1992 BMW 525I
Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1992 BMW 525I is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 85 on record.
1992 BMW 525I at a glance
Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.
1992 BMW 525I recalls 4
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 THE DRIVER, IT IS POSSIBLE THAT DAMAGE TO, OR FAILURE OF, A COOLANT SYSTEM COMPONENT COULD OCCUR.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW DESIGN RADIATOR CAP TO CONTROL PRESSURE AND PROVIDE GREATER COOLANT OVERFLOW IN THE EVENT OF OVERHEATING.
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 ENVIRONMENTAL INFLUENCES COUPLED WITH VIBRATION. IF THE BUSHING BREAKS, THE OUTER CABLE HOUSING CAN SEPARATE FROM THE BUSHING. IN THIS CASE, DURING APPLICATION OF THE THROTTLE PEDAL WITHOUT CRUISE CONTROL BEING ENGAGED, THE …
Fix: 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 THE BUSHING.
THE AIR BAG CONTACT RING LOCKING TAB LOCATED IN THE STEERING WHEEL ASSEMBLY CAN BREAK WITHOUT WARNING.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LOCKING TAB WITH ONE OF A DIFFERENT DESIGN.
THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH CAN FAIL ALLOWING THE SWITCH TO REMAIN IN THE "BRAKE LIGHTS OFF" POSITION OR IN THE "BRAKE LIGHTS ON" POSITION.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE EXISTING BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH WITH A NEWLY DESIGNED SWITCH.
Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.
1992 BMW 525I common problems
The most-reported problem areas across all 26 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.
1992 BMW 525I MPG & running costs
Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 2 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.
Estimated 5-year cost to own
A rough guide to what running a 1992 BMW 525I costs over five years and 75,000 miles.
How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.
Dimensions & weight
Manufacturer-reported figures for the 1992 BMW 525I — ranges cover the 2 body / drivetrain versions on record. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.
Investigations & service bulletins
Manufacturer service bulletins 4
Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered.
The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.
Bulletin B510819 · Electrical System, Visibility · Jan 2024ANNOUNCEMENT THAT OWNERS OF VEHICLES INVOLVED IN RECALLS 96V110 AND 96V111 WILL BE COMBINED INTO ONE MAILING. *TW
Bulletin MSG1117 · Oct 1996RECALL 96V111 - THIS RECALL CAMPAIGN INVOLVES THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. *TW
Bulletin MSG1016 · Exterior Lighting · Oct 1996RECALL 96V110 - BMW OF NORTH AMERICA HAS INITIATED A RECALL CAMPAIGN WHICH INVOLVES THE AIRBAG CONTACT RING LOCKING TAB. *TW
Bulletin MSG0415 · Air Bags · Oct 1996Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the 525I. Model-year data, not specific to one car.
About the BMW 525I
The BMW 5 Series is an executive car manufactured and marketed by BMW since 1972. It is the successor to the BMW New Class sedans and is currently in its eighth generation. The car is sold as either a sedan or, since 1991, a station wagon. A 5-door fastback was sold between 2009 and 2017. Each successive generation has been given an internal G-code designation since 2017. Previously, a F-code designation was used between 2010 and 2016, while an E-code designation was used between 1972 and 2010. These are used to distinguish each model and generation from each other.
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.
1992 BMW 525I vehicles on record
1992 BMW 525IWBAHD61000BK76771
1992 BMW 525IWBAHD61050BK26870
1992 BMW 525IWBAHD61050BK84090
1992 BMW 525IWBAHD61060BK77827
1992 BMW 525IWBAHD61020BK77954
1992 BMW 525IWBAHD51090BG46287
1992 BMW 525IWBAHD51090BG19638
1992 BMW 525IWBAHD51060BG48577
1992 BMW 525IWBAHD51020BG50004
1992 BMW 525IWBAHD51090BG54129
1992 BMW 525IWBAHD51030BG31512
1992 BMW 525IWBAHD510X0BG09040
1992 BMW 525IWBAHD51080BG18836
1992 BMW 525IWBAHD51040BG46018
1992 BMW 525IWBAHJ61010GC00734
1992 BMW 525IWBAHD61080BK86349
1992 BMW 525IWBAHD51050BG28143
1992 BMW 525IWBAHD51060BG24800
1992 BMW 525IWBAHD51020BG38113
1992 BMW 525IWBAHD51050BG06224
1992 BMW 525IWBAHD51090BG02810
1992 BMW 525IWBAHD51010BG48843
1992 BMW 525IWBAHD81080GC31627
1992 BMW 525IWBAHD51080BG50394