The 1989 BMW 525 has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 194,200 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 3 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the air bags. Last updated July 5, 2026.
FEED FUEL HOSES CAN HARDEN AND "SET" OVER TIME, ALLOWING A SEEPAGE OF FUEL AT THE CONNECTION BETWEEN THE HOSE AND THE ENGINE FITTING. THE CLAMP USED TO HOLD THE HOSE TO THE FITTING IS UNABLE TO COMPENSATE FOR THE HARDENING OF THE FEED FUEL HOSE.
Consequence
FUEL SEEPAGE BETWEEN THE FEED FUEL HOSE AND THE ENGINE FITTING CAN RESULT IN FREE FUEL IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A FIRE WHEN EXPOSED TO A SOURCE OF IGNITION.
Remedy
A REDESIGNED FEED FUEL HOSE AND HOSE CLAMP WILL BE INSTALLED TO ALLEVIATE THE FUEL SEEPAGE.
THE 80-AMPERE FUSIBLE LINK LOCATED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAN DEVELOP MECHANICAL WEAKNESS DUE TO AGING AND THERMAL STRESSES, AND CAN BREAK.
Consequence
IF THE FUSIBLE LINK BREAKS, THE TOTAL VEHICLE ELECTRICALSYSTEM WOULD BE INTERRUPTED BY THE OPEN CIRCUIT. ALL ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS WOULDBE INVOLVED, AND THE ENGINE WOULD NOT START, OR WOULD STOP, IF RUNNING. THISWOULD RESULT IN LOSS OF POWER TO THE VEHICLE WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, LOSS OFHAZARD WARNING LIGHTS, LOSS OF…
Remedy
REROUTE THE ELECTRICAL CABLES IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT TO REDUCE THE CURRENT FLOW THROUGH THE FUSIBLE LINK, AND REPLACE THE OLD FUSIBLE LINK.
SEAT BELTS90V0160001990-01-3062,000 affected
Defect
UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, FRONT SEAT CENTER, FOLD-DOWN ARM REST MAY CONTACT THE SAFETY BELT BUCKLE, CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE RELEASE BUTTON AND PREVENTING THE BELT TONGUE FROM LATCHING WHEN BUCKLING UP.
Consequence
OCCUPANT WOULD NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED AND COULD BE INJURED IN THE EVENT OF A SUDDEN STOP OR ACCIDENT.
Remedy
REPLACE FRONT SEAT SAFETY BELT BUCKLES WITH SHORTER VERSION THAT WILL NOT CONTACT THE ARMRESTS. NOTE: OWNER NOTIFICATION DATE; 2/90 IS PREPARED IN DRAFT FORM.
Complaints by component
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
1
1crashes
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
1
Total complaints3
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“Electrical system problems, causing cluster module/power windows/alarm/power door locks to fail. *ak”
“Instrument cluster failed, causing failure of dashboard and engine safety warning systems. *skd”
“Was in an accident and the air bag didn't deploy. Tt”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1989 BMW 525 as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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