RoadVitals

1994 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.
7
Latest Dec 3, 2008
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.
0

Overview

Our database contains 7 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1994 BMW 525I, most frequently naming the engine, interior & seats and driver assistance categories. 4 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 5 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

  • Engine330.0%
  • Interior & seats220.0%
  • Driver assistance110.0%
  • Heating & air conditioning110.0%
  • Steering110.0%
  • Transmission110.0%
  • Visibility110.0%

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

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
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

Transmission
Filed Dec 3, 2008

MY TRANSMISSION WENT OUT IN MY 1994 BMW 525I. THIS HAS BEEN REPORTEDLY HAPPENING TO MANY OF US. THE FAILURE WAS IN THE REVERSE GEAR FIRST, THEN THE FIRST TWO FORWARD GEARS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10250678
Incident
Dec 1, 1979
Engine
Filed Jun 3, 2002

CONSUMER HAS SAME PROBLEM WITH COOLANT SYSTEM AS STATED IN RECALL 98V178000. BUT, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK

NHTSA ID
8010941
Incident
May 27, 2002
Interior & seats
Filed Jun 3, 2002

CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS HAVING THE SAME DOOR LOCK/LATCH PROBLEM AS STATED IN RECALL 94V219000. BUT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK

NHTSA ID
8010932
Incident
May 20, 2002
EngineVisibility
Filed Oct 5, 1999

RADIATOR BLEW OUT WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, CAUSING VEHICLE TO OVERHEAT. ALSO, HEATER CORE CRACKED. *AK

NHTSA ID
849935
Incident
Jul 22, 1999
Heating & air conditioningEngine
Filed Sep 28, 1999

HEAD GASKET WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY 3/31/98 DUE TO OIL LEAK. FAILED AGAIN ON 4/28/99 AT 55900 MILES. WHITE EXHAUST SMOKE AND COOLANT DROP OG 35 MM IN 2438 MILES. AIR CONDITIONER COMPRESSOR NOISY AND VIBRATES STEERING WHEEL AND DOES NOT COOL AT IDLE. COMPLAINT UNDER WARRANTY ON 3/31/98 NOT FIXED. REPLACED IDLER PULLEY ONLY. GETTING WORSE ON 4/30/99 AT 56400 MILES.

NHTSA ID
712406
Incident
Apr 16, 1999
Driver assistance
Filed Jun 11, 1998

AFTER HAVING RECALL REPAIR WORK DONE LAST WEEK VEHICLE IS STILL EXPERIENCING SAME PROBLEM, THE THROTTLE WILL REMAIN OPEN, WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE. RECALL # 97V131000. *AK

NHTSA ID
824205
Interior & seatsSteering
Filed Feb 3, 1997

SECURITY SYSTEM ENGAGED WHILE OCCUPANTS INSIDE, OCCUPANTS TRAPPED INSIDE.

NHTSA ID
514400
Incident
Oct 30, 1996

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.

72/07/96

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

CHILD AIRBAG LETTER, WARNING LABEL AND SAFETY REFERENCE CARD. *TW

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
1994Viewing740—
1993530—
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.