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 (430i, 430i xDrive, M440i xDrive), 4...
1989-2023 · 30 model years
BMW 5 Series Problems by year
Owners have filed 2,182 complaints about the BMW 5 Series across 30 model years, and it has 18 recalls. The 2008 has the most complaints once its age is allowed for (432), while 1999 has far fewer than a typical year. The most reported problem area is the airbags, followed by the engine & cooling.
- Complaints
- 2,182
- Recalls
- 18
- Crashes
- 72
- Fires
- 149
- Injuries
- 81
- Deaths
- 1
5 Series complaints by model year
Highlighted: the year with the most complaints for its age. Older vehicles have had more time to collect complaints - the Safety Index grade allows for that.
Most common 5 Series problems
BMW 5 Series recalls 18
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 xDrive 30i, X5 xDrive30i, and Z4...
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); 2006-2011 3 Series Sedan (325i, 325xi...
ZF Group North America Operations (ZF) is recalling certain Lemförder Steering Center Rods sold as aftermarket parts for 1996-2004 BMW 5-Series (E39) vehicles. The steering center rods may have an insufficient ball pin pull force that may allow the rods to...
This recall involves aftermarket parts sold by Valeo. Valeo is recalling certain engine cooling fans, part numbers 696121, 696273, and 696275, used as service replacement parts for model year 2008-2011 BMW 1-Series, 2006-2011 BMW 3-Series, 2000-2009 BMW...
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. The insulated bulkhead connector for the positive battery cable may have been incorrectly attached to the...
Bmw is recalling certain model year 2004-2010 5-series, 6-series, and model year 2002-2008 7-series vehicles. A check valve of the brake vacuum pump may leak a small amount of lubricating oil. Over time this could result in contamination of the brake...
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. Depending on the manner and frequency of the front passenger's entry and exit, small cracks have developed in the...
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.
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. Over time the nuts could loosen and the control arm and tension strut could be damaged.
Certain ck motorsports combination headlights, clear corner, bumper, and side marker lights sold as replacement lamps for use on the passenger vehicles listed above. Some combination lamps that are not equipped with amber side reflectors fail to conform to...
Certain pro-a motors corner lamps, turn signals, and headlights sold as replacement lamps for use on certain passenger vehicles listed above. Some combination lamps that are not equipped with amber side reflectors fail to conform to federal motor vehicle...
Latest 5 Series complaints
Airbag ASCM system reports a fault. Possible recall 17v428000 applies Dealer not able to reprogram the module to clear the fault. Airbag warning light is on the dashboard. Error concurrent with battery replacement
BMW performed a recall repair on my 2022 BMW 540i using an adhesive/Loctite remedy despite the dealership's inspection documentation noting hammering on the rear differential. The recall procedure provides for component replacement when specified conditions are identified. After reviewing photographs provided by the dealership, I believe my vehicle meets the replacement criteria. I am concerned that the wrong remedy was selected despite the documented inspection findings. I am requesting that this concern be documented and reviewed as a potential safety issue involving the recall repair.
Odometer Fraud. The contact owns a 2009 BMW 535I. The contact researched and discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the mileage was 86,000, and it was later discovered via www.iaai.com that the mileage was 117,006 in May 2024 and 192,000 in February 2021.
Check Engine light on due to lower radiator blind jammed and closed. BMW has extended car warranty for this fault for various other models produced 2020 and beyond for up to 150,000 miles, under si B01 03 25 and si B01 12 19 However They do not cover my car, 2020 BMW 530e which has 78,000 miles where most of their 5 series and 3 series are covered under extended warranty for this exact problem for 150000 miles or 15 years. This is an emission part and jamming of flaps put at tremendous risk of car catching fire while driving due to heat. They must cover all their car for this manufacturing defect including 530e models.
What happened: I noticed a burning electrical smell and traced it to the 48V battery cable connection at the 48V battery under the cowl. The insulation was charred, bubbled and cracked, with bare copper exposed at the cable lug. The 48V system gave no warning light or sensor alert - the failure was found by smell only. On [[redacted]], after a short drive, the smell returned and the top of the 48V battery was hot to the touch; still no warning light or fault code appeared. What the dealer found: Arrowhead BMW of...
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Glendale, Arizona (service advisor [[redacted]]) inspected the car on [[redacted]], under Repair Order [[redacted]]. The written inspection states: "CABLE IS MELTED FOR THE 48V BATTERY." Its prescribed correction is to replace the 48V battery and the negative battery cable, register the battery, and perform an extended test drive and reinspection. The dealer estimate is $6,330.08. The inspection notes no external cause for the melting. Why this matches a known defect: This is the failure mode in NHTSA recall 20V-761 - a 48V battery-to-starter-generator connection improperly assembled, causing increased electrical resistance, overheating, and fire risk - and in BMW service campaign B610525 (2025), which directs inspection of the five threaded 48V connections and renewal of the cable, nut, or battery where consequential damage is visible. My car was built [[redacted]], five weeks after that recall issued, and shows the identical failure, but the VIN shows no open recall. What BMW NA decided: BMW of North America denied goodwill assistance (case [[redacted]], case manager [[redacted]]). Its written decision email of [[redacted]] declines on one ground only: the 4-year/50,000-mile warranty expired [[redacted]]. It does not mention goodwill, recall 20V-761, campaign B610525, or any cause for the melting. On phone calls the same day, BMW NA said the damage was caused by "outside influence" but would not put that determination in writing. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
In March of 2026 I decided to make use of the vehicles lane keeping assistant and set the lane keeping assistant to maximum safety settings. Within 2 months I noticed the car began to slip l/shudder at the front end while taking highway exit ramps. After this happened a few times I pulled over and checked the front tires because I thought maybe I drove through asphalt oil or something that made the tires slick. Both front tires displayed excessive wear on outside tire edges, almost like someone took a Dewalt...
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power sander and ground the tires down along the entire outer edge that is supposed to grip the pavement. There were no changes to the vehicles suspension or mechanical components leading up to this problem, so I disabled the lane keeping assistant and it appears to have stopped the lose of material on those tires. I have enclosed two photos one clearly shows excess wear on the outer edge. The other pictures of a normal wear and tear of the same tire not used during auto steer or lane keeping and the other photo is of the inside edge of the same worn front tire.
Questions about the BMW 5 Series
Which BMW 5 Series years have the most problems?
Which BMW 5 Series years have the fewest complaints?
What are the most common BMW 5 Series problems?
Across every model year, owners report problems with the airbags (630), engine & cooling (468), electrical system (456) most often.
How many recalls does the BMW 5 Series have?
NHTSA lists 18 recalls across all BMW 5 Series model years. Each year's page lists the recalls for that year; check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether the repair has been done.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked daily. Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data