2007 BMW 5 Series Complaint Log

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 530XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TEMPERATURE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE WATER PUMP WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000. *TR

THE STEERING LOCK LIGHT CAME ON WHEN I STARTED MY CAR THIS AFTERNOON. THE WARNING STATED THAT THE VEHICLE MAY NOT START AND TO CONTACT NEAREST BMW DEALER/SERVICE. *TR

WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, DASHBOARD LIT UP AND WARNED THAT COMPLETE ELECTRICAL FAILURE WAS IMMINENT. THEN VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER. HAD TO ATTEMPT EMERGENCY EXIT OF THE HIGHWAY WITHOUT ANY POWER ASSIST OF BRAKES OR STEERING. THE DIAGNOSIS WAS THAT RAINWATER FAILED TO DRAIN THRU THE SUNROOF DRAIN AND WAS ROUTED INTO THE TRUNK OF THE CAR WHERE THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS OF ELECTRONIC VEHICLE CONTROL MODULES WERE MOUNTED ON THE FLOOR UNDER THE SPARE TIRE! THIS IS AN ENGINEERING FAILURE THAT WAS WELL KNOWN TO THE MANUFACTURER AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT. MANUFACTURER HAS REFUSED TO ADDRESS ANY FAULT ON THEIR PART. NEWER BMWS NOW HAVE A YELLOW DECAL IN THE TRUNK WARNING THAT NO LIQUIDS ARE TO BE CARRIED IN THE TRUNK DESPITE THE FACT THAT THE TRUNK EVEN INCLUDES A RACK DESIGNED FOR TRANSPORT OF GROCERIES!! THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD FOR ALL CARS DESIGNED IN THIS FASHION. .

THE PROBLEM THAT I AM HAVING STARTED ON JUNE 18, 2012, WHEN I HEARD A CLICKING SOUND COMING FROM THE DRIVERS? SIDE EVERY TIME I TURNED OFF THE IGNITION. THE CLICKING SOUND ONLY OCCURRED WHEN I TURNED OFF THE IGNITION, AND WAS ONLY HEARD FROM THE FRONT OF THE CAR. ON JUNE 19, 2012, I DECIDED TO VISIT THE BMW SERVICE DEPARTMENT TO SEE IF THEY COULD GET TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS CLICKING MY 530XI HAD. AT THIS TIME, NO ERROR MESSAGES WERE PRESENT ON THE IDRIVE SYSTEM. I DID NOT HAVE TIME TO HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC TEST THAT DAY, SO I DECIDED I WOULD RETURN THE FOLLOWING DAY TO HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC TEST PERFORMED ON IT. ON MY WAY HOME (1.5 MILE DRIVE), I HAD THE FOLLOWING MESSAGE ON MY IDRIVE SYSTEM ?AWD, DSC, ABS, AND EMERG EBV? THIS HAD ME VERY WORRIED, AND I STARTED RESEARCHING IF OTHER BMW OWNERS WERE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AS I DID. AFTER TALKING TO SEVERAL BMW OWNERS, THEY POINTED OUT TO ME THAT THEY ALSO EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM IN THE PAST, AND THAT THE PROBLEM THAT THEY HAD INVOLVED A DEFECTIVE TRANSFER CASE ACTUATOR MOTOR (BMW PART 27-10-7-546-671). ON JUNE 20, 2012, I AGAIN VISITED THE BMW SERVICE CENTER AND HAD THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST RUN ON MY VEHICLE. THE PROBLEM CAME BACK AS A DEFECTIVE TRANSFER CASE ACTUATOR MOTOR. *TT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 525I. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL BUT THE BRAKES WERE HESITANT TO RESPOND. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY EXCESSIVE PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL FOR THE VEHICLE TO STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC. THE MECHANIC STATED THE BRAKE BOOSTER AND VACUUM PUMP WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THE VACUUM PUMP WAS LEAKING OIL AND CONTAMINATED THE BRAKE BOOSTER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,000.

