Independent · Not affiliated with NHTSA or any automaker MethodologyData sourcesData refreshed Oct 6, 2026

1991 BMW 525: Problems, Recalls and MPG

What this means

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 1991 BMW 525, most recently filed April 1994. Owners have filed 15 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the air bags.

Data summary generated from official records. Methodology Data: NHTSA, DOT, EPA · Refreshed Oct 6, 2026
Caution Fewer than 50 complaints filed. With this few reports, patterns may not be meaningful.
Compare

Recalls (2)

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 1991 BMW 525. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗

Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.

Check on NHTSA ↗
Listed for 1991 BMW 525. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 94V066000 Filed Apr 11, 1994

FUEL:FUEL LINES FITTINGS:METALLIC

Fuel system, gasoline · delivery · hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Official NHTSA text
Summary
FEED FUEL HOSES CAN HARDEN AND "SET" OVER TIME, ALLOWING A SEEPAGE OF FUEL AT THE CONNECTION BETWEEN THE HOSE AND THE ENGINE FITTING. THE CLAMP USED TO HOLD THE HOSE TO THE FITTING IS UNABLE TO COMPENSATE FOR THE HARDENING OF THE FEED FUEL HOSE.
Consequence
FUEL SEEPAGE BETWEEN THE FEED FUEL HOSE AND THE ENGINE FITTING CAN RESULT IN FREE FUEL IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A FIRE WHEN EXPOSED TO A SOURCE OF IGNITION.
Remedy
A REDESIGNED FEED FUEL HOSE AND HOSE CLAMP WILL BE INSTALLED TO ALLEVIATE THE FUEL SEEPAGE.
Repair progress not yet reported116,300 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 94V066000
Listed for 1991 BMW 525. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 91V029000 Filed Feb 15, 1991

FUEL:THROTTLE LINKAGES AND CONTROL:SOLENOID:VALVES

Vehicle speed control
Official NHTSA text
Summary
INSUFFICIENT AXIAL CLEARANCE EXISTS FOR THROTTLE VALVE, SHAFT, AND HOUSING DUE TO THE DIFFERENT THERMAL EXPANSION RATES OF THE SEPARATE PARTS WHEN VEHICLE REACHES NORMAL OPERATING TEMPERATURES AND AMBIENT TEMPERATURE IS 40 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT OR LESS.
Consequence
THE LIMITED AXIAL CLEARANCE CAN CAUSE THE MOVEMENT OF THETHROTTLE VALVE TO BE IMPEDED, THE VALVE IS UNABLE TO CLOSE. THIS IMPEDANCE WOULDKEEP THE VEHICLE FROM DECELERATING AT THE USUAL RATE AFTER THE GAS PEDAL ISRELEASED; THIS COULD CAUSE UNEXPECTED MAINTENANCE OF SPEED AND AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy
INSPECT AND REPAIR THE VEHICLE BY REPLACING THROTTLE HOUSING IF INSUFFICIENT AXIAL CLEARANCE IS FOUND.
Repair progress not yet reported5,644 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 91V029000

PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.

Owner complaints (15)

15 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The air bags is mentioned most often.

3involved a crash
2involved a fire
4injuries reported
0deaths reported

As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.

Most-reported components

Complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1991 BMW 525, by component (top 9). One complaint can list several components, so these add up to more than 15.Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints · Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 · Report a data error

How 1991 compares with other 525 years

Best and worst 525 years →
1 3 7 15 14 3 8 15 1 2
1985198919901991199219931994199519971998
This year (1991)Other yearsStill collecting reports

Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Used blue SUV on a sunny dealer lot with its hood open and a clipboard on the fender

Looking at a 1991 525 for sale?

Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.

All 525 years

Where to next

1991 BMW 525 FAQ

How many recalls does the 1991 BMW 525 have?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns: 94V066000 (fuel system), 91V029000 (vehicle speed control). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.

What are the most common 1991 BMW 525 problems?

Owners filed 15 complaints with NHTSA. Air bags (3), Vehicle speed control (3), Electrical system (2) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.

How does the 1991 525 compare with other years?

Among the 1985–1998 BMW 525 model years at least five years old, the 1985 drew the fewest complaints (1) and the 1995 the most (15). The 1991 drew 15. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.

How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes

Processing

  • Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
  • Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.

Limitations

  • Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
  • Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
  • Recent model years are still collecting reports.

Review

Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.

Changelog

  • 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.
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