RoadVitals

1995 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.
24
Latest Dec 23, 2022
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.
2

Overview

Our database contains 24 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1995 BMW 525I, most frequently naming the interior & seats, electrical and engine categories. 3 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

  • Interior & seats517.9%
  • Electrical414.3%
  • Engine414.3%
  • Seat belts310.7%
  • Visibility27.1%
  • Brakes27.1%
  • Driver assistance27.1%
  • Transmission27.1%

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
94V219000

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

Nov 8, 1994
2,180 units potentially affected
The defect: THE DOUBLE-LOCK FEATURE CAN ENGAGE WITH OCCUPANTS AND THE DOOR/IGNITION KEY INSIDE THE VEHICLE.
The risk: THE OCCUPANTS OF THE VEHICLE WOULD BE UNABLE TO EXIT EITHER FROM THE DOORS OR FROM THE WINDOWS OF THE VEHICLE. DRIVE-AWAY PROTECTION WOULD PREVENT THE ENGINE FROM STARTING.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE GENERAL CONTROL MODULE WITH ONE CONTAINING THE REVISED SOFTWARE TO PERMIT WINDOW OPENING WITH THE DOUBLE-LOCK ENGAGED AND KEY IN THE IGNITION.
BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKEView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 24
Electrical
Filed Dec 23, 2022

RECAL 94V219000: Double-lock Feature GCM Revised. "The double-lock feature can engage with occupants and the door/ignition key inside of the vehicle. The occupants of the vehicle would be unable to exit either from the doors or from the windows of the vehicle." NOTE: IF YOUR VEHICLE IS PRESENTED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND THE REMEDY IS NOT PROVIDED FREE OF CHARGE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME OR THE REMEDY DOES NOT CORRECT THE DEFECT, CONTACT BMW AND THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE My car locked me in it and I was unable to exit exactly as described in this Recall. Called BMW and they are saying the recall was remedied. Clearly it is not corrected. BMW says they cant do anything. 1995 or not this is a serious safety issue, this car is perfectly safe running and driving vehicle besides this issue.

NHTSA ID
11498676
Incident
Dec 18, 2022
Interior & seats
Filed May 1, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 BMW 525I. WHILE PARKED WITH THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION, THE OCCUPANT IN THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO OPEN ANY OF THE DOORS OR WINDOWS MANUALLY. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 94V219000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH) THAT COULD HAVE BEEN RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA ID
10457057
Incident
Apr 1, 2012
Mileage
100,000 mi
Interior & seats
Filed Jun 29, 2010

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 BMW 525I. AFTER SITTING IDLE IN THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO EXIT BUT WAS LOCKED IN THE VEHICLE FOR OVER TEN MINUTES. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 94V219000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES: DOORS: LATCH) HOWEVER THE DEALER ADVISED HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. ANY REPAIRS WOULD BE AT THE EXPENSE OF THE CONTACT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10340617
Incident
Jun 29, 2010
Interior & seats
Filed Feb 18, 2010

OWNER OF 1995 BMW 525 WAS UNABLE TO EXIT CAR .WINDOWS WOULD NOT OPEN WITH KEY ON NOR DID SUNROOF OPEN. THE CAR WOULD NOT START. SOUTH BAY DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO HONOR RECALL NUMBER 94V219000 AS SO DID BMW HEADQUARTERS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10311630
Incident
Feb 10, 2010
Mileage
153,537 mi
Interior & seats
Filed Sep 9, 2008

