There are no safety recalls for the 2004 BMW 525i, but owners have filed 84 complaints with NHTSA.
2004 BMW 525i problems reported by owners
| Problem area | Reports | |
|---|
| Air Bags | 34 | |
| Electrical System | 22 | |
| Seats | 17 | |
| Seat Belts | 14 | |
| Power Train | 7 | |
| Structure | 4 | |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 3 | |
| Unknown or Other | 3 | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 2 | |
| Equipment | 2 | |
| Steering | 2 | |
| Exterior Lighting | 2 | |
Most reported parts
- Air Bags › Frontal — 6
- Power Train › Automatic Transmission — 3
- Electrical System › Ignition — 2
- Structure › Body — 2
- Structure › Body › Hood — 1
- Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal — 1
- Tires › Sidewall — 1
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip — 1
Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 89,627 miles (median of owner reports).
Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.
Recent 2004 BMW 525i complaints
Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.
Structure · at 211,000 miles · reported Dec 3, 2018
On dec.2 my 2004 bmw 525i was sitting outside my house when it cought on fire at the fuse panel in the trunk on the right fender well. The car had been driven over 100 miles that day. My step-daughter had gotten home at midnight and parked the car. She said the car was fine when she got home at 3;30 AM my neighbor knocked on my door to tell me the car was on fire. The fire department was called to put it out as ever time we would get the fire out it would spark and start again. They reported that it was a mechanical problem that caused the fire.
Electrical System · at 160,000 miles · reported May 25, 2018
The contact owned a 2004 bmw 525i. While the vehicle was parked in the garage, a neighbor noticed that the vehicle was on fire. The fire department was called and extinguished the fire. The fire department stated that the fire was due to a faulty battery cable. The contact stated that the vehicle was destroyed in the fire. The contact received medical attention due to smoke inhalation. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact called an unknown local bmw dealer, but they were unable to assist. The failure mileage was 160,000.
Electrical System · at 184,000 miles · reported Jul 26, 2017
Micro power module (Mpm) started smoking while driving, causing erratic engine RPM, and causing smoke inside cabin and burnt electronics smell. Complete loss of radio and idrive functionality. Module is located in trunk under the spare tire. Notified bmw of north america, and they just said that the car was out of warranty and nothing could be done. I feel that this is a serious defect that could possibly start a fire. Several bmw online forums have discussed this issue. Others have remedied the problem by relocating the module to a higher place in the trunk. Most of who own these cars do not…
Air Bags · at 158,000 miles · reported Jul 15, 2017
Passenger restraint system warning appears each time we get into the vehicle and start the ignition. Airbag deployment red icon constantly illuminated on the dashboard. The air conditioning system is not working properly. The car does not cool or get cold until the car is in motion. We had a mechanic who we purchased the car from 3 years ago to diagnose the problem but it still continues to not cool properly.
Electrical System · at 160,000 miles · reported Jul 7, 2017
The contact owned a 2004 bmw 525i. The contact stated that the vehicle caught fire and blew up in the garage without warning. The fire department was contacted and stated that the fire was started by the battery cable. A fire report was filed. The contact sustained injuries that required hospitalization. The vehicle was totaled and the contact's home was damaged extensively. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that it was not their responsibility. Six months prior to the fire, the vehicle was taken to the dealer (Chapman bmw in phoenix, ar) where a recall…
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2004 BMW 525i have any recalls?
No. NHTSA has no safety recalls for the 2004 BMW 525i as of this update. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the latest status.
What is the most common problem with the 2004 BMW 525i?
Owners report air bags problems most often (34 reports), followed by electrical system (22). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 89,627 miles.
Are BMW recall repairs free?
Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized BMW dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.