The 2007 BMW 525i has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 817,126 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 98 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the air bags. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING17V6830002017-10-30740,561 affected
Defect
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2011 128i and 2007-2011 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 525i, 525xi, 528i, 528xi, 530i, 530xi, X3 3.0si, X3 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive30i, Z4 3.0i, Z4 3.0si and Z4 sDrive30i vehicles. The heater for the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve may short circuit.
Consequence
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. Interim letters were mailed on November 27, 2017. Owners will receive a second notification by the end of October 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
AIR BAGS13V5640002013-11-1276,565 affected
Defect
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…
Consequence
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…
Complaints by component
AIR BAGS
25
2crashes4injuries
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
13
1fires
STEERING
12
ENGINE
6
SEAT BELTS
6
1crashes1injuries
SEATS
6
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
6
1fires
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
4
SERVICE BRAKES
4
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
3
1fires
Total complaints98
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“Unknown, the car shut down on me two time in a month.”
“The contact owns a 2007 bmw 525i. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 22v119000 (engine and engine cooling). The vehicle was taken to the dealer for the recall repair however, upon retrieving the vehicle, the contact noticed that the vehicle was shaking while driving at…”
“The contact owns a 2007 bmw 525i. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 75-85 mph, she smelled smoke coming from the hood of the vehicle. The contact was unsure if any warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where he referenced nhtsa campaign…”
“The contact owns a 2007 bmw 525i. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 102,000.”
“The contact owns a 2007 bmw 535i. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the passenger’s side air bag warning light remain illuminated, indicating a possible failure to the air bag system. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer was notified of the…”
“The contact owns a 2007 bmw 525i. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 22v119000 (engine and engine cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair.…”
“I purchased said automobile from my neighbor for my son to drive. I figured it was a good car to buy because it was serviced by hendrick bmw (charlotte, nc) only and regularly. Bmw's also have a reputation for being safe as well as reputable so this also weighed into my decision. Fast forward 18…”
“I purchased said automobile from my neighbor for my son to drive. I figured it was a good car to buy because it was serviced by hendrick bmw (charlotte, nc) only and regularly. Bmw's also have a reputation for being safe as well as reputable so this also weighed into my decision. Fast forward 18…”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2007 BMW 525i as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.