1990 BMW 525I Problems
- Complaints
- 11filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 132,600miles, 2 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 3campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 18 mpgcombined, 2.5L 6-cyl RWD · 16 city / 21 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1990 BMW 525I (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 11 consumer complaints for the 1990 BMW 525I. The part named most often is engine cooling, with 6 complaints (55% of the total), followed by exterior lighting (5) and transmission and drivetrain (3). 2 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 132,600 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns and 1 technical service bulletin for this model year. Engine cooling complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign filed under the same part. Exterior lighting complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the switch 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.
- Engine cooling6 55%
- Exterior lighting5 45%
- Air bags2 18%
- Brakes2 18%
- Electrical system2 18%
- Fuel system2 18%
- Seats2 18%
- Steering2 18%
Also reported: Equipment (1), Body and structure (1), Suspension (1), Vehicle speed control (1), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1).
Example complaints
Engine cooling: “(1) my 1990 Bmw 525I started to over heat on august 01,2006. The temp gauge goes up 50% mark. The coolant level went down every day and I filled it up with distilled water to control the temperature, hoping that it would correct itself some time. (2) I could not drive the car on regular basis anymore. Within few days, I saw coolant overflowing and spray-out. Following this, I noticed slight rough idle and vibration. (3) realizing that driving the car was no more safe, I called westchester Bmw, white plains, ny. On emergency basis, the dealer accepted the car the following week for diagnosis. …”
NHTSA complaint #10165963, filed 2006-08, 140,201 milesAir bags: “Consumer was driving 30 MPH without vehicle collision occurring the driver's air bag deployed, causing the occupant to become injured. Please give any further details.”
NHTSA complaint #818991, filed 1997-11Mileage when problems were reported
0% of the 2 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 125,000 and 140,201 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1990 BMW 525I version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 525i RWD | 2.5L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 16 | 21 | 18 | $3,700 |
| 525i RWD | 2.5L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 16 | 23 | 18 | $3,700 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 98V178000Aug 4, 1998Engine and engine cooling › Cooling systemCovers: BMW 525I 1989–1995, 735I 1988–1995, 735ILA 1988–1995 +28 more
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. A malfunction or failure of a coolant system component, such as a thermostat, water pump, or fan belt, can result in significantly increased coolant temperature and system pressure. If the indications of a critical…
- 97V131000Aug 19, 1997Vehicle speed controlCovers: BMW 525I 1989–1995, 318I 1992–1997, 318IS 1992–1997 +12 more
The cruise control and throttle cables are attached to the same throttle valve actuating lever at the throttle housing. It is possible that the plastic bushing on either cable could break due to environmental influences coupled with vibration. If the bushing…
- 96V111000Jul 1, 1996Exterior lighting › Brake lights › SwitchCovers: BMW 525I 1990–1994, 325I 1992–1994, 735I 1990–1992 +11 more
The brake light switch can fail allowing the switch to remain in the "brake lights off" position or in the "brake lights on" position.
Recall details for the 1990 BMW 525I → · 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 525I
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 72 | 75,000 | 2 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2006 | 77 | 99,500 | 3 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2005 | 35 | 97,625 | 0 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 2004 | 84 | 89,314 | 0 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2003 | 32 | 42,188 | 2 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2002 | 29 | 77,500 | 4 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2001 | 22 | 94,495 | 4 | — | 20 | — | Falling |
| 1995 | 24 | 112,000 | 3 | — | 19 | — | Falling |
| 1994 | 7 | — | 4 | — | 19 | — | Not enough data |
| 1993 | 5 | 230,000 | 3 | — | 19 | — | Not enough data |
| 1992 | 18 | 101,000 | 4 | — | 18 | — | Stable |
| 1991 | 13 | 137,723 | 4 | — | 18 | — | Not enough data |
| 1990 | 11 | 132,600 | 3 | — | 18 | — | Not enough data |
All BMW 525I model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1990 BMW 525I have?
NHTSA recorded 11 consumer complaints for the 1990 BMW 525I as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1990 BMW 525I is reported most often?
Engine cooling is named most often, in 6 complaints (55% of the total), followed by exterior lighting with 5.
Has the 1990 BMW 525I been recalled?
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1990 BMW 525I get?
The EPA rates the 1990 BMW 525I (525i, 2.5L 6-cyl) at 18 mpg combined, 16 city and 21 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,700 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1990 BMW 525I reported?
Among the 2 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 132,600 miles and the middle half falls between 125,000 and 140,201 miles; 0% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
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.