NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2007 BMW 5 Series. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
HAVE RESEARCHED NUMEROUS FORUMS REGARDING CAR ISSUES. "PASSENGER RESTRAINT MALFUNCTION" ALARM APPEARS ON IDRIVE WITH AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND SEAT BELT LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON DASH BOARD. READS THAT PARTS OF THE PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM HAVE FAILED OR ARE FAULTY. FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG MAY OR MAY NOT DEPLOY, ALONG WITH OTHER PASSIVE RESTRAINT DEVICES. HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY NOTIFICATIONS FROM BMW REGARDING RECALL ISSUE, BUT DISCOVERED RECENTLY THERE IS A RECALL FOR MY CAR MODEL/YEAR. AM AWAITING A SERVICE APPOINTMENT TO HAVE IT EVALUATED, WILL NOT PAY TO HAVE IT REPAIRED IF DEALERSHIP SAYS IT IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. "STEERING WHEEL LOCK MALFUNCTION" ON IDRIVE. LIGHT ILLUMINATED RECENTLY AND CONTINUES TO STAY ON. CAN CURRENTLY START AND RUN MY CAR, ALONG WITH TURN STEERING WHEEL AND HEAR THE STEERING WHEEL UNLOCK WHEN KEY IS INSERTED INTO IGNITION. ALSO RESEARCHED ON BMW FORUMS, KNOWN TO MANY 3/5/6 SERIES IN MY YEAR OF PRODUCTION HAVING SIMILAR ISSUES IN EUROPE AND USA. NO RECALL FROM BMW ON THIS ALSO? WILL ALSO NOT PAY FOR THIS REPAIR AS IT APPEARS TO BE A DEFECTIVE PART FOR THE MODEL YEAR BY BMW. *TR
HELLO, MY 2007 BMW 525XI HAS AN ERROR WITH THE AIRBAGS AND PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM. I WAS TOLD THERE IS A RECALL BUT BMW SAYS I DON'T HAVE ONE CURRENTLY MY AIRBAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY IN THE CASE OF AN ACCIDENT AND BMW DOES NOT WANT TO COVER. PLEASE HELP. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 525I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG FAILED. THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED AND WOULD SPORADICALLY FLASH ON AND OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC PERFORMED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 13V564000 (AIR BAGS) THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000. UPDATED 06/10/14 MA
DSC AND AWD LIGHTS COME UP INTERMITTENTLY. DEALER REPORTED FAILURE IN STEERING ANGLE SENSOR. CHECKED IN FORUMS TO FIND THAT THIS IS A COMMON FAILURE FOR ALL E60 BMW CARS. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 550I. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN FOR INSPECTION, THE TECHNICIAN OBSERVED OIL LEAKING FROM THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VALVE COVER GASKET, TIMING CHAIN COVER, ALTERNATOR BRACKET, AND OIL PRESSURE SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 525I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED IN THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NOTICE: 13V564000. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, BUT WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR A LOCAL MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 530I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 13V564000 (AIR BAGS) IN JANUARY 2014 HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO COMPLETE THE RECALL REPAIR HAD NOT YET BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE SITUATION. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
WARNING LIGHT CAME ON STATING ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTION THEN SEVERAL OTHER WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON AND WAS LIT UP LIKE A CHRISTMAS TREE. THE ODOMETER AREA STARTING GOING HAYWIRE. IT WAS LIKE THE CAR WAS POSSESSED !! *TR
