How many recalls does the BMW 5 Series have?

As of NHTSA records retrieved 2026-08-27, NHTSA lists 28 recall campaigns for the BMW 5 Series, model years 2016–2024. A recall applies to specific VIN ranges, variants, trims or build dates, so a particular vehicle may be affected by all, some, or none of them, and a campaign count is not a reliability ranking. Whether an open recall is a safety risk depends on the campaign, so read the NHTSA entry for the VIN. Each campaign below shows the remedy NHTSA records, which may be a dealer or service-center repair, an over-the-air software update, or, for some campaigns, a repurchase. This page details the most recent campaigns; the full record for any VIN is at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What should an inspector check on a used BMW 5 Series?

Beyond the standard pre-purchase checks, the recall history for this model concentrates in: electrical system, power train, back over prevention, electronic stability control (esc), air bags, fuel system. An inspector documents the visible and operational condition of those systems without disassembly; internal parts, software-only issues and whether a recall remedy was performed are VIN-lookup questions, not inspection findings.

Can a pre-purchase inspection tell me whether a BMW 5 Series recall was done?

No. Whether a recall repair was performed is recorded against the VIN, so NHTSA's lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls (or the manufacturer's own) is the authoritative check. Run it before you travel. The inspection covers what a VIN lookup cannot: the physical condition of the vehicle in front of you.

Can you inspect a BMW 5 Series at a dealer, a private seller, or out of state?

Yes. The inspector usually travels to the vehicle at the seller's location — a dealer lot or a private seller — and you do not need to be there. Vehicle Inspectors dispatches an independent inspector within 50 miles of any US ZIP code, widening to 150 miles if needed; more remote locations are quoted case by case. You get a photo-documented PDF report in 24–48 hours.

How much does a BMW 5 Series pre-purchase inspection cost?

A pre-purchase inspection of a BMW 5 Series through Vehicle Inspectors: Bronze $249 · Silver $349 · Gold $449. Your card is saved at booking, not charged. A hold is placed when an inspector schedules, and you are charged after the inspection is completed. If no inspector accepts within 72 hours, the request auto-cancels and nothing is charged.

Should You Buy a Used BMW 5 Series?

Showing the 12 most recent of 28 campaigns, newest first, from NHTSA records. Check a specific VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

26V525000NHTSA report received August 2026Model years: 2021–2023

NHTSA campaign 26V525000: BMW 5 Series power train recall

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2022-2026 840i, 840i xDrive, 2021-2023 540i, 540i xDrive, M550i xDrive, and 2024-2026 750e xDrive vehicles. The connection between the driveshaft and the rear differential may become damaged, possibly resulting in a loss of power to the rear wheels or a vehicle rollaway.

Consequence: An unexpected loss of drive power can increase the risk of a crash. In addition, a damaged driveshaft can result in a vehicle rollaway if the parking brake is not applied, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.

Remedy per NHTSA (as of 2026-08-27): Dealers will inspect the connection between the driveshaft and rear axle differential, and apply adhesive or replace the driveshaft and rear axle differential, as necessary, free of charge.

26V438000NHTSA report received July 2026Model years: 2021–2023

NHTSA campaign 26V438000: BMW 5 Series electrical system recall

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Toyota Supra, 2022-2025 2 Series Coupe, 2021-2023 5 Series, 2022-2026 Z4, 2023-2024 4 Series Gran Coupe, 4 Series Convertible, 4 Series Coupe, 3 Series, 2021-2025 X4, and 2021-2024 X3 vehicles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of all models. The engine starter may overheat and catch fire due to wear on an internal component.

Consequence: Fire increases the risk of injury.

Remedy per NHTSA (as of 2026-08-27): Dealers will replace the engine starter, free of charge.

26V422000NHTSA report received July 2026Model years: 2024

NHTSA campaign 26V422000: BMW 5 Series service brakes recall

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2025 Mini Cooper S, Mini Countryman S All4, X2, 2024 Rolls-Royce Spectre, 2023-2025 i7, 7 Series, X7, 2024-2025 i5, 5 Series, 2023-2024 XM, X1, 2024-2025 X6, and X5 vehicles. The integrated brake (IB) system may malfunction and result in a loss of power brake assist or cause the Antilock Brake (ABS) and Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) systems to not function properly.

