Problem: BMW is recalling certain model year 2008 through 2010 528i, 535i, 550i, and M5 passenger cars manufactured from March 1, 2007, through December 31, 2009. Over time, increased resistance at the taillight electrical contact points may cause damage to the ground terminal and housing of the connector resulting in an intermittent or permanent loss of functionality of one or more rear lamp functions (tail, brake, turn-signal, reverse).
Risk: Intermittent light operation reduces the ability to warn other motorists of the driver's intentions, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear lamp bulb carriers free of charge. Owners may contact BMW customer relations at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.
Electrical system › 12v/24v/48v battery › Cables
NHTSA recall 12V126000 · Mar 26, 2012 · 367,682 vehicles
Problem: 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 TRUNK FLOOR PANEL, WHICH CAN LEAD TO A LOOSENING OF THE BOLT CONNECTION. AS IT LOOSENS, AN INCREASE IN ELECTRICAL RESISTANCE AT THIS CABLE CONNECTION IS POSSIBLE AND COULD CAUSE THE CABLE CONNECTION TO OVERHEAT.
Risk: OVERHEATING COULD LEAD TO A FIRE, EVEN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS NOT IN USE. AS A PRECAUTION, OWNERS ARE ADVISED TO PARK OUTSIDE UNTIL THE REMEDY HAS BEEN MADE.
Fix: BMW WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND SECURE THE BATTERY BOLT CABLE CONNECTION AS NECESSARY, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 30, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND SERVICES AT 1-800-525-7417.
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
11 / 17 mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
5 L · 10 cyl · Manual 6-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $6,300/year to fuel
M5
13mpg combined
City / highway
11 / 17 mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
5 L · 10 cyl · Automatic (S7) · 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.
What owners report
Problem area
Complaints
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Typical mileage*
Electrical system
2
0
1
0
—
Engine
2
0
1
0
—
Air bags
1
1
0
0
—
Equipment adaptive/mobility
1
1
0
0
—
Power train
1
0
0
0
—
Seats
1
0
0
0
—
Exterior lighting
1
0
1
0
—
Service brakes
1
0
0
0
—
Electronic stability control (esc)
1
0
0
0
—
Steering
1
0
0
0
—
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Apr 24, 2021 · 45,000 miles · fireEngine TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2008 BMW M5. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARALLEL PARK, THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED TO REVERSE AND A LOUD POP NOISE WAS HEARD AS FLAMES WAS SEEN COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. NO WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED PEOPLE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SCREAM TO HIM THAT THERE WAS FIRE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT PARKED, OPENED THE HOOD AND SAW FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT WAS FILED. NO ONE WAS INJURED AND NO MEDICAL TREATMENT WAS NEEDED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOWING YARD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WAS…
May 19, 2020 · 40,480 milesService brakes WHILE DRIVING MY BMW M5, THE VEHICLE BECAME MOMENTARILY UNSTABLE WHILE DRIVING ON STATE ROUTE 52 BETWEEN WALKER VALLEY AND ELLENVILLE AROUND A TURN @ ~50MPH. SHORTLY AFTER THE ABS AND DSC LIGHTS BECAME ILLUMINATED. I HAVE SEVERAL VEHICLES SO I DID NOT DRIVE THIS CAR AND COULD NOT GET REPAIRED IMMEDIATELY DUE TO COVID-19. I AM NOT SURE THE EXACT DATE IN WHICH THIS OCCURRED BUT DROPPED OFF TO ORANGE COUNTY BMW ON 5/19/2020. AFTER INSPECTION IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE COMPLETE DSC UNIT (HYDRO / ELECTRIC) COMPLETELY FAILED. MEANING THERE WAS ALTERED STABILITY CONTROL, ABS BRAKING AND COME TO FIND OUT STEERING. THE STEERING SENSORS WERE DIAGNOSED AFTER THE NEW DSC UNIT WAS INSTALLED AND COULD NOT…
Sep 1, 2019 · 80,000 miles · fireElectrical system ALL WIRES LEADING INTO THE HEADLIGHTS HAVE DETERIORATED AND ARE BARE. IT KEEPS SHORTING OUT THE LIGHTS AND SEEMS TO BE A MAJOR FIRE HAZARD. THIS IS A GARAGE KEPT CAR WITH 80K MILES. APPEARS MANY MANY OTHERS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. PLEASE HELP.
Mar 10, 2018 · 86,000 milesEngine VANOS, ENGINE
Oct 30, 2014 · 65,000 milesElectrical system THE SUNROOF DRAINS OF MY VEHICLE OVERFILL OR CLOG CAUSING WATER TO LEAK IN THE TRUNK AND WHEEL WELL. THE CARS WHEEL WELL HOLDS THE CARS BATTERY, RDC, AND PDC MODULES. SURROUNDED BY FOAM WHEN WATER REACHES THE MODULES THEY ARC AND SPARK CAUSING THEM TO HEAT UP AND MELT. ALSO LOCATED IN THE TRUNK IS SEVERAL OTHER ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS XM RADIO AMP, ETC. IF NOT CAUGHT IN TIME COULD CAUSE FIRE AND MAYBE EVEN DEATH. YOU CAN'T TELL WHEN THEY ARE OVERFILLED/CLOGGED UNTIL IT'S TO LATE. I HAVE REPLACED THEM 2 TIMES BOTH TIMES ALMOST CAUSING FIRE TO THE CAR. HERE IS A LING SHOWING THAT BMW ACKNOWLEDGES THE ISSUE AND IS NOT FIXING IT. FROM SOMEONE ELSE TOO.…
Sep 25, 2014 · 70,000 miles · crashAir bags ON SEPT 25, 2014, I WAS DRIVING MY 2008 BMW M5 AND TURNING INTO A PARKING LOT WHEN I WAS HIT FROM THE REAR, SHOVED ON TOP AND OVER A MEDIAN AND INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. MY VEHICLE WAS STRUCK FROM THE REAR AND THEN STRUCK AGAIN FROM THE FRONT. I DO NOT KNOW HOW FAST THE DRIVER THAT HIT ME WAS GOING, HOWEVER, NONE OF MY AIRBAGS IN MY VEHICLE WERE DEPLOYED. I AM UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE EXACT CHARACTERISTICS IN WHICH EACH AIRBAG WOULD BE DEPLOYED AND I REQUESTING THE NHTSA TO PERFORM THAT REVIEW. *TR
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.