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BMW 5 Series VIN Number Check

Decode a BMW 5 Series VIN free with NHTSA vPIC. See the NHTSA recalls for that model year, then read what owners have reported.

VIN prefixWBA

Free decode plus the NHTSA recalls for its model year. 17 characters, no I, O or Q.

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BMW 5 Series

About the BMW 5 Series

BMW has sold the 5 Series in the US since the 1990 model year. Across those years NHTSA lists 89 vehicle recall campaigns and 4,367 owner complaints. The 2011 has the most complaints of any model year (479). EPA rates it at 15–31 mpg combined, counting the plug-in hybrid on gas alone. A free VIN decode gives you NHTSA vPIC’s record for the car (model year, engine, plant) and the NHTSA recalls for its model year. It won’t show theft, flood or lemon-law history.

US model years1990–2026
EPA classMidsize Cars
NHTSA recall campaigns89
Owner complaints4,367 at NHTSA
BMW 5 Series photographed at a US vehicle auction
Auction lot photo, for illustration
Generations

BMW 5 Series at a glance

One generation in the data, 1990–2026: 89 NHTSA recall campaigns and 4,367 owner complaints.

1 / 1
5 Series
1990–2026Midsize Cars
BMW 5 Series (1990–2026)

Photo: Alexander-93, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

19901995200020052010201520202025
1990–2026

BMW 5 Series

EPA classMidsize Cars
EPA combined mpg15–31
NHTSA recalls89

Engines (EPA)

  • 2.5 L 6-cyl · 1990–1995, 2001–2005
  • 3.4 L 6-cyl · 1990–1993
  • 3.0 L 8-cyl · 1994–1995
  • 3.1 L 8-cyl · 1994
  • 4.0 L 8-cyl · 1994–1995
  • 2.8 L 6-cyl · 1997–2000
  • 4.4 L 8-cyl · 1997–2005
  • 3.0 L 6-cyl · 2001–2011
  • 4.8 L 8-cyl · 2006–2010
  • 3.0 L 6-cyl (turbo) · 2008–2020
  • 4.4 L 8-cyl (turbo) · 2010–2023
  • 2.0 L 4-cyl (turbo) · 2012–2023
  • 3.0 L 6-cyl (turbo, hybrid) · 2012–2016
  • 3.0 L 6-cyl (turbo, diesel) · 2014–2016, 2018
  • 2.0 L 4-cyl (turbo, plug-in hybrid) · 2018–2023
  • 2.0 L 4-cyl (turbo, hybrid) · 2021
  • 3.0 L 6-cyl (turbo, mild hybrid) · 2021–2026
  • 2.0 L 4-cyl (turbo, mild hybrid) · 2024–2026
  • 3.0 L 6-cyl (turbo, plug-in hybrid) · 2025–2026

Drive & transmission (EPA)

  • AWD/4WD, RWD
  • manual (1990–1995, 1997–2014), automatic (1990–1995, 1997–2026)

Known issues to check

Engine and cooling (1,232)Air bags (956)Electrical system (810)28 high-risk recall campaigns

Mentions in 4,367 NHTSA complaints.

Sample VIN pattern · 5 SeriesWBANA735?4B······NHTSA vPIC decodes it as a 2004 BMW 530i, built in Dingolfing, Germany
Check a 5 Series VIN

Sources: EPA · NHTSA · vPIC

NHTSA campaign data

Which 5 Series model years each recall covers

NHTSA data

NHTSA has 89 campaigns on file for 5 Series model years 1990–2026, and the 2010 shows up in more of them than any other year (12), ahead of the 2006 (11). Move the line to your model year to see which apply.

2010
Air bag inflator, fire risk or do-not-drive/park-outside advisorySafety recallCanada only
Pick a row
What to ask

Source: NHTSA recall database, vehicle campaigns only; row text is NHTSA’s summary. A listed year does not mean every car is covered, so check the VIN.

Canada rows: Transport Canada recalls database. Transport Canada recalls that match an NHTSA campaign are folded into that row by VinNumber.net; rows with the Canadian flag have no NHTSA match. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada · Transport Canada.

Owner reports · NHTSA complaints

What BMW 5 Series owners report

Owner summaries + NHTSA data

Complaints peak with the 2011 (479 of 4,367). Tap any bar or generation.

4,367NHTSA complaints, 1990–2026
169mention a crash
262mention a fire
185injuries reported
Owner complaints by model year5 Series: 4,367 complaints · most for the 2011 (479)

Top complaint areas · 5 Series

Mentions in 4,367 complaints, 1990–2026.

Engine and cooling1,232
Air bags956
Electrical system810
Powertrain (transmission, driveline)462
Fuel system459
Exterior lighting278
Crashes 169Fires 262Injuries 185

1990–2026

NHTSA data summary

The 2011 is the outlier. On its own it has 479 of the ’s 4,367 complaints (11%), more than any other 5 Series model year. By area, nothing stands out. Engine and cooling leads with 1,232, with the air bags (956) and the electrical system (810) close behind.

