2002 BMW M5: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2002 BMW M5: 2 recalls, 6 owner complaints and up to 15 mpg combined.

Recalls
2 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Airbags Vehicle recall #15V318000 · 2015 · 419,235 vehicles
What's wrong: 0i and 4.4i sports activity vehicles. Please note that the 5-series and x5 vehicles are only included if they are equipped with the optional sports steering wheel. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that May be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.
Why it matters: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the vehicle has been remedied. Bmw will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front driver air bag module, free of charge. The recall began aug 2016.
Airbags Vehicle recall #17V047000 · 2017 · 230,117 vehicles
What's wrong: 0i, x5 4.4i, and x5 4.6is vehicles. These vehicles May have had a driver-side air bag module installed as replacement equipment such as after a vehicle crash necessitating replacement of the original air bag, or as a remedy part for a prior recall. These replacement modules contain an air bag inflator that May rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to lower absolute humidity,…
Why it matters: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the vehicle has been remedied. Bmw will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the driver side air bag module, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 15, 2017.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 0 mention a fire, 2 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Visibility (wipers, glass) (2): the most common themes are leaks (2).
- Electrical (1): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Seats (1): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Airbags (1): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
The 2002 BMW M5 has 6 owner complaints, ranking #4 of 26 M5 model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 4). Complaints peaked in 2008 (2 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 9 years old, at a median of 26,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2001 (4 complaints, 3 recalls), 2003 (3 complaints, 1 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.9 L 8-cyl | Manual 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 12 | 19 | 15 | Premium |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
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 2002 BMW M5.
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FAQ
Does the 2002 BMW M5 have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 2 vehicle recalls for the 2002 BMW M5. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2002 BMW M5 problems?
Owners have filed 6 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are visibility (wipers, glass) (2), electrical (1), seats (1).
What gas mileage does the 2002 BMW M5 get?
EPA ratings run up to 15 mpg combined (4.9 L, Manual 6-spd), across 1 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2002 BMW M5 repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.