Newest first. Many cover only part of a model year, so check your VIN with BMW before booking a repair.
Transport Canada · listed for this model year
On certain vehicles, failure of a cooling system component such as thermostat, water pump or fan belt can result in a significant increase in coolant temperature and system pressure. Increased system pressure could result the formation of a crack or separation of a seam in the heater core end piece which would cause hot coolant to be expelled from the heater core. This hot fluid could contact car occupants resulting in possible personal injury and/or fogging of the interior window surfaces. Correction: Radiator cap will be replaced with a new design cap in order to avoid buildup of excessive pressure in the cooling system.
1998197 · 22,752 units in campaign · Transport Canada
Applies only if the manufacturer confirms your VIN · repair by an authorized dealer
On certain 318IC, 318IS, 318TI, 325I, 325IC, 325IS, 525I, 525IT, 530I, 530IT, 540I, 740I, 740IL, 840CI and M3, the cruise control and throttle cable 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 causing the outer cable housing to separate from the bushing. Throttle pedal application without cruise control engagement could cause the outer tube to catch on the edge of the broken bushing resulting in the throttle valve remaining partially open. If this were to occur, the car might not decelerate as expected and a crash could occut. Correction: A spring clip will be installed on the outer tube of each cable to prevent dislodgment from the bushing.
1997173 · 17,879 units in campaign · Transport Canada
Applies only if the manufacturer confirms your VIN · repair by an authorized dealer
On certain 318I, 318IS, 325I, 325IS, 525I, 525IT, 535I, 735I, 735IL, 750IL, 850I and M5, the locking tab for the airbag contact ring in the steering wheel assembly could break without warning. If this happens it is possible that the contact ring wiring could break. This would cause the readiness indicator lamp ("SRS" or "AIRBAG") to illuminate and in such a case the airbag would not be available for deployment in a frontal impact. Correction: Locking tab will be replaced with one of a different design.
1996159 · 2,617 units in campaign · Transport Canada
Applies only if the manufacturer confirms your VIN · repair by an authorized dealer
On certain 325I, 325IC, 325IS, 525I, 525IT, 530I, 530IT, 535I, 540I, 735I, 735IL, 740I, 740IL and 750I, the brake light switch may fail due to a reduction of contact force on the "snap contact" system which the switch incorporates. This could cause heat induced distortion of the plastic internal switch parts in the area of the electrical contacts. This could cause the switch to remain either in the ON or the OFF position resulting in the brake lights being continuously illuminated or inoperative regardless of brake pedal operation. Correction: Switch will be replaced with on that utilizes a different contact system.
1996158 · 9,290 units in campaign · Transport Canada
Applies only if the manufacturer confirms your VIN · repair by an authorized dealer
On certain 318I, 318IC, 318IS, 325IC, 325IS, 325IX, 525I, 535I, 735I and 735IL vehicles, the fuel feed hose could harden and "set" over time due to engine compartment temperatures. If this "setting" occurs, it is possible that seepage between the hose and fitting could result because the clamp cannot provide sufficient sealing force to compensate for the hardening of the hose. Fuel seepage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in an engine compartment fire. Correction: fuel feed hoses and associated clamps will be replaced with ones of a new design.
1994096 · 10,661 units in campaign · Transport Canada
Applies only if the manufacturer confirms your VIN · repair by an authorized dealer
On certain 535I, 535IA, 735IA, 735ILA vehicles, the nut which secures the throttle valve shaft may not have been tightened with sufficient torque. If the nut were to loosen, it is possible that movement of the throttle valve might be impaired. If this should occur, the vehicle might not decelerate as expected after the gas pedal is released and loos of vehicle control could result. Correction: Vehicles will be inspected and affected throttle housings with undertorqued throttle valve retaining nuts will be replaced.
1992129 · 108 units in campaign · Transport Canada
Applies only if the manufacturer confirms your VIN · repair by an authorized dealer
On certain 525I and 525IA vehicles, when driven at normal engine operating temperature with an ambient temperature of 5 degrees centigrade or less, different thermal expansion rates of the throttle valve shaft and housing may impede the movement of the valve and prevent the valve from returning to the closed position. If this occurs, the vehicle will not decelerate at the usual rate after the gas pedal is released. Correction: The axial clearance of the throttle valve housing will be measured and all housing with insufficient clearance will be replaced.
1991026 · 211 units in campaign · Transport Canada
Applies only if the manufacturer confirms your VIN · repair by an authorized dealer
On certain M5 vehicles, the scews attaching the wheel covers may not have been fully torqued. These screws could gradually loosen, resulting in road debris which could present a hazard to other vehicles. Correction: Loctite will be applied to the wheel cover screws to prevent their loosening.
1991016 · 71 units in campaign · Transport Canada
Applies only if the manufacturer confirms your VIN · repair by an authorized dealer
United States records (NHTSA) · 2
These are NHTSA campaigns for 1991 BMW 5 Series vehicles sold in the United States. They are not Canadian recalls: NHTSA's VIN lookup has no Canadian data, and a US campaign may have no Canadian counterpart, or one under a different number covering different vehicles. For a vehicle sold in Canada, go by the Transport Canada listing above and BMW's Canadian VIN lookup.
CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.
06E049000 · 27,176 units in campaign · NHTSA
Applies only if the manufacturer confirms your VIN · repair by an authorized dealer
CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
06E026000 · 61,944 units in campaign · NHTSA
Applies only if the manufacturer confirms your VIN · repair by an authorized dealer
1991 BMW 5 Series recall questions
Transport Canada lists 8 recalls for the 1991 BMW 5 Series model year. That counts campaigns naming this model year, not recalls on your vehicle: many cover only a VIN range or production window, and some only vehicles found on inspection. NHTSA lists 2 United States campaigns for the US-market model, shown separately; a US campaign may have no Canadian equivalent.
Enter your VIN in BMW's Canadian recall lookup, or call a BMW dealer with your VIN. In Canada the manufacturer is responsible for showing recall and repair status for each VIN, so its lookup is the authoritative answer. Cardog uses your VIN only to find the model year; the recalls shown here are listed for that model year and are not matched to your VIN.
Not necessarily. NHTSA campaigns cover vehicles sold in the United States, and NHTSA's VIN lookup has no Canadian data. When a defect also affects Canadian vehicles, the manufacturer files a separate notice with Transport Canada, often under a different number and sometimes covering a different set of vehicles. For a Canadian vehicle, go by the Transport Canada listing and BMW's Canadian lookup.
Safety recall repairs are normally done at no charge by an authorized BMW dealer. The manufacturer's notice for each campaign sets out the remedy and any conditions, so confirm with the dealer when you book.
Once BMW's lookup or a dealer confirms a recall applies, book the repair with an authorized BMW dealer and bring your VIN. If the manufacturer's notice says not to drive the vehicle or to park it outside, follow that instruction. Parts can take time, so book early.
Follow the manufacturer's notice for that recall. Most allow normal driving until the repair; some tell owners to stop driving or to park outside until it is fixed. Cardog does not grade recalls by severity: the manufacturer's notice and your dealer are the source.
Manufacturers must notify owners they have on record. If you bought the vehicle used or have moved, update your details with BMW Canada so notices reach you, and check the manufacturer's lookup from time to time.
Related recall checks
Compare recall listings with alternatives to the 1991 BMW 5 Series.