1992 BMW 525I
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
Have the VIN?
These records cover every 1992 BMW 525I. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
4 recalls name the 1992 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 air bag contact ring locking tab located in the steering wheel assembly can break without warning.
Risk and remedy
Risk
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.
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
18 complaints4 involved a crash2 involved a fire3 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Air bags
TL* the contact owns a 1992 BMW 525I. The contact stated that while driving at an unknown speed, another vehicle crashed into the vehicle. The contact stated that the air bag deployed causing severe burns. The contact required medical attention for the third degree burns to her face and neck. A police report was filed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure was 99,000. The vin was unavailable.
- Structure › Body
Body appears to be defective. The body looks like it IS about to fall apart, in the rear of the vehicle. Vehicle IS unsafe to drive. Fields BMW northfield 700 w frontage road northfield, il 60093 may have been negligent. They inspected vehicle on june 11TH 2011 and did not mention this issue and that the vehicle was unsafe to drive.
- Engine and engine cooling · Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system · Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system › Radiator assembly
Dt*: the contact stated the engine overheated while driving various speeds. the vehicle was seen by a dealer. the radiator and water pump was replaced. afterwards, the engine continued to overheat. the vehicle was taken back to the dealer for inspection. the service department determined the engine's overall cooling system needed to be replaced.
- Air bags
The air bag contact ring locking tab located in the steering wheel assembly broke without warning. it was noticeable, a click or grab type feel, wherever the steering wheel was turned and I immediately took the car to my BMW shop to correct. I am not sure what was accomplished but the click was…
The air bag contact ring locking tab located in the steering wheel assembly broke without warning. it was noticeable, a click or grab type feel, wherever the steering wheel was turned and I immediately took the car to my BMW shop to correct. I am not sure what was accomplished but the click was removed. on recalls for bmws this fault was limited to the 3 series and not a 5 series which I own. I had reported this earlier but didn't receive any response from the ntsb so therefore I am resubmitting. *nm
- Air bags › Frontal
Dt: vehicle was involved in an frontal impact the air bags deployed, however the consumer sustained 3RD degree burns to the chin area, and had to have root canal work on a tooth. the vehicle was totaled. no repairs were made. There was a small deployment and it was like it was fire, red flaming area on the air bag that actually ignited. *ak
- Air bags › On-off switch assembly
I am wondering how the manufacture determines which vehicles are affected by a particuliar recall. a couple of examples, I have a 1992 BMW 525I and have experienced two failures related to recalls one concerned the ring in the steering column related to the airbag broke and had to be replaced and…
I am wondering how the manufacture determines which vehicles are affected by a particuliar recall. a couple of examples, I have a 1992 BMW 525I and have experienced two failures related to recalls one concerned the ring in the steering column related to the airbag broke and had to be replaced and the other had to do with the cooling system where the termostat stuck and the pressure cracked the radiator. these failure occurred a few years back and I would ned to check my maintenance records to get the exact dates.
- Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
While driving consumer's vehicle was hit on the driver side front quarter panel. The air bags deployed. Driver was burned in the face and chest. *ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system
BMW has consistently had radiator problems / recalls - and claim my vehicle was not part of their recall - in which 370M vehicles were affected. Nosafety defect. *ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system
No summary listed for above vehicle. *ak
- Tires › Tread/belt
While traveling 65 mph noticed vibration. Conusmer pulled vehicle, and noticed vehicle was riding on rim tire, tread separated. *ak the whole tire peeled off and only the ruined rim was left. *yh
- Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system
Water pump released the radiator cap. this malfunction caused vehicle to overheat. dealer will not cover problem under recall 98v178000. *ak
- Electrical system › Ignition › Switch
Key can be removed form the ignition switch while in any other gears. dealer notified. Provide further details. *ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system
Vehicle experienced failure of the engine cooling system prior to recall notice (98v-178), owner replaced several components due to defect. Mjs
- Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly
Consumer was rearended while traveling abou 30-40mph. Upon impact, vehicle caught on fire, totaling the vehicle, fire departement unable to determine the cause of the fire, fire maybe linked to the gas filler and the tailights. Also, bumper only had a six inch dent. Please provide any further details. *Ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system
Vehicle experienced failure of the recall (98v178) prior to recall notice causing extensive damage to engine components. Mjs
- Electrical system › Ignition › Module · Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system · Engine and engine cooling › Engine · Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system · Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Emission control · Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe · Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings · Fuel system, other › Storage › Tank assembly › Filling/charging · Power train › Automatic transmission · Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › Control unit/module · Structure › Body › Door › Hinge and attachments
Vehicle experienced failure of recall (98v-178) several times prior to recall notice, causing damage engine components. mjs
- Electrical system › Wiring › Interior/under dash
Smoke came from air vents while driving. car cabin ignited in flames after getting out of car.
- Electrical system › 12v/24v/48v battery
Battery exploded.
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.