Selling a dead or junk BMW M5
Thirty-nine of the M5's 105 NHTSA complaints are on a single model year, the 2006, and 22 of those name the air bags. No other M5 year reaches more than 10.
- Model years (EPA)
- 1991-2027
- Generations
- Seven, E28 to G90/G99
- Complaints to NHTSA
- 105
- Year with the most complaints
- 2006 (39)
- Component named most
- Air bags (40)
- Recall campaigns
- 23
A tired V10, a seized V8 or a dash full of warnings doesn't stop an M5 from being sold whole and unrepaired. We buy whole non-running and junk cars, with free pickup anywhere in the US.
The seven M5s
Wikipedia lists seven generations. Engines and gearboxes below come from it. The complaint and fire counts are our grouping of NHTSA's file by model year.
| Generation | Built | Engine and gearbox | Model years counted | Complaints | Fires |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| E28 | 1984-1988 | 3.5 straight-six, 5-speed manual | before EPA data | 0 | 0 |
| E34 | 1988-1995 | 3.6 S38 straight-six, 5- or 6-speed manual | 1991-1995 | 0 | 0 |
| E39 | 1998-2003 | 4.9 S62 V8, 6-speed manual | 2000-2003 | 17 | 1 |
| E60/E61 | 2004-2010 | 5.0 S85 V10, 7-speed SMG-III or 6-speed manual (North America) | 2006-2010 | 52 | 2 |
| F10 | 2011-2016 | 4.4 S63 twin-turbo V8; dual-clutch 7-speed, with a 6-speed manual for the US and Canada | 2013-2016 | 16 | 1 |
| F90 | 2017-2023 | All-wheel drive from 2017 | 2018-2022 | 19 | 1 |
| G90/G99 | 2024-present | EPA lists it as a plug-in hybrid, sedan and Touring | 2025 | 1 | 0 |
E34 and E39: few complaints, old recalls
No complaints are filed for 1991-1999. The E34 years still have two recalls: 96V110000 replaced a steering wheel air bag contact ring tab that could break on 1991-1992 cars, and 98V178000 fitted a new radiator cap on 1990-1995 cars to handle pressure when overheating. Both campaigns are big (75,000 and 340,000 vehicles) because they span many BMWs.
The E39 years hold 17 complaints and the file's only death, on a 2000. Wikipedia says 20,482 were built from 1999 to 2003, on the same Dingolfing line as regular 5 Series cars. Recall 01V001000 replaced 18-inch tires damaged by a mounting machine; those tires were standard on the M5. Recall 03V421000 replaced the air bag control module on 2001 cars. Two driver inflator campaigns carry DO NOT DRIVE warnings: 17V047000 for 2001-2002 and 15V318000 for 2002-2003, each covering hundreds of thousands of BMWs.
E60 (2006-2010): the V10 and the air bag complaints
These years hold 52 complaints. The 2006 has 39, with 22 for the air bags and 5 for the power train. The 2008 adds 2 of the file's 5 fires.
Recall 12V126000 covers 2006-2010 M5s: dealers inspect and secure the positive battery cable at its bulkhead connector. Its 367,682 vehicles also include the 5 Series, 6 Series and M6. Recall 13V407000 replaced taillight bulb carriers on 2008-2010 cars, where resistance built up at the contacts; it shares its 134,100 vehicles with the 528i, 535i and 550i.
F10 (2013-2016): the oil pump recall
The 2013 has 10 complaints, half of them naming the engine. That year carries the M5's most serious engine recall. Recall 12V475000 covered 696 M5 and M6 cars built from July 19 to September 11, 2012: a manufacturing error affected the oil pump, owners were told DO NOT DRIVE, and dealers replaced the pump.
F90 and G90 (2018 on): wiring
The 2018-2022 years add 19 complaints, and the engine leads on the 2018, 2019 and 2020. Recall 18V473000 secured an in-tank fuel line on 1,645 2018 M5s, all M5s, because the fuel gauge could read higher than the real level. Recall 19V883000 replaced or rerouted transmission wiring harnesses that could short on 2019-2020 M5s and 2020 M8s. On the newest cars, 26V096000 fixes an air conditioning wiring harness across 58,713 BMWs, including 2025-2026 M5s.