RECEIVED AIRBAG RECALL CAMPAIGN NO. 13V-546; FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR MAT,LETTER FROM BMW, ON JAN 2014.I CONTACTED BY PHONE (904-777-2500),A NUMBER OF TIMES (3), I WAS TOLD BMW WAS WAITING ON PARTS, AND ON ONE WAS ALLOWED TO RIDE IN PASSENGER SEAT. ON THE LAST CALL TO BMW ,THAY HAD NO IDEA WHAT I WAS TALKING ABOUT.....IF YOU NEED TO CONTACT ME: [XXX]THANKS FOR YOUR HELP IN THIS MATTER. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 5 SERIES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 13V5640200 (AIR BAGS). THE DEALER INFORMED CONTACT THAT THE PART WAS UNAVAILABLE FOR THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED ABOUT THE PART BEING UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT DID NOT EXPERIENCE A FAILURE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 525I. THE CONTACT STATED SHE RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V564000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED THE REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD ATTEMPTED SEVERAL TIME TO CONTACT THE DEALER IN REGARDS TO THE RECALL. THE DEALER STATED THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE FOR REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE DELAY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 525I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 13V564000 (AIR BAGS) WAS RECEIVED IN JANUARY 2014 INDICATING THAT THE PARTS WOULD BE AVAILABLE IN MARCH OF 2014. THE CONTACT HAD NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER SEVERAL TIMES IN REFERENCE TO PARTS AVAILABILITY ONLY TO BE INFORMED THAT PARTS WERE STILL NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT EXHIBITED THE FAILURE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 530I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED FORWARD WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES FAILED TO RESPOND AND AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A BUILDING. THE CONTACT WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL FOR TREATMENT OF INJURIES TO THE RIBS AND MUSCLE TEARING. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 148,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 550I. THE CONTACT STATED THE SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V564000 (AIR BAGS). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000.
I WANT TO EXPRESS MY DISAPPOINTMENT AT THE LACK OF URGENCY SHOWN BY BMW IN ADDRESSING MY CONCERNS WITH REGARDS TO THE RECALL ISSUED DUE TO MALFUNCTIONING OF THE FRONT AIR BAG SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR MAT. MY CAR HAD THIS PROBLEM IN MID DEC 2013, JUST BEFORE THE RECALL NOTICE WAS ISSUED. SINCE THIS MALFUNCTION WAS SAFETY RELATED, I RUSHED TO GET THE CAR REPAIRED IMMEDIATELY. MY LOCAL BMW DEALER DID NOT HAVE THE SENSOR MODULE AVAILABLE; THEREFORE, I HAD TO GET THE REPAIR DONE FROM THE CERTIFIED BMW SERVICE PROFESSIONAL WHERE I INCURRED AN EXPENSE OF $851.84. I HAVE BEEN FOLLOWING UP WITH BMW SINCE JANUARY TO GET PAID FOR THIS REPAIR AND HAVE MADE REPEATED CALLS (ON DATES 3/26, 4/15, 6/9) BUT EVERY TIME I GET TOLD THAT I HAVE TO WAIT TO GET THIS PAYMENT. UNFORTUNATELY, I HAVE RUN OUT OF PATIENCE. HOW CAN YOU MAKE YOUR LOYAL CUSTOMERS GO THROUGH THIS DISGRACEFUL ?RUN AROUND?? WHEN I PURCHASED A BMW, I SIGNED FOR HIGH LEVELS OF QUALITY AND CUSTOMER SERVICE. THE COMPANY HAS FAILED ME ON BOTH COUNTS. I HAVE LOST PATIENCE AND WANT EVERYONE TO KNOW ABOUT THIS SUB PAR SERVICE PROVIDED BY BMW. *JS