What 5 Series owners report across recent generations

Owner summary

2011–2016 (6th generation, F10)

The 2011 draws by far the most complaints. Many NHTSA owners of the 2011 535i and 550i describe cracked or bent wheels and damaged tires, and some report stalling tied to fuel pump failures. Owners of the 2012 and 2013 528i more often report timing chain failures. CarComplaints lists stalling for the 2011 535i, cracked alloy wheels and water pump failures for the 2011 550i, oil pump drive chain problems for the 2012 528i, and timing chain and engine failure for the 2013 528i. Recalls cover VANOS bolts on 2011–2012 535i models, coolant pumps on 2012–2016 528i models and brake vacuum pumps on 2012–2013 528i models. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6]

What to check before buying

  • Run the VIN through the NHTSA recall lookup, including the VANOS bolt, coolant pump and brake vacuum pump recalls.
  • Ask for timing chain, water pump and fuel pump repair records.
  • Check every wheel for cracks or bends and look at the tire sidewalls.
  • On the drive, watch for drivetrain warnings, listen for rattling at a cold start and note any stalling.
Sources (6) and method
Sources:
  1. NHTSA recalls and owner complaints, 2011 BMW 535i
  2. NHTSA recalls and owner complaints, 2012 BMW 528i
  3. CarComplaints.com, 2011 BMW 535i problems
  4. CarComplaints.com, 2011 BMW 550i problems
  5. CarComplaints.com, 2012 BMW 528i problems
  6. CarComplaints.com, 2013 BMW 528i problems

Counts: NHTSA complaints file, records to October 1, 2026, one count per complaint; areas are NHTSA component groups.

Owner summary updated September 25, 2026.

Owner complaints · by model year

5 Series complaint breakdown by model year

NHTSA data

Hybrid, plug-in and diesel 5 Series versions count alongside gas ones. Tap a year to see its top systems.

4,367complaints, 1990–2026
169mention a crash
262mention a fire
185injuries reported
Most complaints: 2011 (479), 2008 (432), 2006 (388)
’90’95’00’05388’06432’08’10479’11’15’20’25

2011 · 479 complaints

Crashes 9 · fires 21 · injuries 14

Engine120
Power train79
Tires76
Fuel/propulsion system74
Electrical system57

Systems as NHTSA names them; a complaint can list several. Source: NHTSA complaints data, records to October 1, 2026.

EPA fuel economy & emissions

5 Series CO₂, smog rating and yearly fuel cost

EPA data

EPA lists 313 5 Series versions for model years 1990–2026 (gas, diesel, hybrid and plug-in hybrid). The lowest tailpipe CO₂ is 133 g/mi, for the 2026 plug-in hybrid. Pick a model year and powertrain to see each version.

5 Series1990–2026

15–31 mpg · plug-in hybrid counted on gas alone · 62–72 MPGe plug-in hybrid · CO₂ 133–592 g/mi

2025
31combined MPG
285CO₂ grams per mile (tailpipe)
$2,650EPA yearly fuel cost
6/10Smog rating
1 = worst · 10 = cleanest
6/10Greenhouse gas rating
California LEV-III SULEV30 · Federal Tier 3 Bin 30Emission standard
Best (lowest) CO₂ by model year
100250400550700199019952000200520102015202020251990 · Gas: 4941991 · Gas: 4941992 · Gas: 4941993 · Gas: 4441994 · Gas: 4441995 · Gas: 4441997 · Gas: 4231998 · Gas: 4441999 · Gas: 4232000 · Gas: 4232001 · Gas: 4232002 · Gas: 4042003 · Gas: 4042004 · Gas: 4042005 · Gas: 4232006 · Gas: 4232007 · Gas: 4042008 · Gas: 4232009 · Gas: 4232010 · Gas: 4042011 · Gas: 3552012 · Gas: 3292013 · Gas: 3252014 · Gas: 3352015 · Gas: 3382016 · Gas: 3382017 · Gas: 3262018 · Gas: 3242019 · Gas: 3242020 · Gas: 3162021 · Gas: 3132022 · Gas: 3132023 · Gas: 3132014 · Diesel: 3422015 · Diesel: 3342016 · Diesel: 3352018 · Diesel: 3412012 · Hybrid: 3422013 · Hybrid: 3462014 · Hybrid: 3462015 · Hybrid: 3462016 · Hybrid: 3462021 · Hybrid: 3222022 · Hybrid: 3222023 · Hybrid: 3222024 · Hybrid: 2922025 · Hybrid: 2852026 · Hybrid: 2852018 · Plug-in hybrid: 1932019 · Plug-in hybrid: 1932020 · Plug-in hybrid: 1702021 · Plug-in hybrid: 1782022 · Plug-in hybrid: 1782023 · Plug-in hybrid: 1782025 · Plug-in hybrid: 1352026 · Plug-in hybrid: 133
GasDieselHybridPlug-in hybrid

Annual fuel cost is EPA’s estimate at its current fuel-price assumptions (15,000 miles a year, 55% city driving), so older years are priced at today’s fuel prices. Smog rating and emission standard can differ by sales area (federal vs. California); both are shown. Greenhouse-gas ratings start with the 2013 model year. Plug-in hybrids: mpg is on gas alone; MPGe combines gas and electricity. Source: fueleconomy.gov.