AWD AND DSC MALFUNCTION ERROR MESSAGE .AWD AND DSC HAVE MALFUNCTIONED. LIMITED DRIVING STABILITY. DRIVE MODERATELY. STEERING ANGLE SENSOR. *TR

THE CAR BATTERY DIED AFTER SITTING FOR 6 DAYS, UPON RECHARGING THE BATTERY, THE CAR STARTED UP AND MANY WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON INCLUDING STABILITY CONTROL ISSUE, HIGH DISCHARGE ON BATTERY, STEERING LOCK; AND DATE/TIME RESET. ONCE WE RESTARTED THE CAR AND BEGAN DRIVING, ALL OF THE WARNING LIGHTS WENT AWAY EXCEPT FOR THE STEERING WHEEL LOCK WARNING LIGHT. WARNING LIGHT SAYS "ELECTRIC STEERING WHEEL MALFUNCTION. THE WHEEL CANNOT BE UNLOCKED/LOCKED. PLEASE SEE THE NEAREST BMW DEALER FOR SERVICE". AFTER READING REVIEWS, I SEE A SIMILAR OCCURRENCE WHERE THE WARNING LIGHT OCCURS ONCE A BATTERY BECOMES DISCHARGED. ONCE BROUGHT TO THE DEALERSHIP, THEY REQUIRE A WHOLE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN TO BE REPLACED. I FEEL THAT IF THE BATTERY DID NOT DIE DUE TO IT SITTING, THIS SHOULD NEVER HAVE BEEN AN ISSUE. THANK YOU *TR

ABOUT 3 MONTHS AGO I BOUGHT A 2007 BMW 550I WITH 29,802 MILES. WHEN A LARGE RED STEERING LOCK LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASH, AS WELL AS, THE CENTER CONSOLE COMPUTER HAD INSTRUCTIONS "NOT TO TURN THE ENGINE OFF". THE CAR OPERATED NORMALLY JUST WITH AN UNCOMFORTABLE BIG RED LIGHT ON MY DASH. BEFORE CALLING THE BMW DEALER I DECIDED TO DO SOME RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET. I HAVE FOUND DOZENS OF BMW FORUMS REFERENCING STEERING WHEEL LOCK MALFUNCTIONS. MOST WERE RANGING FROM UPDATING COMPUTERS TO STEERING COLUMN REPLACEMENTS. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE BMW DEALER AS HE GAVE ME A LOANER AND TOOK MY CAR FOR THE NIGHT. THE FOLLOWING DAY HE CALLED ME IN AND TOLD ME I NEEDED TO FIX THIS PROBLEM THAT WOULD COST ME $700 OR THE STEERING MIGHT LOCK UP ON ME DURING DRIVING. WITH THIS MANY SIMILAR COMPLAINTS IT SOUNDS LIKE THERE MIGHT BE A RECALL ON THE BMW STEERING LOCK? *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 550I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SRS WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE PASSENGER WOULD HAVE THE SEAT BELT ON, BUT IT WOULD INDICATE THAT THERE WAS A RESTRAINT MALFUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 43,500.

UPDATED: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 525I. THE DRIVER WAS TRAVELING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED AND ATTEMPTING A RIGHT TURN WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE REAR DRIVER AND PASSENGER'S SIDE SEAT BELTS MALFUNCTIONED. THE CONTACT WAS A REAR PASSENGER AND WAS THROWN FORWARD AS THE LAP BELT CUT INTO HER STOMACH. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT HAD TO ENDURE SURGERY TO REPAIR THE DAMAGE TO HER STOMACH CAUSED BY THE SEAT BELT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 11/30/13*CN

RED LIGHT ON DASHBOARD SHOWING A STEERING WHEEL WITH A LOCK. FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED. TOOK CAR TO BMW AND HAVE TO PAY OVER $100 FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND TO BE TOLD I'LL PROBABLY NEED NEW STEERING WHEEL COLUMN. CAR HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED. NEED A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM AS OTHERS HAVE THIS SAME PROBLEM. *TR

VEHICLE SAYS PASSENGER RESTRAINT MALFUNCTION - PASSENGER AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY IN AN EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE YEAR 2004-2006 MODELS, FOR THE SAME REASON (PASSENGER RESTRAINT MALFUNCTION). THE RECALL DOES NOT COVER THE 2007 MODEL. THIS IS A SERIOUS DEFECT AND A SAFETY ISSUE! BMW IS CHARGING FOR THIS WHEN IT SHOULD BE FREE. THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL FOR THE LATER MODELS AS WELL. WHAT HAPPENS IF I AM IN A ACCIDENT. THIS IS GROSS NELIGENCE AND THEY DESERVE TO BE SUED.

