Model year record

2002 BMW 525i recalls & problems

The 2002 BMW 525i has 4 safety recalls and 29 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is air bags (9 complaints).

Recalls4safety recalls

Complaints29filed by owners

Crashes · fires0 · 2reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths2 · 0reported in complaints

2 recalls for this model year carry an NHTSA do not drive advisory. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Safety recalls

Air bagsJan 14, 2019

Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module

Recall 19V015000157,549 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

NHTSA advisory: do not drive affected vehicles until repaired.

Problem: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2000-2003 525i Sedan, 530i Sedan, 540i Sedan, 2001-2003 525i Sports Wagon and 540i Sports Wagon vehicles, and 2000-2004 X5 SAV 3.0i, X5 SAV 4.4i, and X5 SAV 4.6is vehicles. This recall affects certain vehicles where the original steering wheel has been replaced with the optional sports steering wheel. The sports steering wheel has a frontal air bag inflator that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the vehicle has been remedied. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicle for an optional sports steering wheel with an affected inflator. Dealers will replace the air bag module as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 14, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Air bagsMay 28, 2015

Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module

Recall 15V318000419,235 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

NHTSA advisory: do not drive affected vehicles until repaired.

Problem: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2002-2005 325i, 325xi, 330i, and 330xi Sedans, and 325xi and 325i Sportswagons, 2002-2006 330Ci, 325Ci, and M3 Convertibles and 325i, 330i, and M3 Coupes, 2002-2003 M5, 540i, 525i Sedan, and 530i Sedans, and 540i and 525i Sportswagons, and 2003 X5 3.0i and 4.4i Sports Activity Vehicles. Please note that the 5-series and X5 vehicles are only included if they are equipped with the optional sports steering wheel. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the vehicle has been remedied. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front driver air bag module, free of charge. The recall began Aug 2016. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Note: This recall supersedes recall 14V-348 in its entirety. Additionally, vehicles that have had their driver side frontal air bag replaced previously as part of a recall remedy need to have their air bag replaced under this recall as well. Note: On December 17, 2015 BMW removed the model year 2004 X5 3.0i and 4.4i Sports Activity vehicle from this recall. Those vehicles were mistakenly identified as including the air bags that are subject to this recall.

SuspensionFeb 19, 2002

Suspension

Recall 02V0570004,672 vehicles

Problem: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, DURING THE STRUT MOUNT MANUFACTURING PROCESS, THE THRUST BEARING WAS NOT PROPERLY POSITIONS AND SECURED. IF THE SUSPENSION IS FULLY UNLOADED, THE FRONT STRUT COULD SEPARATE FROM THE UPPER MOUNT.
Risk: THIS COULD AFFECT VEHICLE HANDLING AND CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH FRONT SPRING STRUT UPPER MOUNTS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 15, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.

TiresNov 26, 2001

Sidewall

Recall 01V3520001,318 vehicles

Problem: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: DURING THE TIRE MOUNTING PROCESS ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES BUILT WITH STANDARD (NON-SPORT) SUSPENSION AND EQUIPPED WITH CONTINENTAL CONTITOURINGCONTACT CH95 ECOPLUS TIRES, SIZE 225/65R16 95H, HAVING DOT CODES 4001, 4101, OR 4201, THE OUTER SIDEWALL SURFACE OF THE TIRES MAY HAVE BEEN CUT BY A SHARP EDGE. OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE OVER A LONG PERIOD OF TIME COULD LEAD TO A REDUCTION OF INFLATION PRESSURE.
Risk: CONTINUED DRIVING WITH LOW INFLATION PRESSURE IN THE TIRE COULD ULTIMATELY RESULT IN DAMAGE TO THE TIRE, AFFECT VEHICLE HANDLING AND CONTROL, AND COULD IN SOME CASES RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT ALL FIVE TIRES FOR A POSSIBLE CUT IN THE SIDEWALL, AND IF A CUT IS FOUND, THE TIRE WILL BE REPLACED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 10, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Fuel economy

525i

21mpg combined

City / highway	18 / 27 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

2.5 L · 6 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,900/year to fuel

525i

20mpg combined

City / highway	17 / 24 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

2.5 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (S5) · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,100/year to fuel

525i Sport Wagon

19mpg combined

City / highway	17 / 24 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

2.5 L · 6 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,350/year to fuel

525i Sport Wagon

19mpg combined

City / highway	17 / 24 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

2.5 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (S5) · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,350/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Air bagsFrontal	9	0	1	179,200 mi
Electrical systemHorn; Instrument cluster/panel	7	1	0	86,000 mi
SeatsFront assembly › Seat heater/cooler	5	0	1	84,000 mi
StructureBody; Body › Door	4	0	0	25,903 mi
Seat beltsRear/other › Buckle assembly	3	0	0	—
Unknown or other	3	1	0	169,367 mi
Engine and engine coolingCooling system › Fan; Cooling system	2	0	0	—
Fuel system, other	1	0	0	—
Fuel system, gasolineDelivery › Fuel pump	1	0	0	—
Power train	1	0	0	—
EquipmentElectrical	1	0	0	—
Tires	1	0	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Air bags1 injury
The contact's brother owns a 2002 BMW 525I. The contact stated that while the owner was driving, the front driver's side steering wheel air bag deployed without impact and struck the driver's arm and face. The impact caused the driver to become unconscious. The driver sustained a broken arm and received medical attention. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard. A police report was filed. The dealer was contacted. The failure mileage was unknown.
Oct 11, 2026
Air bags
The contact owns a 2002 BMW 525I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS); and would like to be removed from the recall distribution list. The local dealer and manufacturer were contacted.
Mar 3, 2026
Air bags
regarding the Takata airbag recall for my model bmw, the priority zone A includes the hotter southern states incl Florida. My car is in Canada and currently not under a recall notice; however, the car spent many years in Florida, as my parents resided in Florida every winter for 6 months, and then summers in Canada. I am concerned as the propellant in question degrades FASTER in hot climates, and since i reside in Canada, the priority is low. please advise.
Jul 14, 2023
Seats
I can't even get comfortable in the seats in this car they are twisting cause a very uncomfortable drive /ride for us! Evrryone i hear of that owns a bmw has this issue
Sep 2, 2021
Electrical systemFire
The car was off and caught fire due too electrical malfunctioning. The a/c unit was staying on even after cutting the car off . Along with my steering wheel randomly adjusting at start of the car . The fire started inside out .
Sep 4, 2021
Service brakes
SEATS FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER ARE TWISTING WHEN ADJUSTED ALSO SEAT CONTINUOUSLY MOVES EVEN AFTER THE CONTROL IS LET OF
Jul 25, 2020 · 120,000 miles
Air bags
TAKATA RECALL THERE'S A AIRBAG SIGNALS ON DISPLAY SCREEN DOESN'T GO OUT OR CLEAR ANYTIME YOU START OR DRIVE THE CAR
Jul 4, 2016 · 179,200 miles
Unknown or otherFire
IT STARTED TO SMELL ELECTRICAL WHEN I WAS DRIVING THE CAR AND WHEN I STOPPED THE CAR PUT IT IN PARK AND TRYED TO TURN THE CAR OFF THE IGNITION WOULDNT TURN OFF AND MY ENTIRE CAR CAUGHT FIRE ..I SAW IT START ON THE PASSENGER SIDE UNDER THE HOOD I THREW WATER ON IT IT WOUNDNT GO OUT AND I CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. IT HAPPENED IN PLACERVILLE WHEN I WAS VISITING FAMILY.
Sep 27, 2017 · 169,367 miles

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.