ON A HOT AFTERNOON IN SACRAMENTO, WE STOPPED IN A PARKING LOT AND SHUT OFF THE CAR PREPARING TO EXIT. THE WINDOWS OF THE BMW WERE UP AND WE WERE NOT ABLE TO OPEN THE DOORS. THE ENGINE WOULD NOT START AND WE WERE TRAPPED IN THE HOT CAR. FORTUNATELY WE HAD A CAR PHONE AND CALLED 911 FOR HELP. AFTER A FRIGHTENING HALF HOUR TRAPPED IN THE HOT LOCKED CAR WE WERE EXTRICATED. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO A GARAGE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10241640
Incident
Sep 9, 2008
Interior & seats
Filed Aug 20, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 BMW 525I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT DOOR FAILED TO UNLOCK AND THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW FELL DOWN INTO THE VEHICLE. THE PASSENGER SIDE AND REAR DOORS WILL OPEN, BUT SHE MUST OPEN THEM QUICKLY. THE CONTACT HAS BEEN LOCKED IN THE VEHICLE ONCE. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 94V219000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH) WAS REFERENCED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 147,813.

NHTSA ID
10200173
Incident
Aug 4, 2007
Mileage
147,813 mi
Engine
Filed Aug 22, 2006
Fire reported

1995 BMW 525I CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE DRIVING. *TS THE FIRE STARTED UNDER THE HOOD. THE ENTIRE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED. THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES *NM

NHTSA ID
10166907
Incident
Jul 17, 2006
Transmission
Filed Apr 7, 2005

TRANSMISSION SLIPPING. I HAVE A 1995 525 BMW WITH 112000 MILES. THE TRANSMISSION INSTANTLY ONE DAY SLIPPED AND THE INDICATOR LIGHT WENT ON TO SEE MY DEALER. I DID AND WAS TOLD THE TRANSMISSIONS ON BMW'S MUST BE REPLACED, THEY CANNOT BE FIXED OR REPAIRED. I CALLED BMW AND SPOKE TO A TIM IN CUSTOMER SERVICE. I ASKED FOR SOME TYPE OF WARRANTY, AND WAS GIVEN A POLITE ANSWER OF 'NO' WE DON'T GIVE WARRANTIES TO ANYONE WHOSE CAR IS OVER THE WARRANTY. I TOLD HIM I WORKED FOR FORD FOR 20 YEARS, AND THEY HAD A REP COME OUT AND LOOK INTO EACH PROBLEM, EVEN IF OUT OF WARRANTY. TIM TOLD ME, BMW DOES NOT SEND REPS OUT TO DO THAT. I ASKED HIM WHO HIS BOSS WAS, I"LL TALK TO THEM. HE SAID HE DIDN' T HAVE A BOSS. I SAID, 'IF YOU REALLY WANTED TO HELP SOMEONE, YOU WOULD GET THEM A NEW TRANSMISSION FOR FREE, WOULDN'T YOU?" HE SAID 'YES' , WELL, THERE WAS MY ANSWER. HE DIDN'T WANT TO DO IT AT ALL. HE ALSO SAID AND CONFIRMED THAT THE TRANSMISSIONS ARE NOT ABLE TO BE TAKEN APART AND REPAIRED, THEY MUST BE REPLACED. THERE WAS NO HELP FROM BMW ON THIS PROBLEM. I DO HAVE A FEELING THAT TIM'S RELATIVES AND FRIENDS GET THEIR CARS REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY EVEN THOUGH OUT OF THE TIME LIMIT. BUT, JUST A COMPLAINT HERE. I AM SELLING THIS CAR AND GOING BACK TO A FORD. I DO KNOW THE TRANSMISSIONS LAST FAR LONGER THAN 112000 MILES, AND I DO KNOW THEY SEND REPS OUT TO TALK TO PEOPLE AND WORK WITH THEM ON THEIR VEHICLES. SOUNDS LIKE OLD HENRY DID IT RIGHT, A TRUE AMERICAN. LISTEN TO THE WORKER. *AK

NHTSA ID
10116551
Incident
Apr 5, 2005
Mileage
112,000 mi

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.

31 01 97

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

CORROSION PROTECTION INSIDE FRONT AXLE TUBULAR CROSS MEMBER. *TW

72/07/96

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

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

24/06/94R

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE FAULT CODE 40. *TW

41/03/96

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

WIND NOISE DIAGNOSTICS. *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—
1995Viewing243046.9
1994740—
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.