1993 BMW 525I
3 recalls, 9 complaints - 5 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.
96V111000 Jul 1, 1996
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
Defect Description
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.
Complaint Statistics
9 total complaints
4 fires
Top Reported Components
| Component | Complaints |
|---|---|
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM | 2 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 1 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL | 1 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY | 1 |
| EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER | 1 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE | 1 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 1 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR | 1 |
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Nov 3, 2014
Incident date: Jan 1, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 BMW 525I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH THE REAR DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE DOORS FAILED TO OPEN. AS A RESULT, THE REAR PASSENGERS WERE NOT ABLE TO ENTER OR EXIT THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAI... Read more
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
Nov 3, 2014
Incident date: Jan 1, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 BMW 525I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH THE REAR DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE DOORS FAILED TO OPEN. AS A RESULT, THE REAR PASSENGERS WERE NOT ABLE TO ENTER OR EXIT THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAI... Read more
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
Jun 23, 2000
RECEIVED INSTALLATION OF RECALLED RADIATOR CAP AT VOB BMW IN 9/27/99 (98V178000) THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO KEEP THE BMW CARS FROM OVERHEATING WHICH CAUSES THE ENGINE TO OVERHEAT AND BURNUP. ON 5/9/00 THE TEMP WAS 95 DEGREES F, AFTER RUNNING MY AIR CONDITIONING, MY CAR BEGAN TO SMOKE HEAVILY AND THE ENGI... Read more
Fire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
Jun 23, 2000
RECEIVED INSTALLATION OF RECALLED RADIATOR CAP AT VOB BMW IN 9/27/99 (98V178000) THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO KEEP THE BMW CARS FROM OVERHEATING WHICH CAUSES THE ENGINE TO OVERHEAT AND BURNUP. ON 5/9/00 THE TEMP WAS 95 DEGREES F, AFTER RUNNING MY AIR CONDITIONING, MY CAR BEGAN TO SMOKE HEAVILY AND THE ENGI... Read more
Fire
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
Jun 23, 2000
RECEIVED INSTALLATION OF RECALLED RADIATOR CAP AT VOB BMW IN 9/27/99 (98V178000) THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO KEEP THE BMW CARS FROM OVERHEATING WHICH CAUSES THE ENGINE TO OVERHEAT AND BURNUP. ON 5/9/00 THE TEMP WAS 95 DEGREES F, AFTER RUNNING MY AIR CONDITIONING, MY CAR BEGAN TO SMOKE HEAVILY AND THE ENGI... Read more
Fire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
Jun 23, 2000
RECEIVED INSTALLATION OF RECALLED RADIATOR CAP AT VOB BMW IN 9/27/99 (98V178000) THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO KEEP THE BMW CARS FROM OVERHEATING WHICH CAUSES THE ENGINE TO OVERHEAT AND BURNUP. ON 5/9/00 THE TEMP WAS 95 DEGREES F, AFTER RUNNING MY AIR CONDITIONING, MY CAR BEGAN TO SMOKE HEAVILY AND THE ENGI... Read more
Fire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
Jun 12, 2000
Incident date: Aug 3, 1999
A MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE OF A COLLING SYSTEM COMPONENT (THERMOSTAT, WATER PUMP OR FAN BELT) CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO OVERHEAT PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE 98V-178. NLM
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL
Feb 8, 1999
DESIGN OF CHARCOAL FILTER CANISTER CAUSED IT TO ABSORBED A LARGE AMOUNT OF WATER CAUSING IT TO FREEZE AND THE FUEL PUMP KEPT PUMPING UNTIL THE FUEL TANK IMPLODED.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Feb 25, 1998
Incident date: May 1, 1997
VEHICLE PARKED ON ON DOWN HILL GRADE. WHEN VEHICLE IS STARTED AND PUT IN REVERSE GEAR, THE TRANSMISSION DOES NOT ENGAGE IMMEDIATELY AND VEHICLE ROLLS FORWARD. INCREASED PRESSURE IS APPLIED TO THE ACCELERATOR AND SUDDENLY THE TRANSMISSION ENGAGES.
EPA Fuel Economy, 1993 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 | 23.0 | 19.0 | Premium | $4,000 |
| 2.5L 6-cyl, Manual 5-spd (Rear-Wheel Drive) | 17.0 | 26.0 | 20.0 | Premium | $3,800 |
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, 1993 BMW 525I
5 manufacturer communications from 4 unique bulletins. TSBs describe known problems and recommended fixes from the manufacturer.
Most Affected Components
| Component | Bulletins |
|---|---|
| 161000 STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS | 1 |
| 125000 EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS | 1 |
| 980000 UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 1 |
| 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.
41/03/96
Nov 1, 1996
161000 STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
WIND NOISE DIAGNOSTICS. *TW
MSG1117
Oct 7, 1996
980000 UNKNOWN OR OTHER
ANNOUNCEMENT THAT OWNERS OF VEHICLES INVOLVED IN RECALLS 96V110 AND 96V111 WILL BE COMBINED INTO ONE MAILING. *TW
MSG1016
Oct 1, 1996
125000 EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS
RECALL 96V111 - THIS RECALL CAMPAIGN INVOLVES THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. *TW
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 (current) | 3 | 9 | |
| 1992 | 4 | 30 | View |
| 1991 | 4 | 21 | View |
| 1990 | 3 | 51 | View |
| 1989 | 2 | 4 | View |