Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 5 of 24 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Latches/locks/linkages. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
1 crash reports1 fire reports0 injury reports
What owners actually said
24 reports
Mileage unknown · Dec 23, 2022
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other
RECAL 94V219000: Double-lock Feature GCM Revised. "The double-lock feature can engage with occupants and the door/ignition key inside of the vehicle. The occupants of the vehicle would be unable to exit either from the doors or from the windows of the vehicle." NOTE: IF YOUR VEHICLE IS PRESENTED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN A…
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RECAL 94V219000: Double-lock Feature GCM Revised. "The double-lock feature can engage with occupants and the door/ignition key inside of the vehicle. The occupants of the vehicle would be unable to exit either from the doors or from the windows of the vehicle." NOTE: IF YOUR VEHICLE IS PRESENTED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND THE REMEDY IS NOT PROVIDED FREE OF CHARGE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME OR THE REMEDY DOES NOT CORRECT THE DEFECT, CONTACT BMW AND THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE My car locked me in it and I was unable to exit exactly as described in this Recall. Called BMW and they are saying the recall was remedied. Clearly it is not corrected. BMW says they cant do anything. 1995 or not this is a serious safety issue, this car is perfectly safe running and driving vehicle besides this issue.
NHTSA ODI #11498676
100,000 miles · May 1, 2012
Latches/locks/linkages
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 BMW 525I. WHILE PARKED WITH THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION, THE OCCUPANT IN THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO OPEN ANY OF THE DOORS OR WINDOWS MANUALLY. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 94V219000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH) THAT COULD HAVE BEEN RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 BMW 525I. WHILE PARKED WITH THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION, THE OCCUPANT IN THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO OPEN ANY OF THE DOORS OR WINDOWS MANUALLY. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 94V219000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH) THAT COULD HAVE BEEN RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
NHTSA ODI #10457057
Mileage unknown · Jun 29, 2010
Latches/locks/linkages
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 BMW 525I. AFTER SITTING IDLE IN THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO EXIT BUT WAS LOCKED IN THE VEHICLE FOR OVER TEN MINUTES. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 94V219000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES: DOORS: LATCH) HOWEVER THE DEALER ADVISED HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. AN…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 BMW 525I. AFTER SITTING IDLE IN THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO EXIT BUT WAS LOCKED IN THE VEHICLE FOR OVER TEN MINUTES. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 94V219000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES: DOORS: LATCH) HOWEVER THE DEALER ADVISED HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. ANY REPAIRS WOULD BE AT THE EXPENSE OF THE CONTACT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10340617
153,537 miles · Feb 18, 2010
Latches/locks/linkages
OWNER OF 1995 BMW 525 WAS UNABLE TO EXIT CAR .WINDOWS WOULD NOT OPEN WITH KEY ON NOR DID SUNROOF OPEN. THE CAR WOULD NOT START. SOUTH BAY DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO HONOR RECALL NUMBER 94V219000 AS SO DID BMW HEADQUARTERS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10311630
Mileage unknown · Sep 9, 2008
Latches/locks/linkages
ON A HOT AFTERNOON IN SACRAMENTO, WE STOPPED IN A PARKING LOT AND SHUT OFF THE CAR PREPARING TO EXIT. THE WINDOWS OF THE BMW WERE UP AND WE WERE NOT ABLE TO OPEN THE DOORS. THE ENGINE WOULD NOT START AND WE WERE TRAPPED IN THE HOT CAR. FORTUNATELY WE HAD A CAR PHONE AND CALLED 911 FOR HELP. AFTER A FRIGHTENING HALF HOUR TRA…
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ON A HOT AFTERNOON IN SACRAMENTO, WE STOPPED IN A PARKING LOT AND SHUT OFF THE CAR PREPARING TO EXIT. THE WINDOWS OF THE BMW WERE UP AND WE WERE NOT ABLE TO OPEN THE DOORS. THE ENGINE WOULD NOT START AND WE WERE TRAPPED IN THE HOT CAR. FORTUNATELY WE HAD A CAR PHONE AND CALLED 911 FOR HELP. AFTER A FRIGHTENING HALF HOUR TRAPPED IN THE HOT LOCKED CAR WE WERE EXTRICATED. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO A GARAGE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10241640
147,813 miles · Aug 20, 2007
Latches/locks/linkages
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 BMW 525I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT DOOR FAILED TO UNLOCK AND THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW FELL DOWN INTO THE VEHICLE. THE PASSENGER SIDE AND REAR DOORS WILL OPEN, BUT SHE MUST OPEN THEM QUICKLY. THE CONTACT HAS BEEN LOCKED IN THE VEHICLE ONCE. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. NHTSA RECALL N…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 BMW 525I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT DOOR FAILED TO UNLOCK AND THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW FELL DOWN INTO THE VEHICLE. THE PASSENGER SIDE AND REAR DOORS WILL OPEN, BUT SHE MUST OPEN THEM QUICKLY. THE CONTACT HAS BEEN LOCKED IN THE VEHICLE ONCE. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 94V219000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH) WAS REFERENCED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 147,813.
NHTSA ODI #10200173
Mileage unknown · Aug 22, 2006
Engine And Engine CoolingFire
1995 BMW 525I CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE DRIVING. *TS THE FIRE STARTED UNDER THE HOOD. THE ENTIRE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED. THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES *NM
NHTSA ODI #10166907
112,000 miles · Apr 7, 2005
Power Train
TRANSMISSION SLIPPING. I HAVE A 1995 525 BMW WITH 112000 MILES. THE TRANSMISSION INSTANTLY ONE DAY SLIPPED AND THE INDICATOR LIGHT WENT ON TO SEE MY DEALER. I DID AND WAS TOLD THE TRANSMISSIONS ON BMW'S MUST BE REPLACED, THEY CANNOT BE FIXED OR REPAIRED. I CALLED BMW AND SPOKE TO A TIM IN CUSTOMER SERVICE. I ASKED FOR SOME TYPE …
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TRANSMISSION SLIPPING. I HAVE A 1995 525 BMW WITH 112000 MILES. THE TRANSMISSION INSTANTLY ONE DAY SLIPPED AND THE INDICATOR LIGHT WENT ON TO SEE MY DEALER. I DID AND WAS TOLD THE TRANSMISSIONS ON BMW'S MUST BE REPLACED, THEY CANNOT BE FIXED OR REPAIRED. I CALLED BMW AND SPOKE TO A TIM IN CUSTOMER SERVICE. I ASKED FOR SOME TYPE OF WARRANTY, AND WAS GIVEN A POLITE ANSWER OF 'NO' WE DON'T GIVE WARRANTIES TO ANYONE WHOSE CAR IS OVER THE WARRANTY. I TOLD HIM I WORKED FOR FORD FOR 20 YEARS, AND THEY HAD A REP COME OUT AND LOOK INTO EACH PROBLEM, EVEN IF OUT OF WARRANTY. TIM TOLD ME, BMW DOES NOT SEND REPS OUT TO DO THAT. I ASKED HIM WHO HIS BOSS WAS, I"LL TALK TO THEM. HE SAID HE DIDN' T HAVE A BOSS. I SAID, 'IF YOU REALLY WANTED TO HELP SOMEONE, YOU WOULD GET THEM A NEW TRANSMISSION FOR FREE, WOULDN'T YOU?" HE SAID 'YES' , WELL, THERE WAS MY ANSWER. HE DIDN'T WANT TO DO IT AT ALL. HE ALSO SAID AND CONFIRMED THAT THE TRANSMISSIONS ARE NOT ABLE TO BE TAKEN APART AND REPAIRED, THEY MUST BE REPLACED. THERE WAS NO HELP FROM BMW ON THIS PROBLEM. I DO HAVE A FEELING THAT TIM'S RELATIVES AND FRIENDS GET THEIR CARS REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY EVEN THOUGH OUT OF THE TIME LIMIT. BUT, JUST A COMPLAINT HERE. I AM SELLING THIS CAR AND GOING BACK TO A FORD. I DO KNOW THE TRANSMISSIONS LAST FAR LONGER THAN 112000 MILES, AND I DO KNOW THEY SEND REPS OUT TO TALK TO PEOPLE AND WORK WITH THEM ON THEIR VEHICLES. SOUNDS LIKE OLD HENRY DID IT RIGHT, A TRUE AMERICAN. LISTEN TO THE WORKER. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10116551
65,000 miles · Mar 30, 2004
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD. VEHICLE JUMPED ACROSS A CEMENT BARRIER AND COLLIDED WITH A WALL. THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. SIX MONTHS AGO THE SAME THING OCCURRED WITHOUT THE COLLISION.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10065276
Mileage unknown · Apr 17, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling
THE RADIATOR WAS REPLACED DUE TO A CRACK IN THE HOUSING. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE CRACK RESULTED FROM TOO MUCH PRESSURE IN THE COOLING SYSTEM. RELATED RECALL 98V178000. *NLM
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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 OUTER TUBE COULD CATCH ON THE EDGE OF THE BROKEN BUSHING.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD CAUSE THE THROTTLE VALVE TO REMAIN PARTIALLY OPEN. IT HIS WERE TO OCCUR, THE CAR MIGHT NOT DECELERATE AS EXPECTED INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: 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 DOUBLE-LOCK FEATURE CAN ENGAGE WITH OCCUPANTS AND THE DOOR/IGNITION KEY INSIDE THE VEHICLE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE OCCUPANTS OF THE VEHICLE WOULD BE UNABLE TO EXIT EITHER FROM THE DOORS OR FROM THE WINDOWS OF THE VEHICLE. DRIVE-AWAY PROTECTION WOULD PREVENT THE ENGINE FROM STARTING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE GENERAL CONTROL MODULE WITH ONE CONTAINING THE REVISED SOFTWARE TO PERMIT WINDOW OPENING WITH THE DOUBLE-LOCK ENGAGED AND KEY IN THE IGNITION.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
1995 BMW 525I Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year