1994 Bmw 525IA: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
3 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
132,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1994 model year. Data snapshot: . 2 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2 of 3 complaints (66.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 2 |
| Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System | 1 |
Electrical System: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System: 2; Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System: 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). 1 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 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2012 | 1 |
2000: 1; 2005: 1; 2012: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. 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 10141276 · 2005-10-31 (October 31, 2005)
MY CAR BURST INTO FLAMES WHILE DRIVING. THE FLAMES WERE COMING FROM UNDER THE BACK SEAT. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 100,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10141276 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10485095 · 2012-11-19 (November 19, 2012)
VEHICLE IN MOTION WITH DEFROST ON, SMOKE CAME FROM DEFROST VENT ON DASHBOARD, FILLING CAR INSTANTLY WITH SMOKE. PULLED OFF HIGHWAY, OPENED WINDOWS, SMOKE CLEARS THEN MOVED CAR APPROXIMATELY 200FT. OFF MAIN ROUTE TO SIDE STREET. SMOKE AND FLAMES IMMEDIATELY CAME OUT OF THE DEFROST VENT. USED 3 ABC FIRE EXTINGUISHERS, FAILING TO CONTAIN THE FIRE BEFORE THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED WITH 2 PUMPERS, AND HAD TO USE AFFF FOAM TO MANAGE THE FIRE DUE TO HIGH AMOUNTS OF MAGNESIUM IN THE CAR. THE NEWLY PURCHASED CAR WAS IN VERY GOOD CONDITION, THE CAR …
Owner-reported narrative. 165,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10485095 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 550702 · 2000-02-03 (February 3, 2000)
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED HEATER CORE FAILURE DUE TO A DEFECT IN THE RADIATOR CAP (98V-178) RECALL. *MJS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 550702 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
94V219000 · Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch
Reported: 1994-11-08 (November 8, 1994)
THE DOUBLE-LOCK FEATURE CAN ENGAGE WITH OCCUPANTS AND THE DOOR/IGNITION KEY INSIDE THE VEHICLE.
Consequence: THE OCCUPANTS OF THE VEHICLE WOULD BE UNABLE TO EXIT EITHER FROM THE DOORS OR FROM THE WINDOWS OF THE VEHICLE. DRIVE-AWAY PROTECTION WOULD PREVENT THE ENGINE FROM STARTING.
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.
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 ↗