,000 miles · AZ · fire · 1 injury

Tl* the contact owned a 2004 bmw 525i. The contact stated that the vehicle caught fire and blew up in the garage without warning. The fire department was contacted and stated that the fire was started by the battery cable. A fire report was filed. The contact sustained injuries that required hospitalization. The vehicle was totaled and the contact's home was damaged extensively. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that it was not their responsibility. Six months prior to the fire, the vehicle was taken to the dealer (chapman bmw in phoenix, ar) where a recall repair of the battery cable was performed. The recall information was lost in the fire. The failure mileage was 160,000.

Filed Feb 13, 2017 · Electrical, Seats · NH · fire

I really need some assistance. My seat caught on fire while I was driving. The seat heater keeps turning on and occasionally won't go off I've driven the car maybe 35 minutes tops since the seat caught fire 3 weeks ago. Bmw north america has tried to assist me, unfortunately the dealers are either booked solid or are capable of fixing this technical a problem. They've agreed to fix everything for free & provide me with a loaner car until the issues are totally resolved bmw does not want my vehicle to catch fire again. I was told not to drive it unfortunately none of the dealership consider a car fire top priority. There is a huge likelihood it could continue burning without immediate repairs. I wish bmw north america would assist me like they said. I've had 8 bmw's and never have I had an issue . That is why I've bought bmw's because as long as I did all the scheduled maintenance (a side from this one) my vehicles have been not only reliable but a pleasure to own. I've had very few issues with my current e60 until 3 weeks ago. Since then my life has been chaotic borrowing vehicles renting vehicles and relying on others because bmw doesn't prioritize car fires. I need someone to help me otherwise I will have no choice but to continue driving a vehicle that is a danger to myself as well as my minor child and any other vehicle around me if it were to become fully engulfed in flames. Please call me at your earliest convenience so I can be safe . My contact info is [xxx] [xxx] [xxx] email [xxx] call me day or night I'll be ready to get the vehicle to the proper facility for repair. I have contacted all dealership in new hampshire . Tulley bmw said that the repair was beyond their expertise. I spoke to an absolutely clueless gentleman name [xxx] at tulley bmw nashua *dl information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Nov 3, 2016 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 156,000 miles · TN · fire

I was driving on my way to work and started smelling something burning. All electrical warning lights started lighting up the dash and then displays go blank. Passenger compartment was filling up with smoke coming from under glove box. I pulled over and called fire department. We disconnected battery and took to bmw. They said micro-processor located in spare tire storage area had shorted out due to water. I don't carry coolers and don't leave my trunk open when it rains. How did water get there. Bulletins show that sunroof drains get clogged and water gets into trunk and shorts out electrical. Service bulletin says if this happens, customer pay but move electrical to where it can't get wet. So bmw knows it's a problem and can cause a fire but doesn't care to cover repair. Now I'm stuck with $1000 repair for micro-processor just to be able to tell what else is burned up. I have to pay before I will know if it will cost an additional $5,000 to repair. I'm lucky electrical didn't catch fire and burn up entire car.

Filed Apr 7, 2016 · Electrical, Seats · RI · fire

While driving my 2004 bmw 525i, my right hip started burning. Followed by an odor. When I pulled the car over, I looked to my right & on the back portion of the seat I noticed a burn mark. The seat heater got so hot that it burned my blouse to the seat. I sent an email to bmw who responded they would get back to me after asking me to send them my VIN #, along with pictures of the seat. I did so, and as of today no one has gotten in touch with me. (?) after purchasing the car brand-new in 2004 this same situation happened to the passenger seat in 2005-06. The seat literally caught on fire with my mother sitting in it. The dealership where I purchased the car in massachusetts respectfully did the right thing and replaced it, "immediately" for me. ~ it is incomprehensible, that a company such as "b-m-w" is not only not standing behind this ongoing issue, but refuses to get back in touch with the consumers to come to some resolution of their inferior & damaged product. Which at some point, will cause bodily harm and possibly give someone third degree burns. Maybe it will take a serious injury or dateline nbc to run an undercover program, before bmw manufacturers smarten up & fix this unacceptable issue with a feature we all paid extra to have... The cold weather package. ~in closing; I was once told by other owners I would never go back to any other car once I owned a bmw. I honestly can say this experience has changed my opinion of that. Bmw customer service is outstanding until the warrantees are gone and until there are no more recalls. At least at the corporate level. You have a better chance going back into the dealership who welcomes & values your continued business! What a disappointment from such a high end manufacturer.

Filed Jun 30, 2015 · Electrical · 160,000 miles · CT

Driving down the road and smelled a burning smell. Turned off the seat heater. The seat felt very hot on my lower back. When I got to work noticed that the leather was burned through on the drivers left side. You can see the exposed wiring. Very dangerous. Bmw would not replace. In searching on line, I saw that this is a common situation on the seat heater element.

Filed Apr 7, 2014 · Seat belts, Seats · 55,000 miles · NJ

I was driving in traffic when smell and smoke came from the bottom of my car, I park the car and check, my seat was burn, I turn off the heating and I'm not be able to used again the dealer on park ave in south hackensack nj don't get back to me. Plus now last week may 31 the passenger safety light came on we are thinking the car is curs.every repair is very expensive.

Filed May 13, 2012 · Seats · 90,000 miles · RI · fire

Driver seat caught on fire.

Filed Feb 6, 2011 · Seats · 87,000 miles · NC

Front seat heating elements got extremely hot and made a burning smell. Passenger and driver's legs got uncomfortably hot to the point of discomfort before the heater was shut off.

Filed Dec 8, 2009 · Seats · 51,545 miles · MN · fire

The seat warmer malfunctioned and burned a hole in my driver seats and also a hole in my pants. If I had a piece of paper or something in my back paper, it would have set it on fire.

Filed Jul 12, 2007 · Electrical · 29,000 miles · FL · fire

I believe moisture collected in the bottom of the "spare tire well" in the trunk- due to changing flat tire and opening trunk in the rain. There is and electronic module at the bottom of the "spare tire well bmw stock #w61 35 6 982 347) it went on fire-because of moisture. Repair was made, module was relocated to upper left location of trunk (as was done on models after 2004 ld part is available for inspection.