Consequence: A loss of power brake assist can extend the distance required to stop the vehicle. Additionally, malfunctioning ABS and/or DSC systems can cause a loss of vehicle control. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy per NHTSA (as of 2026-08-27): The Integrated brake system will be inspected and, if necessary, replaced, free of charge.

26V056000NHTSA report received January 2026Model years: 2021–2024

NHTSA campaign 26V056000: BMW 5 Series electrical system recall

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Toyota Supra, 2022-2023 2 Series Coupe, 2021-2024 5 Series (xDrive), 2021-2022 Z4, 2022-2024 4 Series (Gran Coupe), 2021-2024 4 Series (Convertible and xDrive Convertible), 2021-2023 4 Series (Coupe), 2021-2024 3 Series, 2021-2023 X4, 2021-2024 X3 vehicles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of all models. The engine starter may overheat and catch fire due to wear on an internal component.

Consequence: Fire increases the risk of injury.

Remedy per NHTSA (as of 2026-08-27): Dealers will replace the engine starter, free of charge.

25V636000NHTSA report received September 2025Model years: 2020–2022

NHTSA campaign 25V636000: BMW 5 Series electrical system recall

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2021 BMW 330i, 2019-2022 BMW Z4, 2020-2022 BMW 530i, X3, X4, Toyota Supra, 2021-2022 BMW 430i, 430i Convertible, and 2022 BMW 230i vehicles. The engine starter relay may corrode, causing the relay to overheat and short circuit.

Consequence: A short circuit in the starter relay may increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy per NHTSA (as of 2026-08-27): Owners are advised to park their vehicles outside and away from structures until the remedy is complete.

24V739000NHTSA report received October 2024Model years: 2024

NHTSA campaign 24V739000: BMW 5 Series electronic stability control (esc) recall

BMW of North America, LLC. (BMW) is recalling certain 2023-2024 X1, X5, X6, X7, XM, 530i, i5, 740i, 760i, i7, and 750e vehicles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models and model years. The integrated brake (IB) system may malfunction and result in a loss of power brake assist or cause the Antilock Brake (ABS) and Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) systems to not function properly.

Remedy per NHTSA (as of 2026-08-27): Dealers will replace the integrated brake module, free of charge.

24V697000NHTSA report received September 2024Model years: 2024

NHTSA campaign 24V697000: BMW 5 Series electronic stability control (esc) recall

BMW of North America (BMW) is recalling certain 2023-2024 X1, 2024-2025 X5, 2025 X6, 2023-2025 X7, 740i, 760i, 2024 XM, 530i, 540i, i7, 750e, X2, 2024-2025 i5, 2024 Rolls Royce Spectre, 2025 MINI Countryman S ALL4, JCW Countryman ALL4, and 2025 MINI Hardtop 2 Door (Cooper, Cooper S) vehicles. Please refer to the recall report for the complete list of models. The welds in the servomotor of the integrated brake control module may break, causing a loss of power brake assist and rear brake function. In addition, the Antilock Brake System (ABS) and Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) system may not function.

Consequence: A loss of brake power assist or rear brake function can result in extended stopping distance. A loss of ABS or DSC can cause a loss of vehicle handling and control. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy per NHTSA (as of 2026-08-27): Dealers will replace the integrated brake system, free of charge.

24V104000NHTSA report received February 2024Model years: 2024

NHTSA campaign 24V104000: BMW 5 Series electronic stability control (esc) recall

BMW of North America, LLC. (BMW) is recalling certain 2023-2025 BMW, MINI, and Rolls-Royce vehicles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models and model years. The integrated brake (IB) system may malfunction and result in a loss of power brake assist or cause the Antilock Brake (ABS) and Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) systems to not function properly.

Remedy per NHTSA (as of 2026-08-27): Dealers will replace the integrated brake system, free of charge.