STEERING WHEEL LOCK WARNING APPEARS NECESSITATING EXPENSIVE REPAIR. THIS FLAW APPEARS SINCE 2006 AND ACROSS MODELS: THE 1 SERIES 3 SERIES AND 5 SERIES. THE CONDITION ISN'T BROUGHT ON BY ANY INCIDENTS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 530I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG AND PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT SENSOR INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V564000 (AIR BAGS) AND TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT ALTHOUGH THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE LISTED IN THE RECALL, HE WOULD HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED AND REPAIRED BECAUSE THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT ISSUED A SECOND RECALL NOTICE. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, BUT HAD NOT YET RECEIVED A SECOND NOTICE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

THE STEERING LIGHT CAME ON IN MY CAR STATING THE WHEEL WAS LOCKED AND I WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO DRIVE MY CAR. MY CAR IS STILL DRIVABLE. I TOOK MY CAR TO BMW AND WAS CHARGED 145.00 FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST TO BE TOLD I NEED A ELV STEELING LOCK WHICH IS GOING TO COST ME 880.00. I BOUGHT THIS CARE 2 YEARS AGO 2 CARMAXX. *JS

THE CAR BEEPS EVERY FEW MILES AND A WARNING LIGHT SHOWS IT NEED AN OIL CHANGE, I HAD JUST GOTTEN A CHANGE, SO THEY CHANGED IT AGAIN, THE NEXT DAY THE BELLS STARTED RINGING AGAIN. ALSO THE GEAR SHIFTER WENT OUT. IT IS STILL RINGING.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 530I. WHILE HAVING THE VEHICLE SERVICED, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TORQUE ALUMINUM BOLT ON THE ENGINE PULLEY WAS FRACTURED AND WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE BOLT WAS REPLACED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,000.

VEHICLE KEEPS SAYING PASSENGER RESTRAINT MALFUNCTION. PASSENGER AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY IN AN EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE YEAR 2004-2006 MODELS, FOR THE SAME REASON (PASSENGER RESTRAINT MALFUNCTION). THE RECALL DOES NOT COVER THE 2007, 2008, 2009 MODEL. THE CAR HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT, AND I FEEL LIKE IF IT DOES, MY PASSENGER AIR BAG SHOULD DEPLOY WHEN THERE IS A BODY OCCUPYING THAT SEAT. THE CAR SAYS THE PASSENGER AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY WHEN AN ACCIDENT OCCURS, THIS IS A SERIOUS DEFECT. THIS SHOULD NOT BE A PROBLEM IN ANY VEHICLE, LET ALONE A BMW. *TR

VEHICLE SENT ERROR MESSAGE ABOUT PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG FAILURE IN THE AM, COMPLETE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILURE IN THE EVENING WHEN I WENT TO RETURN HOME. DEALER FOUND WATER IN TRUNK, BELOW SPARE TIRE. TRUNK ABOVE SPARE TIRE WAS DRY, NO SIGNS OF MOISTURE. WE EXPERIENCED HEAVY RAINFALL ON 3/17. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IS FRIED - VEHICLE IS INOPERABLE. APPEARS TO BE FAILED SUNROOF WATER SEALS PER BMW SERVICE BULLETIN SI B 61 13 06. IN MY PROFESSIONAL OPINION AS A MECHANICAL ENGINEER, THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW. MULTIPLE OWNERS' FORUMS CONCUR. *KB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 525 XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE ENGINE WAS STARTED, THE AIRBAG AND RESTRAINT WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE PASSENGER SEAT MAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 81,000.

IDRIVE DISPLAYS SEAT BELT AND AIRBAG WARNING ON PASSENGER FRONT SEAT WHEN OCCUPIED BY PASSENGER. *TR

ELECTRIC STEERING WHEEL LOCK: A RED LIGHT SHOWING A STEERING WHEEL WITH A LOCK SHOWS UP ON THE DASHBOARD WHEN TRYING TO START THE CAR. IT STARTS THE FIRST TIME AND THEN DOES NOT START ON SUBSEQUENT TRIES. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO BMW AND THE REPAIRS INVOLVE REPLACEMENT OF THE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN. THIS LOOKS LIKE A MINOR SENSOR FAULT REQUIRING THE REPLACEMENT OF A MAJOR MECHANICAL COMPONENT DUE TO BAD DESIGN. I BELIEVE THAT BMW SHOULD RECALL AND REPLACE THE BAD SENSORS THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN WIDELY REPORTED BY OTHER OWNERS OF BMWS AROUND THE SAME MODEL YEAR HTTP://WWW.BIMMERFEST.COM/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=410153

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 525I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG OFF WARNING LIGHT AND THE PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AFTER A PASSENGER OCCUPIED THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC CONFIRMED THAT THE PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY MAT SENSOR FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED TO THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN FAILED TO QUALIFY FOR REPAIRS UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER:08V384000 (AIR BAGS:FRONTAL). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,300 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60,250.