I WAS RECENTLY MADE AWARE THAT THERE IS A RECALL REGARDING THE REAR TAIL LIGHTS ON 2008+ 5 SERIES VEHICLES. I RECENTLY EXPEREINCED THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS THE RECALL NOTICE ON MY REAR TAIL LIGHTS; HOWEVER MY CAR IS A 2007 MODEL. THE I-DRIVE WOULD INTERMITTENLY ALERT THAT A BULB IS OUT. I HAVE REPLACED IT BUT IT WOULD GO OUT AGAIN. I INSPECTED THE BULB CARRIER AND BULB SOCKET AND NOTICED SEVERLY BURNED CONTACT AREA'S WHERE ONE OF THE BULB SOCKETS PLUG IN. THE RECALL CLEARLY IS FOR SEDANS 2008+ BUT I SEEM TO HAVE THE EXACT ISSUE AND THERE ARE OTHERS WHO HAVE THE SAME ISSUES (SEE 5SERIES.NET FORUM WEBSITE). *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 550I. THE CONTACT STATED THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THERE WAS NO DIAGNOSIS COMPLETED ON THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE 76,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 87,000. ..UPDATED 08/11/14 *CN
BRAKE FAILURE AT LOW SPEED ON AN DESCENDING INCLINE (DRIVEWAY) PUMPED BRAKES RAPIDLY AND BRAKES HELD TRACTION. LATER THAT DAY 10/08/13 BRAKES FAILED ON LOW SPEED ON THE DESCENDING STREET. ON 10/09/13 WHEN DRIVING IN FREEWAY TRAFFIC, I AGAIN HAD TO SWERVE IN ORDER TO AVOID A REAR END COLLISION NO WARNING LIGHTS WERE ACTIVATED, NO SERVICE LIGHTS WERE ACTIVATED AT ALL 3 INCIDENTS. ON 10/10/13, I TOOK THE CAR IN TO CHECK ON THE PROBLEM AND WAS TOLD THAT THE CAR'S MASTER BRAKE CYLINDER, BRAKE BOOSTER AND BRAKE VACUUM PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED FOR AN EXCESS OF $2500 FOR SAFETY ISSUE THAT WAS NOTED IN AN EARLIER RECALL. I CALLED BMW CUSTOMER SERVICE AND WAS TOLD MY PARTICULAR VIN NUMBER WAS NOT COVERED IN THE GENERAL RECALL AND MY ONLY RECOURSE WAS TO INFORM NHTSA, WHICH I AM DOING. *TR
FIRST INCIDENT 10/08/13:BRAKE FAILURE AT LOW SPEED ON AN DESCENDING INCLINE (DRIVEWAY) PUMPED BRAKES RAPIDLY AND BRAKES HELD TRACTION. LATER THAT DAY 10/08/13 BRAKES FAILED ON LOW SPEED ON THE DESCENDING STREET. ON 10/09/13 WHEN DRIVING IN FREEWAY TRAFFIC, I AGAIN HAD TO SWERVE IN ORDER TO AVOID A REAR END COLLISION NO WARNING LIGHTS WERE ACTIVATED, NO SERVICE LIGHTS WERE ACTIVATED AT ALL 3 INCIDENTS. ON 10/10/13, I TOOK THE CAR IN TO CHECK ON THE PROBLEM AND WAS TOLD THAT THE CAR'S MASTER BRAKE CYLINDER, BRAKE BOOSTER AND BRAKE VACUUM PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED FOR AN EXCESS OF $2500 FOR SAFETY ISSUE THAT WAS NOTED IN AN EARLIER RECALL. I CALLED BMW CUSTOMER SERVICE AND WAS TOLD MY PARTICULAR VIN NUMBER WAS NOT COVERED IN THE GENERAL RECALL AND MY ONLY RECOURSE WAS TO INFORM NHTSA, WHICH I AM DOING. *TR
TRANSMISSION JERKS AND THE CAR GIVES A KICK WHEN THE CAR AUTOMATICALLY DOWNSHIFTS FROM 2 TO 1. THIS TYPICALLY HAPPENS WHEN SLOWING DOWN TO A STOP. SEEN MANY REFERENCES OF TRANSMISSION JERK / KICK ISSUES ONLINE ON BIMMERFEST. REPORTS TO BMW USA AS WELL. BMW USA REFUSES TO ASSIST WITH THIS ISSUE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 530I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG AND PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT SENSOR LIGHTS ILLUMINATED INDICATING THAT THE AIR BAG SYSTEM WAS DEFECTIVE. AFTER RECEIVING THE NOTICE FOR RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 13V564000 (AIR BAGS) IN JANUARY THE VECHILE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT A SECOND LETTER WAS NEEDED IN ORDER TO PERFORM THE FREE REPAIR. AFTER CONTACTING THE MANUFACTURER SEVERAL TIMES THE CONTACT STILL HAD NOT RECEIVED THE SECOND LETTER FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT WARNING COMES ON SAYING THE AIR BAG IS IN DEFECT, THE SEAT BELT IS NOT WORKING BUT WEAR SEAT BELT FOR SAFETY ANYWAY. MY CAR IS A 2007 MODEL THAT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL BUT I AM CONCERNED THAT IT WAS MADE WITH DEFECTIVE FAULTS, SINCE THERE IS NOT ENOUGH COMPLAINTS ABOUT THEM IT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. IT COULD HAVE BEEN A BROADER RECALL THAN THEY THOUGHT!! MY CAR IS IN THE SHOP RIGHT NOW FOR REPAIRS. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 530I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V564000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
2007 BMW SEAT MAT SENSOR FOR ACTIVATION OF AIR BAG, FAILED. THE CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEM HE EXPERIENCED, IS NOW THE SUBJECT OF A RECALL. THE CONSUMER SOLD THE VEHICLE. HOWEVER, HE IS STILL SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT. UPDATED 02/19/14 UPDATED 06/09/14. *JB
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 530I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT WAS OCCUPIED, THE AIR BAG FAILED TO DETECT THE PASSENGER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V564000 (AIR BAGS). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
WE WERE UP IN THE MOUNTAINS IN AN ISOLATED AREA WHEN I TRIED TO START THE CAR. AT FIRST THE CAR WOULDN'T START. FINALLY IT STARTED AND THE WHOLE DISPLAY LITE UP. THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT GO TO THE DRIVING POSITION, PLUS SEVERAL MALFUNCTION LIGHTS STARTED FLASHING. I PUT THE CAR IN GEAR AND STARTED TO DRIVE, THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT AND I HAD TO DRIVE TO THE NEAREST TOWN (10 MILES) IN THIRD GEAR. WE STOPPED AT THE FIRST AUTO SHOP WE COULD LOCATE AND HAVE THE MECHANIC LOOK AT IT. HE TOLD US WE WOULD HAVE TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP IN DENVER. WE STARTED THE CAR AGAIN AND THIS TIME WE GOT TWO RED LIGHTS INDICATING A PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG MALFUNCTION AND THE SEATBELT MALFUNCTION. IN ADDITION THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED TO GO DOWN INTO THE DRIVING POSITION. WHEN I CALLED THE DEALER TO CHECK, HE TOLD ME THERE IS A RECALL ON THAT ISSUE THOUGH MY VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THEY WANTED $1300.00 TO FIX IT. I CALLED BMW USA AND THEY TOLD ME THE SAME THING. MY CAR WAS MANUFACTURED A MONTH AFTER THE RECALLED CARS, PRESENTLY I AM DRIVING WITH DEFECTIVE AIRBAGS THAT MAY NOT DEPLOY. I THINK BMW SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE AS THEY ARE WELL AWARE OF THE LIFE THREATENING MALFUNCTION AND HAVE ISSUED RECALLS ON A FEW CARS. *TR
I WAS INFORMED BY THE BMW SERVICE MANAGER THAT THE PASSENGER AIR BAG WAS DEFECTIVE. I CONTACTED BMW AND THEY STATED THERE WOULD BE A RECALL IN ABOUT A MONTH. NOW THEY WANT TO CHARGE ME TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM. I FEEL THAT BMW IS RESPONSIBLE AS THE INDICATION ON THE DASH ALERTED ME TO THIS WHEN THE CAR WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. I WISH TO INFORM YOU OF THIS AND ALSO NOTIFY ME WHEN THERE WOULD BE A RECALL AS THE BMW 325 SERIES WAS ALREADY RECALLED AND I PRESUME THE PROBLEM WAS ATTENDED TO. THANK YOU [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
