Buying a used 2018 BMW M5? Check these 3 recalls first
The 2018 M5's headline recall is a software fault that can stall the engine — critical in severity, though not flagged stop-driving. A fuel gauge that can read higher than actual and a backup camera picture that can vanish round out the list, both lower severity. Four unverified NHTSA complaints, none involving crashes, fires or injuries, cluster on the engine with two reports, plus single mentions of air bags and seat belts.
Before you buy
- Get the 17-character VIN from the seller and run it at nhtsa.gov/recalls. It shows which recalls are still unrepaired on that exact car.
- Confirm the engine stall software recall update was installed
- Ask the seller about any stalling or sudden power loss
- Compare the fuel gauge reading against an actual fill-up
- Open recalls are repaired free at any BMW dealer, whoever owns the car — an open recall is a to-do item, not a bill.
Recalls covering the 2018 BMW M5
| Recall | Area | Severity |
|---|---|---|
| BMW M5 software fault can stall the engine | Electrical System | critical |
| BMW M5 fuel gauge may read higher than actual | Fuel System, Gasoline | medium |
| BMW and Toyota Supra backup camera picture can vanish | Back Over Prevention | low |
What owners have reported to NHTSA
4 complaints filed for this model year. Complaints are unverified owner reports, and popular models collect more of them simply because more are on the road.
| Problem area | Complaints | Recall in this area? |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 2 | None found |
| AIR Bags | 1 | None found |
| Seat Belts | 1 | None found |
| Power Train | 1 | None found |
| Fuel System | 1 | Yes |