BOUGHT THE CAR IN AUG STARTED USING THE SEAT WARMER ABOUT DECEMBER OF 2014. HERE AND THERE UPON USING I'D SMELL SOMETHING BURNING SO I WOULD TURN IT OFF! BUT NOT ALL THE TIME WHEN USING THE WARMER DID I SMELL BURNING! LATE MARCH MY HUSBAND NOTICED A BURN HOLE ON MY DRIERS SEAT, I INSTANTLY REMEMBERED THE BURNING SMELL WHEN SOMETIMES USING THE SEAT HEATER! I'M LUCKY I WAS NOT BURNED BUT MY DRIVER SEAT IS RUINED AND I'M NOW AFRAID TO USE THE HEATERS, EVER! *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 525I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO REPLACE THE PASSENGER SEAT MAT SENSOR. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 134,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 137,000.

CAR OVERHEATING. TOOK VEHICLE TO SHOP AND RADIATOR WAS REPLACED IMMEDIATELY. SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN THE DAY AFTER, CAR OVERHEATING AND GETTING MESSAGE THAT ENGINE MUST BE TURNED OFF IMMEDIATELY. CAR AT SHOP AGAIN AND ISSUE IS BEING INVESTIGATED. ASSUMPTION THAT IT HAS A DEFECTIVE WATER PUMP. CONTACTED BMW AND THEY STATE THAT THEY ARE AWARE OF SOME WATER PUMP ISSUES FOR MODELS 2008-2011 BUT THEY HAVE NOT IDENTIFIED ALL MODELS OR VINS AFFECTED. MY VEHICLE IS A 2007. BMW REFERRED ME TO NHTSA TO FILE COMPLAINT AND REQUEST INVESTIGATION. BMW STATES THAT IT IS A POSSIBILITY. REPAIR IS EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE, MY CAR IS NOT DRIVABLE AND I DO NOT HAVE ANOTHER VEHICLE TO DRIVE. I AM REQUESTING YOUR ASSISTANCE. THANK YOU. ## VIN PASSED ## BMW, 2007 530I ## *KB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 530XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON AN INTERMITTENT BASIS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT A SEAT PAD WOULD MOST LIKELY NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.

WHEN I PURCHASED THE 530I 2007 BMW I WASN'T AWARE OF THE FAULTY REAR MIDDLE SEATBELT. I THINK IT COULD HAVE BEEN DEFECTIVE. SINCE NO ONE PROBABLY SAT IN THAT SEAT IT WASN'T NOTICED. I THINK IT SHOULD BE A LIFETIME WARRANTY AND I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY ANY PAYMENT TO HAVE IT FIXED. *TR

THE PASSENGER RESTRAINT AIRBAG/SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHT SHOW UP BECAUSE THE MAT SENSOR UNDER PASSENAGE SEAT IS BROKEN BY NORMAL USE. BMW REFUSE TO HONOR THE FREE FIX FOR THIS ISSUE AND WANTED TO CHARGE AROUND $1300 FOR THE REPAIR THE SAFTY ISSUE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2007 BMW 530I. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD UNTIL IT CRASHED INTO A ROCK. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED SERIOUS INJURIES AND WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

THE ACTIVE STEERING MALFUNCTION TAKES PLACE EVERY TIME THE VEHICLE IS STARTED. THE DEALERSHIP HAS RUN FULL DIAGNOSTICS AND HAVE COME UP WITH NO ERRORS. THE ONLY SOLUTION IS TO REPLACE THE STEERING COLUMN WHICH IS IN EXCESS OF $5,000. I AM WORRIED THE SYSTEM IS GOING TO LOCK UP IN WHOLE AND LOSE STEERING CAPABILITIES. *TR

TRUNK LOCKING FAILURE. UNABLE TO OPEN TRUNK WITH REMOTE CONTROL OR SWITCH INSIDE THE CAR. I WAS ONLY ABLE TO OPEN THE TRUNK WITH THE KEY OVER-RIDE FROM THE TRUNK. BMW USA CUSTOMER SERVICE DID NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE TO OPEN THE TRUNK. I HAD TO READ THE MANUAL TO BE ABLE TO OVER-RIDE THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS. ONCE I OPENED THE TRUNK THE TRUNK WOULD NOT CLOSE. AFTER EXTENSIVE INTERNET RESEARCH AND ELECTRICAL TROUBLE-SHOOTING, I FOUND BROKEN BROWN ELECTRICAL WIRE IN THE TRUNK HARNESS BOOT ABOVE THE BATTERY COMPARTMENT. I FOUND SEVERAL CASES POSTED IN THE INTERNET. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH BMW. BMW USA CUSTOMER RELATIONS WAS CONTACTED TO REPORT THIS SAFETY ISSUE AND A DESIGN FLOW BUT SHE DID NOT OFFER ANY INTEREST TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE. I OFFERED THE OPPORTUNITY TO BMW TECHNICIANS / ENGINEERS TO INSPECT THE DESIGN FLOW AND PERHAPS THEY CAN PROVIDE A SOLUTION TO THIS DEFECT BUT SHE WANTED ME TO GO TO THE DEALER AND PAY THE DEALER TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM ($150 PER HOUR FEE). I WAS CLEAR THAT I ALREADY FOUND THE PROBLEM AND CAN SIMPLY SPLICE THE WIRES BACK BUT I WAS CALLING BECAUSE I AM CONCERN ABOUT THE SAFETY OF OTHER BMW DRIVERS. ELECTRICAL SHORTAGE NEXT TO THE BATTERY CAN BE A SAFETY CONCERN! BMW CUSTOMER SERVICE MANAGER DID NOT OFFER ANY HELP EITHER. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 530XI. THE CONTACT STATED THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT RESEARCHED THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V384000 (AIR BAGS:FRONTAL), BUT THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER STATED THE VIN WAS NOT ASSOCIATED WITH THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 35,000.

I HAVE A 2007 550I THAT I BOUGHT IN 2009. I SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH THE WHEELS, ALL OF THEM ARE SOME WHAT BENT, BUT THE REAR LEFT WHEEL IS CRACKED. THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL ISSUES WITH MANY BMW OWNERS REGARDING BENT RIMS. I SUSPECT THERE IS AN ISSUE, AS WHEELS DON'T JUST HAVE HAIRLINES, STRAIGHT CRACKS ON THE INSIDE WALL WITHOUT SOME SORT OF BEND IN THE WHEEL. EVEN THE TIRE GUY, WHERE I BOUGHT MY TIRES, SAID IT LOOKS A LITTLE SUSPICIOUS. THIS CRACK IS ABOUT 1 INCH LONG ON THE RIM EDGE. *TR

PASSENGER SEATBELT LIGHT IS ON AT ALL TIMES. ACCORDING TO DEALERSHIP IT IS THE SEAT MAT SENSOR. HARDLY ANYONE RIDES WITH ME IN THE CAR, THIS SHOULD NOT HAVE BROKEN AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED BY THE MANUFACTURER WARRANTY. DEALER PROVIDED AN ESTIMATE OF $1,265.34 TO REPLACE IT. A TOTAL SCAM. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 530XI SPORTS WAGON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A MESSAGE INDICATING THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAGS WOULD NOT DEPLOY WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHERE THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST INDICATED THAT THE MAT SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 87,400.

2007 BMW 525XI MODEL NOT LIMITED TO OR EXCLUSIVE OF THIS MAKE/MODEL BUT HAS A KNOWN ISSUE WHERE A RED LIGHT INDICATOR APPEARS ON THE DASH SIGNALING AN ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN FAULT HAS OCCURRED, DO NOT TURN THE ENGINE OFF OR THE CAR MAY NOT BE ABLE TO BE STARTED AGAIN, CONTACT YOUR LOCAL BMW SERVICE DEPARTMENT. THIS HAS YET TO MAKE IT ON THE NHTSA DATABASE AS AN OFFICIAL RECALL BUT I HAVE RESEARCHED AND MADE NOTE OF SEVERAL HUNDRED CUSTOMERS EXPERIENCING THIS SAME ISSUE ON THEIR BMW. THIS CAR IS OUT OF THE 3 YEAR SERVICE WARRANTY AND THIS IS NOT COVERED OR A RECALLED ITEM AS OF TODAY. I AM FILING MY COMPLAINT AGAINST BMW SINCE IT WILL BE COSTING ME OVER $1000 TO HAVE THIS ADDRESSED/FIXED WHEN IN FACT IT IS ABNORMAL BEHAVIOR BY BMW ENGINEERING/MANUFACTURING AND IS A DEFECT IN THEIR DESIGN. IT SHOULD BE RECALLED AND FIXED FOR ALL BMW CUSTOMERS COVERING THE SPAN OF YEARS IN WHICH THE COMMONALITY HAS OCCURRED 2006-2007 325, 525 MODELS. *KB

