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BMW M5 Problems, Recalls and Owner Complaints by Model Year
Across 8 model years, NHTSA lists 16 recalls and 33 owner complaints for the BMW M5. Newest model year first. Data as of October 25, 2026.
BMW M5 by model year
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 BMW M5 | 1 | 3 | |
| 2020 BMW M5 | 3 | 2 | |
| 2019 BMW M5 | 3 | 8 | |
| 2018 BMW M5 | 3 | 4 | |
| 2016 BMW M5 | 2 | 1 | |
| 2015 BMW M5 | 1 | 3 | |
| 2014 BMW M5 | 1 | 2 | |
| 2013 BMW M5 | 2 | 10 |
Model years with no recall and fewer than three complaints are not listed. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. All BMW models.
BMW M5: questions owners ask
Which BMW M5 year has the most problems?
By owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the BMW M5 model years with the most are the 2013 (10), 2019 (8) and 2018 (4). Newer model years have had less time on the road, so their counts are naturally lower; compare years of a similar age.
Which BMW M5 years have the fewest complaints?
Leaving out the newest model years (too new to compare), the fewest owner complaints were filed for the 2016 (1), 2014 (2) and 2020 (2), out of 8 model years from 2013 to 2021. A low count can also mean that year sold fewer cars.
How many recalls does the BMW M5 have?
NHTSA lists recalls for 8 BMW M5 model years, 16 in total when counted per model year (one recall often covers several years). The years with the most are the 2018 (3), 2019 (3) and 2020 (3). Check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
How often does the BMW M5 fail its MOT?
In 2023 UK MOT tests, the BMW M5's first-time failure rate ranged from 8.5% for cars first registered in 2016 to 16% for 2013, across 5 registration years with at least 100 tests. Older cars fail more often. The most common failure areas were tyres, suspension, visibility (windscreen, wipers, mirrors). Source: DVSA anonymised MOT results.