Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2013 BMW M5, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Engine6
- Steering3
- Air bags1
- Suspension1
- Electrical system1
- Electronic stability control (esc)1
- Seat belts1
- Service brakes1
- Fuel/propulsion system1
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 0 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 2013 BMW M5 failed the safety check 0.85% of the time — 64% less often than the average 2013 passenger car (2.38%). Median odometer at inspection: 63,406 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Registered new in Europe in 2013
1,295 new BMW M5 cars were registered in the EU, Norway and Iceland in 2013; the largest markets were the United Kingdom (778), Germany (332), the Netherlands (77).
- Average mass
- 1,945 kg
- Average power
- 413 kW
- Fuel type recorded
- Petrol 100%
European Environment Agency, CO₂ emissions from new passenger cars · averages weighted by registrations; CO₂ is the type-approval value; fuel type as recorded at registration, where many non-plug-in hybrids appear as petrol · re-use permitted with acknowledgement
In the Netherlands
54 first registered in 2013 are on Dutch roads; 37% arrived later as imports. Median list price when new: €144,394.
Most common APK defects
- Bandenspanning niet op juiste waarde22
- Band onvoldoende profiel9
- Mechanische delen van het remsysteem vertonen slijtage7
- Band(en) aanwezig met een profieldiepte van 1,6 t/m 2,5 mm7
- Dimlicht onjuist afgesteld6
- Stuur- of fuseekogel met slijtage kleiner of gelijk 1,0 mm5
- Band beschadigd2
- Veer gebroken of gescheurd2
Colours
RDW Open Data: registered vehicles and APK defects (CC0) · defect descriptions in the RDW's Dutch wording
In the United Kingdom
398 cars built in 2013 were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, and 138 more were declared off the road (SORN).
Department for Transport and DVLA, vehicle licensing statistics (table VEH0124, year of manufacture) · Open Government Licence v3.0
MOT test results in Great Britain
In 2023, 526 of these cars first registered in 2013 took their annual MOT test. 84% passed first time; among all cars first registered in 2013 the figure was 68%.
| Failed on | These cars | All cars from 2013 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyres | 5.7% | 6.7% |
| Suspension | 4.6% | 10.4% |
| Visibility | 3.0% | 4.7% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 2.5% | 2.7% |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 1.7% | 12.5% |
| Identification of the vehicle | 0.6% | 0.3% |
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023 (Department for Transport) · Open Government Licence v3.0 · first tests only; a fix made at the test station within the hour still counts as a fail
In Finland
8 of these cars first registered in 2013 were in use in Finland on 30 Jun 2026, with an average of 160,000 km on the odometer at their last inspection.
Traficom (Finnish Transport and Communications Agency), open data on vehicles in use · CC BY 4.0
In New Zealand
39 2013 cars are on the New Zealand register; 46% arrived as used imports, 51% were sold new in New Zealand.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
Crash-test ratings
NHTSA 5-star results for 1 variant; not yet fully rated. Rollover risk is the estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Variant | Overall | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 BMW M5 4 DR RWD | — | 0.0 % |
- Electronic stability control
- Standard
- Forward collision warning
- Optional
- Lane departure warning
- Optional
- Best overall rating
- —
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), api.nhtsa.gov · US federal work, public domain
Fuel consumption
Official Canadian test results for 2 variants: combined 12.8–13.7 L/100 km (about 17–18 mpg US), CO₂ 294–315 g/km.
| Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| M5 · Mid-size · Premium gasoline | 14.9 | 10.2 | 12.8 |
| M5 · Mid-size · Premium gasoline | 16.1 | 10.9 | 13.7 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2013 528i, 528i xDrive, 535i, 535i xDrive, 550i, 550i xDrive, and ActiveHybrid 5 vehicles. The rear reflex reflectors may not reflect enough light. As such, the vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
BMW is recalling certain model year 2013 M5, M6 Coupe, and M6 Convertible vehicles, manufactured from July 19, 2012, through September 11, 2012. Due to a manufacturing process error, the tolerance between the engine oil pump's drive shaft and the pump's rotor was not within specification. As a result, the pump's driveshaft could separate from the rotor.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What BMW told its dealers about the 2013 BMW M5: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 10249437 | The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met. |
| 10249027 | The 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. |
| 10244237 | Functional noises (squealing/honking) when braking shortly before the vehicle comes to a stop. CAUSE Material- |
| 10239605 | The Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) warning light comes on while driving. The following DSC fault codes for the wheel speed sensors are stored: 480712 and/or 480715 and/or 480718 and/or 48071B They cannot be cleared, even though the wheel speed sensors work correctly and no problem can be found with the wiring harness. |
| 10238090 | After programming the head unit (HU-H2), activating the FSC (German word Freischaltcode) Enabling Codes repeatedly fails. |
| 10230717 | For the eligible vehicles, BMW of North America, LLC (BMW NA) is extending the limited warranty for the vehicle's Fuel Injectors to 10 years/120,000 miles as determined by the vehicle's original in-service date. |
| 10230716 | With the court's FINAL approval, BMW of North America, LLC (BMW NA) has entered into a nationwide settlement with the plaintiffs in the following class action: Isley, et al. v. Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft and BMW of North America, LLC. |
| 10227568 | According to the customer, the airbag warning light was on, but it may not be illuminated when the vehicle arrives in the workshop. 1. ACSM fault code "930A60 - Seat occupancy detection, front passenger; malfunction" is stored. The fault may or may not currently be present. Or 2. ACSM fault code "930A1C - Front passenger seat occupancy detection transmitting fault(moisture)" is stored. The fault may or may not currently be present. |
| 10225126 | Vehicle 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. |
| 10225107 | Coolant is leaking from under the car which is equipped with the S63 engine. A low coolant warning might also be displayed (CC Message ID166). |
| 10215746 | Component specific limited warranty extension. For the eligible vehicles, BMW of North America, LLC (BMW NA) is extending the limited warranty for the vehicle Nitrogen Oxide (NOx) Sensor(s) to: 10 years/120,000 miles as determined by the vehicle original in-service date. |
| 10215025 | Shipping specific non-deployed vehicle safety devices to lighting resources, llc. This service Information bulletin provides information on shipping "specific" noin-deployed vehicle safety devices that are classified as Dangerous Goods (DG) to Lighting resources, LLC |
| 10215024 | The engine?s intake charge-air duct limited warranty extension to 10 years/120,000 miles applies to ?eligible USspecification |
| 10215023 | Visual Inspection of Brake discs/Rotors for new car deliveries |
| 10214990 | The 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 navigati |
| 10211851 | This bulletin outlines the procedure for checking the engine timing chains for wear, and should be completed in conjunction with SI B11 06 14, "N63 Customer Care Package." The N63CCP and N63 Engine Check the Timing Chain are NOT mandatory Technical Campaigns or Recalls. They should be completed only based on parts availability, workshop capacity, and the customer's schedule. |
| 10204660 | The 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 3 (HU-H3, also called MGU) superseded the NBT-EVO starting with certain MY2019 vehicles with option code 6U3 Live Cockpit Professional or 6U2 Live Cockpit Plus. This uses map North America LIVE. The ENTRY Media/Navigation (HU-B) is the low line busi |
| 10203336 | Inform the customer during a consultation that the M Compound (standard equipment) and M Carbon Ceramic (optional) brakes are high-performance brake systems which are designed for sporty, dynamic driving styles. As a side effect of the highest possible brake performance, customers are likely to hear noises due to the extremely resilient materials. In the same conversation, inform the customer that his/her braking performance can help ensure that the noises do not occur or disappear quickly. |
| 10201141 | Inform the customer during a consultation that the M Compound (standard equipment) and M Carbon Ceramic (optional) brakes are high-performance brake systems which are designed for sporty, dynamic driving styles. As a side effect of the highest possible brake performance, customers are likely to hear noises due to the extremely resilient materials In the same conversation, inform the customer that his/her braking performance can help ensure that the noises do not occur or disappear quickly. |
| 10200487 | TELEMATICS UNIT DEACTIVATION DUE TO 3G CELLULAR TECHNOLOGY DISCONTINUATION: The discontinuation of 3G cellular communication for Combox, TCB 3G and ATM 3G (Telematics ControlModule) can no longer be supported by the cellular network provider starting February 2022. |
| 10194296 | Diagnosis of Compound Brake System Complaints in M Vehicles: 1. Visible cracks are caused by high thermal stresses during rapid heating and cooling of the brake discs. Braking from high speed with cold brake components (less than 212 degrees F) increases the likelihood of cracks to form. |
| 10193495 | The customer complains of rattling noises from the rear window when driving on rough roads. |
| 10193494 | Butt connector for repairing a plug connection. The ?top up coolant? message is displayed in the central display (CC message ID 166). When checking the cooling system there are no leaks found and the expansion tank is filled to the proper level. |
| 10188954 | COLLECTION OF DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAGS: BMW intends to perform evaluations and analyses on these side air bags. |
| 10186215 | INCORRECT TORQUE SPECIFICATION FOR THE HIGH-PRESSURE PUMP IN ISTA: The current version of ISTA states the incorrect tightening torque for the High-Pressure pump M6 mounting bolts to the cylinder head cover. The correct tightening torque is only 12 Nm for the M6 bolts. |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)