2002 BMW 525I Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 2about this part
- Share
- 7%of 29 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 75,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 2 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2002 BMW 525I, 7% of the 29 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 75,000 miles.
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.
“Engine overheating warning sounded. Looked at indicator and it was all the way in the red. Pulled over immediately. 30 seconds later the radiator blew with the force of an explosion, shooting coolant about five feet across the street even though the hood was down. Opened hood and found a hole in top of radiator, more than an inch in diameter. I would have opened hood before it blew so I came within half a minute of being badly burned. My mechanic said it happens regularly with Bmw 525's. He said it happens around 80,000 miles. My car had 75,000 miles. …”
NHTSA complaint #10277320, filed 2009-07, 75,000 miles“While driving smelled rubber burning. Then consumer noticed smoke coming from under the hood. She pulled over and shut off engine. Ther ewa sno fire. Consumer had cooling fan replaced 4 weeks ago. Vehicle towed to dealer who determined it was cooling system failure.”
NHTSA complaint #898270, filed 2001-10Related service bulletins
- 10247567Dec 20, 2023Engine will crank but not start. There is no communication with the integrated fuel module (TFE) whendiagnosing with ISTA. The following two fault codes will be stored in the…
Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 3 | 4% |
| 2006 | 3 | 4% |
| 2004 | 1 | 1% |
| 2003 | 1 | 3% |
| 2002 | 2 | 7% |
| 2001 | 4 | 18% |
| 1995 | 4 | 17% |
| 1994 | 3 | 43% |
| 1993 | 3 | 60% |
| 1992 | 7 | 39% |
| 1991 | 5 | 38% |
| 1990 | 6 | 55% |
Other parts of the 2002 BMW 525I
9 complaintsElectrical system
5 complaintsSeats
5 complaintsBody and structure
4 complaintsOther or unknown
3 complaintsSeat belts
3 complaintsFuel system
2 complaintsBrakes
1 complaintsElectronic stability control
1 complaintsEquipment
1 complaintsExterior lighting
1 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2002 BMW 525I
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.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology