2003 BMW 525I Seats Problems
- Complaints
- 3about this part
- Share
- 9%of 32 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 72,690miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the seats of the 2003 BMW 525I, 9% of the 32 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 72,690 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
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.
“Driver seat and passenger power motor of seat not working, and can I asking if I buy this car from dealer used car,this car have 5 recall,,the dealer don't tell me about the car have recall, that illegal or legal , if illegal with customer,where and what the offices can I do complain report this dealer,,thanks”
NHTSA complaint #10568061, filed 2014-03, 180,000 miles“I was driving on the freeway and turned the seat heater on. After about 5 minutes into my drive, I started to smell smoke and then saw smoke in the car. I pulled over and saw that the seat was catching on fire. I turned the seat heater off and doused the fire with water.”
NHTSA complaint #10259104, filed 2009-02, 45,000 miles“Upon turning on the manufacturer installed drivers seat heater, the drivers seat heater shorted out causing extreme heat and smoke to rise from the left side of the seat. Although this did not cause a fire, it was extremely close to causing a fire. The heater was turned off, and the smoke and heat subsided. There was a significant electrical burning smell. Contacted a Bmw mechanic who stated that this was a common occurrence and a known issue with Bmw. He cited a case which caused a customers leather seat to burn and also burned his sports coat. …”
NHTSA complaint #10289698, filed 2009-10, 72,690 milesSeats: other model years
Other parts of the 2003 BMW 525I
10 complaintsElectrical system
8 complaintsExterior lighting
4 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
3 complaintsSeat belts
2 complaintsVehicle speed control
2 complaintsBrakes
1 complaintsEngine cooling
1 complaintsEquipment
1 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
1 complaintsOther or unknown
1 complaintsSteering
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 BMW 525I
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 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