THE HEADLIGHTS, DRIVING LIGHTS ARE ALL SHORTED OUT. THIS WAS A DANGEROUS SITUATION AS IT HAPPENED AT NIGHT. WHEN TAKEN TO MY MECHANIC, HE TOLD ME THAT IT IS A COMMON FAULT ON BMW'S. THAT THE WIRING FOR ALL THE LIGHTS IS MADE FROM RECYCLED PLASTIC AND WITH THE HEAT FROM OUTSIDE AND THE ENGINE THE INSULATION COMPLETELY DETERIORATES. HE SHOWED MY BARE WIRES EVERYWHERE AND IF YOU TOUCH THE INSULATION IT JUST CRUMBLES AWAY. HOW COULD A $55,000 CAR HAVE SUCH POOR WIRING THAT IS CAN CREATE A DANGEROUS AND POSSIBLY FATAL ACCIDENT. TO ME THERE SHOULD BE A COMPLETE RECALL OF AFFECTED VEHICLES.*JB
TRANSMISSION JERKS WHEN VEHICLE IS ABOUT TO STOP, DOWNSHIFTING TRANSMISSION ISSUE FROM 2 TO 1 SPEED. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 550I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER'S SIDE HEADLIGHT WIRES WERE MELTED. THERE WAS ALSO AN INTERMITTENT TAIL LIGHT MALFUNCTION WARNING MESSAGE. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE TAIL LIGHTS AND NOTICED THEY WERE ILLUMINATING PROPERLY. ADDITIONALLY, THE PASSENGER'S SIDE RESTRAINT WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
STARTED THE ENGINE. PASSENGER SAT IN VEHICLE. THE PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM FAILURE LIGHT APPEARED ON SCREEN. I THOUGHT IT WAS A GLITCH. THE LIGHT APPEARED ON AND OFF FOR SEVERAL WEEKS. WENT TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND TOLD THAT IT WAS THE SEAT MAT OR SENSOR AND THE COST WOULD RUN AROUND 1500 AT THE DEALER. WAS TOLD TO CHECK TO SEE IF THERE WAS A RECALL. CHECKED ON THE WEBSITE AND THERE WAS NO RECALL BUT MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURRING FOR THE 2006 VEHICLES. *TR
I'M AN OWNER OF THE BMW530I & AROUND THE END OF APRIL I BEGAN TO FEEL A JERK TYPE OF MOTION (A SLIGHT ACCELERATION) WHEN I CAME TO A STOP . I CALLED THE DEALER WHO ASKED IF THEY COULD TEST DRIVE IT BECAUSE THEY CANNOT EXPLAIN WHAT THAT COULD BE . ON 5/30/2013 I TOOK THE CAR INTO THE DEALER & I WAS TOLD THE CAR MAY JUST NEED TO BE UPDATED BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT EXPLAIN WHAT WAS CAUSING THE JERKING MOTION UPON STOPPING . AFTER ABOUT 1 HR 1/2 I WAS TOLD THEY NEEDED ME TO GIVE THEM AUTHORIZATION TO PUSH PASS THERE SYSTEM BECAUSE FOR SOME UNKNOWN REASON THERE SYSTEM KEEPS STOPPING/UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE & THE TECH SAYS THEY TRIED SEVERAL TIMES & IF THEY CONTINUED IT COULD POSSIBLY BLOW MY ELECTRICAL OR RADIO SYSTEM , THEY WOULD NOT TAKE THE RESPONSIBILITY . I COULD NOT TAKE THAT CHANCE BECAUSE THAT IS THE ONLY VEHICLE MY SELF & FAMILY HAS . SO AT THAT POINT THE TECH & THE SERVICE MGR EXPLAINED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING ELSE THEY COULD DO & THEY FELT IT WAS STILL A SAFE VEHICLE TO DRIVE . BMW SHOULD BE ABLE TO DIAGNOSE THERE OWN VEHICLES & IS THIS A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT ? I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED & CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY & SECURITY OF MY SELF & MY CHILDREN . *TR
