2013 BMW M5 recalls and problems

The 2013 BMW M5 has 2 safety recalls and 10 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any BMW dealer.

Urgent: recall 12V-475 carries a "do not drive" warning. Contact a dealer before driving.

Recalls

Complaints

Crashes / fires

0 / 1

Injuries / deaths

0 / 0

Recalls may cover only some 2013 BMW M5 vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2013 BMW M5 recalls

Recall 15V-188: Exterior Lighting

Reported Mar 31, 2015 · 13,443 vehicles affected · BMW of North America, LLC

Problem: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2013 528i, 528i xDrive, 535i, 535i xDrive, 550i, 550i xDrive, and ActiveHybrid 5 vehicles. The rear reflex reflectors may not reflect enough light. As such, the vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

Risk: The vehicle may be less visible to other vehicles, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear reflex reflectors, free of charge. The recall began July 28, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Recall 12V-475: Engine and Engine Cooling

Do not driveReported Sep 28, 2012 · 696 vehicles affected · BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC

Problem: BMW is recalling certain model year 2013 M5, M6 Coupe, and M6 Convertible vehicles, manufactured from July 19, 2012, through September 11, 2012. Due to a manufacturing process error, the tolerance between the engine oil pump's drive shaft and the pump's rotor was not within specification. As a result, the pump's driveshaft could separate from the rotor.

Risk: Separation of the pump's driveshaft from the rotor could lead to a sudden loss of oil pressure causing the possibility of complete engine failure, resulting in an engine stall-like condition, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the oil pump, free of charge. The safety recall began on November 30, 2012. Owners may contact BMW at 1-800-525-7417.

2013 BMW M5 problems reported by owners

Problem area	Reports
Engine	6
Steering	3
Seat Belts	1
Service Brakes	1
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)	1
Air Bags	1
Suspension	1
Electrical System	1
Fuel/Propulsion System	1

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 45,000 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2013 BMW M5 complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Electrical System · at 200 miles · reported Jun 19, 2019

Fuel filler tube gaskets are improperly installed allowing water to enter the left rear quarter panel causing the steering electronics to be flooded and short out causing a loss of power steering without warning. This is a recurrent problem that dealerships are refusing to acknowledge or fix without charging $1,000.00.

Steering · at 45,000 miles · reported May 25, 2019

Creaking noise in the front suspension when turning steering wheel when parked and at low speeds. Diagnosis from shop indicated the lower control arms and ball joints were loose. Both sides replaced.

Engine · at 29,000 miles · reported Sep 25, 2017

Car reads low on oil while driving. I have taken it back to dealer and was told that the car only needed one quart of oil. Dealer has never looked to see if there is a problem with the tolerance between the engine oil pump drive shaft and the pump's rotor. Dealership only showed my husband how to replenish oil when light comes on. This has problem began when the car only had 29,000 miles. The light will come on when car is stationery and in motion on a city street or highway. Currently must drive around with a quart of oil in car at all times for safety reasons. Car now has 40,000 miles.

Service Brakes · at 16,000 miles · reported Apr 22, 2014

The vehicle mentioned above caught on fire when I was driving home from work on a snowy evening. The trip to my house is around 7 miles and after about 6 miles, I parked along the street as I saw smoke coming from the vehicle and brake warning lights were being displayed. When I got out of the car, I saw a fire under the right rear wheel well. The car was totaled. Researching about fires in bmws I found quiet a big number out there. Now we are worried to even drive the two other bmws that I still own.

Engine · at 5,541 miles · reported Apr 1, 2014

For the second while driving my vehicle it shutoff without warning while I was driving. The vehicle completely died leaving the car in gear with no way of moving the vehicle. The only way to move the vehicle out of park is if it is running. I lost all power steering, braking, and ability to control the vehicle. After about an hour passed while I was stuck in traffic with no way to move the vehicle, the vehicle then started and stated the battery was operating at a higher than normal discharge rate. Had I been on a major road I would have lost control of the vehicle due to the lack of steering…

Other BMW M5 years

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Frequently asked questions

Does the 2013 BMW M5 have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2013 BMW M5: 15V-188 (exterior lighting), 12V-475 (engine and engine cooling). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2013 BMW M5?

Owners report engine problems most often (6 reports), followed by steering (3). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 45,000 miles.

Are BMW recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized BMW dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.