1990 BMW 525

2 recalls, 11 complaints - 7 TSBs

94V066000 Apr 11, 1994
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
Defect Description
FEED FUEL HOSES CAN HARDEN AND "SET" OVER TIME, ALLOWING A SEEPAGE OF FUEL AT THE CONNECTION BETWEEN THE HOSE AND THE ENGINE FITTING. THE CLAMP USED TO HOLD THE HOSE TO THE FITTING IS UNABLE TO COMPENSATE FOR THE HARDENING OF THE FEED FUEL HOSE.
Consequence
FUEL SEEPAGE BETWEEN THE FEED FUEL HOSE AND THE ENGINE FITTING CAN RESULT IN FREE FUEL IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A FIRE WHEN EXPOSED TO A SOURCE OF IGNITION.
Remedy
A REDESIGNED FEED FUEL HOSE AND HOSE CLAMP WILL BE INSTALLED TO ALLEVIATE THE FUEL SEEPAGE.
116,300 vehicles affected
Manufacturer: BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE
90V016000 Jan 30, 1990
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
Defect Description
UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, FRONT SEAT CENTER, FOLD-DOWN ARM REST MAY CONTACT THE SAFETY BELT BUCKLE, CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE RELEASE BUTTON AND PREVENTING THE BELT TONGUE FROM LATCHING WHEN BUCKLING UP.
Consequence
OCCUPANT WOULD NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED AND COULD BE INJURED IN THE EVENT OF A SUDDEN STOP OR ACCIDENT.
Remedy
REPLACE FRONT SEAT SAFETY BELT BUCKLES WITH SHORTER VERSION THAT WILL NOT CONTACT THE ARMRESTS. NOTE: OWNER NOTIFICATION DATE; 2/90 IS PREPARED IN DRAFT FORM.
62,000 vehicles affected
Manufacturer: BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE

Complaint Statistics

11 total complaints 1 crashes

Top Reported Components

ComponentComplaints
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY2
SEATS2
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP1
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS1
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM1
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS1
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER1
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM1
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY Dec 7, 1999
Incident date: Oct 17, 1999
DRIVER'S SEAT BELT FAILED TO UNLOCK AFTER USE. LOCKING MECHANISM BROKE. ALSO, SEAT ADJUSTER RAIL HAD COLLAPSED, CAUSING SEAT TO LEAN TOWARDS THE RIGHT WHEN GOING UP HILL. TAKING VEHICLE TO DEALER TO CHECK. *AK
SEATS Dec 7, 1999
Incident date: Oct 17, 1999
DRIVER'S SEAT BELT FAILED TO UNLOCK AFTER USE. LOCKING MECHANISM BROKE. ALSO, SEAT ADJUSTER RAIL HAD COLLAPSED, CAUSING SEAT TO LEAN TOWARDS THE RIGHT WHEN GOING UP HILL. TAKING VEHICLE TO DEALER TO CHECK. *AK
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM Apr 24, 1999
Incident date: Apr 18, 1999
COOLING SYSTEM FAILED DUE TO EXCESSIVE PRESSURE. SAID DEFECT IS NOW THE SUBJECT OF A RECALL TO FIX THE ADMITTED DEFECT BY BMW OF NORTH AMERICA INC, RECALL NO. 98V-178000. *AK
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS Apr 1, 1997
Incident date: Jul 1, 1996
BRAKE LIGHTS MALFUNCTIONED; ALSO COULD NOT OPEN UNLOCKED DOOR FROM INSIDE/DRIVER'S SEAT WOBBLED AND SEA THEATER OVERHEATED, BURNING DRIVER. *AK
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER Apr 1, 1997
Incident date: Jul 1, 1996
BRAKE LIGHTS MALFUNCTIONED; ALSO COULD NOT OPEN UNLOCKED DOOR FROM INSIDE/DRIVER'S SEAT WOBBLED AND SEA THEATER OVERHEATED, BURNING DRIVER. *AK
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH Apr 1, 1997
Incident date: Jul 1, 1996
BRAKE LIGHTS MALFUNCTIONED; ALSO COULD NOT OPEN UNLOCKED DOOR FROM INSIDE/DRIVER'S SEAT WOBBLED AND SEA THEATER OVERHEATED, BURNING DRIVER. *AK
SEATS Apr 1, 1997
Incident date: Jul 1, 1996
BRAKE LIGHTS MALFUNCTIONED; ALSO COULD NOT OPEN UNLOCKED DOOR FROM INSIDE/DRIVER'S SEAT WOBBLED AND SEA THEATER OVERHEATED, BURNING DRIVER. *AK
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM Oct 11, 1996
THE VEHICLE LOST STEERING POWER WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE IN A RAIN STORM. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS Jun 28, 1996
Incident date: May 7, 1996
PERSISTENT GAS FUMES IN PASSENGER AREA, DUE TO FUEL LINE HOSE/FITTINGS AFTER RECALL. (94V066000) *DH
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY May 30, 1995
Incident date: Feb 9, 1995
DRIVER'S SHOULDER/LAP BELT BUCKLES INOPERATIVE, PLASTIC PIECES HAVE FALLEN INTO LATCH MECHANISM FROM RELEASE BUTTON, MALE WON'T GO INTO FEMALE PORTION. TT
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP Mar 10, 1995
Incident date: Mar 3, 1995
WHEN IT RAINY OR THERE IS WATER ON GROUND WATER GET INTO OR ON THE BELT WHICH CAUSE THE POWER STEERING TO GO OUT AND LOSS CONTROL. TT
Crash

