1990 BMW 525I
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
Have the VIN?
These records cover every 1990 BMW 525I. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
3 recalls name the 1990 BMW 525I. Newest first.
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…
Risk and remedy
Risk
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.
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 separate from the bushing. in this case, during application…
Risk and remedy
Risk
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.
The brake light switch can fail allowing the switch to remain in the "brake lights off" position or in the "brake lights on" position.
Risk and remedy
Risk
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.
Owner complaints
11 complaints1 involved a crash2 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Engine and engine cooling
(1) my 1990 BMW 525I started to over heat on august 01,2006. The temp gauge goes up 50% mark. The coolant level went down every day and I filled it up with distilled water to control the temperature, hoping that it would correct itself some time. (2) I could not drive the car on regular basis…
(1) my 1990 BMW 525I started to over heat on august 01,2006. The temp gauge goes up 50% mark. The coolant level went down every day and I filled it up with distilled water to control the temperature, hoping that it would correct itself some time. (2) I could not drive the car on regular basis anymore. Within few days, I saw coolant overflowing and spray-out. Following this, I noticed slight rough idle and vibration. (3) realizing that driving the car was no more safe, I called westchester BMW, white plains, ny. On emergency basis, the dealer accepted the car the following week for diagnosis. On august 14 2006, the dealer concluded it IS coolant leaking in the engine and outside the engine. No parts were repaired and replaced because the engine work specified by the dealer was expensive. I took the car back home. Can not drive it anymore. *Jb
- Exterior lighting › Headlights
Consumer complained about the low beam headlights. Lights went out without warning. This happened intermittently. *ak
- Air bags › Frontal
While driving 30 mph the vehicles air bags deployed without warning. *nlm
- Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system
While driving, coolant level warning light illuminated and consumer noticed white smoke coming from the rear of the vehicle, consumer found that water was in the oil due to a cracked head, consumer later received recall 98v178. *slc
- Steering › Hydraulic power assist system
I realized my car was wrecked several times, it's a salvaged car, but sold as normal; therefore overpriced. *Ak
- Exterior lighting › Brake lights
Brake light failed no damage, dealer won't honor recall #96v111000. *Ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system › Radiator assembly
Radiator cap failed, causing complete failure to radiator. However radiator IS not covered under recall notice (98v-178). *Yc
- Electrical system › 12v/24v/48v battery · Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system · Engine and engine cooling › Engine · Equipment › Appliance › Air conditioner · Exterior lighting › Brake lights · Exterior lighting › Tail lights · Power train · Structure › Body › Door · Suspension › Front › Macpherson strut · Vehicle speed control · Vehicle speed control › Cables · Visibility › Defroster/defogger/hvac system › Heater core
Water pump failed.
- Air bags › Frontal
Consumer was driving 30 mph without vehicle collision occurring the driver's air bag deployed, causing the occupant to become injured. please give any further details. *ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system · Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system › Radiator assembly · Engine and engine cooling › Engine · Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Emission control · Exterior lighting › Brake lights · Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings · Latches/locks/linkages › Doors › Latch · Power train › Driveline › Differential unit · Power train › Manual transmission · Seats · Seats › Front assembly › Seat heater/cooler · Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components · Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Drum · Steering › Steering wheel/handle bar
Water pump failed.
- Electrical system › 12v/24v/48v battery · Electrical system › Ignition › Switch · Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system · Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system › Radiator assembly · Engine and engine cooling › Engine · Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Emission control · Exterior lighting › Brake lights · Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery · Latches/locks/linkages › Doors › Latch · Power train › Driveline › Differential unit · Power train › Manual transmission · Seats · Seats › Front assembly › Seat heater/cooler · Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components
Water pump failed.
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 10249437The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.
- 50898Announcement that owners of vehicles involved in recalls 96v110 and 96v111 will be combined into one mailing.
- 50897Recall 96v111 - this recall campaign involves the brake light switch.
- 50896Recall 96v110 - BMW of north america has initiated a recall campaign which involves the airbag contact ring locking tab.
Every BMW 525I model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.