BMW · M5 · 2002
2
Recalls
6
Complaints
-
Not Rated
The 2002 BMW M5 has 2 recalls and 6 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Most reported issue: visibility (2 reports).
Source: NHTSA Public Records · Updated Apr 28, 2026
The 2002 BMW M5 page works best as a research starting point. Complaint totals show how much owner-reported activity exists, while recalls and investigations help show whether any of that activity turned into formal safety action.
Because this is a newer-era vehicle page, it usually helps to compare this year against nearby model years before deciding whether a complaint pattern looks isolated or persistent. On this page, the most prominent complaint area is visibility with 2 reported complaints.
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
If you are researching a used vehicle, start with the complaint categories, compare them against the recall list, and then check nearby model years to see whether the same issue profile repeats. That usually produces a better buying or research signal than treating the raw complaint total as a standalone safety ranking.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2000-2002 BMW 320i, 323i, 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi, 323Ci, 325Ci, 330Ci, M3, 323iT, 325iT and 325xiT vehicles, 2001-2002 525i, 530i, 540i, M5, 525iT and 540iT vehicles, and 2001-2003 X5 3.0i, X5 4.4i, and X5 4.6is vehicles. These vehicles may have had a driver-side air bag module installed as replacement equipment such as after a vehicle crash necessitating replacement of the original air bag, or as a remedy part for a prior recall. These replacement modules contain an air bag inflator that may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to lower absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Remedy Status
Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the vehicle has been remedied. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the driver side air bag module, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 15, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2002-2005 325i, 325xi, 330i, and 330xi Sedans, and 325xi and 325i Sportswagons, 2002-2006 330Ci, 325Ci, and M3 Convertibles and 325i, 330i, and M3 Coupes, 2002-2003 M5, 540i, 525i Sedan, and 530i Sedans, and 540i and 525i Sportswagons, and 2003 X5 3.0i and 4.4i Sports Activity Vehicles. Please note that the 5-series and X5 vehicles are only included if they are equipped with the optional sports steering wheel. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.
Remedy Status
Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the vehicle has been remedied. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front driver air bag module, free of charge. The recall began Aug 2016. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Note: This recall supersedes recall 14V-348 in its entirety. Additionally, vehicles that have had their driver side frontal air bag replaced previously as part of a recall remedy need to have their air bag replaced under this recall as well. Note: On December 17, 2015 BMW removed the model year 2004 X5 3.0i and 4.4i Sports Activity vehicle from this recall. Those vehicles were mistakenly identified as including the air bags that are subject to this recall.
THERE ARE NO POWER MODIFICATIONS TO MY VEHICLE, I JUST RECENTLY INSTALLED A LOWER MILEAGE ENGINE, ALONG WITH ALL OF THE PARTS SURROUNDING THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION (IE CLUTCH, FLYWHEEL, THROWOUT BEARING, CLUTCH FORK, ETC). THE BREAK-IN PERIOD FOR A NEW CLUTCH IS 500 MILES OF NO...
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TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW M5. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V047000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL RE...
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WHILE MOVING THE SEAT FORWARD (VALET MOVED IT BACK) WE FOUND THAT THE SEATS TWISTED; IN OUR CASE, THE OUTER SIDE OF THE SEAT BOTTOM MOVED FURTHER THAN THE INNER SIDE, CAUSING THE SEATS TO TWIST TOWARDS THE CENTER OF THE CAR AND LEAVING THEM UNEVEN WITH THE DASH AND FRONT OF THE C...
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MY REAR VIEW MIRROR FAILED AND LEAKED A SUBSTANCE WHICH DRIPPED ONTO MY SHIFT LEVER. UNKNOWINGLY I PLACED MY HAND ON THE LEVER AND WAS CONTAMINATED. I ALSO WAS BREATHING THE VAPORS WHICH SMELLED SOMEWHAT LIKE DRY CLEANING FLUID. I HAVE BEEN RESEARCHING AND HAVE FOUND THAT THE SUB...
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FOR SOME MONTHS NOW, MY REARVIEW MIRROR HAS BEEN DISCOLORED/OBSTRUCTED WITH A FLUID "BUBBLE" IN THE GLASS. I GENERALLY ONLY DRIVE THE CAR ON WEEKENDS IN BRIGHT AND SUNNY WEATHER, SO THE DECREASED VISIBILITY ISN'T A REAL BIG A DEAL AS IT WOULD BE IF DRIVEN AT NIGHT OR DURING INCL...
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UNKNOWN BATTERY DRAIN CAUSES PREMATURE FAILURE OF BATTERY AND MORE THAN AVERAGE REPLACEMENT INTERVALS - EVERY TWO YEARS AS OPPOSED TO 5-7 YRS. CAR WILL NOT START IF IDLE FOR 24-48 HOURS. I WOULD LIKE TO FILE A CLAIM FOR THE CHARGING SYSTEM AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT FOR ANY BMW M5 ...
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Showing 6 recent complaints from 6 total
View Full Complaint LogThe strongest comparison flow is usually: exact vehicle-year page, then nearby years of the same model, then other 2002 BMW models. That sequence helps separate one-off year spikes from broader make-wide patterns.
The 2002 BMW M5 has 2 recalls recorded by NHTSA.
NHTSA has received 6 owner-reported complaints for the 2002 BMW M5.
NHTSA has not published a safety rating for the 2002 BMW M5.
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2002 BMW M5 are visibility (2 reports), electrical system (1 reports), power train,structure (1 reports).
Yes. NHTSA has 2 recalls on record for the 2002 BMW M5. Scroll up to review the published recall summaries, consequences, and remedies. To check for unrepaired recalls on your specific vehicle, use your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Look up recalls and complaints for any year, make, and model.
This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.