2021 BMW M5

Recalls

1 recall names the 2021 BMW M5. Newest first.

• Back over prevention › Sensing system › Camera

  Sep 30, 2020NHTSA 20V598000312 vehicles

  BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020-2021 X3 sDrive 30i, X3 xDrive 30i, X3M 40i, X3 xDrive 30e, X4 xDrive 30i, X4M 40i, 530i, 540i, 540i xDrive, M550i xDrive, M5, 550e, 550e xDrive, and 550e iPerformance vehicles. A small portion of the rearview image may be slightly obscured. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the…

  Risk and remedy

  Risk

  If the driver relies on only the rearview camera image, the reduced rearview image view can increase the risk of a crash or injury.

  Remedy

  BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, program the rearview camera with updated software. The recall began November 18, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

  Full recall details →

Owner complaints

What owners report most

1. Electrical system1
2. Engine1
3. Exterior lighting1
4. Fuel/propulsion system1
5. Power train1

Latest complaints

• Oct 15, 2026MD
  Engine
  BMW Federal Emissions Recall Campaign - Delivery Stop: Replace Coolant Expansion Tank [B170324] The manufacturer's recall remedy replaces a defective, heat-compromised plastic coolant reservoir with an identical plastic component that is subject to the exact same thermal fatigue and catastrophic…

  BMW Federal Emissions Recall Campaign - Delivery Stop: Replace Coolant Expansion Tank [B170324] The manufacturer's recall remedy replaces a defective, heat-compromised plastic coolant reservoir with an identical plastic component that is subject to the exact same thermal fatigue and catastrophic failure. I had the dealer replace the tank in March 2024 under this recall. This week, however, I noted coolant residue from the horizontal seam of the expansion tank. Furthermore, the dealership's primary diagnostic criteria (a cold pressure test) FAILED to detect severe, ongoing coolant leakage that was actively drowning the fuel injectors, nearly resulting in catastrophic engine failure. I demanded the bulletin be followed by removing the expansion tank based on the visual evidence alone. I further demanded bore scope photos as stated in the recall bulletin. These support the above claims that ALL FOUR injectors are contaminated with gross amounts of coolant which could have led to a catastrophic engine failure. BMW replaced my expansion tank in 2024 when I first bought the car with 13k miles on it with a tank that suffers from exactly the same design flaw. It is therefore no fix at all and all of these cars are all ticking time bombs unless a permanent solution is mandated.

• Jun 24, 2024GAFire
  Electrical system · Fuel/propulsion system · Power train

  Car catch on fire and explode it with 2 ocupantes inside

• Jan 1, 2021OH400 mi
  Exterior lighting
  The reverse backup lights and camera image IS so dim and limited as be unusable and very unsafe when backing up at night in darkness. Dealer service could not fix as designed in! I believe same system used on all 2021 series 5 cars. Left car at dealer with fobs as I am refusing the car cancelling…

  The reverse backup lights and camera image IS so dim and limited as be unusable and very unsafe when backing up at night in darkness. Dealer service could not fix as designed in! I believe same system used on all 2021 series 5 cars. Left car at dealer with fobs as I am refusing the car cancelling sale as hidden defect unsafe and not fixable per dealer service mgr. attached photos are actually brighter than what driver sees. View IS from my garage and driveway to backup. Red tint IS break lights stronger than weak backup lights all very abnormally dim with very restricted illuminated view.

Service bulletins

Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.

