RoadVitals

1992 BMW 525I

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.
18
Latest Nov 6, 2014
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.
4
Latest Aug 4, 1998
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.
6
3 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 18 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1992 BMW 525I, most frequently naming the engine, airbags and electrical categories. 4 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 4 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

  • Engine730.4%
  • Airbags521.7%
  • Electrical313.0%
  • Body & structure28.7%
  • Fuel system28.7%
  • Brakes14.3%
  • Interior & seats14.3%
  • Tires & wheels14.3%

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

4 campaigns cover this model year

View all 4

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
98V178000

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

Aug 4, 1998
340,000 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The 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.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW DESIGN RADIATOR CAP TO CONTROL PRESSURE AND PROVIDE GREATER COOLANT OVERFLOW IN THE EVENT OF OVERHEATING.
BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKEView on NHTSA.gov
97V131000

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

Aug 19, 1997
410,000 units potentially affected
The defect: THE CRUISE CONTROL AND THROTTLE CABLES ARE ATTACHED TO THE SAME THROTTLE VALVE ACTUATING LEVER AT THE THROTTLE HOUSING. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE PLASTIC BUSHING ON EITHER CABLE COULD BREAK DUE TO ENVIRONMENTAL INFLUENCES COUPLED WITH VIBRATION. IF THE BUSHING BREAKS, THE OUTER CABLE HOUSING CAN SEPARATE FROM THE BUSHING. IN THIS CASE, DURING APPLICATION OF THE THROTTLE PEDAL WITHOUT CRUISE CONTROL BEING ENGAGED, THE OUTER TUBE COULD CATCH ON THE EDGE OF THE BROKEN BUSHING.
The risk: THIS COULD CAUSE THE THROTTLE VALVE TO REMAIN PARTIALLY OPEN. IT HIS WERE TO OCCUR, THE CAR MIGHT NOT DECELERATE AS EXPECTED INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SPRING STEEL CLIP ON THE OUTER TUBE OF EACH CABLE IN THE AREA OF THE ADJUSTING SCREW AND PLASTIC BUSHING. THE CLIP IS DESIGNED TO PREVENT THE OUTER TUBE FROM DISLODGING FROM THE BUSHING.
BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKEView on NHTSA.gov
96V110000

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

Jul 1, 1996
75,000 units potentially affected
The defect: THE AIR BAG CONTACT RING LOCKING TAB LOCATED IN THE STEERING WHEEL ASSEMBLY CAN BREAK WITHOUT WARNING.
The risk: IF THIS HAPPENS, THE CONTACT RING WIRING COULD EVENTUALLY BREAK. THE AIR BAG READINESS INDICATOR LAMP (SRS OR AIRBAG) IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WILL ILLUMINATE, AND THE AIR BAG WOULD NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF A FRONTAL IMPACT VEHICLE COLLISION.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LOCKING TAB WITH ONE OF A DIFFERENT DESIGN.
BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKEView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 18
Airbags
Filed Nov 6, 2014
Crash reported1 injury reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 BMW 525I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED CAUSING SEVERE BURNS. THE CONTACT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION FOR THE THIRD DEGREE BURNS TO HER FACE AND NECK. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE WAS 99,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10653182
Incident
Mar 7, 2004
Mileage
99,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jul 30, 2011

BODY APPEARS TO BE DEFECTIVE. THE BODY LOOKS LIKE IT IS ABOUT TO FALL APART, IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. FIELDS BMW NORTHFIELD 700 W FRONTAGE ROAD NORTHFIELD, IL 60093 MAY HAVE BEEN NEGLIGENT. THEY INSPECTED VEHICLE ON JUNE 11TH 2011 AND DID NOT MENTION THIS ISSUE AND THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE.

NHTSA ID
10417229
Incident
Jul 30, 2011
Mileage
286,508 mi
Engine
Filed Mar 24, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE ENGINE OVERHEATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS SEEN BY A DEALER. THE RADIATOR AND WATER PUMP WAS REPLACED. AFTERWARDS, THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO OVERHEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT DETERMINED THE ENGINE'S OVERALL COOLING SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.

NHTSA ID
10153617
Incident
Mar 24, 2006
Mileage
142,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Feb 14, 2006

THE AIR BAG CONTACT RING LOCKING TAB LOCATED IN THE STEERING WHEEL ASSEMBLY BROKE WITHOUT WARNING. IT WAS NOTICEABLE, A CLICK OR GRAB TYPE FEEL, WHEREVER THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED AND I IMMEDIATELY TOOK THE CAR TO MY BMW SHOP TO CORRECT. I AM NOT SURE WHAT WAS ACCOMPLISHED BUT THE CLICK WAS REMOVED. ON RECALLS FOR BMWS THIS FAULT WAS LIMITED TO THE 3 SERIES AND NOT A 5 SERIES WHICH I OWN. I HAD REPORTED THIS EARLIER BUT DIDN'T RECEIVE ANY RESPONSE FROM THE NTSB SO THEREFORE I AM RESUBMITTING. *NM

NHTSA ID
10150229
Incident
Aug 15, 2000
Mileage
90,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Jun 30, 2005
Crash reported1 injury reported

DT: VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN FRONTAL IMPACT THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, HOWEVER THE CONSUMER SUSTAINED 3RD DEGREE BURNS TO THE CHIN AREA, AND HAD TO HAVE ROOT CANAL WORK ON A TOOTH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THERE WAS A SMALL DEPLOYMENT AND IT WAS LIKE IT WAS FIRE, RED FLAMING AREA ON THE AIR BAG THAT ACTUALLY IGNITED. *AK

NHTSA ID
10127190
Incident
Mar 7, 2004
Mileage
96,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Apr 27, 2005

I AM WONDERING HOW THE MANUFACTURE DETERMINES WHICH VEHICLES ARE AFFECTED BY A PARTICULIAR RECALL. A COUPLE OF EXAMPLES, I HAVE A 1992 BMW 525I AND HAVE EXPERIENCED TWO FAILURES RELATED TO RECALLS ONE CONCERNED THE RING IN THE STEERING COLUMN RELATED TO THE AIRBAG BROKE AND HAD TO BE REPLACED AND THE OTHER HAD TO DO WITH THE COOLING SYSTEM WHERE THE TERMOSTAT STUCK AND THE PRESSURE CRACKED THE RADIATOR. THESE FAILURE OCCURRED A FEW YEARS BACK AND I WOULD NED TO CHECK MY MAINTENANCE RECORDS TO GET THE EXACT DATES.

NHTSA ID
10118557
Incident
Jul 15, 2001
Airbags
Filed Apr 22, 2004
Crash reported1 injury reported

WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS HIT ON THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT QUARTER PANEL. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. DRIVER WAS BURNED IN THE FACE AND CHEST. *AK

NHTSA ID
10071399
Mileage
103,000 mi
Engine
Filed Mar 21, 2001

BMW HAS CONSISTENTLY HAD RADIATOR PROBLEMS / RECALLS - AND CLAIM MY VEHICLE WAS NOT PART OF THEIR RECALL - IN WHICH 370M VEHICLES WERE AFFECTED. NOSAFETY DEFECT. *AK

NHTSA ID
742849
Incident
Mar 1, 2001

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.

MSG1117

ANNOUNCEMENT THAT OWNERS OF VEHICLES INVOLVED IN RECALLS 96V110 AND 96V111 WILL BE COMBINED INTO ONE MAILING. *TW

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

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 525I by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2011010—
2010010—
2009110—
2008110—
2007722044.5
2006773047.2
2005350245.1
2004840146.3
2003322052.6
2002284056.6
2001224059.9
2000010—
1999100—
1998200—
1997000—
1996000—
1995243046.9
1994740—
1993530—
1992Viewing184057.0
1991134051.9
1990113052.1
1989420—

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.