Auto Recall Watch
U.S. public vehicle records

Bmw 5-SERIES problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

17 owner complaints analyzed

0 distinct recall campaigns

74,238 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2003 to 2009 model years. Data updated: . 15 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.

This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 6 of 17 complaints (35.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Electrical and battery issues423.5%
Fuel system concerns211.8%
Engine operation15.9%
Braking behavior15.9%
Steering behavior15.9%

Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Electrical System
6
Air Bags
3
Fuel/Propulsion System
3
Engine
2
Exterior Lighting
2
Fuel System, Other:Storage:Fuel Gauge System
1
Latches/Locks/Linkages
1
Steering
1
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Electrical System6
Air Bags3
Fuel/Propulsion System3
Engine2
Exterior Lighting2
Fuel System, Other:Storage:Fuel Gauge System1
Latches/Locks/Linkages1
Steering1

Electrical System: 6; Air Bags: 3; Fuel/Propulsion System: 3; Engine: 2; Exterior Lighting: 2; Fuel System, Other:Storage:Fuel Gauge System: 1; Latches/Locks/Linkages: 1; Steering: 1

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
0
25,000 to 49,999
4
50,000 to 74,999
4
75,000 to 99,999
4
100,000 to 149,999
3
150,000 and above
0
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,0000
25,000 to 49,9994
50,000 to 74,9994
75,000 to 99,9994
100,000 to 149,9993
150,000 and above0

Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 4; 50,000 to 74,999: 4; 75,000 to 99,999: 4; 100,000 to 149,999: 3; 150,000 and above: 0

25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 2 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.

Complaints over time

Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.

2004
1
2007
1
2008
1
2012
3
2013
2
2014
3
2015
2
2016
4
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
20041
20071
20081
20123
20132
20143
20152
20164

2004: 1; 2007: 1; 2008: 1; 2012: 3; 2013: 2; 2014: 3; 2015: 2; 2016: 4

Pattern summary

Electrical System leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 4 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 2 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.

Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.

Complaint evidence

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 10446867 · 2012-02-06 (February 6, 2012)

WHILE DRIVING, THE CAR SUDDENLY SHUT DOWN AND LOST ALL POWER. HAD TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD QUICKLY TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT; HAD THIS BEEN AT HIGH SPEED, THE SITUATION MIGHT HAVE BEEN WORSE. SUBSEQUENTLY WHEN TRYING TO START, THE CAR SHOWS A MYRIAD OF WARNING LIGHTS AND FAULTS. A FUSE FOR THE MAIN COMPUTER (DME) HAD BLOWN, DUE TO A WIRING SHORT BETWEEN THE ELECTRONIC THERMOSTAT AND THE MAIN COMPUTER. REPLACING THE FUSE IS NOT A PERMANENT FIX, AS IT BLOWS SHORTLY AFTER EACH TIME THE CAR IS STARTED, RENDERING THE CAR UNDRIVEABLE. THIS FI…

Owner-reported narrative. 107,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10446867 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10449475 · 2012-02-27 (February 27, 2012)

MY 2003 BMW 530I SEDAN CAUGHT FIRE DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL FAULT WHILE PARKED IN NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND POLICE WERE CALLED. CASE #[XXX] WAS ASSIGNED BY OFFICER [XXX] OF THE NEW HAVEN PD. THE CAR, TOO BADLY DAMAGED TO REPAIR, WAS HAULED AWAY FOR EVENTUAL SCRAPPING. I WAS CLOSE TO THE CAR WHEN THE FIRE STARTED. FLAMES WERE ERUPTING FROM THE DASH, WHERE THE CLIMATE CONTROL SWITCHES ARE LOCATED. I TRIED SMOTHERING THE FLAMES WITH A SWEATER. THIS DID NOT INTERRUPT THE PROGRESS OF THE FIRE. THERE WAS NO PERSONAL INJURY OR …

Owner-reported narrative. 125,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10449475 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10840376 · 2016-03-07 (March 7, 2016)

ON SEPTEMBER 10, 2016 I PURCHASED THIS CAR AND I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING STALLING AND JERKING VIOLENTLY AND I WAS TOLD IT WAS BAD GAS FROM DEALERSHIP I PURCHASED IT FROM. I WENT TO BMW IN OCTOBER 2015 I WAS TOLD IT WAS FUEL INJECTORS I WAS TOLD NO RECALL ON THE CAR AT THAT TIME. IN MARCH 2016 THE CAR STOPPED ON ME AND MY VISUALLY IMPAIRED GRANDSON WITHOUT WARNING ON THE FREEWAY. I TOOK THE CAR TO CONRAD AND WAS TOLD IT WAS THE FUEL PUMP SO I TOOK THE CAR TO DIFFERENT BMW SERVICE CENTER NOW I AM TOLD IT THE FUEL PUMP BUT NOT THE ONE UNDER WARRAN…

