1993 BMW 525I: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 5 owner complaints on record; most reports concern engine and engine cooling.
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 5 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Tl* the contact owns a 1993 bmw 525i. The contact stated that both the rear driver and passenger side doors failed to open. As a result, the rear passengers were not able to enter or exit the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 230,000. The VIN was not available.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jan 2013
“A malfunction or failure of a colling system component (thermostat, water pump or fan belt) caused the vehicle to overheat prior to recall notice 98v-178. Nlm”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Aug 1999
“Vehicle parked on on down hill grade. When vehicle is started and put in reverse gear, the transmission does not engage immediately and vehicle rolls forward. Increased pressure is applied to the accelerator and suddenly the transmission engages.”Owner report · Power Train · May 1997
Show 2 more owner reports
“Design of charcoal filter canister caused it to absorbed a large amount of water causing it to freeze and the fuel pump kept pumping until the fuel tank imploded.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling
“Received installation of recalled radiator cap at vob bmw in 9/27/99 (98v178000) that was supposed to keep the bmw cars from overheating which causes the engine to overheat and burnup. On 5/9/00 the temp was 95 degrees f, after running my air conditioning, my car began to smoke heavily and the engine burned-out before I could get it all the way off the road. The service mechanic I had my car towed to, found that the radiator and engine both had a large hole in each. Also, the water pump impeller which is plastic was broken or melted off. As a result, no fluids were getting to the engine; hence, my engine burned up quickly. *ak”Owner report · Equipment
Recalls - 3 campaigns
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 1993 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 1993 BMW 525I reliable?
NHTSA has 5 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 1993 BMW 525I. The most complained-about area is engine and engine cooling.
Does the 1993 BMW 525I have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning exterior lighting:brake lights:switch. 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.