BMW M5 Best and Worst Years by Owner Complaints
We rank BMW M5 model years by the number of owner complaints filed with NHTSA, from fewest to most. Complaint counts aren't failure rates: years that sold more cars, or that are older, can show more reports. We rank only model years at least five years old, because newer ones are still collecting reports. Among settled years shown, the 2010 drew the fewest (1) and the 2006 the most (39).
Complaints filed by model year
Every year compared
| Most-reported component | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 Among the fewest complaints |
1 | 2 | Air bags | — | 13 |
| 2016 Among the fewest complaints |
1 | 2 | Unknown or other | — | 16–17 |
| 2022 | 1 | 0 | Unknown or other | — | 17 |
| 2025 Still collecting reports |
1 | 2 | Forward collision avoidance | — | 14 |
| 2014 Among the fewest complaints |
2 | 1 | Engine | — | 16–17 |
| 2020 | 2 | 3 | Engine | — | 17 |
| 2021 | 2 | 1 | Electrical system | — | 17 |
| 2003 | 3 | 1 | Air bags | — | 15 |
| 2015 | 3 | 1 | Electrical system | — | 16–17 |
| 2000 | 4 | 2 | Air bags | — | 15 |
| 2001 | 4 | 3 | Air bags | — | 15 |
| 2002 | 6 | 2 | Visibility | — | 15 |
| 2007 | 6 | 1 | Air bags | — | 13 |
| 2008 | 6 | 2 | Electrical system | — | 13 |
| 2018 | 6 | 3 | Engine | — | 17 |
| 2019 Among the most complaints |
8 | 3 | Engine | — | 17 |
| 2013 Among the most complaints |
10 | 2 | Engine | — | 16–17 |
| 2006 Among the most complaints |
39 | 1 | Air bags | — | 13 |
Sources: NHTSA ODI complaints, NHTSA recalls, NHTSA NCAP, EPA; retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
What owners reported in the BMW M5 years with the most complaints
These settled model years drew the most owner complaints to NHTSA. The share in brackets is the part of that year’s complaints that names each component; one complaint can name several.
2006 BMW M5: 39 complaints
Most-reported: Air bags 25 (64%); Seat belts 7 (18%); Power train 5 (13%).
Reports mention 1 crash, 1 injury. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 56,200 miles. 1 recall campaign listed.
2013 BMW M5: 10 complaints
Most-reported: Engine 6 (60%); Steering 3 (30%); Air bags 1 (10%).
Reports mention 1 fire. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 45,000 miles. 2 recall campaigns listed.
2019 BMW M5: 8 complaints
Most-reported: Engine 4 (50%); Engine and engine cooling 2 (25%); Power train 2 (25%).
3 recall campaigns listed.
The BMW M5 years with the fewest complaints
2016 BMW M5: 1 complaints
2 recall campaigns listed.
2014 BMW M5: 2 complaints
Most-reported: Engine 2 (100%); Power train 1 (50%); Vehicle speed control 1 (50%).
1 recall campaign listed.
Crashes, fires and injuries in BMW M5 owner reports
| Model year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Typical miles at filing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2022 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2021 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2020 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2019 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2018 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2016 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2015 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2014 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2013 | 10 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 45,000 |
| 2010 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2008 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2007 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2006 | 39 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 56,200 |
| 2003 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2002 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — |
| 2001 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2000 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | — |
Owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA. “Typical miles” is the median odometer reading in complaints that gave one (shown when at least 10 did). Source: NHTSA ODI complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Largest BMW M5 recalls
- Driver Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Rupture (2002–2003 model years; 419,235 vehicles across all models; filed May 2015; 15V318000)
- BATTERY CABLE INSULATED BULKHEAD CONNECTOR (2006–2010 model years; 367,682 vehicles across all models; filed Mar 2012; 12V126000)
- BMW/COOLANT SYSTEM (1989–1995 model years; 340,000 vehicles across all models; filed Aug 1998; 98V178000)
- Integrated Brake System Malfunction (2025 model year; 266,716 vehicles across all models; filed Feb 2024; 24V104000)
- No Back-Up Camera Display Image/FMVSS 111 (2018–2020 model years; 257,473 vehicles across all models; filed Sep 2019; 19V684000)
All 23 BMW M5 recall campaigns · BMW M5 problems, recalls and mpg by year · Used car inspection checklist
What the numbers can't tell you
- Sales volume. NHTSA publishes no sales figures with complaints, so a popular year draws more reports even if each car is no worse.
- Recent years are under-counted. Owners file reports for years after purchase; the newest model years will keep growing.
- The individual car. Maintenance, mileage and repairs matter more for one used car than any model-year average. Get a pre-purchase inspection and check open recalls by VIN.
BMW M5 years FAQ
Which BMW M5 year has the fewest complaints?
Among the model years shown whose counts have settled, the 2010 has the fewest owner complaints filed with NHTSA (1). That is a count of reports, not a measure of reliability.
Does fewer complaints mean a more reliable car?
Not necessarily. Complaint counts depend on how many cars were sold, how old they are and how many owners file reports. Use them to spot patterns worth asking about, alongside recalls, crash tests and a pre-purchase inspection.
Are there BMW M5 years to avoid?
No model year is officially one to avoid. By owner complaints to NHTSA, the settled years with the most reports are the 2006, 2013 and 2019 models, and across all years the most-reported problem area is the air bags. Compare those years with the ones that drew the fewest reports, then check any specific car for open recalls by VIN and get a pre-purchase inspection.
What is the most common BMW M5 problem?
Across the model years shown, owners most often report problems with the air bags (44 of 105 complaints list it). Each model-year report breaks the complaints down by component.
How many recalls does the BMW M5 have?
NHTSA lists 23 recall campaigns covering the BMW M5. See every one, with official wording and repair rates, on the BMW M5 recall page.
Why are newer years left out of fewest and most?
Owners keep filing complaints for years after a car is sold. We mark the two newest model years as still collecting reports, and we only rank years that are at least five years old.
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.