Recalls (1)
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2021 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 ↗Rearview Camera Image Obscured/FMVSS 111
- Summary
- BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020-2021 X3 sDrive 30i, X3 xDrive 30i, X3M 40i, X3 xDrive 30e, X4 xDrive 30i, X4M 40i, 530i, 540i, 540i xDrive, M550i xDrive, M5, 550e, 550e xDrive, and 550e iPerformance vehicles. A small portion of the rearview image may be slightly obscured. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
- Consequence
- If the driver relies on only the rearview camera image, the reduced rearview image view can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
- Remedy
- BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, program the rearview camera with updated software. The recall began November 18, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
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 (2)
2 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The electrical system is mentioned most often.
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 1 | 50% |
| Exterior lighting | 1 | 50% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 1 | 50% |
| Power train | 1 | 50% |
How 2021 compares with other M5 years
Best and worst M5 years →| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 10 | 2 |
| 2014 | 2 | 1 |
| 2015 | 3 | 1 |
| 2016 | 1 | 2 |
| 2018 | 6 | 3 |
| 2019 | 8 | 3 |
| 2020 | 2 | 3 |
| 2021 | 2 | 1 |
| 2022 | 1 | 0 |
| 2025 | 1 | 2 |
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
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $4,850
- CO₂ tailpipe
- 520 g/mi
- EPA class
- Midsize Cars
What it costs you to run
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
| Engine · transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | EPA $/yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.4 L 8-cyl · 8-speed automatic | All-Wheel Drive | 15 / 21 / 17 | $4,850 | 520 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 2021 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.
Where to next
2021 BMW M5 FAQ
How many recalls does the 2021 BMW M5 have?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign: 20V598000 (rear camera). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 2021 BMW M5 problems?
Owners filed 2 complaints with NHTSA. Electrical system (1), Exterior lighting (1), Fuel/propulsion system (1) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 2021 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 2021 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 2021 drew 2. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
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.