The 1991 BMW 5 Series has 3 recalls, the most serious being throttle valves on certain models that can stick open and prevent the engine from decelerating when the driver lifts off the gas pedal.
Two separate throttle-related issues affect different engine variants. On 525i and 525iA models, cold weather below about 40 degrees Fahrenheit causes the throttle shaft and its housing to expand at different rates, which can jam the valve open so the engine keeps pulling forward after the driver releases the accelerator. On 535i and 535iA models, a throttle shaft nut that was not properly tightened can work loose over time, again leaving the throttle valve stuck in a position that does not fully close and causing the vehicle to resist slowing down. Both conditions can make the car difficult to control, particularly when approaching a stop or a corner. On the suspension side, this recall applies only to M5 models: the screws securing the wheel covers may not have been fully tightened at the factory and can back out gradually, allowing the covers or pieces of them to detach and scatter debris into the path of other vehicles.
