1989 BMW 525I
2 recalls, 4 complaints - 2 TSBs
98V178000 Aug 4, 1998
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
Defect Description
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 T... Read more
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.
97V131000 Aug 19, 1997
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Defect Description
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 SEP... Read more
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.
Complaint Statistics
4 total complaints
5 injuries
Top Reported Components
| Component | Complaints |
|---|---|
| VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE | 2 |
| SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER | 1 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM | 1 |
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
Mar 13, 2001
Incident date: Mar 13, 2001
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 AN... Read more
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
Jul 17, 2000
Incident date: Feb 1, 2000
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 OT... Read more
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE
Jan 12, 2000
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
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE
Feb 8, 1999
Incident date: Apr 16, 1998
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.
5 injured
EPA Fuel Economy, 1989 BMW 525I
| Trim / Engine | City MPG | Highway MPG | Combined MPG | Fuel Type | Annual Fuel Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd (Rear-Wheel Drive) | 16.0 | 21.0 | 18.0 | Regular | $3,400 |
| 2.5L 6-cyl, Manual 5-spd (Rear-Wheel Drive) | 16.0 | 22.0 | 18.0 | Regular | $3,400 |
CO2 Emissions: -1.0 g/mile (Compact Cars)
Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Actual fuel economy may vary based on driving conditions.
Technical Service Bulletins, 1989 BMW 525I
2 manufacturer communications from 1 unique bulletins. TSBs describe known problems and recommended fixes from the manufacturer.
Most Affected Components
| Component | Bulletins |
|---|---|
| 110000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 1 |
| 133000 VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS | 1 |
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.
NHTSA Safety Investigations, BMW 525I
Investigations opened by NHTSA into potential safety defects. These are separate from recalls and may or may not result in a recall.
PE07045
Opened: Sep 4, 2007 , Closed: Jan 4, 2008
BMW AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATION
IN CERTAIN MY 2005 THROUGH MY 2006 BMW VEHICLES, THE OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (OCS) FOR THE PASSENGER FRONTAL AIRBAG MAY MALFUNCTION AND RENDER THE PASSENGER AIRBAG INOPERATIVE.IN JUNE 2006, BMW ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (SI B 72 02 06) REGARDING THE ILLUMINATION OF THE AIRBAG WARNIN... Read more
BMW 525I - All Years Overview
Complete safety history for the BMW 525I across all model years (1989, 2011).
43
Total Recalls
663
Total Complaints
1
Investigations
15
Reported Crashes
63
Reported Fires
0
Reported Deaths
BMW 525I - Year by Year
Compare recalls and complaints across model years. Click any year to see full details.
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 1 | 0 | View |
| 2010 | 1 | 0 | View |
| 2009 | 1 | 1 | View |
| 2008 | 1 | 1 | View |
| 2007 | 2 | 98 | View |
| 2006 | 3 | 111 | View |
| 2005 | 0 | 52 | View |
| 2004 | 0 | 123 | View |
| 2003 | 2 | 40 | View |
| 2002 | 4 | 41 | View |
| 2001 | 4 | 31 | View |
| 2000 | 1 | 0 | View |
| 1999 | 0 | 1 | View |
| 1998 | 0 | 2 | View |
| 1995 | 3 | 37 | View |
| 1994 | 4 | 10 | View |
| 1993 | 3 | 9 | View |
| 1992 | 4 | 30 | View |
| 1991 | 4 | 21 | View |
| 1990 | 3 | 51 | View |
| 1989 (current) | 2 | 4 |