Bmw M5
Owners filed 105 complaints across 26 model years of the Bmw M5. The 2006 drew the most (39); the 2026 the fewest (0).
Model years26
Complaints105
Recalls44
Fires5
Deaths1
Every Bmw M5 model year compared
Complaints per year| Year | Complaints | Relative volume | Recalls | Fires | Crashes | Most reported | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 1 | — | — | — | Routine | |
| 2025 | 1 | 2 | — | — | Unknown or Other | Routine | |
| 2022 | 1 | 0 | — | — | Unknown or Other | Routine | |
| 2021 | 2 | 1 | 1 | — | Exterior Lighting | Routine | |
| 2020 | 2 | 3 | — | — | Engine | Routine | |
| 2019 | 8 | 3 | — | — | Engine | Routine | |
| 2018 | 6 | 3 | — | — | Engine | Routine | |
| 2016 | 1 | 2 | — | — | Unknown or Other | Routine | |
| 2015 | 3 | 1 | — | — | Service Brakes | Routine | |
| 2014 | 2 | 1 | — | — | Engine | Routine | |
| 2013 | 10 | 2 | 1 | — | Engine | Do not drive | |
| 2010 | 1 | 2 | — | — | Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification › Front Passenger | Routine | |
| 2009 | 0 | 2 | — | — | — | Routine | |
| 2008 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 1 | Electrical System | Routine | |
| 2007 | 6 | 1 | — | — | Air Bags | Routine | |
| 2006 | 39 | 1 | — | 1 | Air Bags | Routine | |
| 2003 | 3 | 1 | — | — | Air Bags | Do not drive | |
| 2002 | 6 | 2 | — | — | Visibility | Do not drive | |
| 2001 | 4 | 3 | — | — | Air Bags | Do not drive | |
| 2000 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | Air Bags | Fatalities reported | |
| 1995 | 0 | 1 | — | — | — | Routine | |
| 1994 | 0 | 1 | — | — | — | Routine | |
| 1993 | 0 | 1 | — | — | — | Routine | |
| 1992 | 0 | 2 | — | — | — | Routine | |
| 1991 | 0 | 3 | — | — | — | Routine | |
| 1990 | 0 | 1 | — | — | — | Routine |
Which Bmw M5 years should you avoid?
On raw complaint volume the 2006 is the weakest year on record, with 39 complaints concentrated in the air bags. It carries 1 recall.
Read these numbers with sales volume in mind. A model year that sold in huge numbers naturally accumulates more reports than a rare one, and older cars have had more years to fail. The stronger signal is the severity columns and whether the same component keeps coming up year after year.
Data: NHTSA complaint and recall files, September 2026. Complaints are unverified owner reports.