YearToAvoid

2013 BMW M5 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Avoid The 2013 BMW M5 ranks 2nd worst out of 15 model years with a complaint index of 93 and carries an Avoid verdict. Engine problems dominate at 60% of complaints, and NHTSA lists a do-not-drive recall for an engine oil pump defect.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
93/100
#2 of 15 M5 years
Verdict
Avoid
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
10
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
2
1 Do Not Drive
Crashes
0
reported in complaints
Fires
1
Injuries
0
Top issue
Engine
Best nearby year
2018
lowest-risk (no Good/Best year)
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
16.5
14.5 city / 21 hwy
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0

Top 2013 BMW M5 problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Engine6 (60%)
  2. Steering3 (30%)
  3. Airbags1 (10%)
  4. Brakes1 (10%)
  5. Electrical System1 (10%)
  6. Fuel System1 (10%)
  7. Seat Belts1 (10%)
  8. Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (10%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Engine stalls suddenly while driving, sometimes accompanied by an abnormal noise before the car dies.
  • Low oil warnings appear repeatedly, with some owners finding oil leaking or smoking from underneath the vehicle after limited mileage.
  • Power steering is lost in connection with engine shutdowns, sometimes paired with multiple system failure warnings such as a locked rear differential or seat belt tensioner fault.
  • Water intrusion through fuel filler tube gaskets has flooded steering electronics, cutting power steering without warning.
  • Creaking noise develops in the front suspension when turning at low speed or while parked, traced to loose lower control arms and ball joints.
  • One brake-related fire occurred near the right rear wheel well after brake warning lights displayed, totaling the vehicle.
2013 BMW M5 complaints: complaints filed per month2Mar 2013Apr 2014Sep 2017Nov 2017May 2019Jun 2019May 2020
10 complaints filed with NHTSA from Mar 2013 to May 2020; peak Apr 2014 (2).

2013 BMW M5 recalls

2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 15V188000Mar 31, 2015Electrical System13,443 vehicles

    Exterior lighting

    BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2013 528i, 528i xDrive, 535i, 535i xDrive, 550i, 550i xDrive, and ActiveHybrid 5 vehicles. The rear reflex reflectors may not reflect enough light. As such, the vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

    Risk: The vehicle may be less visible to other vehicles, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear reflex reflectors, free of charge. The recall began July 28, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

  2. NHTSA 12V475000Sep 28, 2012Engine696 vehiclesDo Not Drive

    Engine and engine cooling:engine

    BMW is recalling certain model year 2013 M5, M6 Coupe, and M6 Convertible vehicles, manufactured from July 19, 2012, through September 11, 2012. Due to a manufacturing process error, the tolerance between the engine oil pump's drive shaft and the pump's rotor was not within specification. As a result, the pump's driveshaft could separate from the rotor.

    Risk: Separation of the pump's driveshaft from the rotor could lead to a sudden loss of oil pressure causing the possibility of complete engine failure, resulting in an engine stall-like condition, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

    Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the oil pump, free of charge. The safety recall began on November 30, 2012. Owners may contact BMW at 1-800-525-7417.

2013 BMW M5 fuel economy and fuel cost

City
14.5 MPG
Highway
21 MPG
Combined
16.5 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$4,850
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Premium
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2013 compared with other M5 years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’06’07’08’09’10’13’14’15’16’18’19’20’21’22’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2009No verdict00213
2010No verdict141213
2013Avoid93102 !16.5
2014No verdict212116.5
2015No verdict363116.5

All BMW M5 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2013 BMW M5 reliable?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2013 M5 ranks 2nd worst of 15 model years for this model, with a complaint index of 93 and an Avoid verdict. Engine issues make up 60% of complaints.
What problems does the 2013 BMW M5 have?
Engine problems lead at 60% of complaints, with a median mileage at failure of 44,408. Steering complaints follow at 30%, often tied to sudden power loss.
Does the 2013 BMW M5 have a recall?
Yes, NHTSA lists two recalls: one do-not-drive recall (12V475000) for an engine oil pump tolerance defect, and one for rear reflex reflectors (15V188000).
How does the 2013 M5 compare to other M5 years?
The 2013 M5 has a complaint index of 93, second only to 2006's index of 100. Other years like 2016 (index 7) and 2022 (index 29) report far fewer complaints.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.