1991 BMW 850I

2 recalls, 11 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.
340,000 vehicles affected
Manufacturer: BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE
96V110000 Jul 1, 1996
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
Defect Description
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.
75,000 vehicles affected
Manufacturer: BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE

Complaint Statistics

11 total complaints 1 injuries

Top Reported Components

ComponentComplaints
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS4
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP1
SUSPENSION:REAR1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING1
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH1
AIR BAGS1
AIR BAGS Oct 29, 2017
Incident date: Jun 1, 2017
STARTED MY BMW 850I, DRIVE HALF A BLOCK DOWN THE STREET, THE AIRBAG BLOW , BURN MY HANDS. I CAN TAKE PICTURE OF THE BROKEN AIRBAG IN THE STEERING WHEEL IF NEEDED.
1 injured
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS May 26, 2004
Incident date: Jun 1, 2004
THE DRIVER NOTICED THAT THE HEADLIGHT ADJUSTER WAS BROKEN. THIS CAUSED POOR VISIBILITY WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS ADJUSTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *NM THE HEADLIGHTS WERE NOT HIGH ENOUGH TO SHINE ON THE ROAD TO ALLOW... Read more
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS Sep 4, 2002
Incident date: Feb 1, 1992
BOTH HEADLIGHT ADJUSTMENT MECHAISMS HAVE REPEATEDLY FAILED. THIS IS AN ONGOING COMPLAINT WITH BMW 8 SERIES OWNERS. WHEN THE ADJUSTMENT MECHANISM FAILS THE HEADLIGHT BUCKETS POINT DOWNWARDS SO THAT THE AMOUNT OF ROAD VISIBLE TO THE DRIVER IS 25 FEET OR LESS. BMW HAS A "FIX" FOR THIS WHICH CONSIST... Read more
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS Jul 22, 2002
Incident date: May 1, 2001
AFTER FAILURE, BMW TELLS YOU TO BUY NEW HEADLIGHT BUCKETS FOR $650 WITH NEW ADJUSTERS IN THEM, WHICH WILL FAIL AGAIN AFTER TWO TO FOUR YEARS, DEPENDING ON THE MILEAGE. AFTER FAILURE THE LIGHTS SHINE EXTREMLY LOW WITHOUT COVERING THE STREET IN FRONT OF YOU, RESULTING IN A REAL SAFETY HAZARD.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS Apr 24, 2002
Incident date: Oct 5, 2000
HEADLIGHT HOUSING BROKEN. POINTS DOWNWARD.*AK
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH Apr 18, 2002
CONSUMER STATES THE CONVERTIBLE HEADLIGHTS KNOB ARE NOT FUNCTIONING CORRECTLY MECHANIC AND MANUFACTURE HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED HOWEVER TO RESOLVE PROBLEM MANUFACTURE HAS OFFERED TO REPLACE THE WHOLE LIGHTS FOR $400.00 PER LIGHTS. NLM
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM Feb 9, 2000
Incident date: Feb 1, 2000
THIS CAR LOSES COOLANT, OVERHEATS, AND BLOWS A HEAD GASKET, AND NOW POSSIBLY NEEDS NEW CYLINDER HEADS. BMW MECHANIC STATES THAT THE TEMPERATUTE GAUGE IS NOT SUPPOSED TO TELL YOU THE ENGINE IS OVERHEATING IF THE COOLANT HAS ALREADY COMPLETELY LEAKED OUT OF THE SYSTEM. THAT THE GAUGE DOES NOT REGIST... Read more
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE Feb 9, 2000
Incident date: Feb 1, 2000
THIS CAR LOSES COOLANT, OVERHEATS, AND BLOWS A HEAD GASKET, AND NOW POSSIBLY NEEDS NEW CYLINDER HEADS. BMW MECHANIC STATES THAT THE TEMPERATUTE GAUGE IS NOT SUPPOSED TO TELL YOU THE ENGINE IS OVERHEATING IF THE COOLANT HAS ALREADY COMPLETELY LEAKED OUT OF THE SYSTEM. THAT THE GAUGE DOES NOT REGIST... Read more
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING Feb 9, 2000
Incident date: Feb 1, 2000
THIS CAR LOSES COOLANT, OVERHEATS, AND BLOWS A HEAD GASKET, AND NOW POSSIBLY NEEDS NEW CYLINDER HEADS. BMW MECHANIC STATES THAT THE TEMPERATUTE GAUGE IS NOT SUPPOSED TO TELL YOU THE ENGINE IS OVERHEATING IF THE COOLANT HAS ALREADY COMPLETELY LEAKED OUT OF THE SYSTEM. THAT THE GAUGE DOES NOT REGIST... Read more
SUSPENSION:REAR Oct 20, 1998
Incident date: Aug 1, 1995
SHOCK SUPPORT CAME COMPLETELY OUT OF THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE ON TWO OCCASIONS.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP May 18, 1998
BRAKES CONTINUE TO FAIL ALMOST RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT.

EPA Fuel Economy, 1991 BMW 850I

Trim / Engine City MPG Highway MPG Combined MPG Fuel Type Annual Fuel Cost
5.0L 12-cyl, Automatic 4-spd (Rear-Wheel Drive) 11.0 17.0 13.0 Regular $4,750
5.0L 12-cyl, Manual 6-spd (Rear-Wheel Drive) 11.0 17.0 13.0 Regular $4,750

CO2 Emissions: -1.0 g/mile (Subcompact Cars)

Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Actual fuel economy may vary based on driving conditions.

Technical Service Bulletins, 1991 BMW 850I

2 manufacturer communications from 1 unique bulletins. TSBs describe known problems and recommended fixes from the manufacturer.

Most Affected Components

ComponentBulletins
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.

BMW 850I - All Years Overview

Complete safety history for the BMW 850I across all model years (1991, 1995).

7 Total Recalls
24 Total Complaints
0 Investigations
2 Reported Crashes
0 Reported Fires
0 Reported Deaths

BMW 850I - Year by Year

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

Year Recalls Complaints
2019 0 13 View
1995 1 0 View
1994 1 0 View
1993 1 0 View
1992 2 0 View
1991 (current) 2 11

Other BMW Models

Model Recalls Complaints
X5 223 4,349 View
X3 155 2,661 View
330I 122 1,050 View
X6 110 293 View
328I 108 3,743 View
M3 95 550 View
325I 83 1,809 View
Z4 83 1,439 View