BMW 525IModel year report

1991 BMW 525I Problems

Complaints: 13filed with NHTSA
Median mileage: 137,723miles, 2 complaints with mileage
Recalls: 4campaigns 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 · 15 city / 23 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 1991 BMW 525I (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 13 consumer complaints for the 1991 BMW 525I. The part named most often is engine cooling, with 5 complaints (38% of the total), followed by electrical system (3) and air bags (2). 2 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 137,723 miles. Of all complaints, 2 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns and 1 technical service bulletin for this model year. Engine cooling complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign filed under the same part. Electrical system complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin 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.

Also reported: Vehicle speed control (1).

Example complaints

Engine cooling: “Fluid leaks since '11/95. Have had a total of 3 coils replaced; r/r lower timing cover, replaced gaskets/new drive belts - r/r oil pan and replaced gasket to the tune of $1,125.00 at 39,243 miles. Waranty is 4 yrs./50k miles. Asked for an adjustment due to low mileage and highly unusual problems. Received form letter saying sorry, car is out of warranty. This $45k+ auto”

NHTSA complaint #701020, filed 1998-11

Electrical system: “I parked my car in the garage as usual. When I went out to leave home the steering was locked. Nothing out of the ordinary was done after parking it or when attempting to start it. The lights for the radio came on, the windshield wiper works, the lights on the console light up, but the steering wheel is locked and the key will not turn more than a few centimeters.”

NHTSA complaint #10481271, filed 2012-10, 167,446 miles

Air bags: “Traveling 65mph going around a curb when suddenly, the driver's side air bag deployed for no reason. It obstructed the driver's view. Had not hit anything & no other vehicle had hit Bmw. Steering wheel had to be taped to be driven.”

NHTSA complaint #830898, filed 1998-11

Exterior lighting: “The trunk appears to be closed and can still be unlocked with the trunk light on causing the battery to run down, which in turn upset the door lock program which is still having problems. Nlm”

NHTSA complaint #552975, filed 2000-07

Mileage 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 108,000 and 167,446 miles.

Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (2 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 137,723 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 1991 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	15	23	18	$4,550
525i RWD	2.5L 6-cyl	5-speed manual	15	23	18	$4,550
525i RWD	2.5L 6-cyl	4-speed automatic	15	17	15	$5,500

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, 1998
Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system
Covers: 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, 1997
Vehicle speed control
Covers: 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…
96V110000Jul 1, 1996
Air bags › Frontal
Covers: BMW 525I 1991–1992, 850I 1991–1992, 735I 1991–1992 +9 more
The air bag contact ring locking tab located in the steering wheel assembly can break without warning.
96V111000Jul 1, 1996
Exterior lighting › Brake lights › Switch
Covers: 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 1991 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, 2024Electrical system, Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors). 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 1991 BMW 525I have?

NHTSA recorded 13 consumer complaints for the 1991 BMW 525I as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 1991 BMW 525I is reported most often?

Engine cooling is named most often, in 5 complaints (38% of the total), followed by electrical system with 3.

Has the 1991 BMW 525I been recalled?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 1991 BMW 525I get?

The EPA rates the 1991 BMW 525I (525i, 2.5L 6-cyl) at 18 mpg combined, 15 city and 23 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,550 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 1991 BMW 525I reported?

Among the 2 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 137,723 miles and the middle half falls between 108,000 and 167,446 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 29, 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.