2020 Bmw M5 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Power Train (1) · Engine (1)
Safety recalls (3)
Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera 2020-09-30 · campaign 20V598000 · 312 vehicles
Defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020-2021 X3 sDrive 30i, X3 xDrive 30i, X3M 40i, X3 xDrive 30e, X4 xDrive 30i, X4M 40i, 530i, 540i, 540i xDrive, M550i xDrive, M5, 550e, 550e xDrive, and 550e iPerformance vehicles. A small portion of the rearview image may be slightly obscured. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Risk: If the driver relies on only the rearview camera image, the reduced rearview image view can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, program the rearview camera with updated software. The recall began November 18, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Electrical System:wiring 2019-12-11 · campaign 19V883000 · 3,012 vehicles
Defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2020 M5 and 2020 M8 Gran Coupe, M8 Coupe, and M8 Convertible vehicles. The transmission wiring harness can become damaged, resulting in an electrical short circuit.
Risk: An electrical short circuit can cause the transmission to shift to neutral resulting in a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace any damaged transmission harnesses. All harnesses will be rerouted and secured. These repairs will be performed, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin February 3, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera 2019-09-27 · campaign 19V684000 · 257,473 vehicles
Defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018 540d, 2018-2020 530i, 530i xDrive, 540i, 540i xDrive, M550i xDrive, M5, 530e, 530e xDrive, X3 sDrive, X3 xDrive, X3 M40i, X3 M, and 2019-2020 X4 xDrive, X4 M40i, X4 M, X7 xDrive, X7 M50i, 740Li, 740Li xDrive, 750Li, 750Li xDrive, 8 Series Convertible and Coupe 840i, 840i xDrive, M850i xDrive, X5 sDrive, X5 xDrive, X5 M50i, X6 xDrive, X6 M50i, 330i, 330i xDrive, M340i, M340i xDrive, Z4 sDrive, Z4 M40i, 740Le xDrive and 745Le xDrive, 2018-2
Risk: The lack of an image in the back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will update the back-up camera software, free of charge. The recall began November 8, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or Rolls-Royce at 1-877-877-3735. Toyota owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371.
Service bulletins (156)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Engine 2025-06-17 · B063525 · Other
engine return
Service Brakes 2025-01-14 · B340921 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
a turbine-like noise can be heard from the rear axle while deceleration during the first 300 miles of operation when braking from low speed.
Engine 2024-12-11 · B010821 · Warranty Program/Extension
the nvld limited emission related warranty for defects in materials or workmanship has been extended to 15 years/150,000 miles as determined from the original in-service date
Engine 2024-06-07 · B170324 · Service Campaign
under certain driving situations, coolant leaks onto the fuel injectors on cylinder bank (5-8).
Engine 2024-05-16 · B170324 · Service Campaign
under certain driving situations, coolant leaks onto the fuel injectors on cylinder bank (5-8).
Engine And Engine Cooling 2024-04-15 · B170324 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
bmw ag has issued a delivery stop (effective april 15, 2024) on certain model year 2018 - 2023 bmw vehicles that were produced between november 7, 2017, and september 9, 2022.
Showing the 6 most recent of 156 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-08-29 · Power Train“2020 bmw m5 a metal-shavings engine failure at highway speed is a safety event. i had total catastrophic engine failure at less than 50,000 miles. no warning lights, found metal shavings in the engine system and engine needs complete replacement. i discovered that the very first and most important service at 1200 miles was never performed by bmw of…”
2024-05-31 · Engine“coolant expansion tank is leaking on fuel injectors, coils and plugs on engine below causing ‘drivetrain malfunction’ which puts vehicle into limp mode. car can begin to shudder, misfire and stall. bmw has an sib on the expansion tank, but has done nothing to address the components underneath that get damaged. feel free to google bmw m5 coolant e…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.