NHTSA Data Explorer

BMW M5

Data refreshed October 26, 2026

Select a model year to filter results to that year of the BMW M5.

Complaints

373

Active records

Recalls

37

Active records

TSBs

821

Active records

Filing history

Monthly totals over the last 20 years. Click a legend item to show or hide that series.

Reported severity

Based on consumer complaints filed since 2000. Recalls and TSBs do not include severity data.

Deaths

1

Injuries

13

Crashes

12

Fires

13

Top reported issues — BMW M5

Click a category to expand its values.

Safety restraint issue

124

Operating state

98

Reporting mechanism

94

Condition issue

92

Performance issue

76

Engine behavior

68

Fluid issue

42

Thermal issue

28

Electrical issue

23

Noise

22

Transmission/drivetrain behavior

20

Safety restraint behavior

16

Braking behavior

15

Vibration/harshness

15

Steering behavior

14

Lighting behavior

13

Smell

8

Starting behavior

7

Access/entry issue

6

Driver assistance issue

6

Infotainment behavior

6

Powering on/off behavior

6

Recent change

5

Ride/handling behavior

5

HVAC behavior

2

Wiper/washer behavior

1

Recent filings

The 10 most recent filings for each type.

2021 BMW M5

Filed Oct 15, 2026


BMW Federal Emissions Recall Campaign - Delivery Stop: Replace Coolant Expansion Tank [B170324] The manufacturer's recall remedy replaces a defective, heat-compromised plastic coolant reservoir with an identical plastic component that is subject to the exact same thermal fatigue and catastrophic failure. I had the dealer replace the tank in March 2024 under this recall. This week, however, I noted coolant residue from the horizontal seam of the expansion tank. Furthermore, the…

2020 BMW M5

Filed Aug 29, 2026


2020 BMW M5 a metal-shavings engine failure at highway speed is a safety event. I had total catastrophic engine failure at less than 50,000 miles. No warning lights, found metal shavings in the engine system and engine needs complete replacement. I discovered that the very first and most important service at 1200 miles was never performed by BMW of [XXX]. It has been detailed by managers in writing. They still sold me the car XXX without disclosing the risks to purchase the car without this…

2006 BMW M5

Filed Aug 19, 2026


The contact owns a 2006 BMW M5. The contact stated that while opening the trunk of the vehicle, the positive terminal on the battery was fully melted and was very hot. The contact believed that the issue was a fire hazard and was lucky to have found the issue before any other damage could occur. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 12V126000 (Electrical System) as a possible cause for the failure. The dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer…

2018 BMW M5

Filed Jun 9, 2026


The passenger seat occupancy sensor, an electrocapacitive mat (ecm), is defective on a large number of cars on the g30/fop platform including mine. This leads to intermittent sensor faults which cause an airbag warning.

2018 BMW M5

Filed Apr 4, 2026


I had gotten into a head on collision in January. My insurance had refused to cover me because I had only been insured for a month. Now I’m trying to get it fix out of pocket. I’m finding out about more repairs needed ASAP. My engine might be gone.

2019 BMW M5

Filed Feb 19, 2026


The contact owns a 2019 BMW M5. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer and repaired under Technical Service Bulletin Number: SIB 17 03 24. The dealer replaced the coolant expansion tank; however, the vehicle experienced a coolant leak two months later. The message Drivetrain Malfunction was displayed, and the coolant level was low. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where the coolant expansion tank, 4 spark plugs, and ignition coils were replaced; however, upon…

2008 BMW 5 SERIES

Filed Nov 5, 2025


My vehicle had a faulty PCV valve that was under Stop Drive, order. I received no correspondence from the NHTSA nor from BMW of North America in regards to this. My BMW X-5 had significant issues that are directly associated with this issue. After contacting BMW of North America directly because I could not reach anyone at my nearest BMW Service Department, it was escalated twice to attempt to arrange for my vehicle that I unknowingly continued to drive. My vehicle has sat undriven since May…

2022 BMW M5

Filed Nov 17, 2024


The front windshield cracked in the middle from the top without any impact. It made a butterfly shaped crack going both sides symmetrically from the middle. I took it to BMW Casey in Newport News, Virginia. They looked at it and agreed that there was no impact. They kept the car for 5 days and then reported that BMW North America is not aware of any defect and that they would not cover the replacement. However, this problem seems to exist in multiple BMW vehicles reading the online forum. This…

2019 BMW M5

Filed Aug 24, 2024


Engine coil and fuel injectors are bad. Injector 8 went bad, followed by 6&7. The next just went bad. Was told only so many available at dealership because of on going problems.

2019 BMW M5

Filed Jul 9, 2024


Despite following the manufacturer’s recommended maintenance schedule and having the car serviced at authorized BMW dealerships, I am facing an engine failure that BMW has quoted $44,000 to repair. BMW is only offering $4,000 towards this repair, leaving us with an overwhelming out-of-pocket expense. My insurance provider has informed me that they will not cover the cost of these repairs, placing us in a difficult financial position. Given the extensive history of issues and consistent…

Data sourced from NHTSA's public datasets. Issue classifications are generated by Repair Surge. About this data.

Updated October 26, 2026. Refreshed nightly.