Independent · Not affiliated with NHTSA or any automaker MethodologyData sourcesData refreshed Oct 6, 2026

2007 BMW 525i: Problems, Recalls and MPG

What this means

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2007 BMW 525i, most recently filed October 2017. Owners have filed 72 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the air bags.

Data summary generated from official records. Methodology Data: NHTSA, DOT, EPA · Refreshed Oct 6, 2026
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Recalls (2)

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2007 BMW 525i. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗

Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.

Check on NHTSA ↗
Listed for 2007 BMW 525i. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 17V683000 Filed Oct 30, 2017

PCV Heater may Short Circuit

Engine and engine cooling · exhaust system · emission control · crankcase (pcv)
Official NHTSA text
Summary
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2011 128i and 2007-2011 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 525i, 525xi, 528i, 528xi, 530i, 530xi, X3 3.0si, X3 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive30i, Z4 3.0i, Z4 3.0si and Z4 sDrive30i vehicles. The heater for the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve may short circuit.
Consequence
An electrical short can cause the parts within the PCV valve to melt, increasing the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is not in use.
Remedy
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the PCV valve heater, free of charge. Interim letters were mailed on November 27, 2017. Owners will receive a second notification by the end of October 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
53.7% repairedof 740,561 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 17V683000
Listed for 2007 BMW 525i. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 13V564000 Filed Nov 12, 2013

Front Seat Occupant Protection Mat Defect

Air bags · sensor · occupant classification
Official NHTSA text
Summary
BMW of North America LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2006 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi sedans and 325xi sports wagons, model year 2007 328i, 328xi, 335i, 335xi sedans and 328i and 328xi sports wagons, model year 2006-2007 525i, 525xi, 530i, 530xi, 550i sedans and 530xi sports wagons, model year 2006 760i sedans, model year 2006-2007 750i, 750Li, and 760Li sedans, and model year 2006 X5 sports activity vehicles, equipped with certain seat types. The front passenger seat occupant detection mat that determines if and how the passenger frontal air bag should deploy in a crash may fatigue and develop cracks which could lead to a system failure.
Consequence
Should the system fail, in the event of a crash, the front passenger air bag would be deactivated, increasing the risk of personal injury.
Remedy
BMW will notify owners with an interim notification letter in January 2014 since parts are not currently available. When parts are available, BMW sent a second letter in August and dealers will repair the occupant detection mat to eliminate the possibility that it may crack, free of charge. Additionally, owners of model year 2006-2007 3 Series with standard seats, 5 Series with comfort seats, and Z4 models, will receive an extended warranty on their front passenger seat occupant detection mat. Owners may contact BMW customer relations at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.
45.9% repairedof 76,565 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 13V564000

PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.

Owner complaints (72)

72 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The air bags is mentioned most often.

3involved a crash
2involved a fire
5injuries reported
0deaths reported

As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.

Most-reported components

Complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2007 BMW 525i, by component (top 10). One complaint can list several components, so these add up to more than 72.Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints · Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 · Report a data error

How 2007 compares with other 525i years

Best and worst 525i years →
1999200120022003200420052006200720082009
This year (2007)Other yearsStill collecting reports

Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Fuel economy: up to 22 mpg combined

22
mpg combined
18
city
28
highway
EPA annual fuel cost
$3,750
CO₂ tailpipe
404 g/mi
EPA class
Midsize Cars

What it costs you to run

$2,969per year
$247per month
682gallons a year

Miles ÷ 22 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.

EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.

Specs by configuration

2007 BMW 525i configurations with EPA data
Engine · transmissionDriveCity / Hwy / CombEPA $/yrCO₂ g/mi
3 L 6-cyl · 6-speed automaticRear-Wheel Drive18 / 28 / 22$3,750404
3 L 6-cyl · 6-speed manualRear-Wheel Drive18 / 28 / 21$3,900423

Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.

Used blue SUV on a sunny dealer lot with its hood open and a clipboard on the fender

Looking at a 2007 525i for sale?

Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.

All 525i years

Where to next

2007 BMW 525i FAQ

How many recalls does the 2007 BMW 525i have?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns: 17V683000 (engine), 13V564000 (air bag). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.

What are the most common 2007 BMW 525i problems?

Owners filed 72 complaints with NHTSA. Air bags (25), Electrical system (14), Steering (12) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.

What mpg does the 2007 BMW 525i get?

EPA rates the 3 L 6-cyl · 6-speed automatic version at 18 city, 28 highway and 22 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.

How does the 2007 525i compare with other years?

Among the 1999–2009 BMW 525i model years at least five years old, the 1999 drew the fewest complaints (1) and the 2004 the most (84). The 2007 drew 72. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.

How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes

Processing

  • Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
  • Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.

Limitations

  • Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
  • Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
  • Recent model years are still collecting reports.

Review

Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.

Changelog

  • 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.
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