Compare rivals

5 Series vs Mercedes-Benz E-Class vs Audi A6

NHTSA + EPA data

Take 1990–2026. NHTSA lists 89 recall campaigns for the 5 Series, against 100 for the Mercedes-Benz E-Class and 55 for the Audi A6. Pick a range to compare.

BMW 5 Series

Model years 1990–2026

NHTSA recall campaigns
89
NHTSA owner complaints
4,367
EPA combined mpg
15–31
Engines (EPA)
4-cyl 2.0 L · 6-cyl 2.5–3.4 L · 8-cyl 3.0–4.8 L
Also listed
turbo, hybrid, diesel, plug-in hybrid, mild hybrid
Drive (EPA)
AWD/4WD, RWD

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

  1. Engine and cooling 1,232
  2. Air bags 956
  3. Electrical system 810

Mercedes-Benz E-Class

Model years 1990–2026

NHTSA recall campaigns
100
NHTSA owner complaints
5,345
EPA combined mpg
14–28
Engines (EPA)
4-cyl 2.0 L · 6-cyl 3.0, 3.2, 3.5 L · 8-cyl 4.0–6.3 L
Also listed
diesel, turbo, supercharged, hybrid, mild hybrid, plug-in hybrid
Drive (EPA)
AWD/4WD, RWD

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

  1. Fuel system 1,887
  2. Air bags 706
  3. Electrical system 630

Audi A6

Model years 1990–2026

NHTSA recall campaigns
55
NHTSA owner complaints
1,683
EPA combined mpg
18–30
Engines (EPA)
4-cyl 2.0 L · 6-cyl 2.7–3.2 L · 8-cyl 4.2 L
Also listed
turbo, supercharged, diesel, mild hybrid
Drive (EPA)
AWD/4WD, FWD

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

  1. Electrical system 414
  2. Air bags 312
  3. Engine and cooling 246

NHTSA recalls (vehicle campaigns for all powertrain versions; equipment and tire campaigns left out), complaints (not sales-adjusted) and 5-Star overall ratings for the latest year rated for all three; EPA mpg, engines and drive. Rivals: same EPA class, picked by VinNumber.net.

BMW 5 Series VIN number location

Where to find the VIN on a 5 Series

Tap a spot. Every location should show the same 17 characters.

White BMW 5 Series (G30) sedan, front three-quarter view, with the VIN locations marked

Photo: Hans Haase, CC BY-SA 3.0, cropped

Illustration: VinNumber.net

Photo: Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0; edited and VIN pins added by VinNumber.net

Before purchasing a used 5 Series, locate the VIN on the dashboard plate at the base of the driver's side windshield, the door jamb sticker, the trunk lid label, and the engine bay stamp near the strut tower. The spare tire well in the trunk also carries a label on some configurations.

  1. Windshield plateRead it through the glass at the base of the driver's side windshield.
    Source: 49 CFR 565.13(f) (NHTSA): VIN inside the passenger compartment, readable through the glazing next to the left windshield pillar
  2. Door jamb labelOpen the driver's door: the certification label on the B-pillar lists the VIN.
    Source: 49 CFR 567.4 (NHTSA): certification label with VIN at the driver door hinge pillar, latch post or door edge
The title, registration and insurance card show the VIN as well. All locations should match.
FAQ

Common BMW 5 Series VIN questions

Which BMW 5 Series model years have the most owner complaints?

The 2011 leads with 479, ahead of the 2008 (432) and 2006 (388). Those first two alone make up 21% of the 4,367 5 Series complaints filed with NHTSA, not adjusted for sales.

How many recalls has the BMW 5 Series had?

NHTSA’s recall records show 89 vehicle campaigns for model years 1990–2026, leaving out equipment and tire campaigns.

Which BMW 5 Series recalls are high risk?

17V-047 and 15V-318 cover air bag inflators that can rupture. 19V-015 and 24V-527 cover air bag inflator modules and how they deploy. NHTSA’s record names a fire risk in 94V-066, 01V-206, 02V-138, 04V-303, 12V-126, 19V-273, 22V-119, 17V-683 and 16 more. Do-not-drive advisories came with 19V-015, 17V-047 and 15V-318. Park-outside advisories came with 26V-441 and 25V-636. Each should show as closed on a VIN check.

What fuel economy does the BMW 5 Series get?

It varies. EPA rates the 1990–2026 5 Series at 15–31 mpg combined, depending on engine and drive, with the plug-in hybrid counted on gas alone (62–72 MPGe on gas and electricity) (fueleconomy.gov).

How does the BMW 5 Series compare with the Mercedes-Benz E-Class and Audi A6 on recalls?

For 1990–2026 models the 5 Series has 89 NHTSA recall campaigns. The Mercedes-Benz E-Class has 100, the Audi A6 55. Complaints run 4,367, 5,345 and 1,683 in that order, with no sales adjustment.

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