2019 BMW M5 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2019 BMW M5 ranks 4th worst out of 15 model years with a complaint index of 79 and an Avoid verdict. NHTSA lists 8 complaints, 75% engine-related, plus 3 recall campaigns, with a median failure mileage of 44,429.5 miles.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 79/100
- #4 of 15 M5 years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 8
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 3
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 0
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 17
- 15 city / 21 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
Top 2019 BMW M5 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine6 (75%)
- Transmission & Powertrain2 (25%)
- Fuel System1 (13%)
- Other1 (13%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Coolant reservoir tanks leak and coolant contamination damages fuel injectors, sometimes leading to engine failure.
- Owners report replacing the coolant expansion tank multiple times, with leaks recurring within a short distance after repair.
- Fuel injectors fail one after another, with owners noting dealership shortages of replacement parts due to ongoing demand.
- Vehicles stall while driving with the check engine light illuminated, sometimes requiring a tow.
- Transmission malfunctions cause an unexpected reduction in speed while driving at high speed.
- A drivetrain malfunction warning appears alongside a low coolant level after expansion tank repairs.
2019 BMW M5 recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 19V883000Dec 11, 2019Electrical System3,012 vehicles
Electrical system:wiring
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.
Remedy: 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.
- NHTSA 19V684000Sep 27, 2019Collision Avoidance & Cameras257,473 vehicles
Back over prevention: sensing system: camera
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, 2018-2019 640i xDrive Gran Turismo and Rolls-Royce Phantom, 2019 M850i xDrive Gran Coupe and Rolls-Royce Cullinan and 2020 Toyota Supra vehicles. The back-up camera and display settings can be adjusted such that the rear view image is no longer visible and the system will retain that setting the next time the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rearview Mirrors."
Risk: The lack of an image in the back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
- NHTSA 19V513000Jul 3, 2019Engine115 vehicles
Engine
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020 750i xDrive, 2019 M850i xDrive Coupe, M850i xDrive Convertible, X5 xDrive50i, X7 xDrive50i, and M5 vehicles. The high pressure fuel pump may not have been properly attached to the engine, which may cause the fuel pump flange to crack, resulting in a fuel leak.
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the high pressure fuel pumps, free of charge. The recall began August 27, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
2019 BMW M5 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 15 MPG
- Highway
- 21 MPG
- Combined
- 17 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $4,700
- 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.
2019 compared with other M5 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2019 BMW M5 reliable?
- NHTSA data ranks the 2019 M5 4th worst out of 15 model years for this model, with a complaint index of 79 and an Avoid verdict relative to other M5 years. Engine problems make up 75% of its 8 complaints.
- What recalls affect the 2019 BMW M5?
- The 2019 M5 has 3 recall campaigns: a transmission wiring harness short-circuit risk, a back-up camera software update, and a high pressure fuel pump that may not have been properly manufactured.
- What is the most common problem with the 2019 BMW M5?
- Engine issues are the top problem area, accounting for 75% of complaints, with a median mileage at failure of 44,429.5 miles.
- Does the 2019 BMW M5 have engine problems?
- Yes. NHTSA complaints describe coolant reservoir tank leaks damaging fuel injectors and causing stalling, with a median failure mileage of 44,429.5 miles.
- How does the 2019 M5 compare to other M5 years?
- The 2019 M5's complaint index of 79 is lower than the 2006 M5 (100, Avoid) but higher than years like 2018 (64, Caution) and 2020 (43).