Complaints by model year
Distinct federal complaints filed against each model year of the BMW 5 Series, to date. Hover a bar for the count. Older years have had longer to accumulate filings; the rankings below correct for that.
1984
1985
1986
1987
1988
1989
1995
1997
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
Highest totals within an 8-year windowAll other years
Model years compared
Ranked from the same federal record on an equal exposure window. Click any year for its full file.
Highest complaint totals
- 2008 BMW 5 Series - 96 complaints in its first 8 years (98 to date)
- 2011 BMW 5 Series - 80 complaints in its first 8 years (81 to date)
- 2006 BMW 5 Series - 75 complaints in its first 8 years (85 to date)
Ranked on distinct complaints filed within eight years of the model year, so old and new years get the same exposure window. Not adjusted for sales volume; a best-selling year files more complaints at the same failure rate.
Lowest totals among mature years
- 2004 BMW 5 Series - 52 complaints in its first 8 years (64 to date)
- 2006 BMW 5 Series - 75 complaints in its first 8 years (85 to date)
- 2011 BMW 5 Series - 80 complaints in its first 8 years (81 to date)
Same eight-year window, among model years old enough to have completed it and with at least 25 complaints in it. Model years before 1990 are excluded because the federal file begins in 1995. A low total is not proof of reliability.
What owners report, all years combined
Every model year
| Model year | Complaints to date | Within 8 years | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 BMW 5 Series | 10 | 10 | 0 |
| 2011 BMW 5 Series | 81 | 80 | 4 |
| 2010 BMW 5 Series | 6 | 5 | 5 |
| 2009 BMW 5 Series | 4 | 4 | 3 |
| 2008 BMW 5 Series | 98 | 96 | 3 |
| 2007 BMW 5 Series | 13 | 11 | 3 |
| 2006 BMW 5 Series | 85 | 75 | 7 |
| 2005 BMW 5 Series | 21 | 14 | 4 |
| 2004 BMW 5 Series | 64 | 52 | 6 |
| 2003 BMW 5 Series | 9 | 4 | 0 |
| 2002 BMW 5 Series | 7 | 5 | 0 |
| 2001 BMW 5 Series | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| 2000 BMW 5 Series | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| 1999 BMW 5 Series | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| 1997 BMW 5 Series | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 1995 BMW 5 Series | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| 1989 BMW 5 Series | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 1988 BMW 5 Series | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1987 BMW 5 Series | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1986 BMW 5 Series | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1985 BMW 5 Series | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1984 BMW 5 Series | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Recall campaigns, all years
Every campaign filed against this model, with the model years it covers. Safety-recall remedies are normally provided at no charge. Under US federal law the mandatory free remedy applies when the vehicle was no more than 15 years old at the time the defect was determined; manufacturers often cover older vehicles voluntarily. Canadian rules differ. Confirm eligibility with the manufacturer using the VIN.
| Campaign | Years | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 23V821000 | 2023 | Power Train | BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2023 Toyota GR Supra, 3 Series Sedan (330i xDrive, M340i xDrive, M3), 5 Series Sedan (530i, 530i xDrive, M5), 4 Series Gran... |
| 23V707000 | 2010-2011 | Engine And Engine Cooling | BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2010-2012 1 Series Coupe, 1 Series Convertible, 3 Series Sedan, 3 Series Convertible, 2010-2011 3 Series Sportswagon, 3 Series... |
| 22V119000 | 2006-2010 | Engine And Engine Cooling | BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 1 Series Coupe (128i); 2007-2013 3 Series Coupe (328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive); 2007-2010 X3 SAV (X3 3.0si, X3... |
| 12V161000 | 2011 | Engine And Engine Cooling | BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 5-SERIES, 5-SERIES GRAN TURISMO, MODEL YEAR 2012 6-SERIES CONVERTIBLE, 7-SERIES, X5 SAV, AND X6 SAV VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 8- OR... |
| 12V126000 | 2004-2010 | Electrical System | BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2010 5-SERIES, MODEL YEAR 2004-2010 6-SERIES, MODEL YEAR 2006-2010 M5, AND MODEL YEAR 2007-2010 M6 VEHICLES. |
| 11V521000 | 2011 | Engine And Engine Cooling | BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 5-SERIES, MODEL YEAR 2010-2011 5-SERIES GRAN TURISMO, MODEL YEAR 2009-2011 7-SERIES, MODEL YEAR 2010-2011 X5 SAV, AND MODEL YEAR 2008-2011... |
| 10V446000 | 2004-2010 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2010 5-SERIES, 6-SERIES, AND MODEL YEAR 2002-2008 7-SERIES VEHICLES. |
| 10V331000 | 2010-2011 | Fuel System, Other | BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN 2010 AND 2011 5-SERIES AND 5-SERIES GRAN TURISMO PASSENGER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JANUARY 12 THROUGH JULY 1, 2010. |
| 08V384000 | 2004-2006 | Air Bags | BMW IS RECALLING 200,000 MY 2006 3 SERIES SPORT SEAT, MY 2004-2006 5 SERIES STANDARD AND SPORT SEAT, AND MY 2004-2006 X3 PASSENGER VEHICLES. |
| 06V277000 | 2006 | Suspension | ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE LOWER RUBBER MOUNT OF THE REAR SHOCK ABSORBERS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED TO SPECIFICATIONS AND MAY NOT ADHERE CORRECTLY TO ITS HOUSING... |
| 06V187000 | 2006 | Suspension | ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE NUTS WHICH SECURE THE FRONT AXLE CONTROL ARM AND TENSION STRUT TO THE FRONT WHEEL HUB MAY NOT HAVE BEEN TIGHTENED TO SPECIFICATION. |
| 05V504000 | 2005-2006 | Power Train | CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH AN INCORRECTLY MANUFACTURED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION PARKING PAWL GUIDE PLATE. |
| 04V575000 | 2004 | Seats | ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH FRONT SEAT HEATING SYSTEMS, UPON ENTERING AND EXITING THE VEHICLE, EXCESSIVE CONTACT WITH THE SIDE BOLSTER THAT IS CONTAINED IN THE... |
| 04V344000 | 2004 | Power Train | ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 8 AND 12 CYLINDER ENGINES, THE DIGITAL ENGINE MANAGEMENT CONTROL (EMC) UNITS WERE NOT PRODUCED ACCORDING TO SPECIFICATIONS. |
| 04V303000 | 2004 | Fuel System, Gasoline | ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 8-CYLINDER ENGINES, A CIRCULAR RETENTION CLIP AT THE QUICK-RELEASE COUPLING ALONG THE FUEL SUPPLY LINE WAS INADVERTENTLY NOT INSTALLED. |
| 04V183000 | 1996-1997 | Suspension | ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, DUE TO LONG EXPOSURES TO CERTAIN ENVIRONMENTAL AND OPERATING CONDITIONS, THE MATERIAL STRUCTURE OF THE FRONT SPRING STRUT PLATE COULD BE AFFECTED. |