RecallMyCar

BMW 525 Recalls & Complaints by Model Year

NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls and 72 owner complaints across 12 model years of the BMW 525 (1985–2002). The most-complained-about year is 1991.

5
safety recalls, all years
72
owner complaints, all years
1989
year with most recalls
1991
year with most complaints

Pick your BMW 525 model year

Model yearRecallsComplaints
2002 BMW 52510
2001 BMW 52513
1998 BMW 52502
1997 BMW 52501
1995 BMW 525015
1994 BMW 52508
1993 BMW 52513
1992 BMW 525114
1991 BMW 525215
1990 BMW 52527
1989 BMW 52533
1985 BMW 52501

What BMW 525 owners complain about

Across all model years, owners have filed 72 complaints with NHTSA. The 1991 model year has the most, with 15.

All BMW 525 recalls (5)

Every NHTSA safety campaign that lists a BMW 525, most recent first, with the model years each one covers.

  1. Inflator module (air bags) Do not drive

    NHTSA 17V047000 Reported 230,117 vehicles potentially affected BMW of North America, LLC

    BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2000-2002 BMW 320i, 323i, 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi, 323Ci, 325Ci, 330Ci, M3, 323iT, 325iT and 325xiT vehicles, 2001-2002 525i, 530i, 540i, M5, 525iT and 540iT vehicles, and 2001-2003 X5 3.0i, X5 4.4i, and X5 4.6is vehicles. These vehicles may have had a driver-side air bag module…

    Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the vehicle has been remedied. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the driver side air bag module, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall…

    Model years: 2001, 2002

  2. Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings (fuel system)

    NHTSA 94V066000 Reported 116,300 vehicles potentially affected BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE

    Feed fuel hoses can harden and "set" over time, allowing a seepage of fuel at the connection between the hose and the engine fitting. The clamp used to hold the hose to the fitting is unable to compensate for the hardening of the feed fuel hose.

    Remedy: A redesigned feed fuel hose and hose clamp will be installed to alleviate the fuel seepage.

    Model years: 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993

  3. Fuses and circuit breakers (electrical system)

    NHTSA 92V174000 Reported 15,900 vehicles potentially affected BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE

    The 80-ampere fusible link located in the engine compartment can develop mechanical weakness due to aging and thermal stresses, and can break.

    Remedy: Reroute the electrical cables in the engine compartment to reduce the current flow through the fusible link, and replace the old fusible link.

    Model years: 1989

  4. Vehicle speed control

    NHTSA 91V029000 Reported 5,644 vehicles potentially affected BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE

    Insufficient axial clearance exists for throttle valve, shaft, and housing due to the different thermal expansion rates of the separate parts when vehicle reaches normal operating temperatures and ambient temperature is 40 degrees fahrenheit or less.

    Remedy: Inspect and repair the vehicle by replacing throttle housing if insufficient axial clearance is found.

    Model years: 1991

  5. Buckle assembly (seat belts)

    NHTSA 90V016000 Reported 62,000 vehicles potentially affected BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE

    Under certain conditions, front seat center, fold-down arm rest may contact the safety belt buckle, causing damage to the release button and preventing the belt tongue from latching when buckling up.

    Remedy: Replace front seat safety belt buckles with shorter version that will not contact the armrests. Note: owner notification date; 2/90 is prepared in draft form.

    Model years: 1989, 1990

Other BMW models

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.