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2023 BMW 5 Series problems, recalls and owner complaints
What the 2023 BMW 5 Series has been recalled for and what owners report, from official government data. Updated October 25, 2026.
- 0safety recalls
- 10owner complaints
- 2crash reports
- 0fire reports
- 1injury reported
The least complained-about BMW 5 Series year on file: 10 complaints, against an average of 88 for the other model years.
Every BMW 5 Series model year with its number of owner complaints. Pick a year to compare.
What goes wrong with the 2023 BMW 5 Series?
The components named most often in the 10 owner complaints. One complaint can name several, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
Has the 2023 BMW 5 Series been recalled?
NHTSA lists no safety recalls for the 2023 BMW 5 Series as of October 25, 2026. Recalls can be issued at any time, so check your VIN before you rely on this.
Is the 2023 BMW 5 Series recalled in the UK or Europe?
Recalls issued by the UK's DVSA and through the EU's Safety Gate system that cover this model and build period. European models can differ from U.S. ones, and "years estimated" means the recall gave no build dates, so confirm your own car with your registration or VIN.
UK DVSAChecking and re-securing the air-conditioning wiring harness
Risk: The Safety Recall relates to the air-conditioning wiring harness located behind the dashboard. On the affected vehicles the wiring harness was fixed very close to a screw connection on the interior microfilter housing cover. The microfilter of the air conditioning system will be regularly replaced as part of the oil service. It cannot be ruled out that cables may be damaged when replacing the microfilter during a workshop visit. The filter cover has to be removed from the lower part of the instrument panel. After replacing the filter the cover has to be refitted at which point the wires may become damaged or trapped. If the wiring harness is damaged this could lead to malfunctions of the air conditioning system as well as to a short circuit. In case of a short circuit a sensor may overheat while the vehicle is in operation. As a result smoke may develop from the instrument panel and subsequently a fire cannot be ruled out.
Fix: On the affected vehicles the air-conditioning wiring harness will be checked repaired if necessary and re-secured in a modified fixing.
UK DVSAReplace the Engine Starter Motor
Risk: The Safety Recall relates to the engine starter motor. The fault relates to the RSW22 starter RWT (reinforced water tightness). It was found that with RWT starters an increased abrasion of the magnetic contact can cause the growth of deposits at the lowest point of the relay interior. This in turn may increase the relay contact resistance resulting in false starts or even causing short circuits and possibly a thermal reaction. In case of a short circuit the possibility of a thermal event cannot be excluded. This may happen while attempting to start the vehicle or while driving due to vibrations causing a short circuit due to moving deposits.
Fix: On the affected vehicles the starter motor will be replaced with a variant by another supplier with a different design. Until the repair has been completed it is recommended to not leave the vehicle running unattended after starting the engine.
UK DVSAHydraulic Brake System Unit Replacement
Risk: On affected vehicles the brake servomotor was improperly welded. The weld seam might not withstand the stresses caused under high brake pressure leading to a requirement for a higher brake effort increasing the braking distance.
Fix: Affected vehicles will have the hydraulic unit of the brake system replaced.
UK DVSAIntegrated Braking System
Risk: On certain vehicles the Integrated Brake (IB) system may be impaired due to contamination between electrical contacts.
Fix: Vehicles that may be affected by contamination are required to have the vehicle’s software updated which can detect signal interference before it occurs. If symptoms are detected you should refrain from use of the vehicle and the affected Integrated Brake (IB) system component will be replaced.
UK DVSAIntegrated Braking System
Risk: On affected vehicles an unexpected loss of hydraulic brake assistance may occur and may result in a different pedal behaviour under specific conditions an extended braking distance may be experienced and ABS/Stability control may be impaired
Fix: On the affected vehicles the Integrated Brake System will be replaced
UK DVSACheck Steering Wheel and Rework Ground Connection
Risk: On affected vehicles the steering wheel ground connection may have been insufficiently fastened during production which may result in the system detecting the hands are on the steering wheel even though they are not
Fix: On affected vehicles the steering wheel ground connection will be checked and if required reworked.
