BMW M5 known issues by generation

By CarWhere Research · Updated

The M5 moved from the E39's naturally aspirated V8 to the E60's high-revving V10, then to twin-turbo V8s in the F10 and F90. The E60's S85 V10 has the best-known mechanical issue in rod-bearing wear; later cars are mostly about recalls. 7 documented issues, 6 with NHTSA recall numbers.

CarWhere lists 7 documented M5 issues, including 6 NHTSA safety recalls, each with affected years, engines, symptoms, pre-purchase checks and a source.

M5 generations at a glance

BMW M5 chassis codes and the known issues listed for each
Chassis codeModel yearsIssues on this page
E392000–2003Takata driver airbag inflator (sport steering wheel)
E602006–2010S85 V10 connecting-rod bearing wear · Positive battery cable bulkhead connector can overheat
F102013–2016Oil pump drive shaft may separate (early 2013 builds) · Driveshaft may fail (early 2015 builds)
F902018–2023High-pressure fuel pump may not be attached properly · Transmission wiring harness can short

E39 M5 problems (2000–2003)

Takata driver airbag inflator (sport steering wheel) (2002–2003)

Safety recall
Chassis:
E39 M5
Years:
2002–2003
Engine:
S62 4.9L V8

2002–2003 M5s are included in a Takata driver-airbag campaign that also covered E46 3 Series cars. The inflator can rupture during deployment. A 2017 campaign (17V-047) covered additional 2001–2002 5 Series including the M5. Replacement is free.

Symptoms

  • No warning signs before deployment

Check before buying

  • Enter the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or ask a BMW dealer to confirm the recall work was completed
  • Confirm the airbag replacement was done even if the car has changed owners several times; older Takata remedies were sometimes interim parts that were later recalled again

NHTSA recall: 15V-318 (2015-05) · 419,235 vehicles

Sources: [3][4]

E60 M5 problems (2006–2010)

S85 V10 connecting-rod bearing wear (2006–2010)

Major repair
Chassis:
E60 M5 (also E63 M6)
Years:
2006–2010
Engine:
S85 5.0L V10

The S85 V10 revs past 8,000 rpm and runs tight bearing clearances, and premature rod-bearing wear is widely reported by owners and specialists. A worn bearing can spin and destroy the engine. Many owners replace the rod bearings preventively and shorten oil-change intervals. Throttle actuators and VANOS components are other commonly cited wear items on this engine.

Symptoms

  • Often none before failure
  • Knock from the bottom end
  • Bearing material found in oil analysis

Check before buying

  • Ask for invoices showing a preventive rod-bearing replacement and the mileage it was done at
  • Request a used-oil analysis
  • Scan for throttle-actuator and VANOS fault codes

Sources: [1][2]

Positive battery cable bulkhead connector can overheat (2006–2010)

Safety recall
Chassis:
E60 M5 (also E63 M6)
Years:
2006–2010
Engine:
S85 5.0L V10

The E60 M5 shares the regular 5 Series recall for the battery cable connector in the trunk. A loose bolt at the connector can overheat it and start a fire, even with the car parked. BMW advised owners to park outside until it was fixed.

Symptoms

  • Electrical faults
  • Burning smell in the trunk

Check before buying

  • Enter the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or ask a BMW dealer to confirm the recall work was completed

NHTSA recall: 12V-126 (2012-03) · 367,682 vehicles

Sources: [5]

F10 M5 problems (2013–2016)

Oil pump drive shaft may separate (early 2013 builds) (2013)

Safety recall
Chassis:
F10 M5 (also F12/F13 M6)
Years:
2013
Engine:
S63 4.4L twin-turbo V8

A manufacturing tolerance error on some 2013 M5s and M6s built in mid-2012 could let the oil pump driveshaft separate from its rotor. That would cause a sudden loss of oil pressure and possible engine failure. BMW repaired the affected cars under the recall.

Symptoms

  • Low oil pressure warning

Check before buying

  • Enter the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or ask a BMW dealer to confirm the recall work was completed

NHTSA recall: 12V-475 (2012-09) · 696 vehicles

Sources: [6]

Driveshaft may fail (early 2015 builds) (2015)

Safety recall
Chassis:
F10 M5 (also F12/F13 M6)
Years:
2015
Engine:
S63 4.4L twin-turbo V8

Some 2015 M5 sedans and M6 coupes and convertibles built in late 2014 were recalled because the driveshaft may have been inadequately welded and can fracture, cutting drive to the rear wheels. A car parked without the parking brake could also roll away. Dealers inspect the driveshaft and replace it if needed.

