The 1991 BMW 525 has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 121,944 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 18 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the vehicle speed control. 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.
INSUFFICIENT AXIAL CLEARANCE EXISTS FOR THROTTLE VALVE, SHAFT, AND HOUSING DUE TO THE DIFFERENT THERMAL EXPANSION RATES OF THE SEPARATE PARTS WHEN VEHICLE REACHES NORMAL OPERATING TEMPERATURES AND AMBIENT TEMPERATURE IS 40 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT OR LESS.
Consequence
THE LIMITED AXIAL CLEARANCE CAN CAUSE THE MOVEMENT OF THETHROTTLE VALVE TO BE IMPEDED, THE VALVE IS UNABLE TO CLOSE. THIS IMPEDANCE WOULDKEEP THE VEHICLE FROM DECELERATING AT THE USUAL RATE AFTER THE GAS PEDAL ISRELEASED; THIS COULD CAUSE UNEXPECTED MAINTENANCE OF SPEED AND AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy
INSPECT AND REPAIR THE VEHICLE BY REPLACING THROTTLE HOUSING IF INSUFFICIENT AXIAL CLEARANCE IS FOUND.
Complaints by component
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
3
3crashes3injuries
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
2
1injuries
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST
2
1fires
AIR BAGS
1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
1
1fires
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
1
Total complaints18
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“Temperature gauge went up. Took to mechanic, and they replaced water pump. Currently, consumer is now having a problem with thermostat. *ak”
“Temperature gauge went up. Took to mechanic, and they replaced water pump. Currently, consumer is now having a problem with thermostat. *ak”
“Temperature gauge went up. Took to mechanic, and they replaced water pump. Currently, consumer is now having a problem with thermostat. *ak”
“On sunny day consumer spilled cold water on the windshield and the glass cracked. *ak”
“While driving at 45 mph and the srs light was on. Dealer was aware, but had to reschdule to another appointment during that time. The airbag deployed, causing injuries to the occupant. Dealer cannot determine problem. *ak”
“Power adjustable seats shorted out and caught on fire, turned off vehicle to put out fire. *ak”
“The throttle sticks and caused the vehicle to accelerate in reverse, causing an accident. Please describe. *ak”
“Driving under normal conditions and steering went out of control. Please describe details. Tt”
Defect investigations
InvestigationEA95013 Opened 1995-03-31 · closed 1996-07-15
AIR BAG WIRING FAILURE
There is no summary currently available
InvestigationPE94057 Opened 1994-07-26 · closed 1994-11-25
STEERING LCK-UP/IMPEDIMENT
There is no summary currently available
InvestigationPE94088 Opened 1994-11-25 · closed 1995-03-31
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1991 BMW 525 as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.