RecallRepo

2006 BMW 525xi Recalls

Recalls on record Updated July 2026

The 2006 BMW 525xi has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 263,228 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 34 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the air bags. Last updated July 5, 2026.

Recall campaigns

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 19V273000 2019-04-04 184,505 affected
Defect

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.

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. 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.

AIR BAGS 17V428000 2017-07-06 2,158 affected
Defect

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…

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, 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.

AIR BAGS 13V564000 2013-11-12 76,565 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
13
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
5
2fires
SERVICE BRAKES
4
ENGINE
3
SEAT BELTS
2
SEATS
2
1fires
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
1
1fires
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
1
POWER TRAIN
1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM
1
Total complaints34

What owners report

Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.

“The contact owns a 2006 bmw 525xi. The contact stated while driving 50 mph, the contact smelled the odor of burning coming from the vehicle, and the contact noticed smoke coming from the trunk of the vehicle. The contact pulled over and notice that smoking was coming from the battery. The contact…”

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY · reported 2023-03-26

“Pcv issue unknown”

ENGINE · reported 2022-08-25

“Pcv issue unknown”

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM · reported 2022-08-25

“The contact owns a 2006 bmw 525xi. The contact stated that the vehicle was overheating while driving. The coolant temperature warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the thermostat and radiator were replaced; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle…”

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING · reported 2022-02-18

“The engine overheated on january 27, 2022 and a warning appeared on the dash to pull over and turn off the engine. It was then towed to a repair facility, where it was determined that overheating caused the failure of radiater hoses, loss of coolant, and other damages. Repairs cost $2574.56 on…”

ENGINE · reported 2022-01-27

“Driver side seat mysteriously burned. Not sure how. Seat warmers were not on at the time.”

SEATS · reported 2022-01-12

“While driving on the interstate with speed limit 70 mph, a warning message appeared transmission failure & reduce speed. The car slowed down itself while ongoing traffic approached extremely fast. My car would not accelerate to the 5th or 6th gear. I had to I get off the interstate as quickly as I…”

POWER TRAIN · reported 2019-01-28

“Computer drawing down battery and car will not start seems to happen more when it's damp and raining this happens when the car is parked passenger airbag light is on bmw would like $2500. To reboot computer I think its a scam”

AIR BAGS · reported 2017-10-28
Sources & methodology

Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2006 BMW 525xi as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.