10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
71,425 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2006 BMW 525 seat belts / air bags problems

seat belts / air bags problem

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2006 BMW 525 Owner Comments

problem #16

Oct 012018

525

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Passenger air bag restraint light is activated.

- Memphis, TN, USA

problem #15

Nov 022012

525 6-cyl

  • 92,000 miles
The passenger side occupancy seat mat for the airbag failed. BMW has bulletin sib 65 75 06, airbag warning lamp for OC3 seat mat fault, that covers my cars build date, but BMW states my VIN is not covered. There is also a current recall, NHTSA campaign number: 08V-384, but BMW states my car is not covered and refuses to honor the 10 year extended warranty. My car is experiencing this same issue, as diagnosed by a local BMW dealers, but they have failed to cover it. This is a major safety issue that is affecting many cars outside of the recall. They are many people posting on various BMW forums that are experiencing the same issue. BMW should be held accountable to fix all the vehicles experiencing this problem.

- Carmel, CA, USA

problem #14

Apr 022012

525 6-cyl

  • 110,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 BMW 525I. The contact stated while driving, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer for diagnosis and the contact was informed he needed a new sensor in the passenger seat. The contact was informed of the recall for NHTSA campaign id number: 08V384000 ( air bags:frontal) but his VIN was not included. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure and current mileages were 110,000. Updated 11/28/12 updated 12/03/12

- Palos Verdes Estates, CA, USA

problem #13

Jan 152012

525 6-cyl

  • 75,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2006 BMW 525. While parked, the air bag warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostics. The technician stated that the seat occupancy detection sensor mat would have to be replaced. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign id number: 08V384000 (air bags:frontal) but was advised by the manufacturer that the vehicle was not included in the recall. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 75,000. Updated 7/11/12 added VIN. 07/12/12.

- Arlington, TX, USA

problem #12

Aug 242011

525 6-cyl

  • 86,000 miles
I contacted BMW regarding a recall (id # 08V384000) (action # EA08001). They told me that my 2006 BMW 525xi was not included in the recall. Yet, my car exhibits the exact problems outlined in the recall. Namely, the front passenger air bags, with the exception of the head protection system, will be deactivated and the air bag warning lamp, as well as the passenger air bag "on-off" lamp will be illuminated. How is it that other 2006 5 series vehicles were included and my car was not?

- Germantown , TN, USA

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problem #11

Jul 192011

525

  • 157,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 BMW 525I. The contact stated while driving the passenger front air bag light illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was contacted but would not assist with the repair because the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign id number: 08V384000, air bags frontal. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and the current miles were 157,000.

- Dansville , NY, USA

problem #10

Jun 032011

525

  • 130,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2006 BMW 525I. The contact stated the passenger seat mat that controls the air bags experienced an electrical failure. The failure caused the air bag light to constantly illuminate. The problem occurred previously and the dealer replaced the front passenger seat sensor mat under the manufacturers warranty. The failure recurred and the vehicle was taken to the dealer who stated his VIN was not included in the recall; therefore, he had to pay $1,800 for the repairs regarding NHTSA recall campaign id number: 08V384000; air bags: Frontal. The manufacturer advised the contact to call the NHTSA hotline and offered no other assistance. The failure mileage was 130,000.

- St Petersburg, FL, USA

problem #9

May 112011

525 6-cyl

  • 65,552 miles
My 2006 BMW 525I indicates a passive restraint system fault. The dealer reports the diagnosis code as OC3 mat faulted. The estimate for repair is $1,095.15. I declined the repair. When I asked for a written estimate they also sent me an estimate for another customer's 2005 BMW 525I/530 that had the same fault, so I thought it was worth reporting to see if it is a widespread issue with the passive restraint system faults.

- Austin, TX, USA

problem #8

Apr 222011

525 6-cyl

  • 81,700 miles
I am filing this complaint because of the research I have done on line. I have found that BMW has a recall on 2006 5 series for a defective airbag sensor for the passenger seat, but they insist that the recall is not for all 5 series, but it is VIN sensitive. Meanwhile I have the identical problem on my 2006 530xi. I also found out that they have a class action law suit filed against them for the same problem.

