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Air bagsPart report

2004 BMW 525I Air bags Problems

Complaints
33about this part
Share
39%of 84 total for the year
Median mileage
92,000miles
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 33 complaints about the air bags of the 2004 BMW 525I, 39% of the 84 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 92,000 miles.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“Passenger restraint system warning appears each time we get into the vehicle and start the ignition. Airbag deployment red icon constantly illuminated on the dashboard. The air conditioning system is not working properly. The car does not cool or get cold until the car is in motion. We had a mechanic who we purchased the car from 3 years ago to diagnose the problem but it still continues to not cool properly.”

NHTSA complaint #11005486, filed 2017-07, 158,000 miles

“I own a 2004 Bmw 525I and the passenger side airbag and seat belt sign came on few weeks back. The dealer says its not covered but NHTSA site indicates it is covered on Bmw 525I 2004 vehicles. This dealer is estimating a $650.00 diagnostic fee to see what need to be done. What can be done to get the passenger side air bag sensor fault issue? My last option is the junk yard, and never buy a Bmw.”

NHTSA complaint #10721898, filed 2015-05, 106,100 miles

“There is a faulty restraint malfunction on the front passenger side seat. Regardless of whether or not a passenger is in the seat at all the airbag sign indicates that it is off. I am aware that this is a common problem and a malfunction in other Bmw 5 series and the dealer ships that I've went to refuse to acknowledge this even though Bmw headquarters released a recall for some a couple of years ago.”

NHTSA complaint #10563165, filed 2014-02, 40,000 miles

“Passenger restraint system, right high beam malfunction. Bmw dealership denies any responsibility while I referred them to the safety recall. They state that our Bmw doesn't have any open items. How do I know that all the 2004 525's were input into the Bmw database properly? I can't pay for this $1600 warranty when a safety recall was issued in 2008 (while my car was under an Bmw extended warranty.”

NHTSA complaint #10442607, filed 2012-01, 61,000 miles

“The seat belt and airbag warning light are on in car, based on my research, I've found that this is manufacture fault, when I called Bmw dealer they told me that my car is not covered under the recall campaign for the same manufacture fault. I think Bmw manufacturer is at libel at present, let's just hope nothing happened to myself and family while operating this vehicle. I want Bmw to add my car to the recall campaign because this is a safety issue.”

NHTSA complaint #10562431, filed 2014-01, 70,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Air bags: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
20072535%
20064457%
20052263%
20043339%
20031031%
2002931%
2001418%
199514%
1992528%
1991215%
1990218%

Other parts of the 2004 BMW 525I

Electrical system
21 complaints
Seats
17 complaints
Seat belts
14 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
7 complaints
Brakes
4 complaints
Body and structure
4 complaints
Other or unknown
3 complaints
Vehicle speed control
3 complaints
Engine
2 complaints
Equipment
2 complaints
Exterior lighting
2 complaints
Steering
2 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2004 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