1992 BMW 525I: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 18 owner complaints on record; most reports concern engine and engine cooling; the 1990 and 1993 and 1994 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Aug 1998
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 18 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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.”Owner report · Structure · Jul 2011
“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.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Mar 2006
“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.”Owner report · Air Bags · Mar 2004
Show 7 more owner reports
“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. *ak”Owner report · Air Bags · Mar 2004
“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.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jul 2001
“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. *ak”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Mar 2001
“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. *yh”Owner report · Tires · Sep 2000
“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. *nm”Owner report · Air Bags · Aug 2000
“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. *ak”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Aug 1999
“Vehicle experienced failure of the engine cooling system prior to recall notice (98v-178), owner replaced several components due to defect. Mjs”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Feb 1999
When filing, owners marked a crash in 4 of these complaints and injuries in 3 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 4 campaigns
THE AIR BAG CONTACT RING LOCKING TAB LOCATED IN THE STEERING WHEEL ASSEMBLY CAN BREAK WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LOCKING TAB WITH ONE OF A DIFFERENT DESIGN.
THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH CAN FAIL ALLOWING THE SWITCH TO REMAIN IN THE "BRAKE LIGHTS OFF" POSITION OR IN THE "BRAKE LIGHTS ON" POSITION.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE EXISTING BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH WITH A NEWLY DESIGNED SWITCH.
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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW DESIGN RADIATOR CAP TO CONTROL PRESSURE AND PROVIDE GREATER COOLANT OVERFLOW IN THE EVENT OF OVERHEATING.
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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SPRING STEEL CLIP ON THE OUTER TUBE OF EACH CABLE IN THE AREA OF THE ADJUSTING SCREW AND PLASTIC BUSHING. THE CLIP IS DESIGNED TO PREVENT THE OUTER TUBE FROM DISLODGING FROM THE BUSHING.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 1992 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact 525I by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1992 BMW 525I reliable?
NHTSA has 18 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 1992 BMW 525I. The most complained-about area is engine and engine cooling.
Does the 1992 BMW 525I have open recalls?
4 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning air bags:frontal. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.