Technical Service Bulletins, 1990 BMW 525

7 manufacturer communications from 6 unique bulletins. TSBs describe known problems and recommended fixes from the manufacturer.

Most Affected Components

ComponentBulletins
061100 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE1
072200 FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS1
011000 STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR1
140000 AIR BAGS1
125000 EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS1
110000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1
133000 VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS1
B510819 Jan 16, 2024
110000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.
B510819 Jan 16, 2024
133000 VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.
MSG0415 Oct 1, 1996
140000 AIR BAGS
RECALL 96V110 - BMW OF NORTH AMERICA HAS INITIATED A RECALL CAMPAIGN WHICH INVOLVES THE AIRBAG CONTACT RING LOCKING TAB. *TW
MSG1016 Oct 1, 1996
125000 EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS
RECALL 96V111 - THIS RECALL CAMPAIGN INVOLVES THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. *TW
120894(4117) Jan 1, 1995
061100 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
ENGINE WILL NOT START. *TW
130792(3700) Aug 1, 1993
072200 FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
FEED FUEL HOSES UPDATE. *TW
320193(3752) Apr 1, 1993
011000 STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
NEW STYLE STEERING COLUMN. *TW

NHTSA Safety Investigations, BMW 525

Investigations opened by NHTSA into potential safety defects. These are separate from recalls and may or may not result in a recall.

PE94088 Opened: Nov 25, 1994 , Closed: Mar 31, 1995
PE, Closed , Model Year: 1991
AIR BAG WIRING FAILURE
There is no summary currently available
PE94057 Opened: Jul 26, 1994 , Closed: Nov 25, 1994
PE, Closed , Model Year: 1991
STEERING LCK-UP/IMPEDIMENT
There is no summary currently available

BMW 525 - All Years Overview

Complete safety history for the BMW 525 across all model years (1989, 2002).

11 Total Recalls
101 Total Complaints
2 Investigations
20 Reported Crashes
7 Reported Fires
0 Reported Deaths

BMW 525 - Year by Year

Compare recalls and complaints across model years. Click any year to see full details.

Year Recalls Complaints
2002 1 0 View
2001 1 5 View
1998 0 2 View
1997 0 1 View
1995 0 29 View
1994 0 8 View
1993 1 4 View
1992 1 19 View
1991 2 18 View
1990 (current) 2 11
1989 3 3 View
1985 0 1 View

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328I 108 3,743 View
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325I 83 1,809 View
Z4 83 1,439 View