BMW 525iA recall history

Comprehensive recall and complaint data for the BMW 525iA, sourced from official National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) records.

Last updated: (NHTSA data snapshot)

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At a Glance

Total Recalls 13
Total Complaints 18
Years Covered 1989–2002

Stats focus on model years from 1960 onwards. Earlier years appear in the detailed table below where data exists.

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Get plain-language explanations of recalls and complaints for the BMW 525iA. Powered by AI, backed by NHTSA data.

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Important: This assistant provides context from aggregated NHTSA data. Always check your specific VIN on NHTSA.gov for vehicle-specific recall information.

Key Takeaways

A quick scan of where recalls and complaints concentrate for the BMW 525iA, based on aggregated NHTSA counts and campaign metadata.

Recall Themes

Instead of listing long campaign narratives, this groups recall campaigns into a few recurring areas. Each theme links back to official notices as evidence.

Engine and cooling

3 campaigns · Years: 1989–1995, 2001

These campaigns relate to engine or cooling components where failures can lead to stalling or overheating risk.

Official notices (evidence):

Airbags

1 campaign · Years: 2001

These campaigns relate to airbag system components and deployment/airbag readiness issues.

Official notices (evidence):
  • 03V421000 · Air bags: Sensor/control module-inactive

Equipment and labeling

1 campaign · Years: 2002

These campaigns relate to equipment compliance, labeling, or tires.

Official notices (evidence):

Seats and restraints

1 campaign · Years: 1994–1995

These campaigns relate to seats, belts, airbags restraint integration, or child restraint anchoring components.

Official notices (evidence):

Most Reported Issues

Across all model years, the most frequently reported areas for the BMW 525iA in NHTSA complaint data are Air bags, Engine and engine cooling:cooling system, Electrical system.

Jump to Model Year

Year-by-Year Overview

Each row shows how often this model appears in NHTSA recalls and consumer complaints for a given model year. These are counts of campaigns and complaints, not risk predictions.

Model Year Recalls Complaints Details
2002 1 4 Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Air bags, Engine.
2001 3 1 Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Vehicle speed control.
1995 2 4 Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Air bags, Engine and engine cooling:cooling system, Engine and engine cooling:engine.
1994 2 6 Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Engine and engine cooling:cooling system, Electrical system, Visibility:windshield wiper/washer.
1993 1 1 Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Power train:automatic transmission.
1992 1 1 Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Exterior lighting:brake lights:switch.
1991 1 1 Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Visibility:windshield.
1990 1 0 Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary.
1989 1 0 Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary.

What to Do Next

Check Your VIN on NHTSA.gov

Recall Evidence by Year

A compact evidence view of recall campaigns that include this model. The default text is an original summary line, with official notice text available on demand.

Most common areas involved: Engine and engine cooling , Latches/locks/linkages and Tires

Show recall evidence by year

2002

  • Tires: Sidewall: Safety recall involving the tires area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (01V352000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: Vehicle description: during the tire mounting process on certain passenger vehicles built with standard (non-sport) suspension and equipped with continental contitouringcontact ch95 ecoplus tires, size 225/65r16 95h, having dot codes 4001, 4101, or 4201, the outer sidewall surface of the tires ma

2001

  • Engine and engine cooling: Fan: Safety recall involving the engine and engine cooling area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (01V206000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The engine auxiliary/cooling fan operation, including variable speed, is electronically controlled. Failure of the fan motor can cause the electrical circuitry of the fan control unit to overload and fail, causing the fan to stop operating.
  • Engine and engine cooling: Fan: Safety recall involving the engine and engine cooling area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (02V138000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: On certain passenger vehicles, the engine auxiliary/cooling fan operation, including variable speed, is electronically controlled. Failure of the fan motor can cause the electrical circuitry of the fan control unit to overload and fail, causing the fan to stop operating.
  • Air bags: Sensor/control module-inactive: Safety recall involving the air bags area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (03V421000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: On certain passenger vehicles, a microprocessor in the air bag control module, which activates the front air bags, the side air bags, the front seat safety belt pretensioners, and the battery safety terminal, may have a malfunction that could lead to an unintended activation of one or more of the

1995

  • Latches/locks/linkages: Safety recall involving the latches/locks/linkages area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (94V219000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: The double-lock feature can engage with occupants and the door/ignition key inside the vehicle.
  • Engine and engine cooling: Cooling system: Safety recall involving the engine and engine cooling area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (98V178000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: 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 overheating condition is not noticed by t

1994

  • Latches/locks/linkages: Safety recall involving the latches/locks/linkages area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (94V219000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: The double-lock feature can engage with occupants and the door/ignition key inside the vehicle.
  • Engine and engine cooling: Cooling system: Safety recall involving the engine and engine cooling area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (98V178000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: 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 overheating condition is not noticed by t

1993

  • Engine and engine cooling: Cooling system: Safety recall involving the engine and engine cooling area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (98V178000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: 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 overheating condition is not noticed by t

1992

  • Engine and engine cooling: Cooling system: Safety recall involving the engine and engine cooling area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (98V178000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: 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 overheating condition is not noticed by t

1991

  • Engine and engine cooling: Cooling system: Safety recall involving the engine and engine cooling area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (98V178000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: 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 overheating condition is not noticed by t

1990

  • Engine and engine cooling: Cooling system: Safety recall involving the engine and engine cooling area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (98V178000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: 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 overheating condition is not noticed by t

1989

  • Engine and engine cooling: Cooling system: Safety recall involving the engine and engine cooling area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (98V178000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: 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 overheating condition is not noticed by t

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Recall Explained provides independent analysis of official NHTSA data. This site does not replace the official NHTSA VIN lookup and should not be treated as legal or safety advice for your specific vehicle.

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