1992 BMW 525i

Routine

Owners filed 18 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the engine and engine cooling › cooling system. It has been recalled 4 times.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System5
000
Air Bags2
101
Tires › Tread/Belt1
000
Structure › Body1
000
Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly1
110
Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System1
000
Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System › Radiator Assembly1
000
Electrical System › Wiring › Interior/Under Dash1
010
Electrical System › Ignition › Switch1
000
Electrical System › 12v/24v/48v Battery1
000

4 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System98V178000
Filed Aug 4, 1998340,000 vehiclesBayerische Motoren Werke

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.

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.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW DESIGN RADIATOR CAP TO CONTROL PRESSURE AND PROVIDE GREATER COOLANT OVERFLOW IN THE EVENT OF OVERHEATING.

Vehicle Speed Control97V131000
Filed Aug 19, 1997410,000 vehiclesBayerische Motoren Werke

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.

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.

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.

Air Bags › Frontal96V110000
Filed Jul 1, 199675,000 vehiclesBayerische Motoren Werke

Defect. THE AIR BAG CONTACT RING LOCKING TAB LOCATED IN THE STEERING WHEEL ASSEMBLY CAN BREAK WITHOUT WARNING.

Risk. IF THIS HAPPENS, THE CONTACT RING WIRING COULD EVENTUALLY BREAK. THE AIR BAG READINESS INDICATOR LAMP (SRS OR AIRBAG) IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WILL ILLUMINATE, AND THE AIR BAG WOULD NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF A FRONTAL IMPACT VEHICLE COLLISION.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LOCKING TAB WITH ONE OF A DIFFERENT DESIGN.

Exterior Lighting › Brake Lights › Switch96V111000
Filed Jul 1, 1996180,000 vehiclesBayerische Motoren Werke

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.

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.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE EXISTING BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH WITH A NEWLY DESIGNED SWITCH.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Nov 6, 201499,000 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 BMW 525I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED CAUSING SEVERE BURNS. THE CONTACT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION FOR THE THIRD DEGREE BURNS TO HER FACE AND NECK. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE WAS 99,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Structure › Body
Filed Jul 30, 2011286,508 milesIL

BODY APPEARS TO BE DEFECTIVE. THE BODY LOOKS LIKE IT IS ABOUT TO FALL APART, IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. FIELDS BMW NORTHFIELD 700 W FRONTAGE ROAD NORTHFIELD, IL 60093 MAY HAVE BEEN NEGLIGENT. THEY INSPECTED VEHICLE ON JUNE 11TH 2011 AND DID NOT MENTION THIS ISSUE AND THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE.

Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System › Radiator Assembly
Filed Mar 24, 2006142,000 milesPA

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE ENGINE OVERHEATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS SEEN BY A DEALER. THE RADIATOR AND WATER PUMP WAS REPLACED. AFTERWARDS, THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO OVERHEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT DETERMINED THE ENGINE'S OVERALL COOLING SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.

Air Bags
Filed Feb 14, 200690,000 milesGA

THE AIR BAG CONTACT RING LOCKING TAB LOCATED IN THE STEERING WHEEL ASSEMBLY BROKE WITHOUT WARNING. IT WAS NOTICEABLE, A CLICK OR GRAB TYPE FEEL, WHEREVER THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED AND I IMMEDIATELY TOOK THE CAR TO MY BMW SHOP TO CORRECT. I AM NOT SURE WHAT WAS ACCOMPLISHED BUT THE CLICK WAS REMOVED. ON RECALLS FOR BMWS THIS FAULT WAS LIMITED TO THE 3 SERIES AND NOT A 5 SERIES WHICH I OWN. I HAD REPORTED THIS EARLIER BUT DIDN'T RECEIVE ANY RESPONSE FROM THE NTSB SO THEREFORE I AM RESUBMITTING. *NM

Air Bags › FrontalCrash1 injured
Filed Jun 30, 200596,000 milesCA

DT: VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN FRONTAL IMPACT THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, HOWEVER THE CONSUMER SUSTAINED 3RD DEGREE BURNS TO THE CHIN AREA, AND HAD TO HAVE ROOT CANAL WORK ON A TOOTH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THERE WAS A SMALL DEPLOYMENT AND IT WAS LIKE IT WAS FIRE, RED FLAMING AREA ON THE AIR BAG THAT ACTUALLY IGNITED. *AK

