1995 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 1995 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
- Interior & seats517.9%
- Electrical414.3%
- Engine414.3%
- Seat belts310.7%
- Visibility27.1%
- Brakes27.1%
- Driver assistance27.1%
- Transmission27.1%
- Body & structure13.6%
- Suspension13.6%
- Airbags13.6%
- Heating & air conditioning13.6%
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
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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.
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
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.
CONSUMER WAS TRAPPED IN VEHICLE BECAUSE POWER DOOR LOCKS FAILED. DEALERSHIP EXAMINED VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THAT CONTROL MODULE FOR LOCK SYSTEM HAD TO BE REPLACED. *AK CONSUMER STATES THAT THE ENGINE WOULD NOT TURN OVER AND THE SUNROOF WAS ALSO INOPERABLE AT THE TIME OF FAILURE, CONSUMER FINALLY GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE WHEN A KEY WAS USED TO UNLOCK THE DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE. *SLC
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
THE RADIATOR WAS REPLACED DUE TO A CRACK IN THE HOUSING. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE CRACK RESULTED FROM TOO MUCH PRESSURE IN THE COOLING SYSTEM. RELATED RECALL 98V178000. *NLM
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
SEATBELT IS JAMMED IN FULL EXTENDED POSITION - SEATBELT WILL NOT RETRACT AND TAKE IN SLACK TO PROVIDE FIRM FIT FOR PASSENGER.*AK
DOOR FAILED TO OPEN PROPERLY. IN ADDITION, ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS CAUSED WINDOWS AND SEAT BELTS TO MALFUNCTION. FINALLY, SHORT IN FUSES, RESULTED IN HEADLIGHTS/MIRRORS AND CONSOLE TO MALFUNCTION.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
DOOR FAILED TO OPEN PROPERLY. IN ADDITION, ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS CAUSED WINDOWS AND SEAT BELTS TO MALFUNCTION. FINALLY, SHORT IN FUSES, RESULTED IN HEADLIGHTS/MIRRORS AND CONSOLE TO MALFUNCTION.
WINDOW FAILURES.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WE TRIED DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, TURNING OFF THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH, AND FINALLY EVEN TURNING OFF THE IGNITION FOR SEVERAL SECONDS. THE CRUISE CONTROL MAINTAINED THE PRESET SPEED OF 70 MPH. BRAKE PEDAL PRESSURE AND BRAKE EFFECTIVENESS ALLOWED THE CAR TO BE SLOWED AND STOPPED. NO OTHER SYMPTOMS OR INSTANCES HAVE OCCURRED.*AK
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, NOTICED A VIBRATION IN THE RIGHT PASSENGER'S SEAT, WHICH FELT AS IF IT WAS COMING FROM ONE OF THE REAR TIRES. CONSUMER IN THE BACK OF THE CAR STARTED SHAKING, SO DID THE SEAT. THEN, STEERING WHELL STARTED SHAKING. IT WAS RAINING, CONSUMER PUT ON BRAKES AND VEHICLE STARTED TO SLIDE OVER TO A DITCH. CONSUMER DID NOT HIT ANYTHING, MECHANIC ATTEMPTED TO PULL VEHICLE FROM DITCH, AND MECHANIC DAMAGED VEHICLE. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD. VEHICLE JUMPED ACROSS A CEMENT BARRIER AND COLLIDED WITH A WALL. THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. SIX MONTHS AGO THE SAME THING OCCURRED WITHOUT THE COLLISION.*AK
ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WE TRIED DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, TURNING OFF THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH, AND FINALLY EVEN TURNING OFF THE IGNITION FOR SEVERAL SECONDS. THE CRUISE CONTROL MAINTAINED THE PRESET SPEED OF 70 MPH. BRAKE PEDAL PRESSURE AND BRAKE EFFECTIVENESS ALLOWED THE CAR TO BE SLOWED AND STOPPED. NO OTHER SYMPTOMS OR INSTANCES HAVE OCCURRED.*AK
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
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
CAR WILL SPORADICLY JERK OUT OF FIRST GEAR WITH NO WARNING OR REASON. WHEN SITUATION OCCURS, AUTO WILL MOVE A FEW FEET AND THEN JERK OUT OF FIRST GEAR LEAVING THE CAR IN DANGEROUS SITUATION. DRIVER MUST REENGAGE CLUTCH, REPLACE IN FIRST GEAR AND PROCEED. VEHICLES BEHIND YOU MUST HIT BRAKE AS YOU UNEXPECTANTLY STOP AS THEY ARE GAINING MOMENTUM AND ARE NOT EXPECTING THE CAR IN FRONT OF THEM TO BE STOPPING ABRUPTLY. IF PROBLEM HAPPENS WHEN CROSSING TRAFFIC, THE ONCOMING CARS MUST BRAKE HARD OR SWERVE BECAUSE MY CAR WILL POP OUT OF GEAR (ONLY HAPPENS IN FIRST) AND LEAVE ME STUCK STICKING OUT IN THE ROAD FOR AN EXTRA 3 TO4 SECONDS OR AS LONG AS IT TAKES ME TO REENGAGE CLUTCH AND PROCEED. PROBLEM SHOULD BE FIXED UNDER WARRANTY BUT DEALER CAN NOT REPRODUCE. I HAVE SEVERAL PEOPLE THAT HAVE EXPERIENCED PROBLEM AS PASSENGERS AND WIFE WILL NOT DRIVE CAR AS SHE IS AFRAID OF GETTING INTO ACCIDENT WITH CHILDEN IN VEHICLE.*AK
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
DOOR FAILED TO OPEN PROPERLY. IN ADDITION, ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS CAUSED WINDOWS AND SEAT BELTS TO MALFUNCTION. FINALLY, SHORT IN FUSES, RESULTED IN HEADLIGHTS/MIRRORS AND CONSOLE TO MALFUNCTION.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, NOTICED A VIBRATION IN THE RIGHT PASSENGER'S SEAT, WHICH FELT AS IF IT WAS COMING FROM ONE OF THE REAR TIRES. CONSUMER IN THE BACK OF THE CAR STARTED SHAKING, SO DID THE SEAT. THEN, STEERING WHELL STARTED SHAKING. IT WAS RAINING, CONSUMER PUT ON BRAKES AND VEHICLE STARTED TO SLIDE OVER TO A DITCH. CONSUMER DID NOT HIT ANYTHING, MECHANIC ATTEMPTED TO PULL VEHICLE FROM DITCH, AND MECHANIC DAMAGED VEHICLE. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
I BROUGHT MY CAR TO A LOCAL GARAGE BECAUSE THE SRS LIGHT WAS ON. THE MECHANIC SAID BMW HAD A RECALL ON THE "AIRBAG CONTACT RING LOCKING TAB"AND INSTRUCTED ME TO GO TO A BMW DEALERSHIP FOR ASSISTANCE. BECAUSE MY CAR WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRENTY, I CONTACTED BMW CUSTOMER RELATIONS FOR GUIDANCE. I SPOKE WITH CHANNELL @ 800-831-1117 EXT 35078. I TOLD HER WHAT MY LOCAL MECHANIC SAID ABOUT A RECALL. SHE ASKED FOR MY VIN TO CONFIRM THAT MY CAR FELL UNDER THE RECALL. SHE SUBSEQUENTLY CONTACTED THE WARRENTY DEPT AND REPORTED BACK TO ME: "THERE WAS NO WAY TO FIND OUT IF YOUR VEHICLE HAS A RECALL BECAUSE IT HAS BEEN TAKEN OUT OF THE COMPUTER SYSTEM ALTOGETHER". (WHEN I PURCHASED THE CAR, THE TITLE TO THE VEHICLE WAS STAMPED "REBUILT") WE WERE LATER TOLD THAT THE CAR HAD BEEN FLOODED TO SOME EXTENT AND THAT THE WARRENTY ON THE CAR WAS NO LONGER IN EFFECT. THE RECALL IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE THE AIRBAG MAY NOT BE DEPLOYED IN A FRONTAL IMPACT. I REQUEST YOUR ASSISTANCE IN THIS MATTER.
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
THE TIGHTNESS IN THE AIR CONDITION COMPRESSOR CAUSED THE TENSIONER BASE PLATE AND ADJUSTABLE PULLEY TO FAIL. *YD
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 .