Menu

BMW 525Years to avoid, problems & recalls

NHTSA has 72 owner complaints and 5 safety recalls on record for the BMW 525.

Years to avoidNoneBased on weighted complaintsBest years—Fewest complaints for their ageOwner complaints72Top: Electrical systemSafety recalls51985–2002 model years

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports. Updated daily. How we score years.

Best & worst years

BMW 525 years to avoid

Complaints by model year, colored by the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the 525 median. Tap a year for its full report.

'85'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'97'98'01'02
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
2002Not rated–/1000 complaints · 1 recall2001Not rated–/1003 complaints · 1 recall1998Not rated–/1002 complaints · 0 recalls1997Not rated–/1001 complaint · 0 recalls1995Not rated–/10015 complaints · 0 recalls1994Not rated–/1008 complaints · 0 recalls1993Not rated–/1003 complaints · 1 recall1992Not rated–/10014 complaints · 1 recall1991Not rated–/10015 complaints · 2 recalls1990Not rated–/1007 complaints · 2 recalls1989Not rated–/1003 complaints · 3 recalls1985Not rated–/1001 complaint · 0 recalls
Complaints by system

Most common BMW 525 problems

All model years combined: 72 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Electrical system153
Vehicle speed control126
Air bags107
Engine and engine cooling83
Power train71
Visibility70
Steering51
Latches/locks/linkages40
Service brakes, hydraulic41
9 other systems224
5 recalls

BMW 525 recalls

Newest first. The ring shows the share of affected vehicles repaired, from the manufacturer's latest report to NHTSA.

24%Driver side: inflator module17V-047 · 2001–2002 · Jan 20, 2017 · 230,117 vehiclesDo not drive–Delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings94V-066 · 1989–1993 · Apr 11, 1994 · 116,300 vehicles–Wiring: fuses and circuit breakers92V-174 · 1989 · Dec 2, 1992 · 15,900 vehicles–Vehicle speed control91V-029 · 1991 · Feb 15, 1991 · 5,644 vehicles–Front: buckle assembly90V-016 · 1989–1990 · Jan 30, 1990 · 62,000 vehicles
4 investigations

NHTSA investigations of the 525

  1. AIR BAG WIRING FAILUREEA95013 · 1991–1993 · closed Jul 15, 1996
    Led to recall 96V-110
  2. AIR BAG WIRING FAILUREPE94088 · 1991 · closed Mar 31, 1995
    Led to recall 96V-110
  3. STEERING LCK-UP/IMPEDIMENTPE94057 · 1991 · closed Nov 25, 1994
    No recall
  4. WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILUREPE92045 · null · closed Sep 30, 1992
    Led to recall 92V-140