MYRModel Year Report

1992 BMW 525I

○ Not enough data
1992 BMW 525I
RENDERED 2026-09-17T03:37:57.118Z

Only 18 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

Only 18 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict. The data below is complete but unranked.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, BMW 525I Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1992 highlighted. 1989: 4 complaints 1989 1990: 11 complaints 1991: 13 complaints 1992: 18 complaints 1992 1993: 5 complaints 1994: 7 complaints 1995: 24 complaints 1995 1998: 2 complaints 1999: 1 complaints 2000: 0 complaints 2000 2001: 22 complaints 2002: 28 complaints 2003: 32 complaints 2003 2004: 84 complaints 2005: 35 complaints 2006: 77 complaints 2006 2007: 72 complaints 2008: 1 complaints 2009: 1 complaints 2009 2010: 0 complaints 2011: 0 complaints 2011
1992: 18 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19894
199011
199113
199218
19935
19947
199524
19982
19991
20000
200122
200228
200332
200484
200535
200677
200772
20081
20091
20100
20110

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Only 18 complaints on file for this model year -- too few to rank by share. Raw counts only, below.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

13 of 18 total reports mention: engine and engine cooling, most commonly citing cooling system and manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe.

AIR BAGS

5 of 18 total reports mention: air bags, most commonly citing on-off switch assembly and inflator module.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

TL* 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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20141106

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20050630

WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS HIT ON THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT QUARTER PANEL. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. DRIVER WAS BURNED IN THE FACE AND CHEST. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 20040422

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

4 of 18 total reports mention: electrical system, most commonly citing interior/under dash and switch.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

SMOKE CAME FROM AIR VENTS WHILE DRIVING. CAR CABIN IGNITED IN FLAMES AFTER GETTING OUT OF CAR.

NHTSA ODI report, 19990725

BATTERY EXPLODED.

NHTSA ODI report, 19961210

STRUCTURE

2 of 18 total reports mention: structure, most commonly citing hinge and attachments and body.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

2 of 18 total reports mention: fuel system, gasoline, most commonly citing tank assembly and hoses, lines/piping, and fittings.

CRASH FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

CONSUMER WAS REARENDED WHILE TRAVELING ABOU 30-40MPH. UPON IMPACT, VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE, TOTALING THE VEHICLE, FIRE DEPARTEMENT UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE, FIRE MAYBE LINKED TO THE GAS FILLER AND THE TAILIGHTS.

NHTSA ODI report, 19990902

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 19960930 — air bags

THE AIR BAG CONTACT RING LOCKING TAB LOCATED IN THE STEERING WHEEL ASSEMBLY CAN BREAK WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LOCKING TAB WITH ONE OF A DIFFERENT DESIGN.

Campaign 96V110000 — check if this car was fixed

R 19960930 — exterior lighting

THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH CAN FAIL ALLOWING THE SWITCH TO REMAIN IN THE "BRAKE LIGHTS OFF" POSITION OR IN THE "BRAKE LIGHTS ON" POSITION.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE EXISTING BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH WITH A NEWLY DESIGNED SWITCH.

Campaign 96V111000 — check if this car was fixed

R 19971030 — vehicle speed control

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 ENVI

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SPRING STEEL CLIP ON THE OUTER TUBE OF EACH CABLE IN THE AREA OF THE ADJUSTING SCREW AND PLASTIC BUSHING. THE CLIP IS DESIGNED TO PREVENT THE OUTER TUBE FROM DISLODGING FROM TH

Campaign 97V131000 — check if this car was fixed

R 19990331 — engine and engine cooling

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 TEMPERAT

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW DESIGN RADIATOR CAP TO CONTROL PRESSURE AND PROVIDE GREATER COOLANT OVERFLOW IN THE EVENT OF OVERHEATING.

Campaign 98V178000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1992 BMW 525I — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (13 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for air bags issues (5 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (4 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 96V110000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 96V111000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 97V131000 (vehicle speed control) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 98V178000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

FAQ

Is the 1992 BMW 525I reliable?

There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on file yet to give this model year a verdict.

What are the most common problems with the 1992 BMW 525I?

The most-reported component is engine and engine cooling, accounting for 72% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1992 BMW 525I have?

4 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-09-16 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.