BMW M5 years to avoid and best years
Newer BMW M5 years have fewer owner complaints per year than the older ones. 2013 has the most complaints per year, at 1 (10 complaints). From 2018 on, complaints per year fall. Among years old enough to compare, the fewest complaints per year are 2016 at 0 (from 1 complaint), 2014 at 0 (from 2 complaints), and 2020 at 0 (from 2 complaints). The BMW M5 2025 and 2026 model years are too early to compare: none has had 3 full years on the road yet. On the 2013 BMW M5, 5 of 10 complaints name Engine.
Data as of .
2016
2014
2020
2025–26
BMW M5 reliability by year
Each year is complaints filed in that year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. A model year younger than 3 years is too early to compare, so it is left out of the years named as having the fewest or the most complaints. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market BMW M5. How we count.
By model year
| Year | Per year on the road | Complaints | Recalls | Most-filed complaint | Avg. combined MPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Too early | 0 | 0 | 1 | — | 13.5 |
| 2025 Too early | 0 | 0 | 2 | — | 13.5 |
| 2023 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 17 |
| 2022 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 17 |
| 2021 | 0 | 2 | 1 | Exterior lighting | 17 |
| 2020 → Fewest | 0 | 2 | 3 | Engine | 17 |
| 2019 → | 0 | 8 | 3 | Engine | 17 |
| 2018 → | 0 | 4 | 3 | Air bags, Seat belts | 17 |
| 2017 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — |
| 2016 Fewest | 0 | 1 | 2 | — | 16.5 |
| 2015 | 0 | 3 | 1 | Electrical system | 16.5 |
| 2014 Fewest | 0 | 2 | 1 | Engine | 16.5 |
| 2013 → Most | 1 | 10 | 2 | Engine | 16.5 |
Years with a → link have a full model-year page.
What owners file about
Generations
- Body styles
- Sedan
- Oil
- 0W-30, 0W-40, 5W-30 or 5W-40 (BMW LL; ~10 qt with filter) · 10 qt capacity
- Tire size
- 265/40R19 or 265/35R20 front; 295/35R19 or 295/30R20 rear (staggered) front / 295/35R19 or 295/30R20 (staggered rear) rear
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- Body styles
- Sedan
- Oil
- 0W-30 (BMW LL; ~10.6 qt with filter) · 10.6 qt capacity
- Tire size
- 275/40R19 or 275/35R20 front; 285/40R19 or 285/35R20 rear (staggered) front / 285/40R19 or 285/35R20 (staggered rear) rear
Known issues for this generation
Recall 19V883000 covers certain 2019-2020 M5 vehicles (with 2020 M8 Gran Coupe, Coupe, and Convertible; ~3,012 units total) where the transmission wiring harness can be damaged and short-circuit, shifting the transmission to neutral and causing loss of propulsion; dealers replace damaged harnesses and reroute and secure all harnesses. Recall 19V513000 covers certain 2019 M5 vehicles (with 2020 750i xDrive, M850i, X5 xDrive50i, and X7 xDrive50i; ~115 units) where the high-pressure fuel pump may not be properly attached, risking a fuel leak and fire; dealers replace the pumps. Recall 19V684000 covers certain M5 models among a large multi-model rearview-camera software campaign (~257,473 units) where the backup image may be missing. Recall 20V598000 covers certain 2020-2021 M5 models among another rearview-camera software campaign (~312 units).
- Body styles
- Sedan
- Oil
- 0W-30 (BMW LL; ~11.4 qt with filter) · 11.4 qt capacity
- Tire size
- 285/40R20 front; 295/35R21 rear (staggered) front / 295/35R21 (staggered rear) rear
Frequently asked questions
Which BMW M5 years have fewer owner complaints?
Among years old enough to compare, the fewest complaints per year are 2016 at 0 (from 1 complaint), 2014 at 0 (from 2 complaints), and 2020 at 0 (from 2 complaints).
Which BMW M5 year has the most owner complaints?
2013 has the most complaints per year, at 1 (10 complaints). On the 2013 BMW M5, 5 of 10 complaints name Engine.
How do BMW M5 owner complaints compare by year?
Newer BMW M5 years have fewer owner complaints per year than the older ones. From 2018 on, complaints per year fall.
Which BMW M5 years are too early to compare?
The BMW M5 2025 and 2026 model years are too early to compare: none has had 3 full years on the road yet.
What engine oil does a BMW M5 use?
F10 models list several BMW LL viscosities (~10 qt); F90 commonly lists 0W-30 (~10.6 qt); G90 commonly lists 0W-30 (~11.4 qt).
What tire sizes does a BMW M5 use?
OEM fitments are staggered across generations, from F10 265-front/295-rear packages through F90 275/285 and G90 285/40R20 front with 295/35R21 rear.
What transmission-harness recall covers certain F90 M5 models?
Recall 19V883000 covers certain 2019-2020 M5 vehicles (with M8 models in the same campaign) where the transmission wiring harness can be damaged.