Air Bags › On-off Switch Assembly
Filed Apr 27, 2005GA

I AM WONDERING HOW THE MANUFACTURE DETERMINES WHICH VEHICLES ARE AFFECTED BY A PARTICULIAR RECALL. A COUPLE OF EXAMPLES, I HAVE A 1992 BMW 525I AND HAVE EXPERIENCED TWO FAILURES RELATED TO RECALLS ONE CONCERNED THE RING IN THE STEERING COLUMN RELATED TO THE AIRBAG BROKE AND HAD TO BE REPLACED AND THE OTHER HAD TO DO WITH THE COOLING SYSTEM WHERE THE TERMOSTAT STUCK AND THE PRESSURE CRACKED THE RADIATOR. THESE FAILURE OCCURRED A FEW YEARS BACK AND I WOULD NED TO CHECK MY MAINTENANCE RECORDS TO GET THE EXACT DATES.

Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator ModuleCrash1 injured
Filed Apr 22, 2004103,000 milesCA

WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS HIT ON THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT QUARTER PANEL. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. DRIVER WAS BURNED IN THE FACE AND CHEST. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System
Filed Mar 21, 2001VA

BMW HAS CONSISTENTLY HAD RADIATOR PROBLEMS / RECALLS - AND CLAIM MY VEHICLE WAS NOT PART OF THEIR RECALL - IN WHICH 370M VEHICLES WERE AFFECTED. NOSAFETY DEFECT. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System
Filed Feb 26, 2001VA

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

Tires › Tread/Belt
Filed Oct 3, 2000CA

WHILE TRAVELING 65 MPH NOTICED VIBRATION. CONUSMER PULLED VEHICLE, AND NOTICED VEHICLE WAS RIDING ON RIM TIRE, TREAD SEPARATED. *AK THE WHOLE TIRE PEELED OFF AND ONLY THE RUINED RIM WAS LEFT. *YH

Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System
Filed Jul 20, 2000MI

WATER PUMP RELEASED THE RADIATOR CAP. THIS MALFUNCTION CAUSED VEHICLE TO OVERHEAT. DEALER WILL NOT COVER PROBLEM UNDER RECALL 98V178000. *AK

Electrical System › Ignition › Switch
Filed May 22, 2000CA

KEY CAN BE REMOVED FORM THE IGNITION SWITCH WHILE IN ANY OTHER GEARS. DEALER NOTIFIED. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank AssemblyCrashFire
Filed Sep 2, 1999AZ

CONSUMER WAS REARENDED WHILE TRAVELING ABOU 30-40MPH. UPON IMPACT, VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE, TOTALING THE VEHICLE, FIRE DEPARTEMENT UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE, FIRE MAYBE LINKED TO THE GAS FILLER AND THE TAILIGHTS. ALSO, BUMPER ONLY HAD A SIX INCH DENT. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System
Filed Aug 18, 1999CA

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED FAILURE OF THE ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE (98V-178), OWNER REPLACED SEVERAL COMPONENTS DUE TO DEFECT. MJS

Electrical System › Wiring › Interior/Under DashFire
Filed Jul 25, 1999IL

SMOKE CAME FROM AIR VENTS WHILE DRIVING. CAR CABIN IGNITED IN FLAMES AFTER GETTING OUT OF CAR.

Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System
Filed Jul 6, 1999TX

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED FAILURE OF THE RECALL (98V178) PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE CAUSING EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO ENGINE COMPONENTS. MJS

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System
Filed Jun 9, 1999RI

EXHAUST HANGERS FALL OFF CAUSING THE EXHAUST SYSTEM TO HIT AGAINST THE FRAME. MJS

Electrical System › 12v/24v/48v Battery
Filed Nov 6, 1996CA

BATTERY EXPLODED.

18 of 18 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2004
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20110100Routine
20100100Routine
20091110Routine
20081100Routine
200772220Routine
200677340Routine
200535040Routine
2004840170Routine
200332210Do not drive
200228420Do not drive
200122460Do not drive
20000100Do not drive
19991000Routine
19982000Routine
199524310Routine
19947400Routine
19935310Routine
1992 — this page18420Routine
199113400Routine
199011300Routine

Compare every 525i year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Aug 4, 1998. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.