1989 BMW 525I — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
4
Owner Complaints
2
Recalls
0
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 1989 BMW 525I
The 1989 BMW 525I has received a total of 4 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 2 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL. The most commonly reported problems involve the Visibilitydefrosterdefoggerhvac Systemheater Core (2 complaints), Engine And Engine Coolingcooling System (1 complaint), and Seatsfront Assemblyrecliner (1 complaint).
Recalls for the 1989 BMW 525I
NHTSA has recorded 2 recalls for the 1989 BMW 525I, potentially affecting up to 750,000 vehicles.
Recall 98V178000 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
| 340,000 vehicles affected
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...
Consequence: 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.
View full details →Recall 97V131000 — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
| 410,000 vehicles affected
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...
Consequence: 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.
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 1989 BMW 525I
4 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1989 BMW 525I. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Visibilitydefrosterdefoggerhvac Systemheater Core | 2 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| Engine And Engine Coolingcooling System | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Seatsfront Assemblyrecliner | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Most Recent Complaints
1 YEAR AGO MOTOR WENT INTO CONSUMER'S VEHICLE. IT SPLIT RADIATOR IN THE SEAM. CONSUMER TOOK RECALL 98V178000/ MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 98V178 INTO DEALER TO HAVE REPAIRS DONE. BECAUSE OF DAMAGES IT COULDN'T BE TAKEN CARE OFF. *AK THE FAILURE OF THE COOLANT SYSTEM CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE AND RADIATOR. THIS PROBLEM NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED BY THE MANUFACTURER. *YH
BACK END OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT WILL NOT STAY IN PLACE. PINS THAT ACTUATE THE BACK OF THE SEAT BROKE AND ALLOWED THE SEAT TO TWIST. IF THE VEHICLE IS STOPPED WITH FORCE THE SEAT MAY BREAK AND SLAMM CONSUMER AGAINST DASHBOARD. CONSUMER IS HAVING DIFFICULTY IN HAVING THE SEAT REPLACED DUE TO OTHER DEALERS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS OF THE PINS BREAKING FROM THE BACK OF THE SEAT.*AK
VEHICLE PARKED IN GARAGE. NOTICED LEAKAGE ON FLOOR OF GARAGE. CONTACTED DEALER & TOOK VEHICLE IN OCT. WAS INFORMED BY MECHANIC THE HEATER CORE HAD CORRODED & WAS WEAKENED. THE PROBLEM WAS WELL KNOWN & THE HEATER CORE NEEDED REPLACING. *AK
HEATER CORE EXPLODED FILLING THE CAR WITH SUFFOCATING STEAM, VAPORS, AND HOT LIQUID ANTIFREEZE WHICH SATURATED BOTH PANT LEGS OF 3 YEAR OLD SCALDING BOTH HIS LEGS CAUSING SECOND AND THIRD DEGREE BURNS TO BOTH THIGHS, LEGS AND RIGHT FOOT.
Safety Rating for the 1989 BMW 525I
NHTSA has not yet tested the 1989 BMW 525I in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 1989 BMW 525I
No technical service bulletins have been reported for this vehicle.
NHTSA Investigations for the 1989 BMW 525I
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the BMW 525I
- 1989 BMW 525I (current)
- 1990 BMW 525I — 51 complaints
- 1991 BMW 525I — 21 complaints
- 1992 BMW 525I — 30 complaints
- 1993 BMW 525I — 9 complaints
- 1994 BMW 525I — 10 complaints