I DISCOVERED FAILURES OF MULTIPLE WIRES IN THE TAILGATE/REAR WINDOW WIRING HARNESSES. THROUGH RESEARCH ONLINE I HAVE FOUND THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE OVER SEVERAL MODEL YEARS - SEARCH FOR BMW E61 TAILGATE WIRING PROBLEMS. THE FAILURES ARE CAUSED BY A POOR DESIGN WHERE THE WIRES ENTERING THE HINGE GUIDES (4) FOR THE GLASS AND TAILGATE ARE REPEATEDLY FLEXED AT A SHARP ANGLE UNTIL THE INSULATION, THEN THE COPPER WIRE BREAKS. SAFETY ISSUES - POSSIBLE ELECTRICAL SHORT CIRCUIT LEADING TO FIRES (HIGHEST LOAD IS FOR REAR DEFROSTER); LIGHTING FAILURES (REAR HIGH BRAKE LIGHT, LICENSE PLATE LAMPS AND OTHERS); REDUCED VISIBILITY DUE TO LOSS OF WIPER/WASHER/DEFROSTER; REAR GLASS LATCH OPENING WHILE UNDERWAY, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN LOSS OF CARGO OR INGRESS OF EXHAUST FUMES. THIS IS NOT AN EASILY REPAIRED PROBLEM. IT WOULD BE BEYOND THE CAPABILITIES OF ALL BUT A SKILLED MECHANIC WITH PROPER TOOLS. I DISCOVERED IT WHEN THE REMOTE LOCK/UNLOCK USING THE KEY FOBS FAILED. AS I INVESTIGATED I FOUND THE BROKEN WIRE, ALONG WITH SEVERAL OTHERS WITH BROKEN INSULATION, SOME WITH BROKEN COPPER STRANDS. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 525XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO START THE VEHICLE. THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT WAS ALSO ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER; HOWEVER THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
WARNING MESSAGE FOR PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG MALFUNCTION. TOOK TO DEALER AND TOLD IT WAS THE SEAT SENSOR. I DID NOT REPLACE IT BECAUSE IT WAS WAY TO MUCH MONEY. THERE ARE TONS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME THING HAPPENING TO PEOPLE WITH THIS CAR. PRIOR YEAR CARS HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR THE SAME ISSUE. IT SURE SEEMS LIKE THIS YEAR CAR HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. PLEASE HELP ALL OF US BMW OWNERS OUT. THANK YOU! *TR
MY 2007 BMW 530I ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE ON APRIL 15 THE MOMENT CAR WAS IGNITED IN THE EARLY MORNING. I WAS WITH MY WIFE AND 2.5 YEARS OLD SON AT THE TIME OF INCIDENT. IT COULD HAVE BEEN A MAJOR DISASTER OR EVEN BLAST IF WE WERE NOT HOME OR WITH FIRE EXTINGUISHER TO CONTROL THE FIRE ON TIME. WE REPORTED ABOUT THIS LIFE-THREATENING INCIDENT TO BMW NA MULTIPLE TIMES BUT THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE FROM CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS BETSY HOHMANN CALLED OUR CONCERNS AS HYPOTHETICAL UNLESS THERE WERE PERSONAL INJURIES INVOLVED. BMW OF FREMONT SERVICE CENTER IDENTIFIED THAT PCV HEATED HOSE SHORTED OUT AND BURNT OTHER COMPONENTS. THE WIRE HARNESS AND INTAKE MANIFOLD WERE BURNT OUT AND MELTED. THE DEALERSHIP VERBALLY ACCEPTED THIS ISSUE A DESIGN FLAW THAT CAUSED ALMOST 6-9 INCHES FLAMES INSIDE THE ENGINE. BMW NA CUSTOMER SERVICE OFFERED A DEAL TO FIX THE PROBLEM AS LONG AS WE SIGN A CONFIDENTIAL NDA TO HIDE THE FACTS. BMW NA ALSO RECOMMENDED US TO SELL THIS CAR AFTER REPAIRS BUT WE DON'T WANT TO RISK ANYONE ELSE'S LIFE BY NOT DISCLOSING THE FIRE EVEN IF WE AGREE TO BMW NA'S PROPOSED RESOLUTION. OUR CONFIDENCE IN BMW BRAND HAS ALREADY SHAKEN FROM THE OUTCOME OF OUR CONVERSATIONS BECAUSE AFTER ALL THIS IS THE MATTER OF CUSTOMER LIFE, SAFETY, TRUST AND BRAND. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL BECAME STIFF AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND TO DECELERATION ATTEMPTS. THE CONTACT APPLIED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE BRAKE BOOSTER WAS FULL OF MOTOR OIL AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED ALONG WITH THE VACUUM PUMP. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 62,000. *TR