I OWN A 2007 BMW 550I SPORT. I RAN OVER A RAISED ROAD MARKER WHILE IN ATLANTA AND RUPTURED THE SIDE WALLS OF BOTH LEFT SIDE TIRES, WHILE ALSO BENDING THE FACTORY 18" RIMS. IN MY JUDGMENT THE CONTACT WAS NOT SIGNIFICANT ENOUGH TO CAUSE THE DAMAGE THAT OCCURRED. ONCE I HAD THE TIRES REMOVED I NOTICED THAT THE INSIDE PORTION OF EACH REAR TIRE WAS WORN DOWN TO THE METAL MESH EMBEDDED IN THE TIRE. THE OUTER PORTION OF THE TIRES SHOWED AT LEAST ANOTHER 10K MILES ON THEM. THIS WAS/IS VERY DISCONCERTING AND ALARMING TO ME. I SEE IT AS A DESIGN FLAW, AND A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY CONCERN. ONE SHOULD NOT HAVE TO HAVE THEIR CAR LIFTED INTO THE AIR EVERY 3-6K MILES TO INSPECT FOR THIS ISSUE. THIS IS A $60K + AUTOMOBILE. WHILE EXTREMELY SATISFIED WITH SOME ASPECTS OF THE VEHICLE, AND SATISFIED WITH OTHERS, THIS IS A DEAL BREAKER FOR ME. IF I EVER RECOMMEND A BMW 550I TO ANYONE, IT WILL BE WITH THE CAVEAT OF BE CAREFUL WHEN IT COMES TO THE FACTORY WHEELS AND ANY TYPE OF TIRE THAT YOU MOUNT ON IT BECAUSE OF THE ONGOING REAR ALIGNMENT ISSUES. I HAD THE SAME EXACT PROBLEMS WITH AN OTHERWISE GREAT 99' 525I SPORT. THE REALIGNMENT WORE OUT 2 MICHELIN PILOT SPORTS/REAR IN LESS THAN 10K MILES. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 530I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS CONSTANTLY ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT THE SEAT NET NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 61,000.

2007 BMW 550I, AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, ABOUT 48,000 MILES. AFTER A PERIOD OF HIGHWAY DRIVING, IF REVERSE IS SELECTED (E.G., IN A PARKING LOT, A U-TURN THAT REQUIRES BACKING UP), THE TRANSMISSION WILL GO INTO NEUTRAL FOR SEVERAL SECONDS RATHER THAN IMMEDIATELY ENGAGING. SCENARIO 1 (COMMON): PULLING INTO PARKING LOT AFTER 22 MINUTE HIGHWAY COMMUTE TO WORK. I START TO GO BY AN OPEN SPOT AND NEED TO ENGAGE REVERSE IN ORDER TO PULL IN. I PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE, BUT THE TRANSMISSION GOES INTO NEUTRAL. AFTER ABOUT 3-5 SECONDS, REVERSE FINALLY ENGAGES. THIS IS A RECENT PHENOMENON. PREVIOUSLY, ENGAGEMENT WAS IMMEDIATE. INCIDENT 1 (6 JUNE 2011): AFTER DRIVING FOR A PERIOD OF TIME AT FREEWAY SPEEDS, A TIGHT U-TURN WAS REQUIRED. COMING OUT OF THE U-TURN, THE ROAD WAS DOWNHILL. I NEEDED TO PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE IN ORDER TO MAKE THE TIGHT U-TURN. I PUT THE SHIFTER IN REVERSE, AND STEPPED ON THE GAS. THE ENGINE REVVED AND THE CAR ROLLED FORWARD. OBVIOUSLY, IT WAS IN NEUTRAL. I PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE, THEN REVERSE. SAME THING. I PUT THE CAR IN PARK, THEN REVERSE, SAME PROBLEM. ULTIMATELY, I HAD TO TURN OFF THE CAR, THEN START IT AGAIN. NOW, REVERSE ENGAGED. UNFORTUNATELY, I RAN INTO A FIXTURE AT VERY LOW SPEED, CAUSING NO DAMAGE TO THE FIXTURE AND COSMETIC DAMAGE TO MY FRONT FENDER. INCIDENT 2 (10 JUNE 2011): AFTER DRIVING FOR ABOUT AN HOUR AT FREEWAY SPEEDS, I WAS PULLING INTO A HOTEL PARKING LOT. I NEEDED TO ENGAGE REVERSE IN ORDER TO PULL IN AS I DROVE SLIGHTLY PAST THE ENTRANCE TO THE PARKING LOT. I PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE AND STEPPED ON THE GAS. THE ENGINE REVVED AND DID NOT MOVE. THE TRANSMISSION WAS IN NEUTRAL. I AGAIN HAD TO TURN OFF THE VEHICLE, THEN TURN ON THE VEHICLE BEFORE I COULD ENGAGE REVERSE. *TR