Owner-reported narrative. 86,680 miles reported. Look up ODI 10840376 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10917599 · 2016-10-20 (October 20, 2016)

"TAKATA RECALL" BMW SENT ME A NOTICE OF RECALL: DRIVER'S FRONT AIR BAG MODULE IN MARCH 2016, HOWEVER, UNTIL NOW 10/20/2016, THE LOCAL DEALER NEVER CALL ME TO REPLACE THE FRONT AIR BAG. ANOTHER PROBLEM: I SMELL GAS COMING OUT FROM THE FUEL TANK WHEN PARKING IN THE GARAGE, HOWEVER, I CAN NOT FIND ANY LEAK FROM THE GAS TANK. I FEEL MY BMW X5 V8 2009 MAY BE CAUGHT IN FIRE IF I DROVE LONG DISTANCE AND THE CAR HEATED UP.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10917599 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10533930 · 2013-08-06 (August 6, 2013)

THE GROUNDING WIRE IN THE CONNECTOR TO THE TAIL LIGHT BULB HOLDER MELTED AND MELTED PARTS OF THE CONNECTOR. THIS RESULTED IN NO SIGNAL, BRAKE AND RUNNING REAR LIGHTS. A RECALL HAS BEEN CALLED FOR BMW E46 3 SERIES FOR THIS EXACT PROBLEM (SEE BELOW). THE RECALL SHOULD BE EXPANDED TO COVER THE 5 SERIES AS WELL. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 53,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10533930 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10678436 · 2015-01-22 (January 22, 2015)

OUR 2007 BMW 530XI DEVELOPED A STEERING WHEEL LOCK MALFUNCTION WARNING. A RED STEERING WHEEL WITH A PADLOCK APPEARS ON THE DASH SCREEN WITH A WARNING ON THE COMPUTER. THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS AND UNLOCKS PERFECTLY EVERY TIME. THE CAR IS DRIVABLE. THE DEALER SAYS THE STEERING LOCK MODULE MUST BE REPLACED FOR $600. I FOUND THAT THIS IS A RAMPANT PROBLEM ON BMWS AND THAT BMW CORPORATION IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 79,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10678436 at NHTSA ↗

Compare model years

Recalls by model year

All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.

Recall campaigns

Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.

2003
0
2008
0
2009
0
Recall campaigns data
CategoryCount
20030
20080
20090

2003: 0; 2008: 0; 2009: 0

Year-by-year records

Bmw 5-SERIES model-year comparison
Model yearComplaintsRecallsChange in recalls
200360Not available
200870Not available
2009400
Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.

Data completeness

17 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-09-30.

88.2%Usable mileage15 / 17 records
100.0%Valid incident date17 / 17 records
100.0%Valid filing date17 / 17 records
100.0%Ordered incident and filing dates17 / 17 records

Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.

Problems by model year

Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.

Component complaint heatmap
Component200320082009
Electrical System
233.3%
ODI 10446867 · 107,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING, THE CAR SUDDENLY SHUT DOWN AND LOST ALL POWER. HAD TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD QUICKLY TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT; HAD THIS BEEN AT HIGH SPEED, THE SITUATION MIGHT HAVE BEEN WORSE. SUBSEQUENTLY WHEN TRYING TO START, THE CAR SHOWS A MYRIAD OF WARNING LIGHTS AND FAULTS. A FUSE FOR THE MAIN COMPUTER (DME) HAD BLOWN, DUE TO A WIRING SHORT BETWEEN THE ELECTRONIC THERMOSTAT AND THE MAIN COMPUTER. REPLACING THE FUSE IS NOT A PERMANENT FIX, AS IT BLOWS SHORTLY AFTER EACH TIME THE CAR IS STARTED, RENDERING THE CAR UNDRIVEABLE. THIS FI…

Look up ODI 10446867 at NHTSA ↗

342.9%
ODI 10678436 · 79,000 mi

OUR 2007 BMW 530XI DEVELOPED A STEERING WHEEL LOCK MALFUNCTION WARNING. A RED STEERING WHEEL WITH A PADLOCK APPEARS ON THE DASH SCREEN WITH A WARNING ON THE COMPUTER. THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS AND UNLOCKS PERFECTLY EVERY TIME. THE CAR IS DRIVABLE. THE DEALER SAYS THE STEERING LOCK MODULE MUST BE REPLACED FOR $600. I FOUND THAT THIS IS A RAMPANT PROBLEM ON BMWS AND THAT BMW CORPORATION IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM. *TR

Look up ODI 10678436 at NHTSA ↗

125.0%
ODI 10533930 · 53,000 mi

THE GROUNDING WIRE IN THE CONNECTOR TO THE TAIL LIGHT BULB HOLDER MELTED AND MELTED PARTS OF THE CONNECTOR. THIS RESULTED IN NO SIGNAL, BRAKE AND RUNNING REAR LIGHTS. A RECALL HAS BEEN CALLED FOR BMW E46 3 SERIES FOR THIS EXACT PROBLEM (SEE BELOW). THE RECALL SHOULD BE EXPANDED TO COVER THE 5 SERIES AS WELL. *TR

Look up ODI 10533930 at NHTSA ↗

Air Bags
233.3%
ODI 10247522 · 68,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 540. WHILE THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, SHE HEARD A LOUD NOISE. THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR AIR BAG AND REAR DOOR AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, INJURING HER LEFT ARM AND LEG. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO A BMW DEALER. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 68,000.