• 11002676Under certain driving situations, coolant leaks onto the fuel injectors on cylinder bank (5-8).
• 11000498Under certain driving situations, coolant leaks onto the fuel injectors on cylinder bank (5-8).
• 10253345BMW AG has issued a Delivery Stop (effective April 15, 2024) on certain Model Year 2018 - 2023 BMW vehicles that were produced between November 7, 2017, and September 9, 2022.
• 10252031One or more of the LED daytime running lights are dim or discolored.
• 10249437The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.
• 10249032The Central Information Display goes black intermittently due to resets of the Head Unit (HU-H3). FaultB7F8F9 HU-H: Reset will be stored in the HU-H3.
• 10249027The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few years. This has led to increased demands being placed on the battery. This document covers important information for the dealer on how to handle discharged battery complaints.
• 10249018At low outside temperatures (below 40 degrees F) and slow driving speeds (i.e. when parking, maneuvering)with a large steering angle, the front end can be slightly axially misaligned. This can be felt (jerking)/ heard via an acoustic acknowledgement (clunk) as seen at the 11 second mark of the video. See attached video V36 01 21.
• 10249017SITUATION Unusual noises occur only when operating the steering column in the axial direction. 1. A one-time thump sound at the start of movement Shortly after the steering column starts moving, retracting, or extending, a one-time thump noise is heard. See attached video V32 03 23 2. Humming noise while steering column extends in the axial direction. The sound is only heard when the steering column is extended, not when the steering column is retracted. When the steering column starts to move in the extended direction, the humming noise can be heard. See attached video V32 04 23
• 10249015A vehicle arrives at your center to be diagnosed for a micro-leak in the fuel evaporative (EVAP) system(NVLD natural vacuum leak detection). For this condition, the following fault is stored in the DME: 190302 - fuel tank ventilation and scavenging air system, micro-leak: leakage more than 0.5mm For: Model vehicles other that the ones listed above, or for EVAP faults related to a large leak, after confirming that the fuel filler cap is fitted properly, then, proceed to follow the corresponding test plan
• 10244237Functional noises (squealing/honking) when braking shortly before the vehicle comes to a stop. CAUSE Material-
• 10242698?The sunroof will not operate in either direction.
• 10242694?The front seat will not calibrate/initialize, and the stored faults cannot be deleted.
• 10242691?Unusual noises occur only when operating the steering column in the axial direction.
• 10239614The air conditioning cycles from cold to warm air while driving or while at a stand still. The vent outlet temperatures vary by 25 degrees Fahrenheit or more (38 F to 60 F +) without changing any climate control settings.
• 10239604A groaning type noise is heard during the height adjustment.
• 10239602A vehicle arrives at your center to be diagnosed for a micro-leak in the fuel evaporative (EVAP) system (NVLD natural vacuum leak detection). For this condition, the following fault is stored in the DME: 190302 - fuel tank ventilation and scavenging air system, micro-leak: leakage more than 0.5 mm.
• 10239599With the introduction of the BMW Remote Software Upgrade, all Service Pack 18 vehicles and partial Service Pack 15 vehicles may receive new functionality or modifications in their features.
• 10238090After programming the head unit (HU-H2), activating the FSC (German word Freischaltcode) Enabling Codes repeatedly fails.
• 10238081Upon opening and closing the tailgate, a creaking/groaning sound can be heard from tailgate actuator.
• 10235206Customer is shown an incorrect GPS location in the vehicle (i.e., Nav Map, coordinates).
• 10235205The 3G network in the US has been shut down. This means that only the 4G network will be available. In the 4G network, voice calls will be transferred via the Voice over LTE (VoLTE) function. For this purpose, the SIM card must perform an IMS registration in the mobile communication network. Due to a production error, the telematics control units were delivered without an IMS configuration. The Connected Drive voice services (Concierge Call, BMW Assistance, and emergency call voice) can no longer be used regionally in the US in vehicle with telematics control units ATM-1 and TCB-4G. Voice control of the vehicle and all other telephone (paired mobile devices) functions are not affected. Emergency call location data is unaffected.
• 10235203Customer states there is no audio playback (telephony, navigation, radio) and system sounds (PDC, turn indicators, acoustic signals) may also have failed.
• 10235200One or more of the LED daytime running lights are dim or discolored.
• 10235198In SPORT mode, a black square appears in the RPM gauge (tachometer) section of the instrument cluster display.
• 10235181A groaning type noise is heard during the height adjustment.
• 10230740Customer is shown an incorrect GPS location in the vehicle (i.e., Nav Map, coordinates).
• 10230738Acoustic and visual warnings indicate that the front passenger seat is occupied, and the safety belt is not fastened when the seat is actually unoccupied. If the situation is currently present, sit in the seat and move the seat to a slightly different position. The POL (Passenger Occupancy Light) light should now function correctly. In some cases, the air bag Warning Light was illuminated. Advanced Crash Safety Module (ACSM) fault "930A1C - Front passenger seat occupancy detection transmitting fault (moisture)" is stored.
• 10230734Due to a software error, Remote Software Upgrade (RSU) and Remote Support are currently not possible. Additionally, the Integrated Owner's Handbook cannot be displayed.
• 10230732The saved steering column positions, vertical and horizontal, are not stored long term.
• 10228433The sunroof will not operate in either direction. There are NO faults stored related to the sunroof. If the vehicle has any faults stored related to the sunroof, this bulletin does not apply.
• 10227575The customer complains that the radio stations change by themselves.
• 10227558After opening the vehicle with the radio remote control and changing the profile, the exterior mirror settings are lost.
• 10225126Vehicle cannot be opened or closed using comfort access, engine start is not possible, and the vehicle may not start when placing the key against the steering column.
• 10225107Coolant is leaking from under the car which is equipped with the S63 engine. A low coolant warning might also be displayed (CC Message ID166).
• 10224210The sound output intermittently drops out entirely. This can be reproduced with all audio sources as well as telephone and voice output.
• 10215750BMW offers a new special ISTA Installation made available for Roadside Assistance / Mobile Service technicians. The new ISTA Version is also able to be used in case of a Remote Software Upgrade (RSU) programming failure to get the customer car reprogrammed on site. In case of a Remote Software Upgrade failure, the engine start is prevented for safety reasons until the vehicle is programmed correctly. Most of the errors occur when only one control unit fails to program correctly.
• 10214990The Headunit High (HU-H), also called NBT, began replacing the Car Information Computer (CIC) on certain MY2013 vehicles with option 609 (as of 7/2012 production). This uses map North America NEXT. The Headunit High 2 (HU-H2), also called NBT-EVO, superseded the NBT HU and was introduced in 3/2014. This uses map North America EVO. The Headunit High 4 (HU-H4, also called MGU21) superseded the MGU starting with certain MY2021 vehicles with option code 6U3 Live Cockpit Professional. This uses map North America JOY. The ENTRY Media/Navigation (HU-B) is the low line business version of the navigation system and was introduced in 3/2014. This uses map North America ROUTE. The ENTRY NAV EVO (HU-B2) replaced Entry Media/Navigation as the low-line business version and was introduced in certain MY2018 vehicles. This uses map North America WAY.
• 10214989Mist formation on the windshield inside surface may occur at departure or after MSA (automaticstart/stop). Acoustic abnormality in the area of the recirculated air flap (recirculation flap closing and opening severaltimes). The above may occur individually or in combination.
• 10214985When using the Key Reader to retrieve information from the customer's key, no current vehicle data is available.

Every BMW M5 model year

Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.