RecallMyCar

BMW 525IA Recalls & Complaints by Model Year

NHTSA lists 6 safety recalls and 14 owner complaints across 9 model years of the BMW 525IA (1989–2002). The most-complained-about year is 1994.

6
safety recalls, all years
14
owner complaints, all years
2001
year with most recalls
1994
year with most complaints

Pick your BMW 525IA model year

Model yearRecallsComplaints
2002 BMW 525IA13
2001 BMW 525IA31
1995 BMW 525IA23
1994 BMW 525IA24
1993 BMW 525IA11
1992 BMW 525IA11
1991 BMW 525IA11
1990 BMW 525IA10
1989 BMW 525IA10

What BMW 525IA owners complain about

Across all model years, owners have filed 14 complaints with NHTSA. The 1994 model year has the most, with 4.

All BMW 525IA recalls (6)

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

  1. Air bags: sensor/control module-inactive

    NHTSA 03V421000 Reported 23,000 vehicles potentially affected BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE

    On certain passenger vehicles, a microprocessor in the air bag control module, which activates the front air bags, the side air bags, the front seat safety belt pretensioners, and the battery safety terminal, may have a malfunction that could lead to an unintended activation of one or more of these components.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the air bag control module. Owner notification began november10, 2003. Owners should contact BMW at 1-800-831-1117.

    Model years: 2001

  2. Fan (engine and engine cooling)

    NHTSA 02V138000 Reported 1,550 vehicles potentially affected BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE

    On certain passenger vehicles, the engine auxiliary/cooling fan operation, including variable speed, is electronically controlled. Failure of the fan motor can cause the electrical circuitry of the fan control unit to overload and fail, causing the fan to stop operating.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the fan. Owner notification began september 28, 2001. This is a supplement to a recall that began during september 2001 (see recall campaign 01v206). Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized…

    Model years: 2001

  3. Tires: sidewall

    NHTSA 01V352000 Reported 1,318 vehicles potentially affected BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE

    Vehicle description: during the tire mounting process on certain passenger vehicles built with standard (non-sport) suspension and equipped with continental contitouringcontact ch95 ecoplus tires, size 225/65r16 95h, having DOT codes 4001, 4101, or 4201, the outer sidewall surface of the tires may have been cut by a sharp edge.…

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect all five tires for a possible cut in the sidewall, and if a cut is found, the tire will be replaced. Owner notification began december 10, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized…

    Model years: 2002

  4. Fan (engine and engine cooling)

    NHTSA 01V206000 Reported 76,469 vehicles potentially affected BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE

    Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The engine auxiliary/cooling fan operation, including variable speed, is electronically controlled. Failure of the fan motor can cause the electrical circuitry of the fan control unit to overload and fail, causing the fan to stop operating.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the fan. Owner notification began september 28, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable…

    Model years: 2001

  5. Cooling system (engine and engine cooling)

    NHTSA 98V178000 Reported 340,000 vehicles potentially affected BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE

    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,…

    Remedy: Dealers will install a new design radiator cap to control pressure and provide greater coolant overflow in the event of overheating.

    Model years: 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995

  6. Latch (latches/locks/linkages)

    NHTSA 94V219000 Reported 2,180 vehicles potentially affected BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE

    The double-lock feature can engage with occupants and the door/ignition key inside the vehicle.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the general control module with one containing the revised software to permit window opening with the double-lock engaged and key in the ignition.

    Model years: 1994, 1995

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.