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2006 BMW 525I problems

The most common problem on the 2006 BMW 525I is airbags, typically around 100,000 miles. It has 2.4 times the complaints of a typical 525I model year.

Year to avoid2.4x the typical complaints
Year score
42/100
Owner complaints
77
Recalls
3
Service bulletins
54
Worst area
Airbags
Fuel economy
21mpg

The worst 2006 BMW 525I problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Airbags
    44
  • Brakes
    11
  • Electrical
    7
  • Seat belts
    7
  • Engine
    6
  • Lights
    5
  • Fuel system
    3
  • Acceleration
    2
  • Body
    2
  • Driver assistance
    2
  • Seats
    2
  • Steering
    2
  • Tires
    2
  • Visibility
    2
  • Transmission
    1

Specific symptoms reported on the 2006 BMW 525I

Airbag light 15Headlights 5

Recalls 3

Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: crankcase (PCV)Reported April 4, 2019 · 184,505 vehicles affected
What is wrong
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2006 525i, 525xi, 530i, 530xi, 530xi Sports Wagon, 325i, 325xi, 325xi Sports Wagon, 330i, 330xi, Z4 3.0i and Z4 3.0si vehicles. The heater for the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve may short circuit.
Risk
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. The recall began May 30, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1‑800‑525‑7417. Note: This recall is an expansion to recall 17V‑683.

Recall number 19V273000 · Recall details

Air bags: sensor: occupant classificationReported July 6, 2017 · 2,158 vehicles affected
What is wrong
BMW of North America, Inc. (BMW) is recalling certain 2006 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi, 525i, 525xi, 530i, 530xi, and 550i vehicles equipped with the Sport Seat option and certain 2006 525i, 525xi, 530i, 530xi, 550i vehicles with standard seats. 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.
Risk
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, and dealers will repair the occupant detection mat to eliminate the possibility that it may crack, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began September 1, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1‑800‑525‑7417.

Recall number 17V428000 · Recall details

Air bags: sensor: occupant classificationReported November 12, 2013 · 76,565 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
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 [email protected].

Recall number 13V564000 · Recall details

See all 3 recalls for the 2006 BMW 525I

Technical service bulletins for the 2006 BMW 525I 54

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 54 bulletins for the 2006 BMW 525I

2006 BMW 525I fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
3.0L 6‑cylRWD1827-2821

What 2006 BMW 525I owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Oct 27, 2022 · Engine · 235,641 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2006 BMW 525I. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, she noticed the odor of burning plastic. The contact stated that the check radiator light was illuminated. The contact stated that she drove the vehicle to a dealer. The dealer diagnosed that the failure was with the PCV valve and replaced the PCV valve. The vehicle was repaired; however, the contact was billed by the dealer for the repair. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The failure mileage was 235,641. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Filed May 12, 2022 · Engine · CA

I received a notice in the mail stating that my vehicle with the matching Vin had a recall for the pc value heater. And that it causes the vehicle to over heat and catch fire I contacted the dealership and manufacturer and I was told that there was no remedy available as I started experiencing issue's with my vehicle. It worries me because I constantly have my grandchildren with me and don't want them in a unsafe vehicle.

Filed May 3, 2022 · Engine · 135,000 miles · AL

The contact owns a 2006 BMW 525i. The contact stated while driving 60-65 MPH, the vehicle started to overheat. The coolant temperature warning light was illuminated. The contact veered to the side of the road and added coolant in the vehicle. The contact then continued to drive. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred while driving. The contact stated that he replaced the thermostat himself. However, the failure persisted and the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The contact later received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 135,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Filed Nov 30, 2021 · Fuel system · 188,318 miles · GA

The contact owns a 2006 BMW 525I. The contact stated that there was a strong fuel odor coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the dealer where it was both diagnosed that the vehicle was leaking fuel. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 188,318.

Filed Feb 4, 2021 · Airbags · 112,000 miles · MD

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 bmw 525i. The contact stated that the air bags warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer passport bmw (4730 auth pl, suitland-silver hill, md 20746, (301) 423-2700) where it was diagnosed with needing a bolt tightened. The vehicle was not repaired. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with the federal safety agency campaign number: 17v428000 (air bags). The vehicle was previously repaired under recall however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 112,000.

Filed Dec 22, 2019 · Airbags, Seats · 188,000 miles · FL

Red airbag light and red seat belt light came on and there was a chime going off. Passenger seat occupancy mat is giving a fault code and disabling the passenger side airbag

Filed Oct 26, 2019 · Brakes · 187,000 miles · FL

Brake booster is loosing vacuum when sitting over night causing the brake pedal to be rock hard at startup. The brakes are fine again as soon as the car starts. I know that the e65 from the same years has a recall on the brake booster vacuum line and check valve.

Filed Sep 19, 2019 · Tires · 160,000 miles · FL

Was rotating my tires. The tires have over half the usable thread left on them. Found cracking and blisters on the tire wall on the inside near the rim edge which was not visible until I got the wheels off.

Filed Sep 19, 2019 · Tires · 160,000 miles · FL

Was rotating my tires. The tires have over half the usable thread left on them. Found cracking and blisters on the tire wall on the inside near the rim edge which was not visible until I got the wheels off.

Filed Aug 25, 2019 · Airbags, Electrical · 180,000 miles · GA · fire

I was on my way to work and had driven only 4 1/2 miles at 6:55am on thursday, august 15, 2019. I was about 1/2 from work on a city street when smoke began coming out the air vents and steering column. A smell of plastic, electrical filled the car and I pulled into the nearest place when the smoke was quickly increasing. My son and I jumped out of the car and called 911. The fire department arrived almost immediately, and upon pulling up, before they could get out of the truck, the driver's side curtain airbag exploded, the firemen heard the explosion. By the time they pulled their hoses and lifted the hood, smoke was heavily coming from the car. When the airbag exploded, a large piece of plastic shrapnel was blown to the passenger side of the car and stuck between the windshield and the window and stuck into the edge windshield frame. The firefighters tried for several minutes to get the source under control and finally was able to when they disconnected the battery. I had my car towed to bmw columbus, they "repaired the recall" and said that the fire was not a result of the recall. I believe that if the firefighters did not respond as quickly as they did because they were nearby, then my car would have gone up in flames.

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Questions about the 2006 BMW 525I

Is the 2006 BMW 525I reliable?

Owners have filed 77 complaints about the 2006 BMW 525I, 2.4 times a typical 525I model year. It is one of the years we flag to avoid.

What is the 2006 BMW 525I year score?

The 2006 BMW 525I scores 42 out of 100 (below average). The score compares it with the other model years of the BMW 525I: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.

What is the most common problem with the 2006 BMW 525I?

Airbags, with 44 complaints, typically around 100,000 miles. Next is brakes (11).

How many recalls does the 2006 BMW 525I have?

3 recalls, covering engine and engine cooling and air bags.

Was there a recall on the 2006 BMW 525I airbags?

Yes, 2 recalls: 17V428000, 13V564000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the BMW 525I have bad airbags?

The BMW 525I model years with the most airbags complaints are 2006 (44 complaints), 2004 (33 complaints) and 2007 (25 complaints).

What gas mileage does the 2006 BMW 525I get?

Official estimates for the 2006 BMW 525I range from 21 mpg combined. The most efficient version (3.0L 6-cyl, RWD) gets 18 city and 27-28 highway.

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