1991 BMW 525I — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
21
Owner Complaints
4
Recalls
0
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 1991 BMW 525I
The 1991 BMW 525I has received a total of 21 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 4 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL. The most commonly reported problems involve the Engine And Engine Coolingcooling System (3 complaints), Engine And Engine Coolingcooling Systemradiator Assembly (2 complaints), and Structurebodydoor (2 complaints).
Recalls for the 1991 BMW 525I
NHTSA has recorded 4 recalls for the 1991 BMW 525I, potentially affecting up to 1,005,000 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 →Recall 96V110000 — AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
| 75,000 vehicles affected
Defect: THE AIR BAG CONTACT RING LOCKING TAB LOCATED IN THE STEERING WHEEL ASSEMBLY CAN BREAK WITHOUT WARNING.
Consequence: 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.
View full details →Recall 96V111000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
| 180,000 vehicles affected
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.
Consequence: 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.
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 1991 BMW 525I
21 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1991 BMW 525I. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Coolingcooling System | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Engine And Engine Coolingcooling Systemradiator Assembly | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Structurebodydoor | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Air Bagsfrontal | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Air Bagsfrontalsensorcontrol Module | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical System | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical System12v24v48v Battery | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical Systemignition | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine And Engine Coolingengine | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior Lightingheadlights | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior Lightingtail Lights | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System Gasolinefuel Injection System | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Latcheslockslinkagestrunk Lidlock | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Power Train | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Seatsfront Assemblyrecliner | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle Speed Controlcables | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Most Recent Complaints
I PARKED MY CAR IN THE GARAGE AS USUAL. WHEN I WENT OUT TO LEAVE HOME THE STEERING WAS LOCKED. NOTHING OUT OF THE ORDINARY WAS DONE AFTER PARKING IT OR WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START IT. THE LIGHTS FOR THE RADIO CAME ON, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER WORKS, THE LIGHTS ON THE CONSOLE LIGHT UP, BUT THE STEERING WHEEL IS LOCKED AND THE KEY WILL NOT TURN MORE THAN A FEW CENTIMETERS. *TR
I PARKED MY CAR IN THE GARAGE AS USUAL. WHEN I WENT OUT TO LEAVE HOME THE STEERING WAS LOCKED. NOTHING OUT OF THE ORDINARY WAS DONE AFTER PARKING IT OR WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START IT. THE LIGHTS FOR THE RADIO CAME ON, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER WORKS, THE LIGHTS ON THE CONSOLE LIGHT UP, BUT THE STEERING WHEEL IS LOCKED AND THE KEY WILL NOT TURN MORE THAN A FEW CENTIMETERS. *TR
WHILE SITTING IN MY 1991 BMW 525I THE SEAT SUDDENLY FELL BACKWARD,AND SIDEWAYS. AFTER REMOVING THE SEAT, AND ALMOST COMPLETELY DISSASSEMBLING IT SO I COULD TRY TO REALIGN THE THING LONG ENOGH TO MAKE IT HOME,I WAS ABLE TO THROUGH BRUTE FORCE PUT IT BACK IN PLACE. LATER AFTER SEVERAL SUBSEQUENT FAILURES I WAS ABLE TO PINPOINT THE PROBLEM.THE CABLES THAT GO BETWEEN THE ELECTRIC DRIVE MOTORS AND THE SEAT ADJUSTMENT GEARBOXES WERE SHEATHED IN A FAILURE-PRONE PLASTIC! THE PLASTIC THROUGH TIME WEARS AND STRETCHES UNTILL THE DRIVE CABLE SLIPS OUT OF GEARBOX ALLOWING CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. I JUST CHECKED TO SEE IF THIS ITEM HAD BEEN RECALLED WITH NO LUCK. *AK
TAIL LIGHTS DO NOT STAY ON DUE TO DEFECTIVE SOCKETS. THE PLASTIC SOCKETS HAVE MELTED FROM THE HEAT OF THE TAIL LIGHT BULBS AND NO LONGER HOLD THE BULBS IN PROPERLY. THEY BLINK ON AND OFF AND SOMETIMES STAY OFF ALL TOGETHER. DEALER ADVISED ME TO BUY NEW ONES @ $320 EACH TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM. SINCE THIS IS A SAFETY DEFECT, BMW SHOULD REPLACE THEM. DT
THREE BMW BATTERIES HAVE FAILED WITHIN THEIR WARRANTY PERIOD. NLM
View all Engine And Engine Coolingcooling System complaints →
Safety Rating for the 1991 BMW 525I
NHTSA has not yet tested the 1991 BMW 525I in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 1991 BMW 525I
No technical service bulletins have been reported for this vehicle.
NHTSA Investigations for the 1991 BMW 525I
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the BMW 525I
- 1989 BMW 525I — 4 complaints
- 1990 BMW 525I — 51 complaints
- 1991 BMW 525I (current)
- 1992 BMW 525I — 30 complaints
- 1993 BMW 525I — 9 complaints
- 1994 BMW 525I — 10 complaints
- 1995 BMW 525I — 37 complaints