BMW 5 Series recalls and problems
15 recalls and 420 owner complaints for 13 model years. Pick your year for full details.
Recalls
15
Complaints
420
Crashes reported
13
Fires reported
19
Choose a model year
BMW 5 Series by year
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 5 Series | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2012 5 Series | 0 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2011 5 Series | 4 | 81 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| 2010 5 Series | 5 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2009 5 Series | 3 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2008 5 Series | 3 | 105 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| 2007 5 Series | 3 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2006 5 Series | 7 | 85 | 4 | 2 | 5 | 0 |
| 2005 5 Series | 4 | 21 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2004 5 Series | 6 | 64 | 1 | 9 | 4 | 0 |
| 2003 5 Series | 0 | 15 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 2002 5 Series | 0 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2001 5 Series | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Most reported BMW 5 Series problems
| Problem area | Reports | |
|---|---|---|
| Air Bags | 94 | |
| Electrical System | 66 | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 46 | |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 45 | |
| Tires | 43 | |
| Power Train | 41 | |
| Steering | 30 | |
| Exterior Lighting | 24 | |
| Engine | 22 | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 14 |
All BMW 5 Series recalls
| Recall | Date | Years | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23V-821 | Dec 6, 2023 | 2023 | Power Train | BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2023 Toyota GR Supra, 3 Series Sedan (330i xDrive, M340i xDrive, M3), 5 Series Sedan (530i, 530i xDrive, M5), 4 Series Gran Coupe (430i, 430i xDrive), 4 Series Coupe… |
| 23V-707 | Oct 20, 2023 | 2010–2011 | Engine and Engine Cooling | BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2010-2012 1 Series Coupe, 1 Series Convertible, 3 Series Sedan, 3 Series Convertible, 2010-2011 3 Series Sportswagon, 3 Series Coupe, 5 Series Sedan, X3 xDrive 28i, X3… |
| 22V-119 | Mar 2, 2022 | 2006–2010 | Engine and Engine Cooling | BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 1 Series Coupe (128i); 2007-2013 3 Series Coupe (328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive); 2007-2010 X3 SAV (X3 3.0si, X3 xDrive30i); 2008-2013 1 Series Convertible (128i)… |
| 12V-161 | Apr 10, 2012 | 2011 | Engine and Engine Cooling | Bmw is recalling certain model year 2011 5-series, 5-series gran turismo, model year 2012 6-series convertible, 7-series, x5 sav, and x6 sav vehicles equipped with 8- or 12-cylinder, turbocharged, engines because the… |
| 12V-126 | Mar 26, 2012 | 2004–2010 | Electrical System | Bmw is recalling certain model year 2004-2010 5-series, model year 2004-2010 6-series, model year 2006-2010 m5, and model year 2007-2010 m6 vehicles. |
| 11V-521 | Oct 20, 2011 | 2011 | Engine and Engine Cooling | Bmw is recalling certain model year 2011 5-series, model year 2010-2011 5-series gran turismo, model year 2009-2011 7-series, model year 2010-2011 x5 sav, and model year 2008-2011 x6 sav vehicles equipped with 8- or… |
| 10V-446 | Oct 1, 2010 | 2004–2010 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | Bmw is recalling certain model year 2004-2010 5-series, 6-series, and model year 2002-2008 7-series vehicles. |
| 10V-331 | Jul 22, 2010 | 2010–2011 | Fuel System, Other | Bmw is recalling certain 2010 and 2011 5-series and 5-series gran turismo passenger vehicles manufactured from january 12 through july 1, 2010. |
| 08V-384 | Aug 5, 2008 | 2004–2006 | Air Bags | Bmw is recalling 200,000 my 2006 3 series sport seat, my 2004-2006 5 series standard and sport seat, and my 2004-2006 x3 passenger vehicles. |
| 06V-277 | Jul 26, 2006 | 2006 | Suspension | On certain passenger vehicles, the lower rubber mount of the rear shock absorbers may not have been manufactured to specifications and may not adhere correctly to its housing within the shock absorber. |
| 06V-187 | May 30, 2006 | 2006 | Suspension | On certain passenger vehicles, the nuts which secure the front axle control arm and tension strut to the front wheel hub may not have been tightened to specification. |
| 05V-504 | Nov 1, 2005 | 2005–2006 | Power Train | Certain passenger vehicles may have been built with an incorrectly manufactured automatic transmission parking pawl guide plate. |
| 04V-575 | Dec 6, 2004 | 2004 | Seats | On certain passenger vehicles equipped with front seat heating systems, upon entering and exiting the vehicle, excessive contact with the side bolster that is contained in the seat's backrest may damage the heating mat… |
| 04V-344 | Jul 14, 2004 | 2004 | Power Train | On certain passenger vehicles equipped with 8 and 12 cylinder engines, the digital engine management control (Emc) units were not produced according to specifications. |
| 04V-303 | Jun 23, 2004 | 2004 | Fuel System, Gasoline | On certain passenger vehicles equipped with 8-cylinder engines, a circular retention clip at the quick-release coupling along the fuel supply line was inadvertently not installed. |
Frequently asked questions
What is the worst year for the BMW 5 Series?
By owner complaints to NHTSA, the 2008 BMW 5 Series has the most reports (105). Check the 2008 page for the problems owners describe.
How many recalls does the BMW 5 Series have?
NHTSA lists 15 safety recalls covering BMW 5 Series model years 2004–2011, 2023.
What are the most common BMW 5 Series problems?
Owners report air bags, electrical system, fuel system, gasoline problems most often.