Bmw M5 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
105 owner complaints analyzed
23 distinct recall campaigns
51,716 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1989 to 2026 model years. Data snapshot: . 77 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 40 of 105 complaints (38.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 10 | 9.5% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 9 | 8.6% |
| Steering behavior | 8 | 7.6% |
| Transmission and shifting | 7 | 6.7% |
| Fuel system concerns | 7 | 6.7% |
| Engine operation | 6 | 5.7% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 40 |
| Engine | 23 |
| Electrical System | 10 |
| Power Train | 10 |
| Seat Belts | 10 |
| Seats | 7 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 6 |
| Unknown Or Other | 6 |
Air Bags: 40; Engine: 23; Electrical System: 10; Power Train: 10; Seat Belts: 10; Seats: 7; Fuel/Propulsion System: 6; Unknown Or Other: 6
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 12 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 21 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 25 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 16 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 3 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 12; 25,000 to 49,999: 21; 50,000 to 74,999: 25; 75,000 to 99,999: 16; 100,000 to 149,999: 3; 150,000 and above: 0
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (25). 28 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 1 |
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2006 | 2 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2010 | 2 |
| 2011 | 7 |
| 2012 | 8 |
| 2013 | 6 |
| 2014 | 18 |
| 2015 | 5 |
| 2016 | 4 |
| 2017 | 6 |
| 2018 | 2 |
| 2019 | 6 |
| 2020 | 6 |
| 2021 | 3 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2023 | 4 |
| 2024 | 11 |
| 2025 | 1 |
| 2026 | 5 |
2000: 1; 2003: 1; 2006: 2; 2007: 1; 2008: 2; 2009: 2; 2010: 2; 2011: 7; 2012: 8; 2013: 6; 2014: 18; 2015: 5; 2016: 4; 2017: 6; 2018: 2; 2019: 6; 2020: 6; 2021: 3; 2022: 2; 2023: 4; 2024: 11; 2025: 1; 2026: 5
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 10 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 9 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 8 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10146737 · 2006-01-03 (January 3, 2006)
POSSIBLE BRAKE AND / OR "DYNAMIC STABILITY CONTROL" FAILURE RESULTED IN IMPACT WITH UTILITY POLE WITH RUPTURE OF FUEL TANK AND RESULTANT FIRE AND FATALITY. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 45,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10146737 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10302909 · 2010-01-28 (January 28, 2010)
ON JUNE 24, 2006, A-UNITED LEASED THE M5 THROUGH BMW OF MONROVIA, FORMERLY ASSAEL BMW. DURING THE DURATION OF THE LEASE, A-UNITED INCURRED LESS THAN 1800 MILES ON THE M5 PRIMARILY BECAUSE THE M5'S SAFETY AND RELIABILITY HAD CAUSED SERIOUS CONCERNS. FROM AS EARLY AS NOVEMBER 2006, A-UNITED BEGAN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE M5 WHEN THE UNUSUAL NOISE FROM THE ENGINE BECAME LOUDER AND LOUDER. SHORTLY, THE M5 BEGAN HESITATING TO ACCELERATE. ON OCTOBER 22, 2007, THE M5 WAS TAKEN TO BMW OF MONROVIA FOR ROUTINE SERVICE AS WELL AS THE CAUTI…
Owner-reported narrative. 2,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10302909 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10275361 · 2009-06-30 (June 30, 2009)
UNKNOWN BATTERY DRAIN CAUSES PREMATURE FAILURE OF BATTERY AND MORE THAN AVERAGE REPLACEMENT INTERVALS - EVERY TWO YEARS AS OPPOSED TO 5-7 YRS. CAR WILL NOT START IF IDLE FOR 24-48 HOURS. I WOULD LIKE TO FILE A CLAIM FOR THE CHARGING SYSTEM AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT FOR ANY BMW M5 (E39) BUILT BETWEEN 2000-2003. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 99,999 miles reported. Look up ODI 10275361 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10455045 · 2012-04-12 (April 12, 2012)
THE PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM, AIRBAG, SEAT BELT, BELT TENSIONER WARNING SHOWED UP IN THE CAR COMPUTER. WENT TO THE DEALER AND DEALER SAID THAT THEY WILL NEED TO REPLACE THE PASSENGER SEAT MAT SENSOR AND BATTERY SAFETY TERMINAL. THE COST IS AROUND $3500. WHEN I SEARCHED ONLINE I FOUND THAT THE BMW 5 SERIES 2004 - 2006 HAS A RECALL ON THIS ITEM ALREADY - PLEASE LINK. (HTTP://WWW-ODI.NHTSA.DOT.GOV/CARS/PROBLEMS/RECALLS/RECALLSUMMARY.CFM?RCL_CAMPAIGN_ID=08V384000&PROD_ID=113225&MODULETYPE=VEHICLE&MAKE=BMW&MODEL=5%20SERIES&VEH_MODEL_YEAR=2004&…
Owner-reported narrative. 78,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10455045 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11526047 · 2023-06-08 (June 8, 2023)
The contact owns a 2000 BMW M5. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light illuminated. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V047000 (Air Bags). The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the dealer denied the repair under NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V047000 (Air Bags) due to the steering wheel not being the original steering wheel. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 80,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11526047 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10855608 · 2016-04-14 (April 14, 2016)
STEERING WHEEL LOCK MALFUNCTIONS AND KEEPS STEERING WHEEL LOCKED, WILL NOT RELEASE INTERMITTENTLY.