Look up ODI 10247522 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

125.0%
ODI 10917599

"TAKATA RECALL" BMW SENT ME A NOTICE OF RECALL: DRIVER'S FRONT AIR BAG MODULE IN MARCH 2016, HOWEVER, UNTIL NOW 10/20/2016, THE LOCAL DEALER NEVER CALL ME TO REPLACE THE FRONT AIR BAG. ANOTHER PROBLEM: I SMELL GAS COMING OUT FROM THE FUEL TANK WHEN PARKING IN THE GARAGE, HOWEVER, I CAN NOT FIND ANY LEAK FROM THE GAS TANK. I FEEL MY BMW X5 V8 2009 MAY BE CAUGHT IN FIRE IF I DROVE LONG DISTANCE AND THE CAR HEATED UP.

Look up ODI 10917599 at NHTSA ↗

Fuel/Propulsion System
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

114.3%
ODI 10654546 · 90,000 mi

GASOLINE IS LEAKING FROM THE FUEL LEVEL SENSOR, WHICH IS ACCESSED BENEATH THE LEFT REAR PASSENGER SEAT, DUE TO A CRACK IN THE PLASTIC HOUSING. MY INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO SPECIALIZES IN BMW REPAIR, TELLS ME THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH BMW AND MERCEDES VEHICLES. *TR

Look up ODI 10654546 at NHTSA ↗

250.0%
ODI 10840376 · 86,680 mi

ON SEPTEMBER 10, 2016 I PURCHASED THIS CAR AND I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING STALLING AND JERKING VIOLENTLY AND I WAS TOLD IT WAS BAD GAS FROM DEALERSHIP I PURCHASED IT FROM. I WENT TO BMW IN OCTOBER 2015 I WAS TOLD IT WAS FUEL INJECTORS I WAS TOLD NO RECALL ON THE CAR AT THAT TIME. IN MARCH 2016 THE CAR STOPPED ON ME AND MY VISUALLY IMPAIRED GRANDSON WITHOUT WARNING ON THE FREEWAY. I TOOK THE CAR TO CONRAD AND WAS TOLD IT WAS THE FUEL PUMP SO I TOOK THE CAR TO DIFFERENT BMW SERVICE CENTER NOW I AM TOLD IT THE FUEL PUMP BUT NOT THE ONE UNDER WARRAN…

Look up ODI 10840376 at NHTSA ↗

Engine
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

114.3%
ODI 10556566 · 45,000 mi

WATER PUMP FAILURE WITH LESS THAN 50K MILES, REPAIR COST $1200, RIDICULOUS! SEE NHTSA ID NUMBER: 10472497, THIS GENTLEMAN HAD THE SAME COMPLAINT AND JUST LIKE HIM, MY CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY BY 1.5 MONTHS. *TR

Look up ODI 10556566 at NHTSA ↗

125.0%
ODI 10585353 · 74,238 mi

DRIVING ON A POSTED SPEED LIMIT ROAD OF 30MPH WHEN WE SEE THIS MESSAGE ON OUR SCREEN "ENGINE MALFUNCTION POWER REDUCED". *JS

Look up ODI 10585353 at NHTSA ↗

Exterior Lighting
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

114.3%
ODI 10836474 · 94,000 mi

JUST BOUGHT A USED 2008 528I (E60) W/94K MILES, IN OTHERWISE PERFECT CONDITION. WENT TO CHANGE THE ANGEL EYES FROM DRAB YELLOW TO LUX LED'S. NOTICED BARE WIRES ON BOTH SIDES OF THE BULB CONNECTORS, ON BOTH SIDES OF THE CAR. TRIED TO USE ELECTRICAL TAPE, JUST MADE MORE BARE WIRE. THE MORE I TOUCHED THE WIRES, THE MORE INSULATION FLAKED OFF, ALMOST LIKE A POWDER. I'VE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT. CAN'T POSSIBLY BE SAFE. DEFINITELY A FIRE HAZARD. NEIGHBOR BROUGHT OVER A BOTTLE OF LIQUID TAPE, AND I RE-COATED ALL THE BARE WIRE I COULD SEE,…

