Model year record

2013 BMW M5 recalls & problems

The 2013 BMW M5 has 2 safety recalls and 10 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is engine (6 complaints).

Recalls2safety recalls

Complaints10filed by owners

Crashes · fires0 · 1reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths0 · 0reported in complaints

1 recall for this model year carries an NHTSA do not drive advisory. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Safety recalls

Exterior lightingMar 31, 2015

Exterior lighting

Recall 15V18800013,443 vehicles

Problem: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2013 528i, 528i xDrive, 535i, 535i xDrive, 550i, 550i xDrive, and ActiveHybrid 5 vehicles. The rear reflex reflectors may not reflect enough light. As such, the vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Risk: The vehicle may be less visible to other vehicles, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear reflex reflectors, free of charge. The recall began July 28, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Engine and engine coolingSep 28, 2012

Engine

Recall 12V475000696 vehicles

NHTSA advisory: do not drive affected vehicles until repaired.

Problem: BMW is recalling certain model year 2013 M5, M6 Coupe, and M6 Convertible vehicles, manufactured from July 19, 2012, through September 11, 2012. Due to a manufacturing process error, the tolerance between the engine oil pump's drive shaft and the pump's rotor was not within specification. As a result, the pump's driveshaft could separate from the rotor.
Risk: Separation of the pump's driveshaft from the rotor could lead to a sudden loss of oil pressure causing the possibility of complete engine failure, resulting in an engine stall-like condition, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the oil pump, free of charge. The safety recall began on November 30, 2012. Owners may contact BMW 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.

Crash test ratings

2013 BMW M5 4 DR RWD

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	Not Rated

Forward collision warning: Optional · Lane departure warning: Optional

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

M5

17mpg combined

City / highway	15 / 22 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

4.4 L · 8 cyl · Manual 6-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,850/year to fuel

M5

16mpg combined

City / highway	14 / 20 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

4.4 L · 8 cyl · Automatic (AM-S7) · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $5,150/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	Fires	Typical mileage*
Engine	6	0	44,408 mi
Steering	3	0	413 mi
Seat belts	1	0	—
Service brakes	1	1	—
Electronic stability control (esc)	1	1	—
Air bags	1	0	—
Suspension	1	0	—
Electrical system	1	0	—
Fuel/propulsion system	1	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Engine
I WAS DRIVING DOWN A HIGHWAY IN MY CITY WHEN I STARTED TO HEAR A SQUEAKY SOUND SORT OF LIKE A HAMSTER WHEEL. SHORTLY AFTER I STARTED TO HEAR LOUD METAL TO METAL CLANKING SOUND AND THE ENGINE FAILED WHILE IN TRAFFIC ON THE HIGHWAY. I WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE TO SAFE LOCATION ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITH BEING HARMED BUT THE POSSIBILITY OF A MAJOR WRECK WAS POSSIBLE DUE TRAFFIC VOLUME AND SPEED. I HAVE ATTACHED THE MECHANICS QUOTES FOR REPAIR OF ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO IMPROPER AND QUICK OIL PRESSURE FAILURE. A ROD WAS SEIZED TO THE CRANKSHAFT AND THEN THE BEARING WAS DESTROYED AND METAL WAS SENT THROUGH THE ENGINE. ONE QUOTE IS FOR A REBUILD OF THE ENGINE IF IT IS POSSIBLE ONCE…
May 1, 2020 · 59,817 miles
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 BMW M5. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL SOUND BEFORE THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING REPAIRED. DON JACOBS BMW LOCATED AT 2689 NICHOLASVILLE RD #1, LEXINGTON, KY 40503, WAS CONTACTED BY PHONE AND MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V475000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,817.…
May 1, 2020 · 59,817 miles
Electrical system
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.
Jun 6, 2019 · 200 miles
Engine
I WAS DRIVING HOME WHEN I ACCELERATED THE CAR JERK STARTED SMOKING I PULLED OVER AND OIL WAS LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH
May 26, 2019 · 62,000 miles
Steering
CREAKING NOISE IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION WHEN TURNING STEERING WHEEL WHEN PARKED AND AT LOW SPEEDS. DIAGNOSIS FROM SHOP INDICATED THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS AND BALL JOINTS WERE LOOSE. BOTH SIDES REPLACED.
May 16, 2019 · 45,000 miles
Air bags
LIGHT COMES ON FOR PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION
Nov 1, 2017 · 50,500 miles
Engine
CAR READS LOW ON OIL WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE TAKEN IT BACK TO DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE CAR ONLY NEEDED ONE QUART OF OIL. DEALER HAS NEVER LOOKED TO SEE IF THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE TOLERANCE BETWEEN THE ENGINE OIL PUMP DRIVE SHAFT AND THE PUMP'S ROTOR. DEALERSHIP ONLY SHOWED MY HUSBAND HOW TO REPLENISH OIL WHEN LIGHT COMES ON. THIS HAS PROBLEM BEGAN WHEN THE CAR ONLY HAD 29,000 MILES. THE LIGHT WILL COME ON WHEN CAR IS STATIONERY AND IN MOTION ON A CITY STREET OR HIGHWAY. CURRENTLY MUST DRIVE AROUND WITH A QUART OF OIL IN CAR AT ALL TIMES FOR SAFETY REASONS. CAR NOW HAS 40,000 MILES.
Jun 29, 2015 · 29,000 miles
Service brakesFire
THE VEHICLE MENTIONED ABOVE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHEN I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK ON A SNOWY EVENING. THE TRIP TO MY HOUSE IS AROUND 7 MILES AND AFTER ABOUT 6 MILES, I PARKED ALONG THE STREET AS I SAW SMOKE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE AND BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS WERE BEING DISPLAYED. WHEN I GOT OUT OF THE CAR, I SAW A FIRE UNDER THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL. THE CAR WAS TOTALED. RESEARCHING ABOUT FIRES IN BMWS I FOUND QUIET A BIG NUMBER OUT THERE. NOW WE ARE WORRIED TO EVEN DRIVE THE TWO OTHER BMWS THAT I STILL OWN. *TR
Jan 28, 2014 · 16,000 miles

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.