SkipThatYearREAL DATA. SMARTER CAR DECISIONS.
← New search

2018 BMW M5

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

About this comparison →
6Owner complaints

Model-year median: 2

3Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
3
20151
20166
20188
20192
20202
2021
Compare all M5 years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Engine
3Air Bags
2Fuel/propulsion System
1Power Train
1Seat Belts
1
All reported categories
Seats
1Service Brakes
1Structure
1Unknown Or Other
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 1 of 6 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

0 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports

Power Train complaints

1 reports
Clear category filter
750 miles · May 26, 2018
Fuel/propulsion SystemPower Train

I ALMOST HAD A TERRIBLE ACCIDENT IN MY 2 WEEK OLD 2018 M5 ON THE 1-95 HIGHWAY ON THE NIGHT OF MAY 25, 2018 AT ABOUT 9:45PM. WITHOUT WARNING, AT ABOUT 65MPH, THE CAR JERKED FOR ABOUT 3SECONDS , KICKED OUT OF DRIVE INTO NEUTRAL AND STARTED DECELERATING. I WAS IN THE MIDDLE LANE SURROUNDED BY SPEEDING VEHICLES. I MANAGED TO GUIDE …

Read full complaint

I ALMOST HAD A TERRIBLE ACCIDENT IN MY 2 WEEK OLD 2018 M5 ON THE 1-95 HIGHWAY ON THE NIGHT OF MAY 25, 2018 AT ABOUT 9:45PM. WITHOUT WARNING, AT ABOUT 65MPH, THE CAR JERKED FOR ABOUT 3SECONDS , KICKED OUT OF DRIVE INTO NEUTRAL AND STARTED DECELERATING. I WAS IN THE MIDDLE LANE SURROUNDED BY SPEEDING VEHICLES. I MANAGED TO GUIDE IT TO THE SHOULDER AND TURNED OFF THE IGNITION FOR 2MINUTES, AFTER WHICH I RE-STARTED THE CAR AND WAS ABLE TO ENGAGE DRIVE. I CONTACTED MY DEALERSHIP TODAY, ONLY TO BE INFORMED, THIS WAS AS A RESULT OF COMPUTER GLITCH CONTROLLING THE FUEL PUMP CAUSING IT TO SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. I WAS TOLD THERE HAS BEEN A SOFTWARE PATCH TO REMEDY THIS PROBLEM. IF IT IS TRUE, I BELIEVE THE CORRECTION SHOULD HAVE BEEN DONE BEFORE THE CAR WAS PICKED UP OR PROMPTLY NOTIFIED TO RETURN THE CAR FOR FIXING. I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED ON THE HIGHWAY LAST NIGHT IF NOT FOR MY PROMPT SITUATION AWARENESS AND EXPERIENCE IN HANDLING THIS POWERFUL CAR WHICH IS MY FOURTH M5 SINCE 2006. OWNERS NEED TO BE NOTIFIED IMMEDIATELY FOR FIXES LIKE THIS THAT CAN LEAD TO FATAL INCIDENTS. I DON'T KNOW IF ANYTHING SIMILAR HAS BEEN REPORTED ABOUT THIS MODEL

NHTSA ODI #11098125

Official recalls

3

19V684000 · Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera

Sep 27, 2019

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018 540d, 2018-2020 530i, 530i xDrive, 540i, 540i xDrive, M550i xDrive, M5, 530e, 530e xDrive, X3 sDrive, X3 xDrive, X3 M40i, X3 M, and 2019-2020 X4 xDrive, X4 M40i, X4 M, X7 xDrive, X7 M50i, 740Li, 740Li xDrive, 750Li, 750Li xDrive, 8 Series Convertible and Coupe 840i, 840i xDrive, M850i xDrive, X5 sDrive, X5 xDrive, X5 M50i, X6 xDrive, X6 M50i, 330i, 330i xDrive, M340i, M340i xDrive, Z4 sDrive, Z4 M40i, 740Le xDrive and 745Le xDrive, 2018-2019 640i xDrive Gran Turismo and Rolls-Royce Phantom, 2019 M850i xDrive Gran Coupe and Rolls-Royce Cullinan and 2020 Toyota Supra vehicles. The back-up camera and display settings can be adjusted such that the rear view image is no longer visible and the system will retain that setting the next time the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rearview Mirrors."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: The lack of an image in the back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will update the back-up camera software, free of charge. The recall began November 8, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or Rolls-Royce at 1-877-877-3735. Toyota owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371.

18V473000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly

Jul 17, 2018

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018 BMW M5 vehicles. The fuel level sensor in the fuel tank may become stuck against an in-tank fuel line, causing the fuel gauge to display an inaccurate and possibly larger amount of fuel than is actually available.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An incorrect fuel reading may lead to the vehicle stalling and increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will secure the in-tank fuel line to keep the fuel line from contacting the fuel level sensor, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin September 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

18V323000 · Electrical System:software; Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump

May 16, 2018

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018 BMW M5 vehicles. In certain driving conditions, the engine control unit software may cause the fuel pump to stop.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the fuel pump stops, the vehicle will stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will update the engine control unit software, free of charge. The recall began on June 25, 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Electrical System:software

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018 BMW M5 vehicles. In certain driving conditions, the engine control unit software may cause the fuel pump to stop.

Consequence: If the fuel pump stops, the vehicle will stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will update the engine control unit software, free of charge. The recall began on June 25, 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018 BMW M5 vehicles. In certain driving conditions, the engine control unit software may cause the fuel pump to stop.

Consequence: If the fuel pump stops, the vehicle will stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will update the engine control unit software, free of charge. The recall began on June 25, 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.