1991 Bmw 525I: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
4 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
137,723 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1991 model year. Data snapshot: . 2 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 1 of 4 complaints (25.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 25.0% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 25.0% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 1 |
| Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Radiator Assembly | 1 |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights | 1 |
| Exterior Lighting:Tail Lights | 1 |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Trunk Lid:Lock | 1 |
| Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner | 1 |
Electrical System: 1; Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Radiator Assembly: 1; Exterior Lighting:Headlights: 1; Exterior Lighting:Tail Lights: 1; Latches/Locks/Linkages:Trunk Lid:Lock: 1; Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 1
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 2 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 1 |
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2012 | 1 |
2000: 1; 2002: 1; 2004: 1; 2012: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10081274 · 2004-07-17 (July 17, 2004)
WHILE SITTING IN MY 1991 BMW 525I THE SEAT SUDDENLY FELL BACKWARD,AND SIDEWAYS. AFTER REMOVING THE SEAT, AND ALMOST COMPLETELY DISSASSEMBLING IT SO I COULD TRY TO REALIGN THE THING LONG ENOGH TO MAKE IT HOME,I WAS ABLE TO THROUGH BRUTE FORCE PUT IT BACK IN PLACE. LATER AFTER SEVERAL SUBSEQUENT FAILURES I WAS ABLE TO PINPOINT THE PROBLEM.THE CABLES THAT GO BETWEEN THE ELECTRIC DRIVE MOTORS AND THE SEAT ADJUSTMENT GEARBOXES WERE SHEATHED IN A FAILURE-PRONE PLASTIC! THE PLASTIC THROUGH TIME WEARS AND STRETCHES UNTILL THE DRIVE CABLE SLIPS OUT OF G…
Owner-reported narrative. 108,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10081274 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10481271 · 2012-10-20 (October 20, 2012)
I PARKED MY CAR IN THE GARAGE AS USUAL. WHEN I WENT OUT TO LEAVE HOME THE STEERING WAS LOCKED. NOTHING OUT OF THE ORDINARY WAS DONE AFTER PARKING IT OR WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START IT. THE LIGHTS FOR THE RADIO CAME ON, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER WORKS, THE LIGHTS ON THE CONSOLE LIGHT UP, BUT THE STEERING WHEEL IS LOCKED AND THE KEY WILL NOT TURN MORE THAN A FEW CENTIMETERS. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 167,446 miles reported. Look up ODI 10481271 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 552975 · 2000-07-11 (July 11, 2000)
THREE BMW BATTERIES HAVE FAILED WITHIN THEIR WARRANTY PERIOD. NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 552975 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 769401 · 2002-11-07 (November 7, 2002)
TAIL LIGHTS DO NOT STAY ON DUE TO DEFECTIVE SOCKETS. THE PLASTIC SOCKETS HAVE MELTED FROM THE HEAT OF THE TAIL LIGHT BULBS AND NO LONGER HOLD THE BULBS IN PROPERLY. THEY BLINK ON AND OFF AND SOMETIMES STAY OFF ALL TOGETHER. DEALER ADVISED ME TO BUY NEW ONES @ $320 EACH TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM. SINCE THIS IS A SAFETY DEFECT, BMW SHOULD REPLACE THEM. DT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 769401 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
4 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
96V110000 · Air Bags:Frontal
Reported: 1996-07-01 (July 1, 1996)
THE AIR BAG CONTACT RING LOCKING TAB LOCATED IN THE STEERING WHEEL ASSEMBLY CAN BREAK WITHOUT WARNING.
Consequence: IF THIS HAPPENS, THE CONTACT RING WIRING COULD EVENTUALLY BREAK. THE AIR BAG READINESS INDICATOR LAMP (SRS OR AIRBAG) IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WILL ILLUMINATE, AND THE AIR BAG WOULD NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF A FRONTAL IMPACT VEHICLE COLLISION.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LOCKING TAB WITH ONE OF A DIFFERENT DESIGN.
NHTSA campaign record ↗96V111000 · Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights:Switch
Reported: 1996-07-01 (July 1, 1996)
THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH CAN FAIL ALLOWING THE SWITCH TO REMAIN IN THE "BRAKE LIGHTS OFF" POSITION OR IN THE "BRAKE LIGHTS ON" POSITION.
Consequence: IF THIS HAPPENS, THE BRAKE LIGHTS EITHER WILL NOT OPERATE OR WILL BE CONTINUOUSLY ON, REGARDLESS OF BRAKE PEDAL POSITION. FOLLOWING DRIVERS WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE VEHICLE IS STOPPING, INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE EXISTING BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH WITH A NEWLY DESIGNED SWITCH.
NHTSA campaign record ↗97V131000 · Vehicle Speed Control
Reported: 1997-08-19 (August 19, 1997)
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.
Consequence: THIS COULD CAUSE THE THROTTLE VALVE TO REMAIN PARTIALLY OPEN. IT HIS WERE TO OCCUR, THE CAR MIGHT NOT DECELERATE AS EXPECTED INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗98V178000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System
Reported: 1998-08-04 (August 4, 1998)
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.
Consequence: IF A CRACK WERE TO FORM OR A SEAM WERE TO SEPARATE IN THE HEATER CORE END PIECE, HOT COOLANT COULD SUDDENLY BE EXPELLED, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY TO A VEHICLE OCCUPANT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW DESIGN RADIATOR CAP TO CONTROL PRESSURE AND PROVIDE GREATER COOLANT OVERFLOW IN THE EVENT OF OVERHEATING.
NHTSA campaign record ↗