Model year record

1990 BMW 525 recalls & problems

The 1990 BMW 525 has 2 safety recalls and 7 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is seats (3 complaints).

Recalls2safety recalls

Complaints7filed by owners

Crashes · fires1 · 0reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths0 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Fuel system, gasolineApr 11, 1994

Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Recall 94V066000116,300 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: FEED FUEL HOSES CAN HARDEN AND "SET" OVER TIME, ALLOWING A SEEPAGE OF FUEL AT THE CONNECTION BETWEEN THE HOSE AND THE ENGINE FITTING. THE CLAMP USED TO HOLD THE HOSE TO THE FITTING IS UNABLE TO COMPENSATE FOR THE HARDENING OF THE FEED FUEL HOSE.
Risk: FUEL SEEPAGE BETWEEN THE FEED FUEL HOSE AND THE ENGINE FITTING CAN RESULT IN FREE FUEL IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A FIRE WHEN EXPOSED TO A SOURCE OF IGNITION.
Fix: A REDESIGNED FEED FUEL HOSE AND HOSE CLAMP WILL BE INSTALLED TO ALLEVIATE THE FUEL SEEPAGE.

Seat beltsJan 30, 1990

Front › Buckle assembly

Recall 90V01600062,000 vehicles

Problem: UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, FRONT SEAT CENTER, FOLD-DOWN ARM REST MAY CONTACT THE SAFETY BELT BUCKLE, CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE RELEASE BUTTON AND PREVENTING THE BELT TONGUE FROM LATCHING WHEN BUCKLING UP.
Risk: OCCUPANT WOULD NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED AND COULD BE INJURED IN THE EVENT OF A SUDDEN STOP OR ACCIDENT.
Fix: REPLACE FRONT SEAT SAFETY BELT BUCKLES WITH SHORTER VERSION THAT WILL NOT CONTACT THE ARMRESTS. NOTE: OWNER NOTIFICATION DATE; 2/90 IS PREPARED IN DRAFT FORM.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Typical mileage*
SeatsFront assembly › Seat heater/cooler	3	0	—
SteeringHydraulic power assist › Pump; Hydraulic power assist system	2	1	—
Seat beltsFront › Buckle assembly	2	0	—
Fuel system, gasolineDelivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings	1	0	—
Exterior lightingBrake lights	1	0	—
Latches/locks/linkagesDoors › Latch	1	0	—
Engine and engine coolingCooling system	1	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Seat belts › Front › Buckle assembly
DRIVER'S SEAT BELT FAILED TO UNLOCK AFTER USE. LOCKING MECHANISM BROKE. ALSO, SEAT ADJUSTER RAIL HAD COLLAPSED, CAUSING SEAT TO LEAN TOWARDS THE RIGHT WHEN GOING UP HILL. TAKING VEHICLE TO DEALER TO CHECK. *AK
Oct 17, 1999
Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system
COOLING SYSTEM FAILED DUE TO EXCESSIVE PRESSURE. SAID DEFECT IS NOW THE SUBJECT OF A RECALL TO FIX THE ADMITTED DEFECT BY BMW OF NORTH AMERICA INC, RECALL NO. 98V-178000. *AK
Apr 18, 1999
Exterior lighting › Brake lights
BRAKE LIGHTS MALFUNCTIONED; ALSO COULD NOT OPEN UNLOCKED DOOR FROM INSIDE/DRIVER'S SEAT WOBBLED AND SEA THEATER OVERHEATED, BURNING DRIVER. *AK
Jul 1, 1996
Steering › Hydraulic power assist system
THE VEHICLE LOST STEERING POWER WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE IN A RAIN STORM. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK
Oct 11, 1996
Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
PERSISTENT GAS FUMES IN PASSENGER AREA, DUE TO FUEL LINE HOSE/FITTINGS AFTER RECALL. (94V066000) *DH
May 7, 1996
Seat belts › Front › Buckle assembly
DRIVER'S SHOULDER/LAP BELT BUCKLES INOPERATIVE, PLASTIC PIECES HAVE FALLEN INTO LATCH MECHANISM FROM RELEASE BUTTON, MALE WON'T GO INTO FEMALE PORTION. TT
Feb 9, 1995
Steering › Hydraulic power assist › PumpCrash
WHEN IT RAINY OR THERE IS WATER ON GROUND WATER GET INTO OR ON THE BELT WHICH CAUSE THE POWER STEERING TO GO OUT AND LOSS CONTROL. TT
Mar 3, 1995

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.