1994 BMW 525IA — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
6
Owner Complaints
2
Recalls
1
Service Bulletin
0
Investigations
Overview of the 1994 BMW 525IA
The 1994 BMW 525IA has received a total of 6 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, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH. 1 technical service bulletin have been issued by BMW of North America, LLC for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Electrical System (2 complaints), Engine And Engine Coolingcooling System (2 complaints), and Visibilitydefrosterdefoggerhvac System (1 complaint).
Recalls for the 1994 BMW 525IA
NHTSA has recorded 2 recalls for the 1994 BMW 525IA, potentially affecting up to 342,180 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 94V219000 — LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
| 2,180 vehicles affected
Defect: THE DOUBLE-LOCK FEATURE CAN ENGAGE WITH OCCUPANTS AND THE DOOR/IGNITION KEY INSIDE THE VEHICLE.
Consequence: 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.
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.
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 1994 BMW 525IA
6 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1994 BMW 525IA. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine And Engine Coolingcooling System | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibilitydefrosterdefoggerhvac System | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibilitywindshield Wiperwasher | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Most Recent Complaints
VEHICLE IN MOTION WITH DEFROST ON, SMOKE CAME FROM DEFROST VENT ON DASHBOARD, FILLING CAR INSTANTLY WITH SMOKE. PULLED OFF HIGHWAY, OPENED WINDOWS, SMOKE CLEARS THEN MOVED CAR APPROXIMATELY 200FT. OFF MAIN ROUTE TO SIDE STREET. SMOKE AND FLAMES IMMEDIATELY CAME OUT OF THE DEFROST VENT. USED 3 ABC FIRE EXTINGUISHERS, FAILING TO CONTAIN THE FIRE BEFORE THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED WITH 2 PUMPERS, AND HAD TO USE AFFF FOAM TO MANAGE THE FIRE DUE TO HIGH AMOUNTS OF MAGNESIUM IN THE CAR. THE NEWLY PURCHASED CAR WAS IN VERY GOOD CONDITION, THE CAR AND CONTENTS ARE A TOTAL LOSS. RESEARCHED ON LINE, FOUND MULTIPLE REPORTS OF THE SAME EXACT ISSUE IN THIS MODEL, THIS WAS NOT UNIQUE. ALSO WAS NOT ABLE TO FIND ANY REPORTS OF RECALL FOR THIS DEFECT. ALSO, WILL BE CONTACTING BMW OF NORTH AMERICA TODAY. *TR UPDATED 12/06/12*LJ
VEHICLE IN MOTION WITH DEFROST ON, SMOKE CAME FROM DEFROST VENT ON DASHBOARD, FILLING CAR INSTANTLY WITH SMOKE. PULLED OFF HIGHWAY, OPENED WINDOWS, SMOKE CLEARS THEN MOVED CAR APPROXIMATELY 200FT. OFF MAIN ROUTE TO SIDE STREET. SMOKE AND FLAMES IMMEDIATELY CAME OUT OF THE DEFROST VENT. USED 3 ABC FIRE EXTINGUISHERS, FAILING TO CONTAIN THE FIRE BEFORE THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED WITH 2 PUMPERS, AND HAD TO USE AFFF FOAM TO MANAGE THE FIRE DUE TO HIGH AMOUNTS OF MAGNESIUM IN THE CAR. THE NEWLY PURCHASED CAR WAS IN VERY GOOD CONDITION, THE CAR AND CONTENTS ARE A TOTAL LOSS. RESEARCHED ON LINE, FOUND MULTIPLE REPORTS OF THE SAME EXACT ISSUE IN THIS MODEL, THIS WAS NOT UNIQUE. ALSO WAS NOT ABLE TO FIND ANY REPORTS OF RECALL FOR THIS DEFECT. ALSO, WILL BE CONTACTING BMW OF NORTH AMERICA TODAY. *TR UPDATED 12/06/12*LJ
VEHICLE IN MOTION WITH DEFROST ON, SMOKE CAME FROM DEFROST VENT ON DASHBOARD, FILLING CAR INSTANTLY WITH SMOKE. PULLED OFF HIGHWAY, OPENED WINDOWS, SMOKE CLEARS THEN MOVED CAR APPROXIMATELY 200FT. OFF MAIN ROUTE TO SIDE STREET. SMOKE AND FLAMES IMMEDIATELY CAME OUT OF THE DEFROST VENT. USED 3 ABC FIRE EXTINGUISHERS, FAILING TO CONTAIN THE FIRE BEFORE THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED WITH 2 PUMPERS, AND HAD TO USE AFFF FOAM TO MANAGE THE FIRE DUE TO HIGH AMOUNTS OF MAGNESIUM IN THE CAR. THE NEWLY PURCHASED CAR WAS IN VERY GOOD CONDITION, THE CAR AND CONTENTS ARE A TOTAL LOSS. RESEARCHED ON LINE, FOUND MULTIPLE REPORTS OF THE SAME EXACT ISSUE IN THIS MODEL, THIS WAS NOT UNIQUE. ALSO WAS NOT ABLE TO FIND ANY REPORTS OF RECALL FOR THIS DEFECT. ALSO, WILL BE CONTACTING BMW OF NORTH AMERICA TODAY. *TR UPDATED 12/06/12*LJ
MY CAR BURST INTO FLAMES WHILE DRIVING. THE FLAMES WERE COMING FROM UNDER THE BACK SEAT. *NM
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED HEATER CORE FAILURE DUE TO A DEFECT IN THE RADIATOR CAP (98V-178) RECALL. *MJS
Safety Rating for the 1994 BMW 525IA
NHTSA has not yet tested the 1994 BMW 525IA in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 1994 BMW 525IA
BMW of North America, LLC has issued 1 technical service bulletin (TSBs) for the 1994 BMW 525IA. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
MSG1117 — UNKNOWN OR OTHER
ANNOUNCEMENT THAT OWNERS OF VEHICLES INVOLVED IN RECALLS 96V110 AND 96V111 WILL BE COMBINED INTO ONE MAILING. *TW
NHTSA Investigations for the 1994 BMW 525IA
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the BMW 525IA
- 1989 BMW 525IA — 0 complaints
- 1990 BMW 525IA — 0 complaints
- 1991 BMW 525IA — 1 complaint
- 1992 BMW 525IA — 1 complaint
- 1993 BMW 525IA — 1 complaint
- 1994 BMW 525IA (current)
- 1995 BMW 525IA — 4 complaints