BMW 5 Series by year

Midsize cars. Every model year EPA has rated, with what owners and NHTSA have on file.

Owner complaints ran highest for the 2011 (479, most about engine) and lowest for the 2020 (15), among years with at least 10. Newer years have had less time to collect complaints, and counts aren't adjusted for how many were sold, so a lower count doesn't mean a more reliable year.

BMW 5 Series, each model year
YearComplaintsMost named partRecall campaignsNHTSA overallCombined mpg
20261Electrical system1–25–31
20252Electrical system6–24–31
202418Electronic stability control (ESC)7–28–30
20239Engine2–20–28
202219Power train3–20–28
202127Electrical system8–25–28
202015Electrical system8–25–28
201939Electrical system3–24–29
201888Air bags7–23–30
201738Air bags25 stars18–27
201681Electrical system75 stars19–30
2015100Electrical system45 stars19–30
2014153Engine65 stars19–30
2013188Engine45 stars17–27
2012265Engine65 stars17–27
2011479Engine105 stars17–25
2010180Engine12–18–22
2009110Engine5–18–21
2008431Electrical system6–18–21
2007282Air bags6–16–22
2006388Air bags11–16–21

Complaints are unverified reports owners filed with NHTSA, not adjusted for sales or for how long each year has been on the road: a newer year's lower count doesn't make it more reliable. NHTSA's overall rating is the lowest across the versions it tested that year. About the data