The 1991 BMW 525 has 2 safety recalls and 15 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is engine and engine cooling (4 complaints).
Recalls2safety recalls
Complaints15filed by owners
Crashes · fires3 · 2reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths4 · 0reported in complaints
Safety recalls
Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
NHTSA recall 94V066000 · Apr 11, 1994 · 116,300 vehicles · opened 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.
Vehicle speed control
NHTSA recall 91V029000 · Feb 15, 1991 · 5,644 vehicles
Problem: INSUFFICIENT AXIAL CLEARANCE EXISTS FOR THROTTLE VALVE, SHAFT, AND HOUSING DUE TO THE DIFFERENT THERMAL EXPANSION RATES OF THE SEPARATE PARTS WHEN VEHICLE REACHES NORMAL OPERATING TEMPERATURES AND AMBIENT TEMPERATURE IS 40 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT OR LESS.
Risk: THE LIMITED AXIAL CLEARANCE CAN CAUSE THE MOVEMENT OF THETHROTTLE VALVE TO BE IMPEDED, THE VALVE IS UNABLE TO CLOSE. THIS IMPEDANCE WOULDKEEP THE VEHICLE FROM DECELERATING AT THE USUAL RATE AFTER THE GAS PEDAL ISRELEASED; THIS COULD CAUSE UNEXPECTED MAINTENANCE OF SPEED AND AN ACCIDENT.
Fix: INSPECT AND REPAIR THE VEHICLE BY REPLACING THROTTLE HOUSING IF INSUFFICIENT AXIAL CLEARANCE IS FOUND.
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
Fires
Injuries
Typical mileage*
Engine and engine cooling Engine; Cooling system
4
0
0
0
—
Air bags Frontal
3
0
0
1
—
Vehicle speed control
3
3
0
3
—
Seats Front assembly › Power adjust
2
0
1
0
—
Electrical system Wiring › Interior/under dash; Wiring
2
0
1
0
—
Power train Automatic transmission › Lever and linkage › Floor shift
1
0
0
0
—
Steering
1
0
0
0
—
Fuel system, gasoline Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
1
0
0
0
—
Visibility Windshield
1
0
0
0
—
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Feb 19, 2003 · fireElectrical system › Wiring THE BRAKE LIGHT INDICATOR FLASHED ON THE DASHBOARD, SOON AFTER CONSUMER NOTICED AN ELECTRICAL WIRE SMELL AND SMOKE STARTED COMING FROM THE AIR VENTS, AND WITHIN SECONDS VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. *JB
Oct 1, 2000Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system TEMPERATURE GAUGE WENT UP. TOOK TO MECHANIC, AND THEY REPLACED WATER PUMP. CURRENTLY, CONSUMER IS NOW HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THERMOSTAT. *AK
May 8, 2000Visibility › Windshield ON SUNNY DAY CONSUMER SPILLED COLD WATER ON THE WINDSHIELD AND THE GLASS CRACKED. *AK
Jul 29, 1999Electrical system › Wiring › Interior/under dash WHILE DRIVING EVERYTHING ON THE DASH WENT OUT. AFTER AN HOUR EVERYTHING CAME BACK ON. THEN WENT OUT AGAIN. DEALER HAS NOT SEEN VEHICLE. *AK
Jul 14, 1998Seats › Front assembly › Power adjust SEAT WIRING FAILED RESULTING IN MELTING OF THE PLASTIC CASING.
Mar 24, 1998Air bags RECALL 96V-1100000; MS. RUSSO WAS NEVER NOTIFIED ABOUT THIS RECALL. MS. RUSSO HAD THE PROBLEM TO BE FIXED BEFORE HEARING ABOUT THIS RECALL, AND LATER SHE WAS INFORMED THROUGH SOMEONE THAT THERE IS A RECALL. SO, MS. RUSSO CHECKED OUT THE RECALL AT BELL IMPORTS AND THEY TOOK CARE OF THE RECALL . *AK
Jul 31, 1997 · 1 injuryAir bags › Frontal WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH AND THE SRS LIGHT WAS ON. DEALER WAS AWARE, BUT HAD TO RESCHDULE TO ANOTHER APPOINTMENT DURING THAT TIME. THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED, CAUSING INJURIES TO THE OCCUPANT. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE PROBLEM. *AK
Mar 25, 1997 · fireSeats › Front assembly › Power adjust POWER ADJUSTABLE SEATS SHORTED OUT AND CAUGHT ON FIRE, TURNED OFF VEHICLE TO PUT OUT FIRE. *AK
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.
NHTSA defect investigations
EA95013 · opened Mar 31, 1995 · closed Jul 15, 1996 · led to recall 96V110000AIR BAG WIRING FAILURE There is no summary currently available
PE94088 · opened Nov 25, 1994 · closed Mar 31, 1995 · led to recall 96V110000AIR BAG WIRING FAILURE There is no summary currently available
PE94057 · opened Jul 26, 1994 · closed Nov 25, 1994STEERING LCK-UP/IMPEDIMENT There is no summary currently available