RoadVitals

1990 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.
7
Latest Dec 7, 1999
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.
2
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 7 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1990 BMW 525, most frequently naming the interior & seats, seat belts and steering categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 6 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

  • Interior & seats220.0%
  • Seat belts220.0%
  • Steering220.0%
  • Brakes110.0%
  • Fuel system110.0%
  • Heating & air conditioning110.0%
  • Engine110.0%

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

2 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
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

Interior & seatsSeat belts
Filed Dec 7, 1999

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

NHTSA ID
853802
Incident
Oct 17, 1999
Engine
Filed Apr 24, 1999

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

NHTSA ID
705943
Incident
Apr 18, 1999
BrakesHeating & air conditioningInterior & seats
Filed Apr 1, 1997

BRAKE LIGHTS MALFUNCTIONED; ALSO COULD NOT OPEN UNLOCKED DOOR FROM INSIDE/DRIVER'S SEAT WOBBLED AND SEA THEATER OVERHEATED, BURNING DRIVER. *AK

NHTSA ID
602895
Incident
Jul 1, 1996
Steering
Filed Oct 11, 1996

THE VEHICLE LOST STEERING POWER WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE IN A RAIN STORM. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK

NHTSA ID
803470
Fuel system
Filed May 30, 1996

PERSISTENT GAS FUMES IN PASSENGER AREA, DUE TO FUEL LINE HOSE/FITTINGS AFTER RECALL. (94V066000) *DH

NHTSA ID
504969
Incident
May 7, 1996
Seat belts
Filed May 30, 1995

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

NHTSA ID
966017
Incident
Feb 9, 1995
Steering
Filed Mar 10, 1995
Crash reported

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

NHTSA ID
961652
Incident
Mar 3, 1995

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.

MSG0415

AIR BAGS

RECALL 96V110 - BMW OF NORTH AMERICA HAS INITIATED A RECALL CAMPAIGN WHICH INVOLVES THE AIRBAG CONTACT RING LOCKING TAB. *TW

MSG1016

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS

RECALL 96V111 - THIS RECALL CAMPAIGN INVOLVES THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. *TW

120894(4117)

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

ENGINE WILL NOT START. *TW

130792(3700)

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

FEED FUEL HOSES UPDATE. *TW

320193(3752)

STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR

NEW STYLE STEERING COLUMN. *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
1990Viewing720—
1989330—
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.