1992 BMW 525I Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 28%of 18 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 97,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the air bags of the 1992 BMW 525I, 28% of the 18 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 97,500 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The air bag contact ring locking tab located in the steering wheel assembly broke without warning. It was noticeable, a click or grab type feel, wherever the steering wheel was turned and I immediately took the car to my Bmw shop to correct. I am not sure what was accomplished but the click was removed. On recalls for bmws this fault was limited to the 3 series and not a 5 series which I own. I had reported this earlier but didn't receive any response from the ntsb so therefore I am resubmitting.”
NHTSA complaint #10150229, filed 2006-02, 90,000 miles“Dt: vehicle was involved in an frontal impact the air bags deployed, however the consumer sustained 3rd degree burns to the chin area, and had to have root canal work on a tooth. The vehicle was totaled. No repairs were made. There was a small deployment and it was like it was fire, red flaming area on the air bag that actually ignited.”
NHTSA complaint #10127190, filed 2005-06, 96,000 miles“I am wondering how the manufacture determines which vehicles are affected by a particuliar recall. A couple of examples, I have a 1992 Bmw 525I and have experienced two failures related to recalls one concerned the ring in the steering column related to the airbag broke and had to be replaced and the other had to do with the cooling system where the termostat stuck and the pressure cracked the radiator. These failure occurred a few years back and I would ned to check my maintenance records to get the exact dates.”
NHTSA complaint #10118557, filed 2005-04“The contact owns a 1992 Bmw 525I. The contact stated that while driving at an unknown speed, another vehicle crashed into the vehicle. The contact stated that the air bag deployed causing severe burns. The contact required medical attention for the third degree burns to her face and neck. A police report was filed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure was 99,000. The VIN was unavailable.”
NHTSA complaint #10653182, filed 2014-11, 99,000 milesRelated recalls
- 96V110000Jul 1, 1996The air bag contact ring locking tab located in the steering wheel assembly can break without warning.Covers: BMW 525I 1991–1992, 850I 1991–1992, 735I 1991–1992 +9 more
Air bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 25 | 35% |
| 2006 | 44 | 57% |
| 2005 | 22 | 63% |
| 2004 | 33 | 39% |
| 2003 | 10 | 31% |
| 2002 | 9 | 31% |
| 2001 | 4 | 18% |
| 1995 | 1 | 4% |
| 1992 | 5 | 28% |
| 1991 | 2 | 15% |
| 1990 | 2 | 18% |
Other parts of the 1992 BMW 525I
7 complaintsElectrical system
4 complaintsFuel system
2 complaintsBody and structure
2 complaintsBrakes
1 complaintsTires
1 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1992 BMW 525I
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Nov 1, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology