Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
75,000 – 99,999 miles
337.5%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
450.0%
150,000+ miles
112.5%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Dec 1996peak 12Nov 2014
Recalls on the 1992 BMW 525I
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
United States — NHTSA
98V178000
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
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 COOLANT SYSTEM COMPONENT COULD OCCUR.
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.
97V131000
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
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 OF THE THROTTLE PEDAL WITHOUT CRUISE CONTROL BEING ENGAGED, THE OUTER TUBE COULD CATCH ON THE EDGE OF THE BROKEN BUSHING.
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.
96V110000
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
THE AIR BAG CONTACT RING LOCKING TAB LOCATED IN THE STEERING WHEEL ASSEMBLY CAN BREAK WITHOUT WARNING.
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.
96V111000
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
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: 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.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 99,000 milesFresno, CACrash1 injured
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.
NHTSA complaint #10653182 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 96,000 milesFresno, CACrash1 injured
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.
NHTSA complaint #10127190 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 103,000 milesFresno, CACrash1 injured
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.
NHTSA complaint #10071399 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Scottsdale, AZCrashFire
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.
NHTSA complaint #846502 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bolingbrook, ILFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
SMOKE CAME FROM AIR VENTS WHILE DRIVING. CAR CABIN IGNITED IN FLAMES AFTER GETTING OUT OF CAR.
NHTSA complaint #709152 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 99,000 milesFresno, CACrash1 injured
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.
NHTSA complaint #10653182 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 286,508 milesEvanston, IL
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.
NHTSA complaint #10417229 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 142,000 milesFairview, PA
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.
NHTSA complaint #10153617 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 142,000 milesFairview, PA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #10153617 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 142,000 milesFairview, PA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
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.
NHTSA complaint #10153617 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 90,000 milesJonesboro, GA
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 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.
NHTSA complaint #10150229 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 96,000 milesFresno, CACrash1 injured
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.
NHTSA complaint #10127190 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Jonesboro, GA
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 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.
NHTSA complaint #10118557 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 103,000 milesFresno, CACrash1 injured
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.
NHTSA complaint #10071399 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sterling, VA
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.
NHTSA complaint #742849 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sterling, VA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #741534 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Long Beach, CA
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.
NHTSA complaint #872139 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Detiot, MI
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.
NHTSA complaint #865764 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Berkeley, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
KEY CAN BE REMOVED FORM THE IGNITION SWITCH WHILE IN ANY OTHER GEARS. DEALER NOTIFIED. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #862329 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Torrance, CA
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
NHTSA complaint #548004 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Scottsdale, AZCrashFire
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.
NHTSA complaint #846502 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Brownsvill, TX
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED FAILURE OF THE RECALL (98V178) PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE CAUSING EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO ENGINE COMPONENTS. MJS
NHTSA complaint #546495 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Noirth Providence, RI
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION CONTROL UNIT FAILED. MJS
NHTSA complaint #546055 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Noirth Providence, RI
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
DOOR BRAKE HIT GLASS CAUSING WINDOW TO SHATTER INTO DRIVER'S FACE. MJS
NHTSA complaint #546055 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Noirth Providence, RI
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
E-PROM, PRESSURE REGULATOR AND GASKET REPLACED. MJS
NHTSA complaint #546055 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Noirth Providence, RI
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
EXHAUST HANGERS FALL OFF CAUSING THE EXHAUST SYSTEM TO HIT AGAINST THE FRAME. MJS
NHTSA complaint #546055 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Noirth Providence, RI
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
BAFFLES IN MUFFLER BROKEN. MJS
NHTSA complaint #546055 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Noirth Providence, RI
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL
OXYGEN SENSOR FAILED. MJS
NHTSA complaint #546055 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Noirth Providence, RI
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
E-PROM, PRESSURE REGULATOR AND GASKET REPLACED. MJS
NHTSA complaint #546055 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Noirth Providence, RI
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED FAILURE OF RECALL (98V-178) SEVERAL TIMES PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE, CAUSING DAMAGE ENGINE COMPONENTS. MJS
NHTSA complaint #546055 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.