WATER COLLECTS IN SPARE TIRE WELL, BATTERY WELL, AND PASSENGER FRONT HEADLIGHT, CAUSING MASSIVE ELECTRICAL FAILURE. FIRST OCCURRENCE WAS 2009 AFTER OWNERSHIP OF THIS USED BMW 2006 530XI WAGON FROM THE BMW DEALERSHIP. THE SECOND OCCURRENCE WAS 23 MAY 2011. *TR

I WAS WARNED BY THE COMPUTER SYSTEM OF ENGINE OVER HEATING, AND WHILE DRIVING ON FREEWAY, THE ENGINE AUTOMATICALLY SLOWED DOWN THE SPEED, WHICH CAUSED ME PULL OF THE FREEWAY IN A HURRY, SO I WOULDN'T CAUSE ANY ACCIDENT FOR SLOW TRAFFIC. AT THE MECHANIC'S SHOP, I WAS FIRST INFORMED THAT THERMOSTAT WAS DEFECTIVE, BUT LATER THEY DISCOVERED THE WATER PUMP HAS FAILED. THE REASON FOR THE WATER PUMP FAILURE WAS BECAUSE THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL WITHIN THE WATER PUMP HOUSING APPEARED TO BE BURNED OUT. I WAS ABLE TO SEE THE BURNED CHARRED MARK ON THE INTERIOR WALL OF THE HOUSING, WHICH IS LAMINATED WITH PLASTIC. THE WATER PUMP IS IN CLOSE PROXIMITY OF THE ENGINE. THIS FAILURE HAPPENS AT ABOUT 10,000 MILES AFTER THE EXPIRATION OF 50,000 MILES WARRANTY. I BELIEVE THE DESIGN OF THE WATER PUMP AND THE LOCATION OF THE WATER PUMP HAS INHERENT PROBLEM FOR EVENTUAL BREAKAGE. BMW SHOULD REDESIGN THIS PART. *TR

REPORTED ENGINE LEAKING TRANSMISSION FLUIDS (LESS THAN 40,000 MILES AT THE TIME REPORTED) AND WAS ADVISED BY BMW DEALERSHIP THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM, REPAIRS EXCEED $1000. BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC'S ADVICE THAT IF TRANSMISSION GOES UNREPAIRED, RISK TRANSMISSION LOCKING UP AND NO LONGER DRIVABLE. BMW IS AWARE OF LATENT DEFECT AND POTENTIAL DAMAGE, SHOULD MAKE REPAIRS FREE OF CHARGE. BMW SHOULD ALSO BE CONCERNED WITH ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT. TRANSMISSION FLUID RELEASES TOXINS THAT WHEN LEACHED INTO GROUNDWATER, REALSEASES CONTAMINATES INTO SOIL AND WATER, AND POTENTIALLY HARMFUL TO ECOSYSTEM. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 525I. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH THE CONTACT WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON CRASH WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE DRIVER OF THE OTHER VEHICLE WAS INTOXICATED AND DRIVING ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO HIS FACE, LEFT SHOULDER, BACK AND HEAD DUE TO THE IMPACT. THE CONTACTS FACE COLLIDED WITH THE WINDSHIELD AND HE SUFFERED FROM FREQUENT HEADACHES AND NUMBNESS TO THE LEFT SIDE OF HIS BODY. THE PASSENGER OF THE VEHICLE ALSO SUSTAINED INJURIES TO HIS BACK, RIGHT SHOULDER AND HAND. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOWING FACILITY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THEY WERE NOT GRANTED ACCESS TO THE TOWING YARD IN ORDER TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000. UPDATED 3/27/12 *CN

