1990 BMW 525I problems
The 1990 BMW 525I has 51 complaints on file with NHTSA. The largest share (18%) concerns cooling system. After that come engine (12%) and lighting (12%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 51 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Cooling system 18% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 1 and 0
- Injuries and deaths
- 2 and 0
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
What the data shows
Safety-related details: 1 complaint mentions a crash; 2 injuries reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 1990 ranks 3rd most-complained-about out of 10 model years of the BMW 525I with enough data (28 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 3 safety recall campaigns.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
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.
Radiator cap failed, causing complete failure to radiator. However radiator is not covered under recall notice (98v-178).
While driving, coolant level warning light illuminated and consumer noticed white smoke coming from the rear of the vehicle, consumer found that water was in the oil due to a cracked head, consumer later received recall 98v178. *slc
(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.