Recalls: BMW E34 5-Series sedan
Overview
Manufacturers, or importers, issue recalls for defects or faults which have the potential to cause injury. Generally, manufacturers will inform the original buyers if their vehicle is subject to a recall and of the steps required to remedy the defect or fault. Please note that the recalls below (if any) are for Australian-delivered vehicles only. Furthermore, the number of recalls should not be taken as an indication of a model’s reliability or its safety more generally.
Recalls: BMW E34 5-Series sedan
- In April 1990, a recall was issued for certain BMW E34 5-Series vehicles because plastic trim could be damaged and prevent the seat-belt tongue from latching correctly (PRA 1990/0931).
- In November 1992, a recall was issued for BMW E34 525i models that were manufactured between August 1986 and June 1989. In these vehicles, the fuse point may prematurely fail due to thermal ageing, causing a total loss of electrical power to the vehicle (PRA 1992/1770). The recalled vehicles had serial/chassis numbers in the following ranges:
- 2078251 to 2079950;
- BC82006 to BC83375;
- 3431046 to 3431820; and,
- BE12003 to BE14557.
- In July 1996, a recall was issued for certain BMW E34 5-Series vehicles due to a fault in the brake light switch which could result in the brake lights not cancelling after the vehicle has stopped braking, or not illuminating at all (PRA 1996/2870).
- In November 1998, a recall was issued for certain BMW E34 5-Series vehicles due to a defective radiator cap (PRA 1998/3726).
Problems and faults: BMW E34 5-Series sedan
Overview
This section identifies potential problems, causes and fixes based on the experiences of owners and repairers, online sources and technical service bulletins. This information is provided solely for reference purposes and AustralianCar.Reviews recommends that only properly qualified persons carry out repairs or modifications. Furthermore, the number of items below should not be taken as an indicator of a model’s reliability or the frequency with which they may occur.
To report a problem or fault to the AustralianCar.Reviews team, please use the Contact Us form. Note that AustralianCar.Reviews does not offer advice on automotive problems or disputes; such enquiries will not receive a reply. For vehicles purchased from dealers after 1 January 2011, please see our Australian Consumer Law fact sheet.
E34 525i and 530i: M50 engine
- Overheating may be caused by a defective water pump or thermostat –
- For the water pump, the plastic impellor can become brittle and crack. To prevent this, a water pump with a metal impellor can be installed. For later pumps, BMW used a higher-grade plastic; and,
- The plastic thermostat housing can become brittle and crack. aluminium thermostat housings are available as a replacement.
- The hydraulic lifters can wear out, producing noisy and inefficient valvetrain operation. This can be detected by a ‘ticking’ noise from the engine.
- On high mileage engines, the timing chain can stretch, causing poor running and a ‘clagging’ noise. Replacement of the timing chain tensioner may fix this issue and alleviate the noise.
E34 530i and 540i: M60 oil pump screws
- For the E34 530i and 540i with the M60 engines, the oil pump screws/bolts can become loose over time and fall into the lower oil pan. Symptoms of dislodged screws can include a ticking noise (sometimes mistaken for the lifters) or temporary illumination of the oil pressure light after hard braking (with a warning message in the instrument cluster) – the latter occurs when the oil pump is so loose that oil leaks out when it shifts forward.
Problems and faults: BMW E34 5-Series sedan
- Using the air conditioning may cause small flakes to be emitted from the vents or an unpleasant odour – a redesigned evaporator was subsequently released to fix these problems.
- The climate control system may not work due to fuse #20 repeatedly blowing; BMW has approved replacing the original 10-amp fuse with a 15-amp fuse.
- The hazard warning lights may start flashing or the turn signals may flash at double their normal speed due to condensation shorting out the circuit board.
- If the central locking system unlocks itself after being locked or locks itself after being unlocked, the actuators could be defective or the boot lock may need to be adjusted.
- The starter may fail due to a sticking ignition switch which prevents it from switching off after the engine has started. To fix, both the lock and switch must be replaced.
- For automatic transmissions, the transmission may slip and/or the ‘check engine’ light may illuminate due to the torque converter clutch (TCC) slipping and/or TCC solenoid failure.
- For the V8 engines, oil and coolant may leak from the rear main seal leaks.
