2005 BMW 5 Series 545i
WBANB33555CN66490
Vehicle history report for the 2005 BMW 5 Series 545i (VIN WBANB33555CN66490). Gray, wagon, 4.4L 8-cyl 325 hp, gasoline. 166,509 mi reported. Registered in Ca. 5 open safety recalls. Unlock full title, salvage, lien & accident history.
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Vehicle identity & specifications
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What a full report checks for VIN WBANB33555CN66490
A full report searches national title databases (NMVTIS) and licensed history providers for this VIN and shows whatever records are on file — not every vehicle has every record type. The decode, safety recalls and owner complaints above are always free.
Safety recalls 5
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES
BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2010 5-SERIES, MODEL YEAR 2004-2010 6-SERIES, MODEL YEAR 2006-2010 M5, AND MODEL YEAR 2007-2010 M6 VEHICLES. THE INSULATED BULKHEAD CONNECTOR FOR THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE MAY HAVE BEEN INCORRECTLY ATTACHED TO THE TRUNK FLOOR PANEL, WHICH CAN LEAD TO A LOOSENING OF THE BOLT CONNECTION. AS IT LOOSENS, AN INCREASE IN ELECTRICAL RESISTANCE AT THIS CABLE CON…
Remedy: BMW WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND SECURE THE BATTERY BOLT CABLE CONNECTION AS NECESSARY, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 30, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND SERVICES AT 1-800-525-7417.
NHTSA Campaign #12V126000 · 26/03/2012AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
BMW IS RECALLING 200,000 MY 2006 3 SERIES SPORT SEAT, MY 2004-2006 5 SERIES STANDARD AND SPORT SEAT, AND MY 2004-2006 X3 PASSENGER VEHICLES. DEPENDING ON THE MANNER AND FREQUENCY OF THE FRONT PASSENGER'S ENTRY AND EXIT, SMALL CRACKS HAVE DEVELOPED IN THE MAT. IF THIS OCCURS, THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAGS, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE HEAD PROTECTION SYSTEM, WILL BE DEACTIVATED AND THE AIR BAG WARNIN…
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REWORK THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR MAT SO THAT EXTERNAL FORCE APPLICATION TO THE SEAT DOES NOT CAUSE A CRACK TO THE MAT. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 6, 2008. BMW WILL ALSO EXTEND THE WARRANTY ON THESE VEHICLES TO 10 YEARS FROM FIRST REGISTRATION WITHOUT ANY MILEAGE LIMIT. OWNERS
NHTSA Campaign #08V384000 · 05/08/2008ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN
This recall involves aftermarket parts sold by Valeo. Valeo is recalling certain engine cooling fans, part numbers 696121, 696273, and 696275, used as service replacement parts for model year 2008-2011 BMW 1-Series, 2006-2011 BMW 3-Series, 2000-2009 BMW 5-Series, 2004-2005 BMW 6-Series, and 2006-2007 BMW 7-Series vehicles. A metal-oxide semiconductor may overheat due to insufficient screwing of …
Remedy: Valeo will notify owners and replace the fans free of charge. The safety recall began on August 22, 2012. This recall is being conducted by Valeo, not by BMW. For further information, owners may contact Valeo at 1-888-718-2536.
NHTSA Campaign #12E029000 · 10/08/2012SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM
BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2010 5-SERIES, 6-SERIES, AND MODEL YEAR 2002-2008 7-SERIES VEHICLES. A CHECK VALVE OF THE BRAKE VACUUM PUMP MAY LEAK A SMALL AMOUNT OF LUBRICATING OIL. OVER TIME THIS COULD RESULT IN CONTAMINATION OF THE BRAKE BOOSTER.
Remedy: BMW WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 24, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-525-7417.
NHTSA Campaign #10V446000 · 01/10/2010POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH AN INCORRECTLY MANUFACTURED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION PARKING PAWL GUIDE PLATE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPAIR AND REPLACE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION GUIDE PLATE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 30, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-332-4269.
NHTSA Campaign #05V504000 · 01/11/2005We'll email you the moment a new safety recall is issued — no spam, unsubscribe any time.
Common problems & what to inspect
Based on 192 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2005 BMW 5 Series, here are the most-reported problem areas — and exactly what to check before you buy.
