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: 0 of 3 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.
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Air Bags. Review the 1 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 reports0 fire reports1 injury reports
What owners actually said
3 reports
Mileage unknown · Dec 7, 2001
Air BagsCrashInjury
CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WHERE THE FRONT OF HER VEHICLE SMASHED INTO THE RIGHT REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE, CONSUMERS AIR BAG DEPLOYED, CAUSING A DEEP LACERATION TO HER ARM, AND SEVERE DISCOLORATION TO HER FOREARM, CONSUMER CONTINUES TO UNDERGO TREATMENT AND BELIEVES THAT THE DESIGN OF THE AIR BAG AND ITS SUBSEQUENT DEPL…
Read full complaint
CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WHERE THE FRONT OF HER VEHICLE SMASHED INTO THE RIGHT REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE, CONSUMERS AIR BAG DEPLOYED, CAUSING A DEEP LACERATION TO HER ARM, AND SEVERE DISCOLORATION TO HER FOREARM, CONSUMER CONTINUES TO UNDERGO TREATMENT AND BELIEVES THAT THE DESIGN OF THE AIR BAG AND ITS SUBSEQUENT DEPLOYMENT WAS THE CAUSE OF HER INJURIES. *SLC
NHTSA ODI #563844
Mileage unknown · Apr 12, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
BMW ACKNOWLEDGED DEFECT IN RADIATOR CAP ON THIS SPECIFIC VEHICLE SAYING IT CAN CAUSE EXCESSIVE PRESSURE TO BUILD UP IN SYSTEM, BUT WILL NOT REPAIR PROBLEMS THAT IT CAUSES FROM THE DEFECTIVE PART. *AK
NHTSA ODI #721382
Mileage unknown · Sep 21, 1999
Engine And Engine Cooling
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED RECALL COMPONENT FAILURE PRIOR TO NOTICE RESULTING IN EXTENSIVE ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM REPAIRS (98V-178). MJS
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 AIR BAG CONTACT RING LOCKING TAB LOCATED IN THE STEERING WHEEL ASSEMBLY CAN BREAK WITHOUT WARNING.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THIS HAPPENS, THE CONTACT RING WIRING COULD EVENTUALLY BREAK. THE AIR BAG READINESS INDICATOR LAMP (SRS OR AIRBAG) IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WILL ILLUMINATE, AND THE AIR BAG WOULD NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF A FRONTAL IMPACT VEHICLE COLLISION.
Remedy: 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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THIS HAPPENS, THE BRAKE LIGHTS EITHER WILL NOT OPERATE OR WILL BE CONTINUOUSLY ON, REGARDLESS OF BRAKE PEDAL POSITION. FOLLOWING DRIVERS WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE VEHICLE IS STOPPING, INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE EXISTING BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH WITH A NEWLY DESIGNED SWITCH.
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.
1992 BMW 535I Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
Illustration