AI DamageBMW M5: problems, complaints, bulletins
Summary for the BMW M5 across 9 model years: 19 owner complaints and 241 NHTSA service bulletins, plus repair videos. Pick a year for details.
Model years
What fails most often
- 1 Engine 47% of all complaints
- 2 Powertrain 26% of all complaints
- 3 Fuel/propulsion system 16% of all complaints
- 4 Electrical system 11% of all complaints
- 5 Engine and cooling 11% of all complaints
- 6 Exterior lighting 5% of all complaints
- 7 Air bags 5% of all complaints
- 8 Seat belts 5% of all complaints
- Engine: 9 complaints (47% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 40.
- Powertrain: 5 complaints (26% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 3.
- Fuel/propulsion system: 3 complaints (16% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 2.
- Electrical system: 2 complaints (11% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 246.
- Engine and cooling: 2 complaints (11% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 49.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 3.5 L · petrol · 6 cyl 1991–1993
- 4.4 L · petrol · turbo · 8 cyl 2013–2023
- 4.9 L · petrol · 8 cyl 2000–2003
- 5 L · petrol · 10 cyl 2006–2010
- 4.4 L · plug-in hybrid · turbo · 8 cyl 2025–2027
- automatic, 7-speed 2006–2010
- automatic, 8-speed 2018–2027
- dual-clutch (DCT), 7-speed 2013–2016
- manual, 5-speed 1991–1993
- manual, 6-speed 2000–2016
Drive: RWD, AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 19 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 9 | 0 | 40 |
| Powertrain | 5 | 0 | 3 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 3 | 0 | 2 |
| Electrical system | 2 | 0 | 246 |
| Engine and cooling | 2 | 0 | 49 |
| Exterior lighting | 1 | 0 | 27 |
| Air bags | 1 | 0 | 9 |
| Seat belts | 1 | 0 | 7 |
| Equipment | 0 | 0 | 265 |
| Steering | 0 | 0 | 77 |
| Service brakes | 0 | 0 | 40 |
| Visibility | 0 | 0 | 30 |
| Backover prevention | 0 | 0 | 28 |
| Structure | 0 | 0 | 26 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Furthermore, the dealership's primary diagnostic criteria (a cold pressure test) FAILED to detect severe, ongoing coolant leakage that was actively drowning the fuel injectors, nearly resulting in catastrophic engine failure.
2020 BMW M5 a metal-shavings engine failure at highway speed is a safety event. I had total catastrophic engine failure at less than 50,000 miles. No warning lights, found metal shavings in the engine system and engine needs complete replacement.
The dealer replaced the coolant expansion tank; however, the vehicle experienced a coolant leak two months later. The message "Drivetrain Malfunction" was displayed, and the coolant level was low.
Despite following the manufacturer’s recommended maintenance schedule and having the car serviced at authorized BMW dealerships, I am facing an engine failure that BMW has quoted $44,000 to repair. BMW is only offering $4,000 towards this repair, leaving us with an overwhelming out-of-pocket expense.
BMW issued a stop sale on 2017-2023 bmw F90 M5 chassis regarding the expansion tank failure. All vehicles should be affected by the recall. My current vehicle is experiencing the issues stated on the recall notice. Expansion tank is failing and causing coolant to seep into engine bay
The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact researched the failure and related the failure to an unknown recall.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
What to check before buying
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Fuel/propulsion system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- Due to unfavorable software, the Storage Management Electronics (SME) will not show fault codes that…
- When pulling on the hood (highlighted inorange in the top photo) release lever (highlighted in orange in…
- Bonnet Release Holder
- After programming the vehicle via ISTA/RSUto I-level …26-03-5xx, some of the interiorambient lighting…
- This Service Bulletin provides instructions to clean the intake valves using the BMW Carbon Blaster Tool…
- Due to an implementation error in various OBD diagnostics in the vehicle's control units, in very rare…
- This Service Bulletin provides instructions to clean the intake valves using the BMW Carbon Blaster Tool
- The vehicle may experience various operational issues with Apple CarPlay Projected Modes such as
- The decorative trims on the head restraints ofthe driver’s seat and front passenger seatcause groaning…
- Due to an implementation error in various OBD diagnostics in the vehicle's control units, in very rare…
- Expansion Tank Return
- Gen 5 BEV/PHEV vehicles may set the Combined Charging Unit (CCU) in programming abort due to no…
Repair videos
We do not copy videos: these are YouTube links credited to their authors. Amounts are as stated by the author and not verified by us.
Other models of this make
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.