- Bronx, NY, USA

problem #7

Dec 122010

525 6-cyl

  • 90,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 BMW 525I. The vehicle was parked with the passenger seat occupied when the air bag warning light illuminated and remained illuminated. The failure was ongoing for approximately six months and the vehicle was taken to the dealer. The dealer advised him that the front passenger seat sensor was failing and would need to be replaced. He then called the manufacturer and referenced NHTSA campaign id number: 08V384000(air bags:frontal) and was advised that his vehicle was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000 and the current mileage was 102,000. Updated 05/24/11 updated 05/25/11

- Norwalk, CA, USA

problem #6

Apr 012011

525 6-cyl

  • 89,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Front passenger air bag system failed due to faulty mat sensor. Specific year, make and model are listed as covered on BMW recall/extended warranty(NHTSA claim EA08001) yet BMW usa continues to deny claim saying my car VIN# does not qualify. I have a 2006 BMW 530I with comfort seats. The car was manufactured on 06/2005. Dealer says not covered. Contacted BMW usa numerous times and spoke with three different cust service managers with each one stating my VIN not covered. They can not tell me why my VIN is not covered nor what criteria was used for excluding my car in the extended warranty. Yet, it is the exact model year and seat type that is specifically listed in recall/extended warranty mentioned above and on the NHTSA website. I also have copy of letter to daniel smith (NHTSA) from Jan urbahn(BMW) specifically stating my 2006 530I with comfort seat explicitly included in extended warranty. Can provide letter on request. Please help. This is not right. BMW is not honoring NHTSA claim.

- Cary, NC, USA

problem #5

Mar 112011

525 6-cyl

  • 44,000 miles
The car with VIN number stated above has reported a malfunction in the passenger side airbag. NHTSA recall id # 08V384000 - air bags:frontal" shows that the BMW 530I, model years 2004-2006 has been recalled to specifically address this issue. However, upon arriving at BMW of roseville (California), I was told that the recall does not apply to my car specifically (despite the description in the recall itself), and that I would be required to pay $175 for a diagnosis fee, and then be fully responsible for the cost of repairs. This is a significant safety issue that currently has my family's lives at risk, but the service department at roseville BMW was completely disinterested. Realizing that I would get no help from BMW of roseville, I have since taken this issue up with niello BMW in sacramento. They have been more helpful, but there is still the issue of the VIN number. If for some reason this automobile was excluded from the recall despite being the make, model, and model year described in the recall, it was excluded in error.

- El Dorado Hills, CA, USA

problem #4

Mar 152010

525

  • 38,000 miles
I own a 2006 BMW 530xit (VIN# [xxx] ) with a failed passenger airbag sensor mat. BMW says that my VIN# is not part of the recall and so I must pay out of pocket for the replacement. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Calgary, B, 00, USA

problem #3

Jun 022009

525

  • 68,550 miles
Air bag / passive restraint system warning light is illuminated on my 2006 BMW 525ix with the exact same symptoms reported on the recall for 5 series 2006 models. However, BMW is stating that my VIN is not one of the impacted models. I believe this problem is part of the know issues and my vehicle should be included in the recall. A consumer should not have to pay $1,500 to have a safety feature working. I am hoping that you can include my VIN in the recall since the symptoms are exactly as reported in he recall statement.

- Edison, NJ, USA

problem #2

Oct 252006

525 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 14,700 miles
: the contact stated the vehicle was involved in a 2 mph collision, and the driver air bag deployed with very low pressure, as if oozing out. There was no police report taken at the scene. The vehicle was taken to a private repair shop, where the mechanic was unable to determine the cause of the problem. The manufacturer was also notified.

- Nuevo, CA, USA

problem #1

Apr 022006

525 10-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 1,300 miles
I was driving a new BMW M5 in Chicago on lower lake shore drive (the bridge over the Chicago river.) at approximatly 30-35 miles/hour the car was not controllable and this resulted in to a major crash with significant injury, several devices were not functioning properly including the deployment of the air-bags. I have been driving for over thirty years and during this time I did not experience even a minor accident nor did I ever receive a ticket for a traffic violation.

- Chicago, IL, USA

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