EU Safety GateThe RSW22 starter with reinforced water tightness (RWT) may experience increased abrasion of the magnetic contact, causing deposits to…The RSW22 starter with reinforced water tightness (RWT) may experience increased abrasion of the magnetic contact, causing deposits to build up at the lowest point inside the relay. These deposits may increase relay contact resistance, leading to starting failures or short circuits. If a short circuit occurs, either when attempting to start the vehicle or while driving due to vibration-related movement of the deposits, it could cause a thermal event and increase the risk of fire.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: 07/07/2026
EU Safety GateThe cockpit cable harness may be damaged when the microfilter is replaced.This can lead to a short circuit, with smoke build-up resulting in fire.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
EU Safety GateThe positive battery cable of the starter-generator may not have been manufactured correctly.This could result in a loose electrical connection, leading to excessive contact resistance. The vehicle cannot charge or start. Contact points in the starter-generator could overheat and cause a vehicle fire.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
EU Safety GateThe hollow shaft of the servomotor was not welded correctly.The weld may not be able to withstand high braking pressure build-up and may break. In this case, the reduced braking performance requires greater force and the braking distance may increase. In addition, the ABS and DSC brake control systems are not assisted. This increases the risk of an accident.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
EU Safety GateThe integrated braking system could be compromised, which could lead to an unexpected failure of the hydraulic braking assistance, thereby…The integrated braking system could be compromised, which could lead to an unexpected failure of the hydraulic braking assistance, thereby requiring greater pressure on the brake pedal. This can result in a longer braking distance, as well as failure of the Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) and the Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), increasing the risk of an accident.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
EU Safety GateA defect on the cylinder head cover could allow oil to leak and spread through the engine compartment, creating a risk of fire.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
EU Safety GateDue to a manufacturing error, the weld seam of the integrated transmission control unit (ITCU) may not have been correctly executed.As a result, transmission oil could leak into the ITCU, causing it to fail. This may lead to transmission seizure, increasing the risk of an accident.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
What do 2023 BMW 5 Series owners report?
10 of the 10 complaints, the most recent for the most-reported components, as the owners wrote them. NHTSA removes names and VINs; long reports are trimmed. CarHooq has not verified individual claims.
I received a recall notice for my vehicle that states that the connection between the driveshaft and rear differential may, over time, be subject to excessive wear. This could lead to a loss of power to the rear wheels, WHICH INCREASES THE RISK OF A CRASH, OR A ROLLAWAY IF THE VEHIOCLE IS NOT SECURED WITH A PARKING BRAKE. This is a serious safety issue, but the manufacturer failed to state when the repair is to be made or how to safely drive the vehicle with the stated defect.
I own a 2023 BMW 530i affected by NHTSA recall campaign 26V-438 (BMW "Engine Starter" recall), issued July 8, 2026. Per BMW's own recall documentation, unexpected wear on an internal starter component can cause the starter to malfunction and, in an extreme case, cause a thermal event or fire when starting the engine OR while the engine is running. As of this complaint, BMW's official status for this recall is "Remedy not available" — there is no repair available and no timeline has been provided to me for when one will be. Because BMW has acknowledged a fire risk that can occur while the…
My vehicle offers rear traffic alert system, but it is not working properly. It's a safety issue that I almost caused several accidents because of it. The vehicle is available for inspection. Safety to me and others are at risk because the feature is not working (rear traffic alert system). I have an appointment on May 28, 2026 to have the BMW dealership look into it. There were no warning lamps or messages.
