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BMW M5 VIN Number Check

Run a free NHTSA vPIC decode on a BMW M5 VIN to confirm the model year and engine, then see which of the 23 NHTSA recall campaigns for 1991–2026 cover that year.

VIN prefixWBS

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

Vinny, the VinNumber key mascot
BMW M5

About the BMW M5

BMW has sold the M5 in the US since the 1991 model year. Across those years NHTSA lists 23 vehicle recall campaigns and 105 owner complaints. The 2006 has the most complaints of any model year (39). EPA rates it at 13–17 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 years1991–2026
EPA classMidsize Cars
NHTSA recall campaigns23
Owner complaints105 at NHTSA
BMW M5 photographed at a US vehicle auction
Auction lot photo, for illustration
Generations

BMW M5 at a glance

One generation in the data, 1991–2026: 23 NHTSA recall campaigns and 105 owner complaints.

1 / 1
M5
1991–2026Midsize Cars
BMW M5 (1991–2026)

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

19911995200020052010201520202025
1991–2026

BMW M5

EPA classMidsize Cars
EPA combined mpg13–17
NHTSA recalls23

Engines (EPA)

  • 3.5 L 6-cyl · 1991–1993
  • 4.9 L 8-cyl · 2000–2003
  • 5.0 L 10-cyl · 2006–2010
  • 4.4 L 8-cyl (turbo) · 2013–2016, 2018–2023
  • 4.4 L 8-cyl (turbo, plug-in hybrid) · 2025–2026

Drive & transmission (EPA)

  • AWD/4WD, RWD
  • manual (1991–1993, 2000–2003, 2007–2010, 2013–2016), automatic (2006–2010, 2018–2023, 2025–2026), automated manual/dual-clutch (2013–2016)

Known issues to check

Air bags (47)Engine and cooling (27)Powertrain (transmission, driveline) (14)6 high-risk recall campaigns

Mentions in 105 NHTSA complaints.

Sample VIN pattern · M5WBSNB935?6B······NHTSA vPIC decodes it as a 2006 BMW M5, built in Dingolfing, Germany
Check an M5 VIN

Sources: EPA · NHTSA · vPIC

NHTSA campaign data

Which M5 model years each recall covers

NHTSA data

NHTSA has 23 campaigns on file for M5 model years 1991–2026; no single year stands out (3 at most). Move the line to your model year to see which apply.

2020
Air bag inflator, fire risk or do-not-drive/park-outside advisorySafety recall
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.

Owner reports · NHTSA complaints

What BMW M5 owners report

NHTSA data

Between them, the 2006 and 2013 hold 49 of the 105 complaints, or 47%. Tap any bar or generation.

105NHTSA complaints, 1991–2026
3mention a crash
5mention a fire
4injuries reported
Owner complaints by model yearM5: 105 complaints · most for the 2006 (39)

Top complaint areas · M5

Mentions in 105 complaints, 1991–2026.

Air bags47
Engine and cooling27
Powertrain (transmission, driveline)14
Electrical system11
Seat belts10
Seats7
Crashes 3Fires 5Injuries 4

1991–2026

NHTSA data summary

The 2006 is the outlier. On its own it has 39 of the ’s 105 complaints (37%), more than any other M5 model year, and owners across the generation name air bags most often (47 mentions), then engine and cooling (27).

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

Owner complaints · by model year

M5 complaint breakdown by model year

NHTSA data

Plug-in M5 versions count alongside gas ones. Tap a year to see its top systems.

105complaints, 1991–2026
3mention a crash
5mention a fire
4injuries reported
1complaint reports a death
Most complaints: 2006 (39), 2013 (10), 2019 (8)
’0039’06’1010’13’158’19’20’25

2006 · 39 complaints

Crashes 1 · fires 0 · injuries 1

Air bags25
Seat belts7
Power train5
Electrical system3
Engine3

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

EPA fuel economy & emissions

M5 CO₂, smog rating and yearly fuel cost

EPA data

EPA lists 40 M5 versions for model years 1991–2026 (gas and plug-in hybrid). The lowest tailpipe CO₂ is 264 g/mi, for the 2026 plug-in hybrid. Pick a model year and powertrain to see each version.