23V821000NHTSA report received December 2023Model years: 2023

NHTSA campaign 23V821000: BMW 5 Series power train recall

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2023 Toyota GR Supra, 3 Series Sedan (330i xDrive, M340i xDrive, M3), 5 Series Sedan (530i, 530i xDrive, M5), 4 Series Gran Coupe (430i, 430i xDrive), 4 Series Coupe (430i, 430i xDrive, M440i xDrive), 4 Series Convertible (430i, 430i xDrive, M440i xDrive), 8 Series Coupe (840i, M850i xDrive, M8), 8 Series Convertible (840i, M850i xDrive, M8), 8 Series Gran Coupe (850i xDrive, M8), X3 SAV (X3 xDrive30i, X3M), X4 SAV (X4 xDrive30i), X5 SAV (X5 xDrive40i, X5 M50i, X5M), X6 SAV (X6 xDrive40i, X6 M50i, X6M), and Z4 sDrive30i, Z4 M40i vehicles. The weld seam of the integrated transmission control unit's cover may not have been manufactured properly, which could allow automatic transmission oil to leak into the transmission control unit.

Consequence: Transmission oil that leaks into the control unit can lead to a seizure of the transmission gears, causing a sudden loss of drive power and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy per NHTSA (as of 2026-08-27): Dealers will replace the transmission mechatronics module and the automatic transmission fluid, as necessary, free of charge.

23V700000NHTSA report received October 2023Model years: 2024

NHTSA campaign 23V700000: BMW 5 Series electrical system recall

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2023-2024 740i, 740i xDrive, 760i xDrive, i7 eDrive50, i7 xDrive60, i7 M70, 2024 750e xDrive, 530i, 530i xDrive, i5 eDrive40, and i5 M60 vehicles. The ground connection to the steering wheel may not have been attached correctly, resulting in an inoperative hands-on detection system.

Consequence: An inoperative hands-on detection system may fail to detect when the driver's hands are not on the steering wheel and therefore not engage the emergency stopping assistant system, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy per NHTSA (as of 2026-08-27): Dealers will inspect and reattach the ground connection as necessary, free of charge.

22V070000NHTSA report received February 2022Model years: 2022

NHTSA campaign 22V070000: BMW 5 Series power train recall

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2022 330i, 530i, X3 xDrive30i, and X4 xDrive30i vehicles. The mechatronics unit inside the transmission may not have been assembled properly, which could result in an internal leak.

Consequence: An internal transmission leak can result in a vehicle rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.

Remedy per NHTSA (as of 2026-08-27): Dealers will replace the transmission mechatronics unit, free of charge.

21V598000NHTSA report received August 2021Model years: 2020

NHTSA campaign 21V598000: BMW 5 Series engine recall

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020 M340i, M340i xDrive, 540i, 540i xDrive, X3 M40i, 2020-2021 X4 M40i, 745Le xDrive, 2019-2021 Z4 M40i, and 2020-2021 Toyota Supra vehicles. During engine start, the engine management software may cause loss of braking assist. Full mechanical braking (without assist) remains available.

Consequence: Loss of braking assist can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy per NHTSA (as of 2026-08-27): Dealers will update the engine management software, free of charge.

What does a pre-purchase inspection cover on a used BMW 5 Series?

The same full inspection at every tier, at the seller’s location, with a photo-documented report:

Bronze $249 · Silver $349 · Gold $449. Compare Bronze, Silver and Gold. The core inspection is the same at each tier; Silver and Gold add instrumented measurements.

Similar used luxury sedans

Other luxury sedans to weigh against the BMW 5 Series. Recall counts cover different model-year spans and are not a reliability ranking.

What does a pre-purchase inspection not do?

Common questions about buying a used BMW 5 Series

Where can I book a BMW 5 Series pre-purchase inspection?

Vehicle Inspectors matches buyers with independent inspectors nationwide. Local pages for cities with active inspectors:

Recall data from NHTSA recall records (NHTSA public recalls API), retrieved 2026-08-27. Vehicle Inspectors is not affiliated with BMW. A recall is not a defect finding on any individual vehicle.

Should you buy a used BMW 5 Series?

Which systems do BMW 5 Series recalls affect?

What are the most recent NHTSA recall campaigns for the BMW 5 Series?