2002 BMW 525I Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 9about this part
- Share
- 31%of 29 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 179,200miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 9 complaints about the air bags of the 2002 BMW 525I, 31% of the 29 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 179,200 miles. 2 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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“The contact owns a 2002 Bmw 525I. While in park and attempting to start the vehicle, both the driver and passenger side air bags inadvertently deployed. The contact did not sustain any injuries. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 189,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10758752, filed 2015-08, 189,000 miles“The contact owns a 2002 Bmw 525I. The manufacturer stated that the contact's VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 08v384000 (air bags:frontal). He stated that the air bag warning indicator illuminates when no one is seated in the passenger seat. The failure and current mileages were 44,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10249001, filed 2008-11, 44,000 miles“Takata recall. The contact owns a 2002 Bmw 525I. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15v318000 (air bags); however, the parts to do the recall were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Vin tool confirms parts not available.”
NHTSA complaint #10855675, filed 2016-04“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.”
NHTSA complaint #11771083, filed 2026-10Related recalls
- 19V015000Jan 14, 2019DO NOT DRIVEBMW 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…Covers: BMW 525I 2000–2003, X5 SAV 2000–2004, 540I 2000–2003 +1 more
- 15V318000May 28, 2015DO NOT DRIVEBMW 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…Covers: BMW 525I 2002–2003, M3 2002–2006, 330CI 2002–2006 +9 more
Related service bulletins
- 10160287Apr 1, 2019TAKATA AIR BAG RECALL-RELATED SHORT-TERM ALTERNATE TRANSPORTATION AND CONSEQUENTIAL REPAIRS This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI B01 31 18 dated October 2018.
- 10160244Apr 1, 2019TAKATA AIR BAG RECALL-RELATED SHORT-TERM ALTERNATE TRANSPORTATION AND CONSEQUENTIAL REPAIRS This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI B01 31 18 dated October 2018.
- 10153726Jan 1, 2019Takata class action settlement. Customer support program. Front driver side airbag modules.
- 10149557Oct 1, 2018For the above-referenced vehicles with driver?s side airbag modules, BMW of North America, LLC (?BMW NA?) will provide a Customer Support Program as outlined in the Takata…
- 10154816Feb 1, 2018In an effort to improve the completion rate on Takata air bag recall affected vehicles; BMW NA has expanded the BMW Ultimate Rewards platform to include a new Recall Support…
Air bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 25 | 35% |
| 2006 | 44 | 57% |
| 2005 | 22 | 63% |
| 2004 | 33 | 39% |
| 2003 | 10 | 31% |
| 2002 | 9 | 31% |
| 2001 | 4 | 18% |
| 1995 | 1 | 4% |
| 1992 | 5 | 28% |
| 1991 | 2 | 15% |
| 1990 | 2 | 18% |
Other parts of the 2002 BMW 525I
5 complaintsSeats
5 complaintsBody and structure
4 complaintsOther or unknown
3 complaintsSeat belts
3 complaintsEngine cooling
2 complaintsFuel system
2 complaintsBrakes
1 complaintsElectronic stability control
1 complaintsEquipment
1 complaintsExterior lighting
1 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2002 BMW 525I
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology