FaultScore report
Owners have filed 37 complaints about the 1995 BMW 525I with NHTSA between 1998 and 2022. The largest single group is the doors, latches & locks. Across this model's run it ranks 8 of 9 worst.
FaultScore 24/100
Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the BMW 525I.
How this is worked out37
Complaints
1
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
129,906 mi
Median mileage at failure
Half of reported failures happened before this
0%
Failed under 36,000 miles
Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
Click any bar to open that year's report.
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Median failure at 150,675 miles
0 crashes, 1 fires
Median failure at 112,000 miles
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 65,000 mi
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.
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.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
1995 BMW 525I CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE DRIVING. *TS THE FIRE STARTED UNDER THE HOOD. THE ENTIRE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED. THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES
NHTSA complaint #10166907 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD. VEHICLE JUMPED ACROSS A CEMENT BARRIER AND COLLIDED WITH A WALL. THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. SIX MONTHS AGO THE SAME THING OCCURRED WITHOUT THE COLLISION.
NHTSA complaint #10065276 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
RECAL 94V219000: Double-lock Feature GCM Revised. "The double-lock feature can engage with occupants and the door/ignition key inside of the vehicle. The occupants of the vehicle would be unable to exit either from the doors or from the windows of the vehicle." NOTE: IF YOUR VEHICLE IS PRESENTED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND THE REMEDY IS NOT PROVIDED FREE OF CHARGE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME OR THE REMEDY DOES NOT CORRECT THE DEFECT, CONTACT BMW AND THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE My car locked me in it and I was unable to exit exactly as described in this Recall. Called BMW and they are saying the recall was remedied. Clearly it is not corrected. BMW says they cant do anything. 1995 or not this is a serious safety issue, this car is perfectly safe running and driving vehicle besides this issue.
NHTSA complaint #11498676 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
RECAL 94V219000: Double-lock Feature GCM Revised. "The double-lock feature can engage with occupants and the door/ignition key inside of the vehicle. The occupants of the vehicle would be unable to exit either from the doors or from the windows of the vehicle." NOTE: IF YOUR VEHICLE IS PRESENTED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND THE REMEDY IS NOT PROVIDED FREE OF CHARGE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME OR THE REMEDY DOES NOT CORRECT THE DEFECT, CONTACT BMW AND THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE My car locked me in it and I was unable to exit exactly as described in this Recall. Called BMW and they are saying the recall was remedied. Clearly it is not corrected. BMW says they cant do anything. 1995 or not this is a serious safety issue, this car is perfectly safe running and driving vehicle besides this issue.
NHTSA complaint #11498676 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 BMW 525I. WHILE PARKED WITH THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION, THE OCCUPANT IN THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO OPEN ANY OF THE DOORS OR WINDOWS MANUALLY. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 94V219000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH) THAT COULD HAVE BEEN RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
NHTSA complaint #10457057 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 BMW 525I. AFTER SITTING IDLE IN THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO EXIT BUT WAS LOCKED IN THE VEHICLE FOR OVER TEN MINUTES. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 94V219000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES: DOORS: LATCH) HOWEVER THE DEALER ADVISED HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. ANY REPAIRS WOULD BE AT THE EXPENSE OF THE CONTACT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10340617 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
OWNER OF 1995 BMW 525 WAS UNABLE TO EXIT CAR .WINDOWS WOULD NOT OPEN WITH KEY ON NOR DID SUNROOF OPEN. THE CAR WOULD NOT START. SOUTH BAY DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO HONOR RECALL NUMBER 94V219000 AS SO DID BMW HEADQUARTERS.
NHTSA complaint #10311630 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
OWNER OF 1995 BMW 525 WAS UNABLE TO EXIT CAR .WINDOWS WOULD NOT OPEN WITH KEY ON NOR DID SUNROOF OPEN. THE CAR WOULD NOT START. SOUTH BAY DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO HONOR RECALL NUMBER 94V219000 AS SO DID BMW HEADQUARTERS.
NHTSA complaint #10311630 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
ON A HOT AFTERNOON IN SACRAMENTO, WE STOPPED IN A PARKING LOT AND SHUT OFF THE CAR PREPARING TO EXIT. THE WINDOWS OF THE BMW WERE UP AND WE WERE NOT ABLE TO OPEN THE DOORS. THE ENGINE WOULD NOT START AND WE WERE TRAPPED IN THE HOT CAR. FORTUNATELY WE HAD A CAR PHONE AND CALLED 911 FOR HELP. AFTER A FRIGHTENING HALF HOUR TRAPPED IN THE HOT LOCKED CAR WE WERE EXTRICATED. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO A GARAGE.
NHTSA complaint #10241640 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 BMW 525I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT DOOR FAILED TO UNLOCK AND THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW FELL DOWN INTO THE VEHICLE. THE PASSENGER SIDE AND REAR DOORS WILL OPEN, BUT SHE MUST OPEN THEM QUICKLY. THE CONTACT HAS BEEN LOCKED IN THE VEHICLE ONCE. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 94V219000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH) WAS REFERENCED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 147,813.
NHTSA complaint #10200173 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
1995 BMW 525I CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE DRIVING. *TS THE FIRE STARTED UNDER THE HOOD. THE ENTIRE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED. THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES
NHTSA complaint #10166907 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION SLIPPING. I HAVE A 1995 525 BMW WITH 112000 MILES. THE TRANSMISSION INSTANTLY ONE DAY SLIPPED AND THE INDICATOR LIGHT WENT ON TO SEE MY DEALER. I DID AND WAS TOLD THE TRANSMISSIONS ON BMW'S MUST BE REPLACED, THEY CANNOT BE FIXED OR REPAIRED. I CALLED BMW AND SPOKE TO A TIM IN CUSTOMER SERVICE. I ASKED FOR SOME TYPE OF WARRANTY, AND WAS GIVEN A POLITE ANSWER OF 'NO' WE DON'T GIVE WARRANTIES TO ANYONE WHOSE CAR IS OVER THE WARRANTY. I TOLD HIM I WORKED FOR FORD FOR 20 YEARS, AND THEY HAD A REP COME OUT AND LOOK INTO EACH PROBLEM, EVEN IF OUT OF WARRANTY. TIM TOLD ME, BMW DOES NOT SEND REPS OUT TO DO THAT. I ASKED HIM WHO HIS BOSS WAS, I"LL TALK TO THEM. HE SAID HE DIDN' T HAVE A BOSS. I SAID, 'IF YOU REALLY WANTED TO HELP SOMEONE, YOU WOULD GET THEM A NEW TRANSMISSION FOR FREE, WOULDN'T YOU?" HE SAID 'YES' , WELL, THERE WAS MY ANSWER. HE DIDN'T WANT TO DO IT AT ALL. HE ALSO SAID AND CONFIRMED THAT THE TRANSMISSIONS ARE NOT ABLE TO BE TAKEN APART AND REPAIRED, THEY MUST BE REPLACED. THERE WAS NO HELP FROM BMW ON THIS PROBLEM. I DO HAVE A FEELING THAT TIM'S RELATIVES AND FRIENDS GET THEIR CARS REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY EVEN THOUGH OUT OF THE TIME LIMIT. BUT, JUST A COMPLAINT HERE. I AM SELLING THIS CAR AND GOING BACK TO A FORD. I DO KNOW THE TRANSMISSIONS LAST FAR LONGER THAN 112000 MILES, AND I DO KNOW THEY SEND REPS OUT TO TALK TO PEOPLE AND WORK WITH THEM ON THEIR VEHICLES. SOUNDS LIKE OLD HENRY DID IT RIGHT, A TRUE AMERICAN. LISTEN TO THE WORKER.
NHTSA complaint #10116551 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD. VEHICLE JUMPED ACROSS A CEMENT BARRIER AND COLLIDED WITH A WALL. THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. SIX MONTHS AGO THE SAME THING OCCURRED WITHOUT THE COLLISION.
NHTSA complaint #10065276 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
THE RADIATOR WAS REPLACED DUE TO A CRACK IN THE HOUSING. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE CRACK RESULTED FROM TOO MUCH PRESSURE IN THE COOLING SYSTEM. RELATED RECALL 98V178000. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10016094 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
THE TIGHTNESS IN THE AIR CONDITION COMPRESSOR CAUSED THE TENSIONER BASE PLATE AND ADJUSTABLE PULLEY TO FAIL.
NHTSA complaint #785833 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
THE TIGHTNESS IN THE AIR CONDITION COMPRESSOR CAUSED THE TENSIONER BASE PLATE AND ADJUSTABLE PULLEY TO FAIL.
NHTSA complaint #785833 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
CONSUMER WAS TRAPPED IN VEHICLE BECAUSE POWER DOOR LOCKS FAILED. DEALERSHIP EXAMINED VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THAT CONTROL MODULE FOR LOCK SYSTEM HAD TO BE REPLACED. *AK CONSUMER STATES THAT THE ENGINE WOULD NOT TURN OVER AND THE SUNROOF WAS ALSO INOPERABLE AT THE TIME OF FAILURE, CONSUMER FINALLY GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE WHEN A KEY WAS USED TO UNLOCK THE DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #8001468 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
COOLANT SYSTEM IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. VEHICLE IS OVERHEATING. WHEN VEHICLE IS IN RED PLASTIC PART, COOLANT SYSTEM MELTS. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER STATED NOT UNDER RECALL.*AK THE COOLING SYSTEM CONTAINS A PLASTIC WATER PUMP, CONSUMER STATES THIS IS NOT A GOOD IDEA CONSIDERING IT WILL GET HOT AND NOT HOLD UP, THE WATER PUMP SHATTERED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO OVERHEAT. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #8001365 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
CAR WILL SPORADICLY JERK OUT OF FIRST GEAR WITH NO WARNING OR REASON. WHEN SITUATION OCCURS, AUTO WILL MOVE A FEW FEET AND THEN JERK OUT OF FIRST GEAR LEAVING THE CAR IN DANGEROUS SITUATION. DRIVER MUST REENGAGE CLUTCH, REPLACE IN FIRST GEAR AND PROCEED. VEHICLES BEHIND YOU MUST HIT BRAKE AS YOU UNEXPECTANTLY STOP AS THEY ARE GAINING MOMENTUM AND ARE NOT EXPECTING THE CAR IN FRONT OF THEM TO BE STOPPING ABRUPTLY. IF PROBLEM HAPPENS WHEN CROSSING TRAFFIC, THE ONCOMING CARS MUST BRAKE HARD OR SWERVE BECAUSE MY CAR WILL POP OUT OF GEAR (ONLY HAPPENS IN FIRST) AND LEAVE ME STUCK STICKING OUT IN THE ROAD FOR AN EXTRA 3 TO4 SECONDS OR AS LONG AS IT TAKES ME TO REENGAGE CLUTCH AND PROCEED. PROBLEM SHOULD BE FIXED UNDER WARRANTY BUT DEALER CAN NOT REPRODUCE. I HAVE SEVERAL PEOPLE THAT HAVE EXPERIENCED PROBLEM AS PASSENGERS AND WIFE WILL NOT DRIVE CAR AS SHE IS AFRAID OF GETTING INTO ACCIDENT WITH CHILDEN IN VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #750161 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
CAR WILL SPORADICLY JERK OUT OF FIRST GEAR WITH NO WARNING OR REASON. WHEN SITUATION OCCURS, AUTO WILL MOVE A FEW FEET AND THEN JERK OUT OF FIRST GEAR LEAVING THE CAR IN DANGEROUS SITUATION. DRIVER MUST REENGAGE CLUTCH, REPLACE IN FIRST GEAR AND PROCEED. VEHICLES BEHIND YOU MUST HIT BRAKE AS YOU UNEXPECTANTLY STOP AS THEY ARE GAINING MOMENTUM AND ARE NOT EXPECTING THE CAR IN FRONT OF THEM TO BE STOPPING ABRUPTLY. IF PROBLEM HAPPENS WHEN CROSSING TRAFFIC, THE ONCOMING CARS MUST BRAKE HARD OR SWERVE BECAUSE MY CAR WILL POP OUT OF GEAR (ONLY HAPPENS IN FIRST) AND LEAVE ME STUCK STICKING OUT IN THE ROAD FOR AN EXTRA 3 TO4 SECONDS OR AS LONG AS IT TAKES ME TO REENGAGE CLUTCH AND PROCEED. PROBLEM SHOULD BE FIXED UNDER WARRANTY BUT DEALER CAN NOT REPRODUCE. I HAVE SEVERAL PEOPLE THAT HAVE EXPERIENCED PROBLEM AS PASSENGERS AND WIFE WILL NOT DRIVE CAR AS SHE IS AFRAID OF GETTING INTO ACCIDENT WITH CHILDEN IN VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #750161 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WE TRIED DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, TURNING OFF THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH, AND FINALLY EVEN TURNING OFF THE IGNITION FOR SEVERAL SECONDS. THE CRUISE CONTROL MAINTAINED THE PRESET SPEED OF 70 MPH. BRAKE PEDAL PRESSURE AND BRAKE EFFECTIVENESS ALLOWED THE CAR TO BE SLOWED AND STOPPED. NO OTHER SYMPTOMS OR INSTANCES HAVE OCCURRED.
NHTSA complaint #746975 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WE TRIED DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, TURNING OFF THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH, AND FINALLY EVEN TURNING OFF THE IGNITION FOR SEVERAL SECONDS. THE CRUISE CONTROL MAINTAINED THE PRESET SPEED OF 70 MPH. BRAKE PEDAL PRESSURE AND BRAKE EFFECTIVENESS ALLOWED THE CAR TO BE SLOWED AND STOPPED. NO OTHER SYMPTOMS OR INSTANCES HAVE OCCURRED.
NHTSA complaint #746975 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
PRIOR TO RECALL NOTIFICATION (98V178000), CONSUMER EXPERIENCED COOLING SYSTEM FAILURE, CONSUMER THEN TOOK VEHICLE TO REPAIR SHOP TO HAVE REPAIRS PERFORMED, CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSMENT BECAUSE FAILURE HAD ALREADY OCCURRED BUT WAS DENIED REIMBURSEMENT FROM MANUFACTURER BECAUSE REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED BY AN INDEPENDENT PARTY.
NHTSA complaint #561267 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
SEATBELT IS JAMMED IN FULL EXTENDED POSITION - SEATBELT WILL NOT RETRACT AND TAKE IN SLACK TO PROVIDE FIRM FIT FOR PASSENGER.
NHTSA complaint #735944 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
I BROUGHT MY CAR TO A LOCAL GARAGE BECAUSE THE SRS LIGHT WAS ON. THE MECHANIC SAID BMW HAD A RECALL ON THE "AIRBAG CONTACT RING LOCKING TAB"AND INSTRUCTED ME TO GO TO A BMW DEALERSHIP FOR ASSISTANCE. BECAUSE MY CAR WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRENTY, I CONTACTED BMW CUSTOMER RELATIONS FOR GUIDANCE. I SPOKE WITH CHANNELL @ 800-831-1117 EXT 35078. I TOLD HER WHAT MY LOCAL MECHANIC SAID ABOUT A RECALL. SHE ASKED FOR MY VIN TO CONFIRM THAT MY CAR FELL UNDER THE RECALL. SHE SUBSEQUENTLY CONTACTED THE WARRENTY DEPT AND REPORTED BACK TO ME: "THERE WAS NO WAY TO FIND OUT IF YOUR VEHICLE HAS A RECALL BECAUSE IT HAS BEEN TAKEN OUT OF THE COMPUTER SYSTEM ALTOGETHER". (WHEN I PURCHASED THE CAR, THE TITLE TO THE VEHICLE WAS STAMPED "REBUILT") WE WERE LATER TOLD THAT THE CAR HAD BEEN FLOODED TO SOME EXTENT AND THAT THE WARRENTY ON THE CAR WAS NO LONGER IN EFFECT. THE RECALL IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE THE AIRBAG MAY NOT BE DEPLOYED IN A FRONTAL IMPACT. I REQUEST YOUR ASSISTANCE IN THIS MATTER.
NHTSA complaint #728666 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #720394 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, NOTICED A VIBRATION IN THE RIGHT PASSENGER'S SEAT, WHICH FELT AS IF IT WAS COMING FROM ONE OF THE REAR TIRES. CONSUMER IN THE BACK OF THE CAR STARTED SHAKING, SO DID THE SEAT. THEN, STEERING WHELL STARTED SHAKING. IT WAS RAINING, CONSUMER PUT ON BRAKES AND VEHICLE STARTED TO SLIDE OVER TO A DITCH. CONSUMER DID NOT HIT ANYTHING, MECHANIC ATTEMPTED TO PULL VEHICLE FROM DITCH, AND MECHANIC DAMAGED VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #858076 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.