BMW M5 problems, recalls & best years
The deets on every M5 from 1990 to 2026: 105 owner complaints and 44 recalls across 26 model years.
The model years with the most owner complaints are 2006 (39), 2013 (10), 2019 (8). Best fuel economy: 17 mpg combined (2022).
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Problem areas across all years
Year by year
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | Best mpg | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 1 | 0 | – | |
| 1991 | 3 | 0 | 13 | |
| 1992 | 2 | 0 | 14 | |
| 1993 | 1 | 0 | 14 | |
| 1994 | 1 | 0 | – | |
| 1995 | 1 | 0 | – | |
| 2000 | 2 | 4 | 15 | |
| 2001 | 3 | 4 | 15 | |
| 2002 | 2 | 6 | 15 | |
| 2003 | 1 | 3 | 15 | |
| 2006 | 1 | 39 | 13 | |
| 2007 | 1 | 6 | 13 | |
| 2008 | 2 | 6 | 13 | |
| 2009 | 2 | 0 | 13 | |
| 2010 | 2 | 1 | 13 | |
| 2013 | 2 | 10 | 17 | |
| 2014 | 1 | 2 | 17 | |
| 2015 | 1 | 3 | 17 | |
| 2016 | 2 | 1 | 17 | |
| 2018 | 3 | 6 | 17 | |
| 2019 | 3 | 8 | 17 | |
| 2020 | 3 | 2 | 17 | |
| 2021 | 1 | 2 | 17 | |
| 2022 | 0 | 1 | 17 | |
| 2025 | 2 | 1 | 14 | |
| 2026 | 1 | 0 | 14 |
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Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the BMW M5.
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FAQ
What is the worst year for the BMW M5?
The model years with the most owner complaints are 2006 (39), 2013 (10), 2019 (8).
How many recalls has the BMW M5 had?
Across 1990–2026, NHTSA lists 44 vehicle recall campaigns by model year (a campaign that covers several years counts once per year).