2020 BMW M5 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
No verdict The 2020 BMW M5 has a complaint index of 43 with 2 complaints and 3 recalls on file, ranking 9th worst out of 15 model years. That places it mid-pack — better than years like 2006, 2008, 2013, and 2019, which carry Avoid verdicts.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 43/100
- #9 of 15 M5 years
- Verdict
- No verdict
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 2
- 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 2020 BMW M5 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine2 (100%)
- Electrical System1 (50%)
- Transmission & Powertrain1 (50%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Coolant expansion tank leaks onto fuel injectors, coils, and spark plugs, triggering a drivetrain malfunction warning.
- Vehicle enters Limp Mode after coolant leaks damage components under the engine.
- Engine shudders, misfires, and stalls when the coolant leak issue progresses.
- One owner reported total engine failure at highway speed with metal shavings found in the engine system, requiring full engine replacement at under 50,000 miles.
- That owner stated the first scheduled service at 1,200 miles was never performed by the dealer.
2020 BMW M5 recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 20V598000Sep 30, 2020Collision Avoidance & Cameras312 vehicles
Back over prevention: sensing system: camera
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.
Remedy: 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.
- 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.
2020 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.
2020 compared with other M5 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2020 BMW M5 reliable?
- NHTSA lists only 2 complaints for the 2020 M5, giving it a complaint index of 43, which ranks 9th worst among 15 model years of the M5. It sits in the middle of the pack, not among the worst or best.
- What problems does the 2020 BMW M5 have?
- Owners reported engine issues, including coolant expansion tank leaks that can trigger Limp Mode and, in one case, a metal-shavings engine failure requiring full replacement. Electrical and transmission complaints were also reported, each accounting for half of the non-engine complaints.
- Does the 2020 BMW M5 have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2020 M5: a rearview camera software issue, a transmission wiring harness that can short circuit, and a back-up camera software update. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- What year BMW M5 should I avoid?
- Based on NHTSA complaint index data, 2006, 2008, 2013, and 2019 carry Avoid verdicts, with 2006 having the highest complaint index at 100. The 2020 M5 is not flagged as an Avoid year.
- How is the 2020 BMW M5's fuel economy?
- EPA rates the 2020 M5 at 17 mpg combined (15 city / 21 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,700.