I RECENTLY CONTACTED MY LOCAL BMW OF HONOLULU DEALERSHIP (808) 597-1225, INQUIRING THE RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V564000. I WAS INFORMED SOLELY BASED ON MY VIN NUMBER, I'M NOT ELIGIBLE FOR REPAIR, EVEN THOUGH MY AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT IS ON. HOW CAN THIS BE JUSTIFIED? MY SAFETY AND MY FAMILIES SAFETY IS ON THE LINE, BUT BECAUSE A NUMBER, I'M NOT COVERED? ON TOP OF THIS ISSUE, I WILL BE SHIPPING MY VEHICLE, BUT THE LOCAL SHIPPING COMPANY WILL NOT SHIP ANY VEHICLE THAT HAS WARNING LIGHTS ON UNLESS IT CAN BE VERIFIED BY A CERTIFIED MECHANIC THAT THE CAR IS SAFE TO DRIVE. PLEASE ADVICE ME ON WHAT I CAN DO. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 530I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCK WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN FOR INSPECTION OR REPAIRS. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 525XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED STATING THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WAS FAULTY AND WAS NOT ACTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PASSENGER SEAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 95,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 525I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, WHO STATED THAT THE CENSOR IN THE PASSENGER'S SIDE SEAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 530I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT HAD ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 13V564000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME DEFECT LISTED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,000.
THE VEHICLE HEADLIGHT INTERNAL WIRING INSULATION IS FALLING APART, THUS LEAVING BARE WIRES EXPOSED.THIS IS A FAULTY DESIGN THAT COULD POSSIBLY LEAD TO A FIRE OR ACCIDENT DUE TO LOSS OF LIGHTS AT NIGHT. THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS. *TR
STEERING MALFUNCTION. DO NOT CONTINUE DRIVING. BIG RED SIGN TO STOP CAR. *TR
VERY COMMON PROBLEM IN 2007 BMW 530 XI IS TRANSMISSION GASKET LEAK AND I CAME TO KNOW FROM WEB THIS IS HAPPENED TO MANY VEHICLES. *TR
STEERING ANGLE SENSOR PROBLEM. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 525I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE EXITING A PARKING SPACE, THE PASSENGER RESTRAINT MALFUNCTION WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE PASSENGER SEAT MAT SENSOR HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 10/31/12*LJ UPDATED 12/13/12*LJ THE SEAT MAT SENSOR WAS REPLACED FOR A SECOND TIME. UPDATED 12/13/12
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 525I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AT ENGINE STARTUP, THE STEERING LOCK WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO CONFIRMED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN AND SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,750 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 76,780.
THE ENGINE OVERHEATED ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE CAR STOPPED. I HAD TO WAIT A LIL WHILE BEFORE STATED BACK UP THEN HE OVERHEATED AGAIN. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND HE TOLD ME THAT COULD OFF CAUSE A FIRE. BUT AFTER REVIEW OF THE KEY DATA HE REALIZED THAT NO SERVICE WAS OVERDUE AND ASK ME TO LET THE CAR FOR THE WEEK END . I'M STILL WAITING FOR THE DIAGNOSTIC AND DON'T KNOW IF THIS MALFUNCTION IS COVER BY A RECALL. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 525I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT MAT SENSOR WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026