BMW M5 Recalls

The BMW M5 has 18 recalls spanning 1991 through the 2026 model year, with the most serious recent issue affecting 2025-2026 models where the air conditioning wiring harness can be damaged during a routine cabin air filter replacement, creating a short circuit that can start a fire.

On the brake side, 2025 models have a recall where the integrated brake system can malfunction, reducing or eliminating power brake assist and disabling the anti-lock brakes and stability control, all of which extend stopping distances and reduce the driver's ability to maintain control. These two issues make the 2025-2026 model years the most active area of current concern.

Going back to the 2019-2020 model years, the transmission wiring harness can wear and short-circuit, causing the transmission to drop into neutral without warning and cut drive power. The 2019 model year separately has a high-pressure fuel pump that can develop a cracked flange and leak fuel, raising the risk of a fire. On 2018 models, engine control software can cause the fuel pump to shut off while driving, stalling the vehicle, and a separate issue with the fuel level sensor can cause the gauge to read higher than the actual fuel level, which can also lead to an unexpected stall. The 2020-2021 model years have a rearview camera that displays a slightly obscured image, and 2018-2020 models have a related issue where the backup camera can fail to show any image at all when reversing.

The 2016 model year has two recalls: a child seat lower anchor on the left rear seat that may be bent and prevent a child seat from locking in fully, and a seat-mounted side airbag inflator initiator that can fail to fire, leaving the side airbag inactive in a crash. The 2015 model year has a driveshaft that can fracture and cause a sudden loss of drive power to the rear wheels.

Going further back, the 2002-2003 model years are covered by Takata-related driver's frontal airbag inflator recalls where the inflator can rupture in a crash and send metal fragments into the cabin. The 2001-2002 model years have the same airbag inflator rupture risk. The 2001 model year has an additional issue where a microprocessor in the airbag control module can trigger unintended deployment of the front or side airbags, seatbelt pretensioners, or the battery safety terminal without a crash occurring. The 2000 model year has a brake light switch that can fail and leave the brake lights either permanently on or permanently off, and a separate issue where tires may have been damaged during assembly, affecting handling. The 1991 model year has wheel cover screws that can loosen and allow the covers to separate from the wheels while driving, creating a road hazard.