Independent · Not affiliated with NHTSA or any automaker MethodologyData sourcesData refreshed Oct 6, 2026

2018 BMW M5: Problems, Recalls and MPG

What this means

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2018 BMW M5, most recently filed September 2019. Owners have filed 6 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the engine.

Data summary generated from official records. Methodology Data: NHTSA, DOT, EPA · Refreshed Oct 6, 2026
Caution Fewer than 50 complaints filed. With this few reports, patterns may not be meaningful.
Compare

Recalls (3)

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2018 BMW M5. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗

Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.

Check on NHTSA ↗
Listed for 2018 BMW M5. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 19V684000 Filed Sep 27, 2019

No Back-Up Camera Display Image/FMVSS 111

Back over prevention · sensing system · camera
Official NHTSA text
Summary
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018 540d, 2018-2020 530i, 530i xDrive, 540i, 540i xDrive, M550i xDrive, M5, 530e, 530e xDrive, X3 sDrive, X3 xDrive, X3 M40i, X3 M, and 2019-2020 X4 xDrive, X4 M40i, X4 M, X7 xDrive, X7 M50i, 740Li, 740Li xDrive, 750Li, 750Li xDrive, 8 Series Convertible and Coupe 840i, 840i xDrive, M850i xDrive, X5 sDrive, X5 xDrive, X5 M50i, X6 xDrive, X6 M50i, 330i, 330i xDrive, M340i, M340i xDrive, Z4 sDrive, Z4 M40i, 740Le xDrive and 745Le xDrive, 2018-2019 640i xDrive Gran Turismo and Rolls-Royce Phantom, 2019 M850i xDrive Gran Coupe and Rolls-Royce Cullinan and 2020 Toyota Supra vehicles. The back-up camera and display settings can be adjusted such that the rear view image is no longer visible and the system will retain that setting the next time the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rearview Mirrors."
Consequence
The lack of an image in the back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will update the back-up camera software, free of charge. The recall began November 8, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or Rolls-Royce at 1-877-877-3735. Toyota owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371.
96.6% repairedof 257,473 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 19V684000
Listed for 2018 BMW M5. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 18V473000 Filed Jul 17, 2018

Fuel Gauge may Read Higher than Actual Level

Fuel system, gasoline · storage · tank assembly
Official NHTSA text
Summary
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018 BMW M5 vehicles. The fuel level sensor in the fuel tank may become stuck against an in-tank fuel line, causing the fuel gauge to display an inaccurate and possibly larger amount of fuel than is actually available.
Consequence
An incorrect fuel reading may lead to the vehicle stalling and increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will secure the in-tank fuel line to keep the fuel line from contacting the fuel level sensor, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin September 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
97.9% repairedof 1,645 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 18V473000
Listed for 2018 BMW M5. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 18V323000 Filed May 16, 2018

Loss of Fuel Pump

Electrical system · software
Official NHTSA text
Summary
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018 BMW M5 vehicles. In certain driving conditions, the engine control unit software may cause the fuel pump to stop.
Consequence
If the fuel pump stops, the vehicle will stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will update the engine control unit software, free of charge. The recall began on June 25, 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
97.9% repairedof 846 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 18V323000

PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.

Owner complaints (6)

6 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The engine is mentioned most often.

0involved a crash
0involved a fire
0injuries reported
0deaths reported

As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.

Most-reported components

Complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2018 BMW M5, by component (top 9). One complaint can list several components, so these add up to more than 6.Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints · Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 · Report a data error

How 2018 compares with other M5 years

Best and worst M5 years →
10 2 3 1 6 8 2 2 1 1
2013201420152016201820192020202120222025
This year (2018)Other yearsStill collecting reports

Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Fuel economy: up to 17 mpg combined

17
mpg combined
15
city
21
highway
EPA annual fuel cost
$4,850
CO₂ tailpipe
521 g/mi
EPA class
Midsize Cars

What it costs you to run

$3,842per year
$320per month
882gallons a year

Miles ÷ 17 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.

EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.

Specs by configuration

2018 BMW M5 configurations with EPA data
Engine · transmissionDriveCity / Hwy / CombEPA $/yrCO₂ g/mi
4.4 L 8-cyl · 8-speed automaticAll-Wheel Drive15 / 21 / 17$4,850521

Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.

Used blue SUV on a sunny dealer lot with its hood open and a clipboard on the fender

Looking at a 2018 M5 for sale?

Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.

All M5 years

Where to next

2018 BMW M5 FAQ

How many recalls does the 2018 BMW M5 have?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns: 19V684000 (rear camera), 18V473000 (fuel system), 18V323000 (fuel pump). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.

What are the most common 2018 BMW M5 problems?

Owners filed 6 complaints with NHTSA. Engine (3), Air bags (2), Fuel/propulsion system (1) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.

What mpg does the 2018 BMW M5 get?

EPA rates the 4.4 L 8-cyl · 8-speed automatic version at 15 city, 21 highway and 17 combined mpg.

How does the 2018 M5 compare with other years?

Among the 2013–2021 BMW M5 model years at least five years old, the 2016 drew the fewest complaints (1) and the 2013 the most (10). The 2018 drew 6. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.

How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes

Processing

  • Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
  • Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.

Limitations

  • Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
  • Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
  • Recent model years are still collecting reports.

Review

Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.

Changelog

  • 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.
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