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BMW 525IModel year report

2002 BMW 525I Problems

Complaints
29filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
77,500miles, 18 complaints with mileage
Recalls
42 do-not-drive
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
20 mpgcombined, 2.5L 6-cyl RWD · 17 city / 24 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2002 BMW 525I (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 29 consumer complaints for the 2002 BMW 525I. The part named most often is air bags, with 9 complaints (31% of the total), followed by electrical system (5) and seats (5). 18 of the complaints include a mileage, and 44% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 77,500 miles. Of all complaints, 2 a fire, 2 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns (2 marked do-not-drive) and 12 technical service bulletins for this model year. Air bags complaints overlap with 2 recall campaigns covering the inflator module and 5 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Electrical system complaints overlap with 3 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Equipment (1), Exterior lighting (1), Latches, locks and linkages (1), Tires (1), Transmission and drivetrain (1).

Example complaints

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.”

NHTSA complaint #11532286, filed 2023-07

Electrical system: “I and numerous others have had problems with the instrument cluster pixel on the Bmw 525I vehicles, which makes it extremely difficult to read whether you have a engine concerns or worse if the engine is overheating, etc. This could be potentially hazardous and the manufacturer is well aware of the problem, and they have even repaired a few bmws at no charge. However, when I notified the company of my complaint, they advised me that they would cover 25% of the parts and labor, and leave me to pay the remaining $452.00. …”

NHTSA complaint #10452436, filed 2012-03, 187,000 miles

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”

NHTSA complaint #11434434, filed 2021-09

Body and structure: “When parking the vehicle in a parking lot consumer noticed that the splash shield scrapped the concrete driveway when entering parking lot, and parking space block. This was causing the front bumper to bent, separating from the vehicle. The consumer notified the dealer and manufacturer about this problem.”

NHTSA complaint #10081945, filed 2004-09, 24,600 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

44% of the 18 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 30,000 and 124,000 miles.

0%0–1017%10–2528%25–500%50–7517%75–10017%100–15022%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (18 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 77,500 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

’023’05’09’12’173’26
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2002 BMW 525I version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
525i RWD2.5L 6-cyl5-speed manual182721$3,900
525i RWD2.5L 6-cyl5-speed automatic172420$4,100
525i Sport Wagon RWD2.5L 6-cyl5-speed manual172419$4,350
525i Sport Wagon RWD2.5L 6-cyl5-speed automatic172419$4,350

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2002 BMW 525I → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 12 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 12 bulletins →

Other model years of the BMW 525I

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20077275,0002—22Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20067799,5003—21Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20053597,6250—20Not compared (before 2008)Rising
20048489,3140—20Not compared (before 2008)Stable
20033242,1882—21Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20022977,5004—20Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20012294,4954—20—Falling
199524112,0003—19—Falling
19947—4—19—Not enough data
19935230,0003—19—Not enough data
199218101,0004—18—Stable
199113137,7234—18—Not enough data
199011132,6003—18—Not enough data

All BMW 525I model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2002 BMW 525I have?

NHTSA recorded 29 consumer complaints for the 2002 BMW 525I as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2002 BMW 525I is reported most often?

Air bags is named most often, in 9 complaints (31% of the total), followed by electrical system with 5.

Has the 2002 BMW 525I been recalled?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for this model year, 2 of them with a do-not-drive advisory. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2002 BMW 525I get?

The EPA rates the 2002 BMW 525I (525i, 2.5L 6-cyl) at 20 mpg combined, 17 city and 24 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,100 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2002 BMW 525I reported?

Among the 18 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 77,500 miles and the middle half falls between 30,000 and 124,000 miles; 44% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.