- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- If a crack were to form or a seam were to separate in the heater core end piece, hot coolant could suddenly be expelled, increasing the risk of personal injury to a vehicle occupant.
- The fix
- Dealers will install a new design radiator cap to control pressure and provide greater coolant overflow in the event of overheating.
Engine & cooling
1990 BMW 525I Engine problems
Owners have filed 3 complaints about the 1990 BMW 525I's engine & cooling with NHTSA - 27% of all its complaints, most recently on August 18, 2006. Stalling, loss of power, oil consumption, overheating, head gaskets, timing chains and engine failure.
- Complaints
- 3
- Recalls
- 1
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
Engine recalls for the 1990 BMW 525I
Engine complaints
(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....
Read the full complaint
On emergency basis, the dealer accepted the car the following week for diagnosis. On august 14 2006, the dealer concluded it is coolant leaking in the engine and outside the engine. No parts were repaired and replaced because the engine work specified by the dealer was expensive. I took the car back home. Can not drive it anymore. *Jb
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
Radiator cap failed, causing complete failure to radiator. However radiator is not covered under recall notice (98v-178). *Yc
BMW 525I engine complaints by year
525I engine problems, every yearSource: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data