Look up ODI 10836474 at NHTSA ↗

125.0%
ODI 10533930 · 53,000 mi

THE GROUNDING WIRE IN THE CONNECTOR TO THE TAIL LIGHT BULB HOLDER MELTED AND MELTED PARTS OF THE CONNECTOR. THIS RESULTED IN NO SIGNAL, BRAKE AND RUNNING REAR LIGHTS. A RECALL HAS BEEN CALLED FOR BMW E46 3 SERIES FOR THIS EXACT PROBLEM (SEE BELOW). THE RECALL SHOULD BE EXPANDED TO COVER THE 5 SERIES AS WELL. *TR

Look up ODI 10533930 at NHTSA ↗

Fuel System, Other:Storage:Fuel Gauge System
116.7%
ODI 10190087 · 35,000 mi

FUEL GUAGE FAILED, INDICATED HALF TANK GAS WHEN TANK WAS EMPTY, AND CAR RAN OUT OF GAS ON FREEWAY. *AK

Look up ODI 10190087 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Latches/Locks/Linkages
116.7%
ODI 10100819 · 28,000 mi

MY 2003 BMW 5 SERIES CAR WAS STOPPED IN TRAFFIC AND REAR-ENDED. THE COLLISION PUSHED THE CONTENTS OF THE TRUNK INTO THE BACK SEAT AREA BY BREAKING THE LATCHES THAT HOLD THE FOLD-DOWN SEATS. ANYONE IN THE BACK SEAT WOULD HAVE BEEN PUSHED FORWARD BY THE SEAT BACKS, AND SIMULTANEOUSLY HELD IN PLACE BY THE SEATBELTS.*AK

Look up ODI 10100819 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Steering
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

114.3%
ODI 10678436 · 79,000 mi

OUR 2007 BMW 530XI DEVELOPED A STEERING WHEEL LOCK MALFUNCTION WARNING. A RED STEERING WHEEL WITH A PADLOCK APPEARS ON THE DASH SCREEN WITH A WARNING ON THE COMPUTER. THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS AND UNLOCKS PERFECTLY EVERY TIME. THE CAR IS DRIVABLE. THE DEALER SAYS THE STEERING LOCK MODULE MUST BE REPLACED FOR $600. I FOUND THAT THIS IS A RAMPANT PROBLEM ON BMWS AND THAT BMW CORPORATION IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM. *TR

Look up ODI 10678436 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.

Failure mileage by component

Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.

Component failure mileage distribution
ComponentMileage range (25th–75th percentile)MedianUsable recordsExamples
Electrical System59,500–103,750 mi86,500 mi6
ODI 10446867 · 107,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING, THE CAR SUDDENLY SHUT DOWN AND LOST ALL POWER. HAD TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD QUICKLY TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT; HAD THIS BEEN AT HIGH SPEED, THE SITUATION MIGHT HAVE BEEN WORSE. SUBSEQUENTLY WHEN TRYING TO START, THE CAR SHOWS A MYRIAD OF WARNING LIGHTS AND FAULTS. A FUSE FOR THE MAIN COMPUTER (DME) HAD BLOWN, DUE TO A WIRING SHORT BETWEEN THE ELECTRONIC THERMOSTAT AND THE MAIN COMPUTER. REPLACING THE FUSE IS NOT A PERMANENT FIX, AS IT BLOWS SHORTLY AFTER EACH TIME THE CAR IS STARTED, RENDERING THE CAR UNDRIVEABLE. THIS FI…

Look up ODI 10446867 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10449475 · 125,000 mi

MY 2003 BMW 530I SEDAN CAUGHT FIRE DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL FAULT WHILE PARKED IN NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND POLICE WERE CALLED. CASE #[XXX] WAS ASSIGNED BY OFFICER [XXX] OF THE NEW HAVEN PD. THE CAR, TOO BADLY DAMAGED TO REPAIR, WAS HAULED AWAY FOR EVENTUAL SCRAPPING. I WAS CLOSE TO THE CAR WHEN THE FIRE STARTED. FLAMES WERE ERUPTING FROM THE DASH, WHERE THE CLIMATE CONTROL SWITCHES ARE LOCATED. I TRIED SMOTHERING THE FLAMES WITH A SWEATER. THIS DID NOT INTERRUPT THE PROGRESS OF THE FIRE. THERE WAS NO PERSONAL INJURY OR …

Look up ODI 10449475 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10678436 · 79,000 mi

OUR 2007 BMW 530XI DEVELOPED A STEERING WHEEL LOCK MALFUNCTION WARNING. A RED STEERING WHEEL WITH A PADLOCK APPEARS ON THE DASH SCREEN WITH A WARNING ON THE COMPUTER. THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS AND UNLOCKS PERFECTLY EVERY TIME. THE CAR IS DRIVABLE. THE DEALER SAYS THE STEERING LOCK MODULE MUST BE REPLACED FOR $600. I FOUND THAT THIS IS A RAMPANT PROBLEM ON BMWS AND THAT BMW CORPORATION IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM. *TR

Look up ODI 10678436 at NHTSA ↗

Air BagsToo few reports for a range68,000 mi1 (sparse)
ODI 10247522 · 68,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 540. WHILE THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, SHE HEARD A LOUD NOISE. THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR AIR BAG AND REAR DOOR AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, INJURING HER LEFT ARM AND LEG. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO A BMW DEALER. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 68,000.

