FaultScore

BMW 525 problems

Owners have filed 101 complaints about the BMW 525 with NHTSA across model years 1985 to 2001. More of them are about the electrical system than anything else.

Every BMW 525 year, graded

The grade compares each year against the rest of this model's own run — never against another car. Click any bar or row to open that year's report.

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded
Year Grade Complaints Crashes Fires Median miles Most reported
2001 5 2 1 Engine & Cooling
1998 2 0 0 Body & Structure
1997 1 1 0 Wheels
1995 29 7 1 Airbags
1994 8 0 0 Electrical System
1993 4 0 0 Acceleration & Cruise Control
1992 19 5 3 Electrical System
1991 18 3 2 Engine & Cooling
1990 11 1 0 Seats
1989 3 1 0 Electrical System
1985 1 0 0 Electrical System

What breaks on a BMW 525

Across every model year on file. Follow a row for that part's complaints and the year it was worst.

Electrical System 16 15.8%

Worst in 1992

Airbags 12 11.9%

Worst in 1995

Acceleration & Cruise Control 12 11.9%

Worst in 1991

Engine & Cooling 10 9.9%

Worst in 1991

Transmission & Drivetrain 7 6.9%

Worst in 1992

Windows, Mirrors & Wipers 7 6.9%

Worst in 1995

Steering 5 5.0%

Worst in 1990

Brakes 5 5.0%

Worst in 1995

Seats 5 5.0%

Worst in 1990

Fuel & Propulsion 4 4.0%

Worst in 1995

Doors, Latches & Locks 4 4.0%

Worst in 1994

Body & Structure 3 3.0%

Worst in 1994

Suspension 3 3.0%

Worst in 1995

Seat Belts 3 3.0%

Worst in 1990

Complaints filed over time

Every complaint about every BMW 525, by the month it reached NHTSA.

Jan 1995 peak 9 Dec 2014

Compare the BMW 525

Side by side on complaint history. Remember that raw totals track how many were sold as much as how good they were.