26 of the 152 complaints filed about the BMW M5 are about the engine — 17% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2013.
26
Complaints
17%
Share of all complaints
0
Crashes
1
Fires
ENGINE
I had gotten into a head on collision in January. My insurance had refused to cover me because I had only been insured for a month. Now I’m trying to get it fix out of pocket. I’m finding out about more repairs needed ASAP. My engine might be gone.
NHTSA complaint #11729136 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2019 BMW M5. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer and repaired under Technical Service Bulletin Number: SIB 17 03 24. The dealer replaced the coolant expansion tank; however, the vehicle experienced a coolant leak two months later. The message "Drivetrain Malfunction" was displayed, and the coolant level was low. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where the coolant expansion tank, 4 spark plugs, and ignition coils were replaced; however, upon driving away from the dealer, the message "Drivetrain Malfunction" was displayed, and the vehicle went into LIMP Mode and failed to exceed 40 MPH. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where it was repaired a third time; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer and was being repaired. The dealer informed the contact that the vehicle was being repaired with the same parts because no updated part was available from the manufacturer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and the contact was awaiting a call back. The failure mileage was approximately 41,000.
NHTSA complaint #11719067 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
Engine coil and fuel injectors are bad. Injector 8 went bad, followed by 6&7. The next just went bad. Was told only so many available at dealership because of on going problems.
NHTSA complaint #11610646 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
Despite following the manufacturer’s recommended maintenance schedule and having the car serviced at authorized BMW dealerships, I am facing an engine failure that BMW has quoted $44,000 to repair. BMW is only offering $4,000 towards this repair, leaving us with an overwhelming out-of-pocket expense. My insurance provider has informed me that they will not cover the cost of these repairs, placing us in a difficult financial position. Given the extensive history of issues and consistent maintenance of the vehicle, this situation is both unexpected and unacceptable. The car was even under the factory warranty when many of these issues were first reported. The vehicle has a documented history of engine-related issues, which are as follows: 1. February 25, 2023: The car exhibited a drivetrain malfunction warning and check engine light. The diagnosis revealed an issue with cylinder 6 fuel injector, which had an internal electrical fault. The fuel injector was replaced, and the problem was temporarily resolved. 2. February 27, 2023: Another drivetrain malfunction warning occurred. The diagnosis showed a misfire in cylinder 6 due to a faulty ignition coil and spark plug. Both the ignition coil and spark plug were replaced. 3. May 12, 2023: The car experienced a drivetrain malfunction and reduced engine alert. The diagnosis indicated multiple issues, including the need to replace the fuel injector, and perform service on the spark plugs, brake pads, and other components. 4. June 7, 2024: The vehicle made an abnormal clicking noise when idle, and there were complaints about the wobble at highway speeds.
NHTSA complaint #11600471 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
BMW issued a stop sale on 2017-2023 bmw F90 M5 chassis regarding the expansion tank failure. All vehicles should be affected by the recall. My current vehicle is experiencing the issues stated on the recall notice. Expansion tank is failing and causing coolant to seep into engine bay
NHTSA complaint #11594879 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2019 BMW M5. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact researched the failure and related the failure to an unknown recall. The contact also stated that the vehicle had been repaired prior to owning the vehicle for coolant leaking into the engine. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that the vehicle was not included in the unknown recall. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 47,859.
NHTSA complaint #11593406 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
Coolant expansion tank is leaking on fuel injectors, coils and plugs on engine below causing ‘drivetrain malfunction’ which puts vehicle into Limp Mode. Car can begin to shudder, misfire and stall. BMW has an SIB on the expansion tank, but has done nothing to address the components underneath that get damaged. Feel free to Google BMW M5 coolant expansion tank issues.
NHTSA complaint #11591756 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
The coolant tank on my 2018 M5 failed causing a coolant leak. This is a highly documented problem on the forums and mine needed replacement at 22k miles. The bigger issue is the location of the tank because the coolant leaks on the ignition coils and fuel injectors causing failures later. My coils and spark plugs needed replacement along with the tank. This is unacceptable and BMW needs to address this issue.
NHTSA complaint #11585423 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
The coolant reservoir tank leaks causing coolant to destroy the injectors on the engine below below which later causes engine failure. Nearly every BMW M5 owner I know has this issue. My coolant tank has been replaced twice in total 30,000 miles. BMW continues to provide faulty tanks. The last replacement was less than 1200 miles ago and the new tank is already leaking.
NHTSA complaint #11574978 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
I actively participate in online F90 forums, and it seems like the coolant expansion tank seems to fail for almost all owners (both pre-LCI and LCI). In many cases, it also damages critical engine components underneath the tank and results in expensive repairs. Indeed, because BMW has failed to address this problem, the afternmarket already offers an aluminum billet coolant expansion tank, as well as a coolant expansion catch can that reroutes escaping coolant so as not to damage components located beneath the tank. While interacting with other owners, I learned that these failures continue to fail (including the recently revised part number) and there are several owners that needed the tank replaced multiple times (an owner I interacted with on bimmerpost today is on tank #8). Can you please advise as to BMW’s intent to properly and permanently fix this issue? It's a major design flaw impacting all F90 M5s (ticking time bomb), and I am very surprised to see no official recall and replacement part that properly fixes this critical issue. This issue is not about an individual vehicle, but a manufacturing defect that impacts all F90 M5s. Please share this message with the team responsible for supporting the M5 product and request that they respond on how they are planning to permanently fix this issue. Please understand that this is a serious concern shared by dozens of M5 owners I am in communication with. Waiting for the failure to happen on a given F90 M5 and going to a service center is NOT a viable option since it may already be too late and the damage already done. My car has documentation that proves the coolant expansion tank has failed previously at around 12K miles and affected other parts such as injectors. After less than two weeks of owning the car, the coolant tank has failed again as evidenced by coolant escaping at the tank seam. The car now has slightly over 14K miles.
NHTSA complaint #11555126 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
My car (a 2014 BMW M5 with only approx. 39K miles) has a known issue with defective fuel injectors (manufactured by Bosch, subsequently replaced by an upgraded part). In fact, in 2018 BMW issued me and other owners with an extended warranty for the fuel injectors for 10 years/120,000 miles (see attached copy). However, in my opinion and based on a 9/7/2022 failure incident I experienced the defective fuel injectors should have resulted in a safety recall. Previously, my car experienced a check engine light in August 2022. The dealership suspected one or more leaking fuel injectors and noted as such on my repair invoice, but I was told due to the testing protocol which BMW requires they could not replace any of the fuel injectors. BMW's testing protocol also resulted in me incurring a large bill of almost $1,100 due to the diagnosis labor involved. On 9/7/2022 while I was driving on the highway at approximately 70 miles an hour, 2 fuel injectors failed (out of 8 injectors, confirmed by subsequent repair) which resulted in a sudden and complete loss of engine power while maneuvering in traffic. I am extremely lucky the sudden loss of engine power did not result in an accident, and I was able to take a highway exit using the vehicle's momentum. Upon exiting the highway, my car's engine completely died and would not re-start. This resulted in my car obstructing the road where it almost caused several accidents and necessitated a 911 call by me to obtain police assistance to get my vehicle out of the way. After this frightening experience and due to the high failure rate I already experienced with 2 out of 8 injectors, I contacted BMW customer service and attempted to get the remaining 6 injectors replaced. BMW refuses to replace the remaining injectors and stated they would only replace a specific injector after failure. I urge the NHTSA to require BMW to perform a safety related recall for this known fuel injector issue.
NHTSA complaint #11487810 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2008 BMW M5. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARALLEL PARK, THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED TO REVERSE AND A LOUD POP NOISE WAS HEARD AS FLAMES WAS SEEN COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. NO WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED PEOPLE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SCREAM TO HIM THAT THERE WAS FIRE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT PARKED, OPENED THE HOOD AND SAW FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT WAS FILED. NO ONE WAS INJURED AND NO MEDICAL TREATMENT WAS NEEDED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOWING YARD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WAS NOTIFIED AND HE WAS AWAITING A DIAGNOSIS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS. THE MANUFACTURER NOR THE LOCAL DEALER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT HE HAD REPLACED THE ENGINE WHICH WOULD HAVE HAD APPROXIMATELY 45,000 MILES AT THE TIME OF FAILURE HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE'S ODOMETER WAS APPROXIMATELY 130,000.