Look up ODI 10247522 at NHTSA ↗

Fuel/Propulsion SystemToo few reports for a range88,340 mi2 (sparse)
ODI 10654546 · 90,000 mi

GASOLINE IS LEAKING FROM THE FUEL LEVEL SENSOR, WHICH IS ACCESSED BENEATH THE LEFT REAR PASSENGER SEAT, DUE TO A CRACK IN THE PLASTIC HOUSING. MY INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO SPECIALIZES IN BMW REPAIR, TELLS ME THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH BMW AND MERCEDES VEHICLES. *TR

Look up ODI 10654546 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10840376 · 86,680 mi

ON SEPTEMBER 10, 2016 I PURCHASED THIS CAR AND I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING STALLING AND JERKING VIOLENTLY AND I WAS TOLD IT WAS BAD GAS FROM DEALERSHIP I PURCHASED IT FROM. I WENT TO BMW IN OCTOBER 2015 I WAS TOLD IT WAS FUEL INJECTORS I WAS TOLD NO RECALL ON THE CAR AT THAT TIME. IN MARCH 2016 THE CAR STOPPED ON ME AND MY VISUALLY IMPAIRED GRANDSON WITHOUT WARNING ON THE FREEWAY. I TOOK THE CAR TO CONRAD AND WAS TOLD IT WAS THE FUEL PUMP SO I TOOK THE CAR TO DIFFERENT BMW SERVICE CENTER NOW I AM TOLD IT THE FUEL PUMP BUT NOT THE ONE UNDER WARRAN…

Look up ODI 10840376 at NHTSA ↗

EngineToo few reports for a range59,619 mi2 (sparse)
ODI 10556566 · 45,000 mi

WATER PUMP FAILURE WITH LESS THAN 50K MILES, REPAIR COST $1200, RIDICULOUS! SEE NHTSA ID NUMBER: 10472497, THIS GENTLEMAN HAD THE SAME COMPLAINT AND JUST LIKE HIM, MY CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY BY 1.5 MONTHS. *TR

Look up ODI 10556566 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10585353 · 74,238 mi

DRIVING ON A POSTED SPEED LIMIT ROAD OF 30MPH WHEN WE SEE THIS MESSAGE ON OUR SCREEN "ENGINE MALFUNCTION POWER REDUCED". *JS

Look up ODI 10585353 at NHTSA ↗

Exterior LightingToo few reports for a range73,500 mi2 (sparse)
ODI 10836474 · 94,000 mi

JUST BOUGHT A USED 2008 528I (E60) W/94K MILES, IN OTHERWISE PERFECT CONDITION. WENT TO CHANGE THE ANGEL EYES FROM DRAB YELLOW TO LUX LED'S. NOTICED BARE WIRES ON BOTH SIDES OF THE BULB CONNECTORS, ON BOTH SIDES OF THE CAR. TRIED TO USE ELECTRICAL TAPE, JUST MADE MORE BARE WIRE. THE MORE I TOUCHED THE WIRES, THE MORE INSULATION FLAKED OFF, ALMOST LIKE A POWDER. I'VE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT. CAN'T POSSIBLY BE SAFE. DEFINITELY A FIRE HAZARD. NEIGHBOR BROUGHT OVER A BOTTLE OF LIQUID TAPE, AND I RE-COATED ALL THE BARE WIRE I COULD SEE,…

Look up ODI 10836474 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10533930 · 53,000 mi

THE GROUNDING WIRE IN THE CONNECTOR TO THE TAIL LIGHT BULB HOLDER MELTED AND MELTED PARTS OF THE CONNECTOR. THIS RESULTED IN NO SIGNAL, BRAKE AND RUNNING REAR LIGHTS. A RECALL HAS BEEN CALLED FOR BMW E46 3 SERIES FOR THIS EXACT PROBLEM (SEE BELOW). THE RECALL SHOULD BE EXPANDED TO COVER THE 5 SERIES AS WELL. *TR

Look up ODI 10533930 at NHTSA ↗

Fuel System, Other:Storage:Fuel Gauge SystemToo few reports for a range35,000 mi1 (sparse)
ODI 10190087 · 35,000 mi

FUEL GUAGE FAILED, INDICATED HALF TANK GAS WHEN TANK WAS EMPTY, AND CAR RAN OUT OF GAS ON FREEWAY. *AK

Look up ODI 10190087 at NHTSA ↗

Latches/Locks/LinkagesToo few reports for a range28,000 mi1 (sparse)
ODI 10100819 · 28,000 mi

MY 2003 BMW 5 SERIES CAR WAS STOPPED IN TRAFFIC AND REAR-ENDED. THE COLLISION PUSHED THE CONTENTS OF THE TRUNK INTO THE BACK SEAT AREA BY BREAKING THE LATCHES THAT HOLD THE FOLD-DOWN SEATS. ANYONE IN THE BACK SEAT WOULD HAVE BEEN PUSHED FORWARD BY THE SEAT BACKS, AND SIMULTANEOUSLY HELD IN PLACE BY THE SEATBELTS.*AK

Look up ODI 10100819 at NHTSA ↗

SteeringToo few reports for a range79,000 mi1 (sparse)
ODI 10678436 · 79,000 mi

OUR 2007 BMW 530XI DEVELOPED A STEERING WHEEL LOCK MALFUNCTION WARNING. A RED STEERING WHEEL WITH A PADLOCK APPEARS ON THE DASH SCREEN WITH A WARNING ON THE COMPUTER. THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS AND UNLOCKS PERFECTLY EVERY TIME. THE CAR IS DRIVABLE. THE DEALER SAYS THE STEERING LOCK MODULE MUST BE REPLACED FOR $600. I FOUND THAT THIS IS A RAMPANT PROBLEM ON BMWS AND THAT BMW CORPORATION IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM. *TR

Look up ODI 10678436 at NHTSA ↗

Complaint and recall timeline

Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.

1 reports2024-102026-09

Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.

Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples
Monthly complaint and recall timeline
MonthComplaintsCampaigns announcedExamples
2024-100None

No examples available for this selection.

2024-110None

No examples available for this selection.

2024-120None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-010None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-020None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-030None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-040None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-050None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-060None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-070None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-080None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-090None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-100None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-110None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-120None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-010None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-020None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-030None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-040None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-050None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-060None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-070None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-080None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-09 (partial)0None

No examples available for this selection.

Emerging complaint spikes

Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.

This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.

No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.

Equal-age model-year comparison

Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.

Age 0Age 1Age 21 reports

2008: 0 complaints · 2009: 0 complaints

Equal observation windows
Model yearThrough age 0Through age 1Through age 2
2008000
2009000
Date coverage across each selected cohort
Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
YearIncident dates usedFiling date fallbacksExcluded dates
2008700
2009400

Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.

Components reported together

Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.

Component co-occurrence matrix
ComponentElectrical SystemAir BagsFuel/Propulsion SystemEngineExterior LightingFuel System, Other:Storage:Fuel Gauge SystemLatches/Locks/LinkagesSteering
Electrical System—000
2
ODI 10836474 · 94,000 mi

JUST BOUGHT A USED 2008 528I (E60) W/94K MILES, IN OTHERWISE PERFECT CONDITION. WENT TO CHANGE THE ANGEL EYES FROM DRAB YELLOW TO LUX LED'S. NOTICED BARE WIRES ON BOTH SIDES OF THE BULB CONNECTORS, ON BOTH SIDES OF THE CAR. TRIED TO USE ELECTRICAL TAPE, JUST MADE MORE BARE WIRE. THE MORE I TOUCHED THE WIRES, THE MORE INSULATION FLAKED OFF, ALMOST LIKE A POWDER. I'VE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT. CAN'T POSSIBLY BE SAFE. DEFINITELY A FIRE HAZARD. NEIGHBOR BROUGHT OVER A BOTTLE OF LIQUID TAPE, AND I RE-COATED ALL THE BARE WIRE I COULD SEE,…

Look up ODI 10836474 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10533930 · 53,000 mi

THE GROUNDING WIRE IN THE CONNECTOR TO THE TAIL LIGHT BULB HOLDER MELTED AND MELTED PARTS OF THE CONNECTOR. THIS RESULTED IN NO SIGNAL, BRAKE AND RUNNING REAR LIGHTS. A RECALL HAS BEEN CALLED FOR BMW E46 3 SERIES FOR THIS EXACT PROBLEM (SEE BELOW). THE RECALL SHOULD BE EXPANDED TO COVER THE 5 SERIES AS WELL. *TR

Look up ODI 10533930 at NHTSA ↗

00
1
ODI 10678436 · 79,000 mi

OUR 2007 BMW 530XI DEVELOPED A STEERING WHEEL LOCK MALFUNCTION WARNING. A RED STEERING WHEEL WITH A PADLOCK APPEARS ON THE DASH SCREEN WITH A WARNING ON THE COMPUTER. THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS AND UNLOCKS PERFECTLY EVERY TIME. THE CAR IS DRIVABLE. THE DEALER SAYS THE STEERING LOCK MODULE MUST BE REPLACED FOR $600. I FOUND THAT THIS IS A RAMPANT PROBLEM ON BMWS AND THAT BMW CORPORATION IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM. *TR

Look up ODI 10678436 at NHTSA ↗

Air Bags0—
1
ODI 10917599

"TAKATA RECALL" BMW SENT ME A NOTICE OF RECALL: DRIVER'S FRONT AIR BAG MODULE IN MARCH 2016, HOWEVER, UNTIL NOW 10/20/2016, THE LOCAL DEALER NEVER CALL ME TO REPLACE THE FRONT AIR BAG. ANOTHER PROBLEM: I SMELL GAS COMING OUT FROM THE FUEL TANK WHEN PARKING IN THE GARAGE, HOWEVER, I CAN NOT FIND ANY LEAK FROM THE GAS TANK. I FEEL MY BMW X5 V8 2009 MAY BE CAUGHT IN FIRE IF I DROVE LONG DISTANCE AND THE CAR HEATED UP.

Look up ODI 10917599 at NHTSA ↗

00000
Fuel/Propulsion System0
1
ODI 10917599

"TAKATA RECALL" BMW SENT ME A NOTICE OF RECALL: DRIVER'S FRONT AIR BAG MODULE IN MARCH 2016, HOWEVER, UNTIL NOW 10/20/2016, THE LOCAL DEALER NEVER CALL ME TO REPLACE THE FRONT AIR BAG. ANOTHER PROBLEM: I SMELL GAS COMING OUT FROM THE FUEL TANK WHEN PARKING IN THE GARAGE, HOWEVER, I CAN NOT FIND ANY LEAK FROM THE GAS TANK. I FEEL MY BMW X5 V8 2009 MAY BE CAUGHT IN FIRE IF I DROVE LONG DISTANCE AND THE CAR HEATED UP.

Look up ODI 10917599 at NHTSA ↗

—00000
Engine000—0000
Exterior Lighting
2
ODI 10836474 · 94,000 mi

JUST BOUGHT A USED 2008 528I (E60) W/94K MILES, IN OTHERWISE PERFECT CONDITION. WENT TO CHANGE THE ANGEL EYES FROM DRAB YELLOW TO LUX LED'S. NOTICED BARE WIRES ON BOTH SIDES OF THE BULB CONNECTORS, ON BOTH SIDES OF THE CAR. TRIED TO USE ELECTRICAL TAPE, JUST MADE MORE BARE WIRE. THE MORE I TOUCHED THE WIRES, THE MORE INSULATION FLAKED OFF, ALMOST LIKE A POWDER. I'VE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT. CAN'T POSSIBLY BE SAFE. DEFINITELY A FIRE HAZARD. NEIGHBOR BROUGHT OVER A BOTTLE OF LIQUID TAPE, AND I RE-COATED ALL THE BARE WIRE I COULD SEE,…

Look up ODI 10836474 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10533930 · 53,000 mi

THE GROUNDING WIRE IN THE CONNECTOR TO THE TAIL LIGHT BULB HOLDER MELTED AND MELTED PARTS OF THE CONNECTOR. THIS RESULTED IN NO SIGNAL, BRAKE AND RUNNING REAR LIGHTS. A RECALL HAS BEEN CALLED FOR BMW E46 3 SERIES FOR THIS EXACT PROBLEM (SEE BELOW). THE RECALL SHOULD BE EXPANDED TO COVER THE 5 SERIES AS WELL. *TR

Look up ODI 10533930 at NHTSA ↗

000—000
Fuel System, Other:Storage:Fuel Gauge System00000—00
Latches/Locks/Linkages000000—0
Steering
1
ODI 10678436 · 79,000 mi

OUR 2007 BMW 530XI DEVELOPED A STEERING WHEEL LOCK MALFUNCTION WARNING. A RED STEERING WHEEL WITH A PADLOCK APPEARS ON THE DASH SCREEN WITH A WARNING ON THE COMPUTER. THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS AND UNLOCKS PERFECTLY EVERY TIME. THE CAR IS DRIVABLE. THE DEALER SAYS THE STEERING LOCK MODULE MUST BE REPLACED FOR $600. I FOUND THAT THIS IS A RAMPANT PROBLEM ON BMWS AND THAT BMW CORPORATION IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM. *TR

Look up ODI 10678436 at NHTSA ↗

000000—

Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.

Recurring narrative patterns

Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.

5 patterns with matching reports.

Fuel smell or leak mentions

1 mentions · 5.9% of complaints

Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).

ODI 10917599

"TAKATA RECALL" BMW SENT ME A NOTICE OF RECALL: DRIVER'S FRONT AIR BAG MODULE IN MARCH 2016, HOWEVER, UNTIL NOW 10/20/2016, THE LOCAL DEALER NEVER CALL ME TO REPLACE THE FRONT AIR BAG. ANOTHER PROBLEM: I SMELL GAS COMING OUT FROM THE FUEL TANK WHEN PARKING IN THE GARAGE, HOWEVER, I CAN NOT FIND ANY LEAK FROM THE GAS TANK. I FEEL MY BMW X5 V8 2009 MAY BE CAUGHT IN FIRE IF I DROVE LONG DISTANCE AND THE CAR HEATED UP.