💥 1 involved a crash 🔥 1 involved a fire
🔍 Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
🔍 Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
🔍 Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.
🔍 Confirm all headlights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights work, with no moisture inside the housings.
🔍 Check for fuel or battery warnings, hard starts and stalling. On a hybrid/EV, confirm charging and range behave normally.
🔍 Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.
Pre-purchase checklist
- Match the VIN on the dash, door jamb and title — they must be identical.
- Cold-start the engine; listen for knocks and check for blue or white exhaust smoke.
- Test-drive through all gears at low and highway speed — no slipping, shudder or pulling.
- Confirm every warning light clears at startup (none should stay on).
- Check fluids — oil, coolant, transmission — for level, color and leaks.
- Look underneath for rust, fresh undercoating or signs of collision repair.
- Always get an independent pre-purchase inspection from a trusted mechanic.
Owner complaints 192
Complaints filed with NHTSA by owners of the 2005 BMW 5 Series.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE
I am encountering persistent issues with my 2005 BMW 525i. Despite having replaced several critical components, including the ignition coils, spark plugs, mass air flow sensor, and throttle body sensors, the vehicle continues to experience performance problems, specifically failing to advance beyond the fourth cylinder when driving uphill. After conducting…
NHTSA ODI #11621558EXTERIOR LIGHTING
The tail-lights have gone out creating safty issue and number of warning lights to come up on the dashboard. Dealership stated that the wiring harness around ground wire has melted. They stated that this is same issue that is mentioned under NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V407000. The service advisor said that his issue would be fixed by same service bulletin SI…
NHTSA ODI #11588889ENGINE
The contact owns a 2005 BMW 545I. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed, and the contact became aware of a ball of white smoke coming from the exhaust. The contact stated that whenever the accelerator pedal was depressed, there was white smoke coming from the exhaust pipe. The vehicle was taken to an in…
NHTSA ODI #11576234ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING
The wiring inside of the headlights has dried up and fallen off, leaving bare electrical wire. The resulting was both of the headlights became non operational at night. To replace the headlights in the car with all the factory features is about 3200.00 for parts alone. I know of others who have had this happen, and everyone i know who owns one, has the same …
NHTSA ODI #11442056ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
At approxamitately 1:20pm on July 13, after being parked for a little over an hour I was told that my car was burning. 911 was called immediately and the owner of the establishment went outside and called to the firemen at the station on the other side of the street. Their response was immediate. Response was so quick that damage was limited to the right r…
Fire · NHTSA ODI #11424889ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHILE DRIVING TO WORK DURING MORNING RUSH HOUR IN A BUSY HIGHWAY THE CAR JUST STOPPED RUNNING. NO ODD SOUNDS NO SHUTTING NO CLUNKING. IT WAS LIKE SOME JUST TURNED THE KEY OFF. I MADE IT TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY AND HAD TO WAIT TWO HOURS FOR A TOW TRUCK TO SHOW UP. MOST OF THE WEEK PREVIOUS TO THIS MY CAR WOULD NOT START AT RANDOM TIMES EVEN THOUGH MY BAT…
NHTSA ODI #11354824AIR BAGS,STRUCTURE
DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH AN ACCIDENT OCCURRED WHERE THERE WAS OIL IN ROAD. MY CAR LOST CONTROL AND VEERED INTO A GUARD RAIL ON THE HIGHWAY. MY CAR WAS SUBSEQUENTLY TOTALED AND NONE OF MY AIR BAGS DEPLOYED IN THE CRASH.
Crash · NHTSA ODI #11325833POWER TRAIN
I PURCHASED THIS BMW 525I USED FROM A PERSON THAT OBTAINED IT FROM A WHOLESALE DEALER, IT HAD SOME MINOR FRONTEND DAMAGE FROM A FENDER BENDER (BROKEN GRILL, DING TO HOOD) SHOWING 107900 MILES. EVERYTHING ELSE CHECKED OUT. I FEW MONTHS LATER I NOTICED A SLIGHT CHANGE IN TRANSMISSION SOUND, BUT IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN DUE TO THE COLD TEMPERATURES HERE IN WISCONS…
NHTSA ODI #11174764+ 184 more complaints on record.




