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2004 BMW 525I seats problems

17 complaints (20% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 78,000.

owner complaints
17
of this car's complaints
20%
typical mileage
78,000
crashes
0
recalls
0

Which part fails

  • Front assembly: seat heater/cooler
    1

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

BMW 525I seats problems in other years

19901991200220032004200520062007

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

What 2004 BMW 525I owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

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 Feb 13, 2017 · Seats · 118,000 miles · NH · fire

Literally a couple weeks ago my drivers side seat caught on fire burning a very deep hole through to the front of the seat and burning a hole in my jacked then burning my skin. Immediately I notified bmw who was extremely accommodating even helping me schedule a repair appointment.. Then the dealership closest to me called me and told me they didn't do recalls and they couldn't assist me. After bmw north america authorized this. I had an extra vehicle until last week when my daughter brought our bmw x3 to college with her. They highly suggested we not use the vehicle until its repaired the seat heater keeps intermittently going off and won't turn off and then it starts burning . I've been afraid of driving it because of the frightening burning smell. I wouldn't be writing u if I wasn't between a rock and a hard place by bmw . Now I'm without transpo and I have a child with epilepsy who I need adequate reliable transportation for. It difficult being told yes by bmw north america then the dealer won't accommodate you unless you consider replacing your vehicle with a new bmw! I am very upset and disappointed with w

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 May 28, 2015 · Airbags, Seat belts · 106,100 miles · VA

I own a 2004 bmw 525i and the passenger side airbag and seat belt sign came on few weeks back. The dealer says its not covered but the federal safety agency site indicates it is covered on bmw 525i 2004 vehicles. This dealer is estimating a $650.00 diagnostic fee to see what need to be done. What can be done to get the passenger side air bag sensor fault issue? My last option is the junk yard, and never buy a bmw.

Filed Jun 17, 2014 · Seats · 44,400 miles · MD

Driver's seat burned, leaving a charred hole in the leather approx 1" x 5 " near drivers left hip area on seat back, most likely by seat heating element malfunction. The biggest concern is that this happened in june in maryland - - where it is hot. I did not have the seat heater on. This must have happened while the car was parked in my garage. This is very strange and deserves investigation.

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 Mar 5, 2014 · Electrical, Seats · 69,000 miles · TN · fire

I started my car and turned the seat heater on low. Approx 5 mins later, smoke started coming out of the dash because the seat heater had burned two holes in the leather and smoke had circulated in my car. I stopped the car, turned it off, and turned it back on and the smoke cleared. I had contacted my local dealer and bmw na in dec 2012 because I felt the seat heaters were getting too hot - the drivers seat registered 132 degrees at that time. The dealer told me there was nothing wrong with the seat heater and bmw na never responded, outside the standard form email telling me they would get back to me. Today, the seat heater finally burned through the leather and I was fortunate not to have been burned.

Filed Feb 25, 2014 · Seats · 86,779 miles · MA · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 bmw 525i. The contact stated that a burning odor was emitted from the driver's side heated seat while the heated seat function was activated. The seat sustained damage from the seat overheating. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the technician advised that the front driver's side seat would need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 86,779.

Filed Feb 5, 2014 · Airbags, Seat belts · 40,000 miles · FL

There is a faulty restraint malfunction on the front passenger side seat. Regardless of whether or not a passenger is in the seat at all the airbag sign indicates that it is off. I am aware that this is a common problem and a malfunction in other bmw 5 series and the dealer ships that I've went to refuse to acknowledge this even though bmw headquarters released a recall for some a couple of years ago.

Filed Jan 23, 2014 · Seats · 111,219 miles · WA · fire · 1 injury

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 bmw 525i. The contact stated that a burning odor was emitted from the driver's side seat as the heat became abnormally hot. The contact suffered burns to the back as a result. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for inspection or repairs. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure and current mileage was 111,219.

Questions about the 2004 BMW 525I seats

Does the 2004 BMW 525I have seats problems?

Owners have filed 17 complaints about the seats of the 2004 BMW 525I, 20% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 2004 BMW 525I seats problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 78,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2004 BMW 525I seats?

There is no recall for this problem on this model year.

Other 2004 BMW 525I problems

Airbags 33Electrical 21Seat belts 14Transmission 7Body 4Brakes 4Acceleration 3Engine 3Lights 2Steering 2Visibility 2Driver assistance 1Locks 1Tires 1Wheels 1

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