1993 BMW 525I Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1993 BMW 525I, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- 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.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Heating & air conditioning
Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .