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Bmw M5 — Years to Avoid

Reliability breakdown of every Bmw M5 model year. Based on NHTSA owner complaints, federal recalls, and safety investigations.

Model Years
38
Years to Avoid
2020, 2019, 2018, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013
Best Years
2026, 2024, 2023, 2017, 2012, 2011, 2005, 2004, 1999, 1998, 1997, 1996
2026Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
2025
2 complaints1 recalls29 TSBs
2024Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
2023Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
2022
1 complaints0 recalls51 TSBs
2021
4 complaints1 recalls114 TSBs
2020Avoid
1 complaints3 recalls156 TSBs
2019Avoid
10 complaints3 recalls156 TSBs
2018Avoid
7 complaints3 recalls208 TSBs
2017Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
2016Avoid
1 complaints2 recalls213 TSBs
2015Avoid
4 complaints1 recalls273 TSBs
2014Avoid
4 complaints1 recalls350 TSBs
2013Avoid
16 complaints2 recalls383 TSBs
2012Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
2011Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
2010
3 complaints2 recalls55 TSBs
2009
0 complaints2 recalls55 TSBs
2008
12 complaints2 recalls56 TSBs
2007
8 complaints1 recalls61 TSBs
2006
54 complaints1 recalls60 TSBs
2005Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
2004Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
2003
3 complaints1 recalls12 TSBs
2002
7 complaints2 recalls16 TSBs
2001
4 complaints3 recalls10 TSBs
2000
5 complaints2 recalls10 TSBs
1999Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1998Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1997Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1996Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1995
0 complaints1 recalls2 TSBs
1994
0 complaints1 recalls3 TSBs
1993
0 complaints1 recalls1 invest.3 TSBs
1992
0 complaints2 recalls1 invest.3 TSBs
1991
0 complaints3 recalls1 invest.3 TSBs
1990
0 complaints1 recalls3 TSBs
1989
0 complaints1 recalls2 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 M5 Years Should You Avoid?

Based on federal safety data, the 2020, 2019, 2018, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013 Bmw M5 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 M5, consider the 2026, 2024, 2023, 2017, 2012, 2011, 2005, 2004, 1999, 1998, 1997, 1996 model years — these have the fewest reported issues relative to other years.

38 model years analyzed