Owner-reported narrative. 48,900 miles reported. Look up ODI 10855608 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11241212 · 2019-08-01 (August 1, 2019)
THERE ARE NO POWER MODIFICATIONS TO MY VEHICLE, I JUST RECENTLY INSTALLED A LOWER MILEAGE ENGINE, ALONG WITH ALL OF THE PARTS SURROUNDING THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION (IE CLUTCH, FLYWHEEL, THROWOUT BEARING, CLUTCH FORK, ETC). THE BREAK-IN PERIOD FOR A NEW CLUTCH IS 500 MILES OF NORMAL DRIVING AND 1000 MILES FOR THE ENGINE. I COMPLETED THE BREAK-IN PERIOD ON SATURDAY JULY 20, 2019, FOR THE CLUTCH BUT STILL HAVE SOME MILES TO GO FOR THE ENGINE BREAK-IN, SO ON 7-24-19 I WAS ENTERING THE FWY FROM A STOP LIGHT AND WHEN I PUSHED THE GAS PEADAL IT SOUN…
Owner-reported narrative. 195 miles reported. Look up ODI 11241212 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10307584 · 2010-02-08 (February 8, 2010)
2006 BMW M5 WITH SEQUENTIAL TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT ENTER GEAR AT LIGHT, RENDERING VEHICLE IMMOBILIZED. *CN
Owner-reported narrative. 32,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10307584 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10651813 · 2014-11-01 (November 1, 2014)
TL-THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW M5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HE COULD SMELL STRONG FUEL ODOR AFTER FILLING THE FUEL. THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THE FUEL TANK HAD A CRACK INSIDE THE PLASTIC. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 21,000. NE
Owner-reported narrative. 21,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10651813 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10501862 · 2013-03-06 (March 6, 2013)
WHILE MAKING A SLOW RIGHT TURN THE VEHICLE'S ENGINE SUDDENLY SHUT DOWN AND IMMEDIATELY RESTARTED A FEW MOMENT LATER. HOWEVER, WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED ALL POWER STEERING WAS LOST WHICH WAS FOLLOWED BY MULTIPLE SYSTEM FAILURE WARNINGS THAT WERE DISPLAYED, SUCH AS: REAR DIFFERENTIAL IS LOCKED, POWER STEERING HAS FAILED, SEAT BELT TENSIONER SYSTEM FAILED AND TO STOP DRIVING THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY AND CONTACT A SERVICE CENTER IMMEDIATELY. I DROVE THE VEHICLE INTO MY DRIVEWAY WHICH WAS 100 YARDS AWAY AND SHUT THE VEHICLE DOWN AND CALLED ORANGE COUN…
Owner-reported narrative. 413 miles reported. Look up ODI 10501862 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11221202 · 2019-06-19 (June 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.
Owner-reported narrative. 200 miles reported. Look up ODI 11221202 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 2 |
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2018 | 3 |
| 2019 | 3 |
| 2020 | 3 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 0 |
| 2025 | 2 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2010: 2; 2013: 2; 2014: 1; 2015: 1; 2016: 2; 2018: 3; 2019: 3; 2020: 3; 2021: 1; 2022: 0; 2025: 2; 2026: 1
Year-by-year records
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Change in recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | 0 | 1 | Not available |
| 1990 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 1991 | 0 | 3 | +2 |
| 1992 | 0 | 2 | -1 |
| 1993 | 0 | 1 | -1 |
| 1994 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 1995 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 2000 | 4 | 2 | Not available |
| 2001 | 4 | 3 | +1 |
| 2002 | 6 | 2 | -1 |
| 2003 | 3 | 1 | -1 |
| 2006 | 39 | 1 | Not available |
| 2007 | 6 | 1 | 0 |
| 2008 | 6 | 2 | +1 |
| 2009 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 2010 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| 2013 | 10 | 2 | Not available |
| 2014 | 2 | 1 | -1 |
| 2015 | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| 2016 | 1 | 2 | +1 |
| 2018 | 6 | 3 | Not available |
| 2019 | 8 | 3 | 0 |
| 2020 | 2 | 3 | 0 |
| 2021 | 2 | 1 | -2 |
| 2022 | 1 | 0 | -1 |
| 2025 | 1 | 2 | Not available |
| 2026 | 0 | 1 | -1 |