Model year record

1994 BMW 525iA recalls & problems

The 1994 BMW 525iA has 2 safety recalls and 4 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is visibility (2 complaints).

Recalls2safety recalls

Complaints4filed by owners

Crashes · fires0 · 2reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths0 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Engine and engine coolingAug 4, 1998

Cooling system

Recall 98V178000340,000 vehicles

Problem: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. A MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE OF A COOLANT SYSTEM COMPONENT, SUCH AS A THERMOSTAT, WATER PUMP, OR FAN BELT, CAN RESULT IN SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED COOLANT TEMPERATURE AND SYSTEM PRESSURE. IF THE INDICATIONS OF A CRITICAL OVERHEATING CONDITION IS NOT NOTICED BY THE DRIVER, IT IS POSSIBLE THAT DAMAGE TO, OR FAILURE OF, A COOLANT SYSTEM COMPONENT COULD OCCUR.
Risk: IF A CRACK WERE TO FORM OR A SEAM WERE TO SEPARATE IN THE HEATER CORE END PIECE, HOT COOLANT COULD SUDDENLY BE EXPELLED, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY TO A VEHICLE OCCUPANT.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW DESIGN RADIATOR CAP TO CONTROL PRESSURE AND PROVIDE GREATER COOLANT OVERFLOW IN THE EVENT OF OVERHEATING.

Latches/locks/linkagesNov 8, 1994

Doors › Latch

Recall 94V2190002,180 vehicles

Problem: THE DOUBLE-LOCK FEATURE CAN ENGAGE WITH OCCUPANTS AND THE DOOR/IGNITION KEY INSIDE THE VEHICLE.
Risk: THE OCCUPANTS OF THE VEHICLE WOULD BE UNABLE TO EXIT EITHER FROM THE DOORS OR FROM THE WINDOWS OF THE VEHICLE. DRIVE-AWAY PROTECTION WOULD PREVENT THE ENGINE FROM STARTING.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE GENERAL CONTROL MODULE WITH ONE CONTAINING THE REVISED SOFTWARE TO PERMIT WINDOW OPENING WITH THE DOUBLE-LOCK ENGAGED AND KEY IN THE IGNITION.

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	Fires	Typical mileage*
VisibilityWindshield wiper/washer; Defroster/defogger/hvac system	2	1	—
Engine and engine coolingCooling system	2	1	—
Electrical system	2	2	—

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

Recent owner complaints

Electrical systemFire
VEHICLE IN MOTION WITH DEFROST ON, SMOKE CAME FROM DEFROST VENT ON DASHBOARD, FILLING CAR INSTANTLY WITH SMOKE. PULLED OFF HIGHWAY, OPENED WINDOWS, SMOKE CLEARS THEN MOVED CAR APPROXIMATELY 200FT. OFF MAIN ROUTE TO SIDE STREET. SMOKE AND FLAMES IMMEDIATELY CAME OUT OF THE DEFROST VENT. USED 3 ABC FIRE EXTINGUISHERS, FAILING TO CONTAIN THE FIRE BEFORE THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED WITH 2 PUMPERS, AND HAD TO USE AFFF FOAM TO MANAGE THE FIRE DUE TO HIGH AMOUNTS OF MAGNESIUM IN THE CAR. THE NEWLY PURCHASED CAR WAS IN VERY GOOD CONDITION, THE CAR AND CONTENTS ARE A TOTAL LOSS. RESEARCHED ON LINE, FOUND MULTIPLE REPORTS OF THE SAME EXACT ISSUE IN THIS MODEL, THIS WAS NOT UNIQUE. ALSO WAS NOT ABLE…
Nov 15, 2012 · 165,000 miles
Electrical systemFire
MY CAR BURST INTO FLAMES WHILE DRIVING. THE FLAMES WERE COMING FROM UNDER THE BACK SEAT. *NM
Oct 2, 2005 · 100,000 miles
Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED HEATER CORE FAILURE DUE TO A DEFECT IN THE RADIATOR CAP (98V-178) RECALL. *MJS
Feb 3, 2000
Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer
RIGHT SIDE WINDSHIELD WIPER ARM CONTACT HOOD ON EACH DOWNSTROKE.
Sep 28, 1998

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