I purchased a 2021 BMW 530e from a BMW dealership still under warranty. Upon driving the vehicle I have noticed that there is a significant jerk forward when the car shifts from first to second. I have owned multiple BMW vehicles in the past and none of them exhibited this condition, but the three times it has been at the dealership for service they state it is normal. This jerking or unintended acceleration for first to second gear has almost cost me to get into multiple accidents and had to hit the brakes to keep it from rear ending the vehicle in front. This jerking motion has also caused…
I am unknown of what system has failed but the issue is that while the car is in motion, it will completely shut off. All Electrical will disengage and there have been times where a pop up has come on my screen stating that air bags and seat belts are non functioning to get to a service station as soon as possible. It has happened multiple times while driving on a large highway. This is a severe safety issue and I am so thankful I have not suffered serious injuries due to a major accident. The vehicle is unsafe and I do not feel comfortable driving it with myself nor guest in the car.
About June 2024 when I was driving downslope at about 30 MPH, when I hit break the car accelerated. Fortunately, nobody and no car were around and I gained control of the car by pumping the break. I did not think much about this issue to report it. On August 23, 2024, I was driving home. I was very close to my home at very low speed (about 1-2 MPH). I hit the break and the car accelerated for the second time crashing into my next door neighbor's house damaging his bushes, steps, spriklers and the gate. My car sustained considerable amount of damages. It was in the BMW Authorized body shop…
The car was purchased new in July 2023. On or about [XXX], while the car was parked the front license plate holder separated suddenly and unexpectedly from the front bumper of the car and fell to the ground. Incidental to the failure of the front license plate holder, the separation of the holder caused damage to the front bumper. There was no external force applied to the front license plate holder, and the vehicle was not involved in a collision. Because the car was stationary at the time of the incident, there was no additional damage; the safety of the passengers, other drivers, or…
The rear cross tracking warning system does not provide an audible warning or apply brakes. The settings have been set, and verified with the dealer, including the most sensitive sensor level and loudest audio alert level. I have gone to two different dealers in Ohio and Florida and got the same response, “it works as designed”. My brother in law has a 2023 BMW 440i and has the same issue, with the same results with dealer responses. It’s a well known issue in the BMW community since 2019 models, yet the company doesn’t fix. Not only is it dangerous backing out of parking spaces etc., but it…
Car did not fully stop when brakes engaged. Caused collision with a wall. Mechanics are currently evaluating the braking system but it appears to be consistent with the brake recall issued for other 2023-4 BMW vehicles—loss of power brake assist or antilock brake to not function properly. (See National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Campaign Number 24V-104 reported on February 12, 2024).
size 19. I have had two tires fail in 3 months. Less than 3k miles on both. There was no road hazard but both tires blew out on the side.
2023 BMW 5 Series: questions owners ask
Is the 2023 BMW 5 Series reliable?
NHTSA data alone cannot rate reliability, but it shows what owners reported. Owners filed 10 complaints with NHTSA about the 2023 BMW 5 Series; the most common categories were engine (3, 30%), back over prevention (2, 20%), electrical system (2, 20%). There are no safety recalls listed for this model year. 2 complaints mention a crash, 1 injury was reported.
What are the most common problems with the 2023 BMW 5 Series?
Across 10 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the categories mentioned most often are engine (30% of complaints), back over prevention (20% of complaints), electrical system (20% of complaints), service brakes (20% of complaints), structure (20% of complaints). One complaint can name several components.
Does the 2023 BMW 5 Series have any recalls?
As of October 2026, NHTSA lists no safety recalls for the 2023 BMW 5 Series. Recalls can be issued at any time, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Check your own 5 Series
Counts are a starting point, not a verdict: popular models collect more complaints because more of them are on the road, and NHTSA does not verify individual reports. To see whether a recall is still open on your car, enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls (U.S.) or your registration at check-vehicle-recalls.service.gov.uk (UK). Had a safety problem? Report it to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations and recalls.
Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation recall and complaint databases (public domain), DVSA vehicle recalls (Open Government Licence v3.0), EU Safety Gate alerts (© European Union), retrieved October 25, 2026. Model year 2023 only; combines NHTSA's entries for 5 SERIES HYBRID SEDAN and 5 SERIES SEDAN.