BMW 5 Series recalls & problems by year
76 recalls and 426 owner complaints across 24 model years (1990–2023).
Most complaints2008105 complaints
Most recalls20068 recalls
Crashes reported14in owner complaints
Injuries reported130 deaths
| Year | NHTSA stars | EPA mpg | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | — | — | 1 | 0 |
| 2012 | — | — | 0 | 10 |
| 2011 | — | — | 4 | 81 |
| 2010 | — | — | 5 | 6 |
| 2009 | — | — | 4 | 8 |
| 2008 | — | — | 4 | 105 |
| 2007 | — | — | 4 | 13 |
| 2006 | — | — | 8 | 85 |
| 2005 | — | — | 5 | 21 |
| 2004 | — | — | 8 | 64 |
| 2003 | — | — | 2 | 15 |
| 2002 | — | — | 2 | 7 |
| 2001 | — | — | 2 | 3 |
| 2000 | — | — | 2 | 2 |
| 1999 | — | — | 1 | 2 |
| 1998 | — | — | 2 | 0 |
| 1997 | — | — | 3 | 1 |
| 1996 | — | — | 3 | 0 |
| 1995 | — | — | 3 | 3 |
| 1994 | — | — | 3 | 0 |
| 1993 | — | — | 3 | 0 |
| 1992 | — | — | 3 | 0 |
| 1991 | — | — | 2 | 0 |
| 1990 | — | — | 2 | 0 |
Crash, fire, injury and death figures are what owners reported in their complaints; NHTSA does not verify them. A year with more complaints is not necessarily worse: newer and best-selling years collect more reports.
Most-reported problem areas, all years
- Air bags — 99 complaints
- Electrical system — 68 complaints
- Engine and engine cooling — 47 complaints
- Fuel system, gasoline — 46 complaints
- Tires — 43 complaints
- Power train — 41 complaints
- Steering — 33 complaints
- Exterior lighting — 24 complaints