Look up ODI 10917599 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule\b(fuel leak\w*|gas leak\w*|gas(?:oline)? smell|smell\w* (?:of )?(?:fuel|gas))\b

Hard or delayed shifting

1 mentions · 5.9% of complaints

Median mileage: 86,680 mi (1 usable records).

ODI 10840376 · 86,680 mi

ON SEPTEMBER 10, 2016 I PURCHASED THIS CAR AND I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING STALLING AND JERKING VIOLENTLY AND I WAS TOLD IT WAS BAD GAS FROM DEALERSHIP I PURCHASED IT FROM. I WENT TO BMW IN OCTOBER 2015 I WAS TOLD IT WAS FUEL INJECTORS I WAS TOLD NO RECALL ON THE CAR AT THAT TIME. IN MARCH 2016 THE CAR STOPPED ON ME AND MY VISUALLY IMPAIRED GRANDSON WITHOUT WARNING ON THE FREEWAY. I TOOK THE CAR TO CONRAD AND WAS TOLD IT WAS THE FUEL PUMP SO I TOOK THE CAR TO DIFFERENT BMW SERVICE CENTER NOW I AM TOLD IT THE FUEL PUMP BUT NOT THE ONE UNDER WARRAN…

Look up ODI 10840376 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule\b(hard shift\w*|rough shift\w*|delay\w* shift\w*|shift\w* hard|jerk\w*|lurch\w*)\b

Stalling or loss of power

1 mentions · 5.9% of complaints

Median mileage: 86,680 mi (1 usable records).

ODI 10840376 · 86,680 mi

ON SEPTEMBER 10, 2016 I PURCHASED THIS CAR AND I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING STALLING AND JERKING VIOLENTLY AND I WAS TOLD IT WAS BAD GAS FROM DEALERSHIP I PURCHASED IT FROM. I WENT TO BMW IN OCTOBER 2015 I WAS TOLD IT WAS FUEL INJECTORS I WAS TOLD NO RECALL ON THE CAR AT THAT TIME. IN MARCH 2016 THE CAR STOPPED ON ME AND MY VISUALLY IMPAIRED GRANDSON WITHOUT WARNING ON THE FREEWAY. I TOOK THE CAR TO CONRAD AND WAS TOLD IT WAS THE FUEL PUMP SO I TOOK THE CAR TO DIFFERENT BMW SERVICE CENTER NOW I AM TOLD IT THE FUEL PUMP BUT NOT THE ONE UNDER WARRAN…

Look up ODI 10840376 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule\b(stall\w*|loss of power|lost power|engine shut\w* off)\b

Steering assistance concerns

1 mentions · 5.9% of complaints

Median mileage: 79,000 mi (1 usable records).

ODI 10678436 · 79,000 mi

OUR 2007 BMW 530XI DEVELOPED A STEERING WHEEL LOCK MALFUNCTION WARNING. A RED STEERING WHEEL WITH A PADLOCK APPEARS ON THE DASH SCREEN WITH A WARNING ON THE COMPUTER. THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS AND UNLOCKS PERFECTLY EVERY TIME. THE CAR IS DRIVABLE. THE DEALER SAYS THE STEERING LOCK MODULE MUST BE REPLACED FOR $600. I FOUND THAT THIS IS A RAMPANT PROBLEM ON BMWS AND THAT BMW CORPORATION IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM. *TR

Look up ODI 10678436 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule\b(power steer\w*|steering assist\w*|steering lock\w*|steering wheel lock\w*)\b

Warning lights and dashboard alerts

1 mentions · 5.9% of complaints

Median mileage: 107,000 mi (1 usable records).

ODI 10446867 · 107,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING, THE CAR SUDDENLY SHUT DOWN AND LOST ALL POWER. HAD TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD QUICKLY TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT; HAD THIS BEEN AT HIGH SPEED, THE SITUATION MIGHT HAVE BEEN WORSE. SUBSEQUENTLY WHEN TRYING TO START, THE CAR SHOWS A MYRIAD OF WARNING LIGHTS AND FAULTS. A FUSE FOR THE MAIN COMPUTER (DME) HAD BLOWN, DUE TO A WIRING SHORT BETWEEN THE ELECTRONIC THERMOSTAT AND THE MAIN COMPUTER. REPLACING THE FUSE IS NOT A PERMANENT FIX, AS IT BLOWS SHORTLY AFTER EACH TIME THE CAR IS STARTED, RENDERING THE CAR UNDRIVEABLE. THIS FI…

Look up ODI 10446867 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule\b(warning light\w*|check engine|dashboard warning\w*|malfunction indicator)\b