RoadVitals

1989 BMW 525

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
3
Latest Oct 9, 1995
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
3
Latest Apr 11, 1994
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
1

Overview

Our database contains 3 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1989 BMW 525, most frequently naming the airbags, electrical and interior & seats categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 2 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Airbags133.3%
  • Electrical133.3%
  • Interior & seats133.3%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

3 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
94V066000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

Apr 11, 1994
116,300 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The 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.
The remedy: A REDESIGNED FEED FUEL HOSE AND HOSE CLAMP WILL BE INSTALLED TO ALLEVIATE THE FUEL SEEPAGE.
BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKEView on NHTSA.gov
92V174000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS

Dec 2, 1992
15,900 units potentially affected
The defect: THE 80-AMPERE FUSIBLE LINK LOCATED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAN DEVELOP MECHANICAL WEAKNESS DUE TO AGING AND THERMAL STRESSES, AND CAN BREAK.
The risk: IF THE FUSIBLE LINK BREAKS, THE TOTAL VEHICLE ELECTRICALSYSTEM WOULD BE INTERRUPTED BY THE OPEN CIRCUIT. ALL ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS WOULDBE INVOLVED, AND THE ENGINE WOULD NOT START, OR WOULD STOP, IF RUNNING. THISWOULD RESULT IN LOSS OF POWER TO THE VEHICLE WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, LOSS OFHAZARD WARNING LIGHTS, LOSS OF LIGHTS AT NIGHT AND POSSIBLY A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
The remedy: REROUTE THE ELECTRICAL CABLES IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT TO REDUCE THE CURRENT FLOW THROUGH THE FUSIBLE LINK, AND REPLACE THE OLD FUSIBLE LINK.
BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKEView on NHTSA.gov
90V016000

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

Jan 30, 1990
62,000 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: OCCUPANT WOULD NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED AND COULD BE INJURED IN THE EVENT OF A SUDDEN STOP OR ACCIDENT.
The remedy: 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.
BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKEView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Electrical
Filed Oct 9, 1995

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEMS, CAUSING CLUSTER MODULE/POWER WINDOWS/ALARM/POWER DOOR LOCKS TO FAIL. *AK

NHTSA ID
488934
Incident
Aug 1, 1995
Interior & seats
Filed Feb 28, 1995

INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILED, CAUSING FAILURE OF DASHBOARD AND ENGINE SAFETY WARNING SYSTEMS. *SKD

NHTSA ID
481584
Incident
Feb 28, 1995
Airbags
Filed Jan 3, 1995
Crash reported

WAS IN AN ACCIDENT AND THE AIR BAG DIDN'T DEPLOY. TT

NHTSA ID
958134
Incident
Dec 30, 1994

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

B510819

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.

130792(3700)

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

FEED FUEL HOSES UPDATE. *TW

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

BMW 525 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2002010—
2001310—
1998200—
1997100—
1996000—
1995150046.2
1994800—
1993311—
1992141156.3
1991152366.6
1990720—
1989Viewing330—
1988000—
1985100—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.