The 1991 BMW M5 has 3 safety recalls and 0 owner complaints on file with NHTSA.
Recalls3safety recalls
Complaints0filed by owners
Crashes · fires0 · 0reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths0 · 0reported in complaints
Safety recalls
Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system
NHTSA recall 98V178000 · Aug 4, 1998 · 340,000 vehicles
Problem: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. A MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE OF A COOLANT SYSTEM COMPONENT, SUCH AS A THERMOSTAT, WATER PUMP, OR FAN BELT, CAN RESULT IN SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED COOLANT TEMPERATURE AND SYSTEM PRESSURE. IF THE INDICATIONS OF A CRITICAL OVERHEATING CONDITION IS NOT NOTICED BY THE DRIVER, IT IS POSSIBLE THAT DAMAGE TO, OR FAILURE OF, A COOLANT SYSTEM COMPONENT COULD OCCUR.
Risk: IF A CRACK WERE TO FORM OR A SEAM WERE TO SEPARATE IN THE HEATER CORE END PIECE, HOT COOLANT COULD SUDDENLY BE EXPELLED, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY TO A VEHICLE OCCUPANT.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW DESIGN RADIATOR CAP TO CONTROL PRESSURE AND PROVIDE GREATER COOLANT OVERFLOW IN THE EVENT OF OVERHEATING.
Air bags › Frontal
NHTSA recall 96V110000 · Jul 1, 1996 · 75,000 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (ODI)
Problem: THE AIR BAG CONTACT RING LOCKING TAB LOCATED IN THE STEERING WHEEL ASSEMBLY CAN BREAK WITHOUT WARNING.
Risk: IF THIS HAPPENS, THE CONTACT RING WIRING COULD EVENTUALLY BREAK. THE AIR BAG READINESS INDICATOR LAMP (SRS OR AIRBAG) IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WILL ILLUMINATE, AND THE AIR BAG WOULD NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF A FRONTAL IMPACT VEHICLE COLLISION.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LOCKING TAB WITH ONE OF A DIFFERENT DESIGN.
Wheels › Hub
NHTSA recall 90V204000 · Dec 17, 1990 · 480 vehicles
Problem: SCREWS THAT ATTACH WHEEL COVERS ON ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT WHEELS WERE NOT FULLY TORQUED AND MAY GRADUALLY LOOSEN AND SEPARATE FROM WHEELS UNDER EXTREME DRIVING CONDITIONS.
Risk: WHEEL COVERS COULD SEPARATE FROM WHEELS; THIS COULDPRESENT A HAZARD TO OTHER VEHICLES AND PEDESTRIANS IN VICINITY OF OCCURRENCE.
Fix: APPLY "LOCTITE 242 (BLUE) TO THE WHEEL COVER ATTACHING SCREWS TO PREVENT SCREWS FROM LOOSENING.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
Fuel economy
M5
13mpg combined
City / highway
10 / 19 mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
3.5 L · 6 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $6,300/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
NHTSA defect investigations
EA95013 · opened Mar 31, 1995 · closed Jul 15, 1996 · led to recall 96V110000AIR BAG WIRING FAILURE There is no summary currently available