RoadVitals

1993 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.
5
Latest Nov 3, 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.
3
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.
1

Overview

Our database contains 5 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1993 BMW 525I, most frequently naming the engine, body & structure and heating & air conditioning categories. 3 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

  • Engine342.9%
  • Body & structure114.3%
  • Heating & air conditioning114.3%
  • Electrical114.3%
  • Transmission114.3%

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
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
96V111000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH

Jul 1, 1996
180,000 units potentially affected
The defect: THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH CAN FAIL ALLOWING THE SWITCH TO REMAIN IN THE "BRAKE LIGHTS OFF" POSITION OR IN THE "BRAKE LIGHTS ON" POSITION.
The risk: IF THIS HAPPENS, THE BRAKE LIGHTS EITHER WILL NOT OPERATE OR WILL BE CONTINUOUSLY ON, REGARDLESS OF BRAKE PEDAL POSITION. FOLLOWING DRIVERS WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE VEHICLE IS STOPPING, INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE EXISTING BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH WITH A NEWLY DESIGNED SWITCH.
BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKEView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Body & structureElectrical
Filed Nov 3, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 BMW 525I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH THE REAR DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE DOORS FAILED TO OPEN. AS A RESULT, THE REAR PASSENGERS WERE NOT ABLE TO ENTER OR EXIT THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 230,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10652023
Incident
Jan 1, 2013
Mileage
230,000 mi
Heating & air conditioningEngine
Filed Jun 2, 2000
Fire reported

RECEIVED INSTALLATION OF RECALLED RADIATOR CAP AT VOB BMW IN 9/27/99 (98V178000) THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO KEEP THE BMW CARS FROM OVERHEATING WHICH CAUSES THE ENGINE TO OVERHEAT AND BURNUP. ON 5/9/00 THE TEMP WAS 95 DEGREES F, AFTER RUNNING MY AIR CONDITIONING, MY CAR BEGAN TO SMOKE HEAVILY AND THE ENGINE BURNED-OUT BEFORE I COULD GET IT ALL THE WAY OFF THE ROAD. THE SERVICE MECHANIC I HAD MY CAR TOWED TO, FOUND THAT THE RADIATOR AND ENGINE BOTH HAD A LARGE HOLE IN EACH. ALSO, THE WATER PUMP IMPELLER WHICH IS PLASTIC WAS BROKEN OR MELTED OFF. AS A RESULT, NO FLUIDS WERE GETTING TO THE ENGINE; HENCE, MY ENGINE BURNED UP QUICKLY. *AK

NHTSA ID
723498
Engine
Filed May 22, 2000

A MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE OF A COLLING SYSTEM COMPONENT (THERMOSTAT, WATER PUMP OR FAN BELT) CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO OVERHEAT PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE 98V-178. NLM

NHTSA ID
552353
Incident
Aug 3, 1999
Engine
Filed Jan 25, 1999

DESIGN OF CHARCOAL FILTER CANISTER CAUSED IT TO ABSORBED A LARGE AMOUNT OF WATER CAUSING IT TO FREEZE AND THE FUEL PUMP KEPT PUMPING UNTIL THE FUEL TANK IMPLODED.

NHTSA ID
543576
Transmission
Filed Feb 25, 1998

VEHICLE PARKED ON ON DOWN HILL GRADE. WHEN VEHICLE IS STARTED AND PUT IN REVERSE GEAR, THE TRANSMISSION DOES NOT ENGAGE IMMEDIATELY AND VEHICLE ROLLS FORWARD. INCREASED PRESSURE IS APPLIED TO THE ACCELERATOR AND SUDDENLY THE TRANSMISSION ENGAGES.

NHTSA ID
531400
Incident
May 1, 1997

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.

41/03/96

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

WIND NOISE DIAGNOSTICS. *TW

MSG1117

ANNOUNCEMENT THAT OWNERS OF VEHICLES INVOLVED IN RECALLS 96V110 AND 96V111 WILL BE COMBINED INTO ONE MAILING. *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—
1993Viewing530—
1992184057.0
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.