Total Complaints
21 filings
BMW 525I · model year
1991 BMW 525I
21 NHTSA complaints for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1991BMW525I carries 21 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1991 525I is engine and engine cooling:cooling system with 3 filings, followed by structure:body:door (2) and engine and engine cooling:cooling system:radiator assembly (2). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.
NHTSA currently has 34 investigation files overlapping the 1991 525I. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
21
Complaints
0
Crashes
0
Fires
2
Injuries
0
Deaths
Crashes Reported
0 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Complaints vs. fleet median (215)
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
Complaints by Component
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM | 3 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR | 2 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY | 2 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES | 1 |
| AIR BAGS:FRONTAL | 1 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM | 1 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION | 1 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 1 |
| POWER TRAIN | 1 |
| AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE | 1 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS | 1 |
| LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TRUNK LID:LOCK | 1 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY | 1 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS | 1 |
| SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER | 1 |
Recent Complaints
20121020STEERING
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
Mileage: 167,446
20121020ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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
Mileage: 167,446
20040717SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
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 GEARBOX ALLOWING CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. I JUST CHECKED TO SEE IF THIS ITEM HAD BEEN RECALLED WITH NO LUCK. *AK
Mileage: 108,000
20021113EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS
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
20000821ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
THE COOLING SYSTEM FAN CLUTCH FAILED WITHIN 45,000 MILES. NLM
20000821ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
RADIATOR FAILED PREMATURELY. NLM
20000821STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
THE DOOR PADDING ON BOTH REAR DOORS IS SEPARATING. NLM
20000821EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
CONSUMER BELIEVES THE VEHICLE IS POOR DESIGNED BECAUSE IN ORDER TO REPAIR A BROKEN HEADLIGHT THE DEALER HAD TO REMONE THE ENTIRE GRILL RESULTING IN EXCESSIVE REPAIR COST. NLM
20000821LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TRUNK LID:LOCK
THE TRUNK APPEARS TO BE CLOSED AND CAN STILL BE UNLOCKED WITH THE TRUNK LIGHT ON CAUSING THE BATTERY TO RUN DOWN, WHICH IN TURN UPSET THE DOOR LOCK PROGRAM WHICH IS STILL HAVING PROBLEMS. NLM
20000821ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
THREE BMW BATTERIES HAVE FAILED WITHIN THEIR WARRANTY PERIOD. NLM
19991013ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
UPPER RADIATOR "PLASTIC MALE" OUTLET CONNECTING TO UPPER RUBBER HOSE EXPLODED CAUSING EXTRIME ENGINE OVERHEATING AND ENGINE FAILURE WITH NO WARNING EVEN AFTER DEALER INSTALLED NEW RADIATOR CAP RECALL IN AUGUST 1999. ALMOST CAUSED A HIGHWAY ACCIDENT. CAR HAS EXCELLENT MAINTENANCE RECORD AT DEALERSHIP. REPORTED PROBLEM TO BMW OF NORTH AMERICA. REPRESENTATIVE TOLD ME THAT WAS NOT THE RESPONSIBILITY OF BMW OF NORTH AMERICA.
19990730ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
REPLACED THE RADIATOR CAP BUT THE NEW CAP CAUSED A HOLE IN THE RADIATOR. *AK
19990216ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM DESIGN CONTAINS A FLAW, WHEN REMOVING RADIATOR CAP CONSUMER SUSTAINED BURN INJURIES DUE TO CAP NOT HAVING A TWO-STAGE RELEASE, O-RINGS AT THE BASE OF THE CAP ENSURE THAT THE PRESSURE IS MAINTAINED WITHIN THE RADIATOR UNTIL THE CAP IS FULLY UNSCREWED.
19990203STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
POWER DOOR LOCK MECHANISM FAILED CAUSING ERRATIC PERFORMANCE OF THE LOCKS.
19990124AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
THE SRS {A SAFETY SYSTEM} LIGHT KEEPS FLASHING. *AK
19981214POWER TRAIN
THE SPEEDOMETER OPERATES IRRATICALLY DURING COLD WEATHER. IT FUNCTIONS OK WHEN WARM. THIS IS CAUSED BY BAD MATERIALS USED ON THE SPEEDOMETER PCB BOARD. A NUMBER OF BMW OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM AND FIXES ARE SUGGESTED ON THE INTERNET AT THE FOLLOWING LINKS. HTTP://WWW.ESKIMO.COM/~DALUS/BMW/SPEEDO/SPEEDO.HTM AND AT HTTP://WWW.ESKIMO.COM/~DALUS/BMW/E30/INTERIOR/E30_SPEEDO_SENDER_PROBLEM.HTML. UNRELIABLE OR LACK OF INDICATION OF DRIVING SPEED CAN BE A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. THIS APPEARS TO BE A PROBLEM THAT MANY BMW OWNERS HAVE SUFFERED AS INDICATED BY THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE REPORTED IT ON THE WEB. THE DEALER WANTS OVER $600 TO FIX THE PROBLEM. *MJS
19981130FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
FLUID LEAKS SINCE '11/95. HAVE HAD A TOTAL OF 3 COILS REPLACED; R/R LOWER TIMING COVER, REPLACED GASKETS/NEW DRIVE BELTS - R/R OIL PAN AND REPLACED GASKET TO THE TUNE OF $1,125.00 AT 39,243 MILES. WARANTY IS 4 YRS./50K MILES. ASKED FOR AN ADJUSTMENT DUE TO LOW MILEAGE AND HIGHLY UNUSUAL PROBLEMS. RECEIVED FORM LETTER SAYING "SORRY, CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY." THIS $45K+ AUTO
19981130ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
FLUID LEAKS SINCE '11/95. HAVE HAD A TOTAL OF 3 COILS REPLACED; R/R LOWER TIMING COVER, REPLACED GASKETS/NEW DRIVE BELTS - R/R OIL PAN AND REPLACED GASKET TO THE TUNE OF $1,125.00 AT 39,243 MILES. WARANTY IS 4 YRS./50K MILES. ASKED FOR AN ADJUSTMENT DUE TO LOW MILEAGE AND HIGHLY UNUSUAL PROBLEMS. RECEIVED FORM LETTER SAYING "SORRY, CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY." THIS $45K+ AUTO
19981130ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
FLUID LEAKS SINCE '11/95. HAVE HAD A TOTAL OF 3 COILS REPLACED; R/R LOWER TIMING COVER, REPLACED GASKETS/NEW DRIVE BELTS - R/R OIL PAN AND REPLACED GASKET TO THE TUNE OF $1,125.00 AT 39,243 MILES. WARANTY IS 4 YRS./50K MILES. ASKED FOR AN ADJUSTMENT DUE TO LOW MILEAGE AND HIGHLY UNUSUAL PROBLEMS. RECEIVED FORM LETTER SAYING "SORRY, CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY." THIS $45K+ AUTO
19981117AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
TRAVELING 65MPH GOING AROUND A CURB WHEN SUDDENLY, THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED FOR NO REASON. IT OBSTRUCTED THE DRIVER'S VIEW. HAD NOT HIT ANYTHING & NO OTHER VEHICLE HAD HIT BMW. STEERING WHEEL HAD TO BE TAPED TO BE DRIVEN. *AK
Compare 1991BMW525I to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 1991 BMW 525I have?▼
The 1991 BMW 525I has 21 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1991 BMW 525I?▼
The most-complained component for the 1991 BMW 525I is ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM with 3 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR and ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY.
Is the 1991 BMW 525I safe to buy?▼
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?▼
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.
Vehicle Safety Guides
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.