1990 BMW 525 Problems
- Complaints
- 7filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- —no mileage reported
- Recalls
- 2campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1990 BMW 525 (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error
NHTSA recorded 7 consumer complaints for the 1990 BMW 525. The part named most often is seat belts, with 2 complaints (29% of the total), followed by seats (2) and steering (2). Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 1 technical service bulletin for this model year. Seat belts complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the buckle assembly filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Seat belts2 29%
- Seats2 29%
- Steering2 29%
- Engine cooling1 14%
- Exterior lighting1 14%
- Fuel system1 14%
Example complaints
Seat belts: “Driver's seat belt failed to unlock after use. Locking mechanism broke. Also, seat adjuster rail had collapsed, causing seat to lean towards the right when going up hill. Taking vehicle to dealer to check.”
NHTSA complaint #853802, filed 1999-12Engine cooling: “Cooling system failed due to excessive pressure. Said defect is now the subject of a recall to fix the admitted defect by Bmw of north america inc, recall no. 98v-178000.”
NHTSA complaint #705943, filed 1999-04Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Recalls and investigations
- 94V066000Apr 11, 1994Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsCovers: BMW 525 1989–1993, 325 1989–1993, 318 1989–1993 +2 more
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.
- 90V016000Jan 30, 1990Seat belts › Front › Buckle assemblyCovers: BMW 525 1989–1990, 750 1988–1990, 735 1988–1990 +1 more
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.
Recall details for the 1990 BMW 525 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 1 on record; the latest 1 are shown.
- 10249437Jan 16, 2024Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors), Electrical system. The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.
Other model years of the BMW 525
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | 15 | — | 0 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 1994 | 8 | — | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1992 | 14 | — | 1 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1991 | 15 | — | 2 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 1990 | 7 | — | 2 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1990 BMW 525 have?
NHTSA recorded 7 consumer complaints for the 1990 BMW 525 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1990 BMW 525 is reported most often?
Seat belts is named most often, in 2 complaints (29% of the total), followed by seats with 2.
Has the 1990 BMW 525 been recalled?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.