The 1992 BMW 525 has 1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting an estimated 116,300 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 19 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the power train. 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.
Complaints by component
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
3
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
2
2fires
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH
2
1crashes
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
2
2crashes2injuries
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
1
1crashes
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
1
1fires
Total complaints19
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“The consumer was driving at 30 mph smelled smoke and saw smoke coming from the vehicle. Consumer jumped out of vehicle, and the fire department came out to put out the fire. *ak”
“In may of 1998 vehicle's parking brake failed and allowed vehicle to roll across a parking lot, striking another vehicle which caused approximately $2000.00 damage to the rear end of vehicle. Then, in may of 2001, parking brake failed again while the vehicle was in park, allowing vehicle to roll…”
“In may of 1998 vehicle's parking brake failed and allowed vehicle to roll across a parking lot, striking another vehicle which caused approximately $2000.00 damage to the rear end of vehicle. Then, in may of 2001, parking brake failed again while the vehicle was in park, allowing vehicle to roll…”
“Wires in the hatchback are rubbing together which causes a short, and the back door won't open. Also, all the electrical parts are working intermittently, and transmission has been replaced twice. *ak”
“Wires in the hatchback are rubbing together which causes a short, and the back door won't open. Also, all the electrical parts are working intermittently, and transmission has been replaced twice. *ak”
“Wires in the hatchback are rubbing together which causes a short, and the back door won't open. Also, all the electrical parts are working intermittently, and transmission has been replaced twice. *ak”
“When starting the vehicle driver heard a loud noise, there was a smell of smoke and vehicle would not start. Mechanic stated that this was due to the battery exploding. The battery has been replaced. *ak”
“Door pillar too thick on the driver's/passenger's sides, obstructing rear view, causing a blind spot.”
Defect investigations
InvestigationEA95013 Opened 1995-03-31 · closed 1996-07-15
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1992 BMW 525 as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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