NHTSA complaint #11413930 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
BEHAVIOR OF MY CAR'S DCT TRANSMISSION HAS CREATED A DANGEROUS SITUATION WHICH ALMOST RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT FOR ME. I BELIEVE THIS IS DUE TO A SOFTWARE CHANGE BMW MADE TO THE DCT TRANSMISSION. THE ISSUE IS AS FOLLOWS: -WHEN DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED, WHEN YOU RELEASE THE THROTTLE AND LET THE VEHICLE COAST (AS WHEN YOU WANT THE VEHICLE TO NATURALLY DECELERATE WITHOUT BRAKING) THE TRANSMISSION WILL DISENGAGE THE DCT CLUTCHES. THE CAR WILL THEN MAINTAIN SPEED (AS IF CRUISE CONTROL WERE ENGAGED) INSTEAD OF NATURALLY DECELERATING. IN AND OF ITSELF, THIS BEHAVIOR IS DANGEROUS DUE TO THE FACT THE VEHICLE WILL MAINTAIN UNWANTED SPEED. -WHEN THEN TRYING TO RE-ACCELERATE QUICKLY FROM COASTING WHERE A DOWNSHIFT IS NEEDED (AS IN WHEN NEEDING TO PASS LEGALLY ON A 2 LANE HIGHWAY), THE CAR WILL NOT RE-ENGAGE THE CLUTCHES FOR A COUPLE OF SECONDS OR SO. THIS CAUSES TOTAL LOSS OF POWER OR ACCELERATION FOR 2 OR SO SECONDS. WHILE THIS MAY SEEM LIKE A RELATIVELY MINOR SITUATION, THE ABOVE SITUATION ALMOST CAUSED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT AT HIGHWAY SPEED. ALSO, MY CAR DID NOT PREVIOUSLY DISPLAY THIS BEHAVIOR UNTIL AFTER A SERVICE VISIT (I BELIEVE LAST YEAR). I SUSPECT THE DCT TRANSMISSION SOFTWARE WAS UPDATED BY BMW WITHOUT MY KNOWLEDGE AND IS THE SOURCE OF THIS CHANGE IN VEHICLE BEHAVIOR.
NHTSA complaint #11373629 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
CLEARANCE FAILURE ON S85 ENGINE TO ROD BEARINGS CAUSES OIL STARVATION. THIS IN TURN CAUSES ENGINE CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. IF DRIVING THIS WILL EFFECT POWER BREAKING, POWER STEERING AND ALL COMPONENTS REQUIRING THE ENGINE TO BE RUNNING. THIS IS A VERY COMMON ISSUE, I NOW HAVE SYMPTOMS REQUIRING A CHANGE OF ROD BEARINGS.
NHTSA complaint #11325743 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 BMW M5. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL SOUND BEFORE THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING REPAIRED. DON JACOBS BMW LOCATED AT 2689 NICHOLASVILLE RD #1, LEXINGTON, KY 40503, WAS CONTACTED BY PHONE AND MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V475000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,817. *LN THE CONSUMER STATED A ROD WAS SEIZED TO THE CRANKSHAFT CAUSING THE BEARING TO BE DESTROYED AND SENDING METAL SHRAPNEL INTO THE ENGINE. *JS *BF DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER FAILURE DUE TO CYLINDERS LOSS OF OIL PRESSURE RESULTING IN FRICTION ON THE BEARING.
