2004 BMW 525I Seats Problems
- Complaints
- 17about this part
- Share
- 20%of 84 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 73,500miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 17 complaints about the seats of the 2004 BMW 525I, 20% of the 84 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 73,500 miles. 11 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I was driving in traffic when smell and smoke came from the bottom of my car, I park the car and check, my seat was burn, I turn off the heating and I'm not be able to used again the dealer on park ave in south hackensack nj don't get back to me. Plus now last week may 31 the passenger safety light came on we are thinking the car is curs.every repair is very expensive.”
NHTSA complaint #10577829, filed 2014-04, 55,000 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“Driver's seat burned, leaving a charred hole in the leather approx 1 x 5 near drivers left hip area on seat back, most likely by seat heating element malfunction. The biggest concern is that this happened in june in maryland - - where it is hot. I did not have the seat heater on. This must have happened while the car was parked in my garage. This is very strange and deserves investigation.”
NHTSA complaint #10598747, filed 2014-06, 44,400 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“I started my car and turned the seat heater on low. Approx 5 mins later, smoke started coming out of the dash because the seat heater had burned two holes in the leather and smoke had circulated in my car. I stopped the car, turned it off, and turned it back on and the smoke cleared. I had contacted my local dealer and Bmw na in dec 2012 because I felt the seat heaters were getting too hot - the drivers seat registered 132 degrees at that time. …”
NHTSA complaint #10567498, filed 2014-03, 69,000 milesSeats: other model years
Other parts of the 2004 BMW 525I
33 complaintsElectrical system
21 complaintsSeat belts
14 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
7 complaintsBrakes
4 complaintsBody and structure
4 complaintsOther or unknown
3 complaintsVehicle speed control
3 complaintsEngine
2 complaintsEquipment
2 complaintsExterior lighting
2 complaintsSteering
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2004 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