1991 BMW 850I: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 1991 BMW 850I: 2 recalls, 9 owner complaints and up to 13 mpg combined.
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Recalls
2 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Airbags Vehicle recall #96V110000 · 1996 · 75,000 vehicles
What's wrong: The air bag contact ring locking tab located in the steering wheel assembly can break without warning.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: Dealers will replace the locking tab with one of a different design.
Engine & cooling Vehicle recall #98V178000 · 1998 · 340,000 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: Dealers will install a new design radiator cap to control pressure and provide greater coolant overflow in the event of overheating.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 0 mention a fire, 1 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Exterior lights (5): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Brakes (hydraulic) (1): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Suspension (1): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Engine & cooling (1): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
The 1991 BMW 850I has 9 owner complaints, ranking #1 of 6 850I model years for complaints (3.4× the average 850I year). Complaints peaked in 2002 (4 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 9 years old, at a median of 78,000 miles. Neighboring years: 1992 (0 complaints, 2 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5.0 L 12-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 11 | 17 | 13 | Regular |
| 5.0 L 12-cyl | Manual 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 11 | 17 | 13 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 1991 BMW 850I.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yrStep-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
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FAQ
Does the 1991 BMW 850I have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 2 vehicle recalls for the 1991 BMW 850I. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 1991 BMW 850I problems?
Owners have filed 9 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are exterior lights (5), brakes (hydraulic) (1), suspension (1).
What gas mileage does the 1991 BMW 850I get?
EPA ratings run up to 13 mpg combined (5.0 L, Automatic 4-spd), across 2 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 1991 BMW 850I repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.