BMW 525 Problems by Year
NHTSA has 21 owner complaints and 1 safety recall on file for the BMW 525, across 5 model years (1995–2002). The 1995 model year has the most complaints (15). The most reported problem area overall is air bags.
BMW 525 years to avoid? What the complaint data shows
These model years drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical 525 year: 1995. Look at what owners reported before buying one, and check the VIN for open recalls.
Model years with the most complaints
Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold or how long each year has been on the road, so newer and less popular years naturally have fewer complaints. Use them to spot problem patterns, not as a safety ranking.
Most common BMW 525 problems (all years)
| Problem area | Complaints | Model years | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Bags | 5 | 2 | 4 |
| Visibility | 5 | 2 | 0 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 4 | 2 | 0 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 4 | 2 | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Equipment | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Structure | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Suspension | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Electrical System | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Power Train | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Wheels | 1 | 1 | 1 |
All BMW 525 model years
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Crash rating | Top problem | Compared with other years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 525 | 0 | 1 | — | — | |
| 2001 525 | 3 | 1 | — | Air Bags | |
| 1998 525 | 2 | 0 | — | Structure | |
| 1997 525 | 1 | 0 | — | Wheels | |
| 1995 525 | 15 | 0 | — | Air Bags | Far more complaints than other years |
More from BMW: all BMW models · BMW VIN decoder
Frequently asked questions
Which BMW 525 years should you stay away from?
By NHTSA complaints, 1995 (15) drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical 525 year. Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, and newer years have had less time to collect complaints.
What is the biggest problem with the BMW 525?
Air Bags, with 5 complaints across 2 model years.
How many recalls does the BMW 525 have?
1 safety recall across all model years. Each model year page lists its recalls and fixes.