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Bmw 5 Series — Years to Avoid

Reliability breakdown of every Bmw 5 Series model year. Based on NHTSA owner complaints, federal recalls, and safety investigations.

Model Years
35
Years to Avoid
2011, 2010, 2008, 2005, 2004
Best Years
2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2007, 2006
2023
0 complaints1 recalls22 TSBs
2022Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
2021Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
2020Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
2019Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
2018Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
2017Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
2016Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
2015Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
2014Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
2013Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
2012
12 complaints0 recalls1 invest.47 TSBs
2011Avoid
96 complaints4 recalls68 TSBs
2010Avoid
9 complaints5 recalls59 TSBs
2009
6 complaints0 recalls20 TSBs
2008Avoid
131 complaints4 recalls73 TSBs
2007Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
2006Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
2005Avoid
26 complaints5 recalls2 invest.55 TSBs
2004Avoid
89 complaints8 recalls1 invest.51 TSBs
2003
6 complaints0 recalls23 TSBs
2002
10 complaints2 recalls38 TSBs
2001
4 complaints2 recalls39 TSBs
2000
3 complaints2 recalls41 TSBs
1999
2 complaints1 recalls20 TSBs
1998
0 complaints2 recalls1 invest.22 TSBs
1997
1 complaints3 recalls1 invest.21 TSBs
1996
0 complaints3 recalls19 TSBs
1995
6 complaints3 recalls19 TSBs
1994
0 complaints3 recalls19 TSBs
1993
0 complaints3 recalls10 TSBs
1992
0 complaints3 recalls11 TSBs
1991
0 complaints2 recalls11 TSBs
1990
0 complaints2 recalls10 TSBs
1989
1 complaints2 recalls7 TSBs

How we calculate this

Each year receives a composite risk score based on NHTSA owner complaints, federal recalls, safety investigations, and technical service bulletins. Years scoring more than 2x the model's average are flagged as “years to avoid.” Years in the lowest risk bracket are marked as “best years.” All data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Which Bmw 5 Series Years Should You Avoid?

Based on federal safety data, the 2011, 2010, 2008, 2005, 2004 Bmw 5 Series are the most problematic years, with significantly higher rates of owner complaints, recalls, and safety investigations compared to other model years.

If you're shopping for a used Bmw 5 Series, consider the 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2007, 2006 model years — these have the fewest reported issues relative to other years.

35 model years analyzed