WHEN REFEULING ON LOW FUEL IN TEMPERATURES BELOW 15 DEG F THE TANK SEALS FAIL AND LEAK OR EMIT FUEL VAPORS AFTER FILLING TANK BETWEEN HALF WAY AND FULL. THIS HAS OCCURRED AND BEEN IN FOR SERVICE 5 TIMES ON THE SAME MODE OF FAILURE ALTHOUGH 1 WAS IN WARMER TEMPERATURES. THE ENTIRE TANK WAS REPLACED THE FIRST TIME, 2ND TIME THE FUEL PUMP, 3RD TIME NO ISSUE FOUND (HIGHER TEMP), 4TH TIME 2 SEALS REPLACED, 5TH TIME ONE SEAL REPLACED. GIVEN THE MODE OF FAILURE STRONGLY SUSPECT A PRESSURE EQUALIZATION PROBLEM IS OCCURING WITH WARMER 40-50 DEG F FUEL ENTERING THE COLDER TANK CAUSING SUBSEQUENT SEAL FAILURES. *TR

MY 2007 525XI HAS ENCOUNTERED THE SAME PROBLEM COVERED BY NHTSA CAMPAIGN 08V384000 IN 2008 WHICH DISABLES THE FRONT AIRBAG. MY FOR RECALL IN THAT CAMPAIGN ENDED IN 2006. I WAS ABLE TO VERIFY WITH BMW THAT THE PART NUMBER FOR THE SEAT TO REPAIR THE ISSUE IN MY2007 IS THE SAME AS MY2006. HAS ANY TRACKING OF THE OCCURRENCE IN MY2007 OCCURRED? WHY WOULD THE SAME PART NOT BE COVERED UNDER THE MANUFACTURES EXTENSION TO THE WARRANTY OF 10 YEARS UNLIMITED MILEAGE? THIS IS APPROXIMATELY A $1200.00 REPAIR TO REPLACE THE SEAT AS BMW DOES NOT SELL THE SENSOR MAT WITHOUT THE SEAT. *TR

I WAS DRIVING THROUGH A CANYON AREA, AND WATER SPILLED OUT OF MY ICE CHEST INTO THE TRUNK BAY, WHERE THE SPARE TIRE IS STORED. APPARENTLY THE ENTIRE CARS COMPUTER AND WIRING IS UNDERNEATH THE SPARE TIRE. THE WATER FRIED MY TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR MODULE, WHICH CAUSED THE COMPUTER TO RESTART. WHEN IT RESTARTED, THE CAR SHOWED A CAR COMPUTER FAILURE. THE CAR HAS SAFETY FEATURES SUCH AS STABILITY CONTROL, AND MANY OTHER SAFETY MODULES CONNECTED TO THE COMPUTER. THE CARS COMPUTER, INSIDE LIGHTS, GAUGES, AND ALL MY SYSTEMS COMPLETELY RESTARTED EVERY 30-45 SECONDS, CAUSING THE CAR TO BE A DANGEROUS TOY. I HAD TO DRIVE DOWN THE MOUNTAIN WITHOUT ANY SAFETY FEATURES ON MY CAR TURNED ON, WHICH MADE IT HARD TO CONTROL. IT WAS VERY UNSTABLE DRIVING, ALL BECAUSE OF A TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR MODULE GOING OUT. I SPENT OVER $55K ON THIS VEHICLE, I DON'T THINK GETTING A SMALL AMOUNT OF WATER IN MY TRUNK WOULD CAUSE SO MUCH DAMAGE. THE MODULE COST ME $1,800 TO REPLACE, AS WELL AS A $600 UPCHARGE TO MOVE THE COMPUTER TO THE SIDE OF THE TRUNK, AND $560 FOR THE WIRING HARNESS. $2,960 IN DAMAGE FROM WATER SPILLING IN MY WHEEL WELL. GIVE ME A BREAK BMW! *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 530XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS CONSTANTLY OVERHEATING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE THE DEALER REPLACED BOTH THE WATER PUMP AND THE THERMOSTAT. THE DEALER TOLD THE CONTACT THAT THE FAILURE COULD HAVE STARTED A FIRE IF IT WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 75,578. UPDATED 6/4/12 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED HE PAID FOR THE REPAIRS. THE RECALL DID NOT COVER HIS MODEL YEAR. UPDATED 06/07/12 *JS

PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER HERE IN FLORIDA - WE ARE HERE FOR THE WINTER. DEALER BRAMEN IN WEST PALM BEACH QUOTED US $1700 TO REPAIR. WE DECLINED AS WE THOUGHT THE COST WAS EXORBITANT. THE DEALER REP SAID IT WAS A SAFETY PROBLEM AND NEEDED REPAIR. I HAVE LOOKED ON THE INTERNET AND SEE PRIOR MODEL YEARS HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR WHAT APPEARS TO BE A SIMILAR PROBLEM.

FRONT PASSENGER SEAT WARNING LIGHT ACTIVATES WHEN SOMEONE IS SLOW GETTING INTO SEAT. *TR