1995 BMW 525I: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 24 owner complaints on record; most reports concern latches/locks/linkages; the 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 24 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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.”Owner report · Latches/Locks/Linkages · Apr 2012
“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.”Owner report · Latches/Locks/Linkages · Jun 2010
“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. *tr”Owner report · Latches/Locks/Linkages · Feb 2010
Show 7 more owner reports
“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. *tr”Owner report · Latches/Locks/Linkages · Sep 2008
“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.”Owner report · Latches/Locks/Linkages · Aug 2007
“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 *nm”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jul 2006
“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.*ak”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Mar 2004
“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”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Apr 2003
“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”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jan 2002
“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”Owner report · Electrical System · Dec 2001
When filing, owners marked a crash in 1 of these complaints and injuries in 0 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
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.
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 1995 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 1995 BMW 525I reliable?
NHTSA has 24 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 1995 BMW 525I. The most complained-about area is latches/locks/linkages.
Does the 1995 BMW 525I have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch. 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.