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 14 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.
Electrical System. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
3 crash reports3 fire reports1 injury reports
What owners actually said
14 reports
Mileage unknown · Jun 6, 2001
Parking BrakePower TrainCrash
IN MAY OF 1998 VEHICLE'S PARKING BRAKE FAILED AND ALLOWED VEHICLE TO ROLL ACROSS A PARKING LOT, STRIKING ANOTHER VEHICLE WHICH CAUSED APPROXIMATELY $2000.00 DAMAGE TO THE REAR END OF VEHICLE. THEN, IN MAY OF 2001, PARKING BRAKE FAILED AGAIN WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK, ALLOWING VEHICLE TO ROLL FORWARD INTO A TREE, CAUSING A…
Read full complaint
IN MAY OF 1998 VEHICLE'S PARKING BRAKE FAILED AND ALLOWED VEHICLE TO ROLL ACROSS A PARKING LOT, STRIKING ANOTHER VEHICLE WHICH CAUSED APPROXIMATELY $2000.00 DAMAGE TO THE REAR END OF VEHICLE. THEN, IN MAY OF 2001, PARKING BRAKE FAILED AGAIN WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK, ALLOWING VEHICLE TO ROLL FORWARD INTO A TREE, CAUSING APPROXIMATELY $10,000.00 DAMAGE TO FRONT END. DEALERSHIP/MANUFACTURER WERE UNCOOPERATIVE IN HANDLING THIS PROBLEM. *AK THE VEHICLE JUMPED OUT OF PARK INTO REVERSE OR NEUTRAL OWN IT OWN CAUSING ACCIDENT. *YH
NHTSA ODI #889857
Mileage unknown · Jul 22, 1999
Engine And Engine CoolingFire
THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AT 30 MPH SMELLED SMOKE AND SAW SMOKE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER JUMPED OUT OF VEHICLE, AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME OUT TO PUT OUT THE FIRE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #842964
Mileage unknown · Apr 22, 1999
Electrical SystemPower Train
WIRES IN THE HATCHBACK ARE RUBBING TOGETHER WHICH CAUSES A SHORT, AND THE BACK DOOR WON'T OPEN. ALSO, ALL THE ELECTRICAL PARTS ARE WORKING INTERMITTENTLY, AND TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #837032
Mileage unknown · Jul 1, 1998
Power Train
GEAR SHIFTS WHILE THE ENGINE IS OFF AND THE CAR IS IN PARK, RESULTED IN A VEHICLE COLLISION.
NHTSA ODI #537286
Mileage unknown · Jun 24, 1997
Electrical System
WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE DRIVER HEARD A LOUD NOISE, THERE WAS A SMELL OF SMOKE AND VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. MECHANIC STATED THAT THIS WAS DUE TO THE BATTERY EXPLODING. THE BATTERY HAS BEEN REPLACED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #813435
Mileage unknown · Feb 20, 1997
Air BagsCrash
VEHICLE REAR ENDED ANOTHER GOING ABOUT 35 MPH AND THERE WAS NO DEPLOYMENT OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG. THE WHOLE FRONT END WAS DAMAGED, NOT SEEN BY DEALER. *AK
NHTSA ODI #807772
Mileage unknown · Dec 4, 1996
Visibility
DOOR PILLAR TOO THICK ON THE DRIVER'S/PASSENGER'S SIDES, OBSTRUCTING REAR VIEW, CAUSING A BLIND SPOT.
NHTSA ODI #512228
Mileage unknown · Oct 22, 1996
Power Train
DURING VEHICLE OPERATION WHEN GOING FROM 4TH TO 3RD GEAR AT ABOUT 40-45 MPH, THE VEHICLE WILL AUTOMATICALLY DOWNSHIFT TO 1ST GEAR. *AK
NHTSA ODI #803886
Mileage unknown · Jul 8, 1996
Power Train
THE AIR CONDITIONER IS NOT ENOUGH, TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED AND BAD GAS FUMES IN THE CAR . PLEASE DESCRIBE . *AK
NHTSA ODI #986587
Mileage unknown · Mar 15, 1996
Electrical SystemFire
PURCHASED CAR NEW, CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AND SMOKE STARTED TO COME FROM THE DASH, PULLED OVER AND CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE. PLEASE DESCRIBE . *AK
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 & remedy
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.
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
1
EA95013 · Air Bag Wiring Failure
Opened Mar 31, 1995 · Closed Jul 15, 1996
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags
There is no summary currently available
1992 BMW 525 Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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