Complaints and recalls by model year
Pulled from NHTSA on October 10, 2026. Owners of an F90 or G90 have had just a few years to report, while E39 owners have had over twenty. In grouped rows, the recall figure is the fewest to the most campaigns any single year in that span carried.
| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns | Most-named component |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1991-1999 | 0 | listed on some years | none filed |
| 2000 | 4 | 2 | Air bags (3) |
| 2001 | 4 | 3 | Air bags (3) |
| 2002 | 6 | 2 | Visibility (2) |
| 2003 | 3 | 1 | Air bags (3) |
| 2006 | 39 | 1 | Air bags (22) |
| 2007 | 6 | 1 | Air bags (4) |
| 2008 | 6 | 2 | Electrical system, engine (2 each) |
| 2010 | 1 | 2 | Air bags (1) |
| 2013 | 10 | 2 | Engine (5) |
| 2014-2016 | 6 | 1-2 a year | Engine (3) |
| 2018 | 6 | 3 | Engine (2) |
| 2019 | 8 | 3 | Engine (4) |
| 2020 | 2 | 3 | Engine (2) |
| 2021-2025 | 4 | 0-2 a year | One or two each |
Fix it or sell it?
- Run the VIN through NHTSA's lookup. An E39 can still have an open do-not-drive air bag campaign, and the fix is free at a BMW dealer.
- Bad engine or gearbox? Get the repair cost on paper and compare it to the price of a running M5 from that generation. The blown engine guide helps you weigh it.
- An old M5 that has sat for years? The old project car guide covers what to expect.
Selling an M5 whole
- Have the VIN, mileage and generation, and say whether it is a manual, SMG or dual-clutch car.
- Get an offer online, or call (877) 421-6008.
- Give the location and whether it moves. Low cars and cars stuck in gear can still be loaded once the driver is warned. Pickup is free anywhere in the US.
- Keep everything on it. Mention any part that is already gone.
- Have the M5 title and a photo ID out for the driver. Your state decides what to do with the plates. Read after you sell.
More BMWs: the 5 Series, M3 and 6 Series, or every BMW we cover.
Questions people ask
- Which M5 model year has the most NHTSA complaints?
- The 2006 has 39 in NHTSA's October 10, 2026 data, and 22 name the air bags. No other year tops 10. The F90 and G90 cars are younger, which partly explains their small numbers.
- What was the 2013 M5 oil pump recall?
- Recall 12V475000 covered 696 M5, M6 Coupe and M6 Convertible cars built from July 19 to September 11, 2012. A manufacturing error affected the oil pump's tolerances, owners were told not to drive, and dealers replaced the oil pump free of charge.
- Are the old E39 M5 air bag recalls still open on some cars?
- They can be. Campaigns 17V047000 and 15V318000 carry a do-not-drive warning for driver air bag inflators on 2001-2003 M5s. Each one reaches hundreds of thousands of BMWs over several models. Put your M5 VIN into nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Will you buy an M5 with a dead engine or gearbox?
- Yes. We buy whole non-running and junk cars, with free pickup anywhere in the US. You sell the whole car as it sits.
Sources
Every fact on this page comes from one of these. Checked October 11, 2026.
- EPA fuel economy data: BMW M5 model years and versions fueleconomy.gov
- NHTSA complaints flat file (FLAT_CMPL.zip), downloaded October 10, 2026 nhtsa.gov
- NHTSA: Check for recalls by VIN nhtsa.gov
- Wikipedia: BMW M5 (generations, engines, transmissions, layout) en.wikipedia.org
- NHTSA recall 96V110000: air bag contact ring tab, 1991-1992 nhtsa.gov
- NHTSA recall 98V178000: radiator cap, 1990-1995 nhtsa.gov
- NHTSA recall 01V001000: 18-inch tires, 2000-2001 nhtsa.gov
- NHTSA recall 03V421000: air bag control module, 2001 nhtsa.gov
- NHTSA recall 15V318000: driver air bag inflator, 2002-2003 nhtsa.gov
- NHTSA recall 17V047000: driver air bag inflator, 2001-2002 nhtsa.gov
- NHTSA recall 12V126000: battery cable connector, 2006-2010 nhtsa.gov
- NHTSA recall 13V407000: taillight bulb carriers, 2008-2010 nhtsa.gov
- NHTSA recall 12V475000: oil pump, 2013 M5 and M6 nhtsa.gov
- NHTSA recall 18V473000: fuel level sensor, 2018 M5 nhtsa.gov
- NHTSA recall 19V883000: transmission wiring harness, 2019-2020 M5 and M8 nhtsa.gov
- NHTSA recall 26V096000: air conditioning wiring harness, 2025-2026 nhtsa.gov