Symptoms

  • Vibration or clunking under acceleration

Check before buying

  • Enter the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or ask a BMW dealer to confirm the recall work was completed

NHTSA recall: 16V-540 (2016-07) · 956 vehicles

Sources: [7]

F90 M5 problems (2018–2023)

High-pressure fuel pump may not be attached properly (2019–2020)

Safety recall
Chassis:
F90 M5 (also G05 X5 50i, G07 X7 50i, G11 750i)
Years:
2019–2020
Engine:
S63 4.4L twin-turbo V8

On some 2019–2020 M5s and other V8 BMWs, the high-pressure fuel pump may not have been fastened to the engine correctly. A loose pump can leak fuel and raise the risk of a fire. A separate 2018 recall (18V-323) updated engine software that could stop the fuel pump on some 2018 M5s.

Symptoms

  • Fuel smell
  • Stalling

Check before buying

  • Enter the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or ask a BMW dealer to confirm the recall work was completed
  • Check 19V-513 and 18V-323

NHTSA recall: 19V-513 (2019-07) · 115 vehicles

Sources: [8][9]

Transmission wiring harness can short (2019–2020)

Safety recall
Chassis:
F90 M5 (also F91/F92/F93 M8)
Years:
2019–2020
Engine:
S63 4.4L twin-turbo V8

The wiring harness for the automatic transmission on 2019–2020 M5s and 2020 M8s can be damaged and short circuit. The recall concerns possible loss of drive or other transmission faults. Dealers repair or replace the harness.

Symptoms

  • Transmission fault messages
  • Unexpected shift to neutral or loss of drive

Check before buying

  • Enter the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or ask a BMW dealer to confirm the recall work was completed

NHTSA recall: 19V-883 (2019-12) · 3,012 vehicles

Sources: [10]

Related M5 research

This page explains specific mechanical issues and recalls. Which model years drew the most owner complaints is a different question, answered in the years-to-avoid research from NHTSA complaint and service-bulletin counts.

Confirm exactly how a M5 was built before you buy.

Engine, gearbox and factory options decide which of these issues apply. The CarWhere build sheet decodes a BMW M5 VIN into its factory record — option codes, paint, upholstery and equipment as built. $9.99, instant.

BMW build sheet by VIN

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common BMW M5 problems?

The best-documented BMW M5 issues are S85 V10 connecting-rod bearing wear (E60 M5, 2006–2010). How much each matters depends on the chassis code and engine, so check the section for the exact car you are looking at.

Which M5 years are affected by S85 V10 connecting-rod bearing wear?

S85 V10 connecting-rod bearing wear applies to E60 M5 cars (2006–2010, S85 5.0L V10). The S85 V10 revs past 8,000 rpm and runs tight bearing clearances, and premature rod-bearing wear is widely reported by owners and specialists.

Has the BMW M5 had any safety recalls?

Yes. Recalls covered on this page include takata driver airbag inflator (sport steering wheel) (NHTSA 15V-318), positive battery cable bulkhead connector can overheat (NHTSA 12V-126), oil pump drive shaft may separate (early 2013 builds) (NHTSA 12V-475) and driveshaft may fail (early 2015 builds) (NHTSA 16V-540). Recall repairs are free at a BMW dealer; check any specific car’s VIN with NHTSA to see whether its recall work was completed.

What should I check before buying a used BMW M5?

Ask for invoices showing a preventive rod-bearing replacement and the mileage it was done at. A pre-purchase inspection by a BMW specialist covers these and pulls the service history.

Is the BMW M5 reliable?

Most well-known BMW M5 problems are tied to specific chassis codes or engines rather than the model as a whole, and many have a known fix or updated part.

Sources

Issue descriptions are CarWhere’s own summaries of the sources below. Chassis codes covered: E39 (2000–2003), E60 (2006–2010), F10 (2013–2016), F90 (2018–2023). Repair costs are shown only where a source states them and vary by shop and region.

  1. BMW S85 Engine Teardown Video Shows A Faulty V10 — BMWBLOG (secondary reference)
  2. BMW S85 — Wikipedia (secondary reference)
  3. NHTSA Recall 15V-318: Takata driver frontal air bag inflator may rupture — NHTSA
  4. NHTSA Recall 17V-047: Takata driver frontal air bag inflator (2000–2002 models) — NHTSA
  5. NHTSA Recall 12V-126: Positive battery cable bulkhead connector may overheat — NHTSA
  6. NHTSA Recall 12V-475: Oil pump drive shaft may separate from rotor — NHTSA
  7. NHTSA Recall 16V-540: Driveshaft may fail — NHTSA
  8. NHTSA Recall 19V-513: High pressure fuel pump may not be properly attached — NHTSA
  9. NHTSA Recall 18V-323: Engine software may stop the fuel pump (2018 M5) — NHTSA
  10. NHTSA Recall 19V-883: Transmission wiring harness may short circuit — NHTSA

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