NHTSA complaint #11323365 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
I WAS DRIVING DOWN A HIGHWAY IN MY CITY WHEN I STARTED TO HEAR A SQUEAKY SOUND SORT OF LIKE A HAMSTER WHEEL. SHORTLY AFTER I STARTED TO HEAR LOUD METAL TO METAL CLANKING SOUND AND THE ENGINE FAILED WHILE IN TRAFFIC ON THE HIGHWAY. I WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE TO SAFE LOCATION ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITH BEING HARMED BUT THE POSSIBILITY OF A MAJOR WRECK WAS POSSIBLE DUE TRAFFIC VOLUME AND SPEED. I HAVE ATTACHED THE MECHANICS QUOTES FOR REPAIR OF ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO IMPROPER AND QUICK OIL PRESSURE FAILURE. A ROD WAS SEIZED TO THE CRANKSHAFT AND THEN THE BEARING WAS DESTROYED AND METAL WAS SENT THROUGH THE ENGINE. ONE QUOTE IS FOR A REBUILD OF THE ENGINE IF IT IS POSSIBLE ONCE BREAKING THE ENGINE DOWN TO CONFIRM CONDITION AND THE OTHER IS FOR A MOTOR REPLACEMENT WITH A 40K MOTOR. BMW QUOTE FOR A NEW ENGINE REPLACEMENT FOR THE ENGINE ALONE IS $51,000 PLUS LABOR. THE MECHANIC AND I BELIEVE THIS VEHICLES ENGINE AND OIL PUMP COULD HAVE BEEN BUILT DURING THE TIME OF THE RECOGNIZED BMW RECALL BEING THAT THE VEHICLES MANUFACTURING DATE WAS IN OCTOBER OF 2012 AND THE RECALL WAS FOR A 3 MONTH PERIOD ENDING SEPTEMBER 11, 2012. I AM AN ENGINEER WORKING FOR TOYOTA MANUFACTURING OF NORTH AMERICA AND I AM AWARE OF HOW MOST RECALLS CAN COME TO BE. I AM ALSO AWARE THAT VEHICLES CAN BE KICKED OUT OF THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS FOR OFFLINE REPAIRS AT ANY GIVEN TIME DURING THE BUILD PROCESS THUS MAKING THE WHOLE CARS MANUFACTURING DATE LATER THAN MANY COMPONENTS OF THE VEHICLE INCLUDING THE ENGINE AND OIL PUMP. I WOULD LIKE FOR BMW TO RECOGNIZE THIS ISSUE AND THE IMMEDIATE DANGER IT PUT ONE OF THEIR CUSTOMERS DUE TO A KNOWN ISSUE. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME WITH ANY QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS YOU HAVE RELATED TO THIS UNSAFE FAILURE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. REGARDS, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #11323396 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WHEN MY BMW M5 STARTED TO JUMP AND THE RPM'S NEEDLE STARTED TO JUMP UP AND DOWN AND LEAVING ME STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. CAR DISPLAYED MESSAGES THAT SAID 'FUEL SUPPLY- FULL DRIVE PERFORMANCE NOT AVAILABLE DRIVE MODERATELY ' AND ANOTHER 'DRIVETRAIN MALFUNCTION: DRIVE MODERATELY. MAXIMUM DRIVETRAIN OUTPUT NOT AVAILABLE ' CAR HAS 33,000 MILES
NHTSA complaint #11323291 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
I WAS DRIVING HOME WHEN I ACCELERATED THE CAR JERK STARTED SMOKING I PULLED OVER AND OIL WAS LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH
NHTSA complaint #11210134 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
VANOS, ENGINE
NHTSA complaint #11081175 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
CAR READS LOW ON OIL WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE TAKEN IT BACK TO DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE CAR ONLY NEEDED ONE QUART OF OIL. DEALER HAS NEVER LOOKED TO SEE IF THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE TOLERANCE BETWEEN THE ENGINE OIL PUMP DRIVE SHAFT AND THE PUMP'S ROTOR. DEALERSHIP ONLY SHOWED MY HUSBAND HOW TO REPLENISH OIL WHEN LIGHT COMES ON. THIS HAS PROBLEM BEGAN WHEN THE CAR ONLY HAD 29,000 MILES. THE LIGHT WILL COME ON WHEN CAR IS STATIONERY AND IN MOTION ON A CITY STREET OR HIGHWAY. CURRENTLY MUST DRIVE AROUND WITH A QUART OF OIL IN CAR AT ALL TIMES FOR SAFETY REASONS. CAR NOW HAS 40,000 MILES.
NHTSA complaint #11025421 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.