M51991–2026

13–17 mpg · plug-in hybrid counted on gas alone · 47–54 MPGe plug-in hybrid · CO₂ 264–684 g/mi

2025
14combined MPG (gas only)
50MPGe on gas and electricity
285CO₂ grams per mile (tailpipe)
$5,850EPA yearly fuel cost
4/10Smog rating
1 = worst · 10 = cleanest
6/10Greenhouse gas rating
27mielectric range
California LEV-III ULEV70 · Federal Tier 3 Bin 70Emission standard
Best (lowest) CO₂ by model year
20035050065080019952000200520102015202020251991 · Gas: 6841992 · Gas: 6351993 · Gas: 6352000 · Gas: 5922001 · Gas: 5922002 · Gas: 5922003 · Gas: 5922006 · Gas: 6842007 · Gas: 6842008 · Gas: 6842009 · Gas: 6842010 · Gas: 6842013 · Gas: 5162014 · Gas: 5172015 · Gas: 5162016 · Gas: 5162018 · Gas: 5212019 · Gas: 5212020 · Gas: 5182021 · Gas: 5202022 · Gas: 5222023 · Gas: 5222025 · Plug-in hybrid: 2852026 · Plug-in hybrid: 264
GasPlug-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

M5 vs Audi RS6 vs Mercedes-Benz E-Class

NHTSA + EPA data

Take 1991–2026. NHTSA lists 23 recall campaigns for the M5, against 16 for the Audi RS6 and 100 for the Mercedes-Benz E-Class. Pick a range to compare.

BMW M5

Model years 1991–2026

NHTSA recall campaigns
23
NHTSA owner complaints
105
EPA combined mpg
13–17
Engines (EPA)
6-cyl 3.5 L · 8-cyl 4.4, 4.9 L · 10-cyl 5.0 L
Also listed
turbo, plug-in hybrid
Drive (EPA)
AWD/4WD, RWD

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

  1. Air bags 47
  2. Engine and cooling 27
  3. Powertrain (transmission, driveline) 14

Audi RS6

Model years 1991–2026

NHTSA recall campaigns
16
NHTSA owner complaints
51
EPA combined mpg
16–17
Engines (EPA)
8-cyl 4.0, 4.2 L
Also listed
turbo, mild hybrid
Drive (EPA)
AWD/4WD

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

  1. Suspension 38
  2. Fuel system 7
  3. Electrical system 6

Mercedes-Benz E-Class

Model years 1991–2026

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

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 M5 VIN number location

Where to find the VIN on an M5

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

White BMW M5 (F90) sedan, front three-quarter view, with the VIN locations marked

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

Illustration: VinNumber.net

Photo: Mr.choppers, CC BY-SA 3.0; edited and VIN pins added by VinNumber.net

Two locations are critical on any M5: the dashboard plate through the windshield and the firewall stamp in the engine bay. Door jamb sticker and trunk lid label round out the standard set. The engine bay stamp is difficult to access without dismantling, making it the most reliable identifier.

  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 M5 VIN questions

Which BMW M5 model years have the most owner complaints?

The 2006 leads with 39, ahead of the 2013 (10) and 2019 (8). Those first two alone make up 47% of the 105 M5 complaints filed with NHTSA, not adjusted for sales.

How many recalls has the BMW M5 had?

NHTSA’s recall records show 23 vehicle campaigns for model years 1991–2026, leaving out equipment and tire campaigns.

Which BMW M5 recalls are high risk?

17V-047 and 15V-318 cover air bag inflators that can rupture. NHTSA’s record names a fire risk in 12V-126, 19V-513 and 26V-096. Do-not-drive advisories came with 17V-047, 15V-318 and 12V-475. Each should show as closed on a VIN check.

What fuel economy does the BMW M5 get?

It varies. EPA rates the 1991–2026 M5 at 13–17 mpg combined, depending on engine and drive, with the plug-in hybrid counted on gas alone (47–54 MPGe on gas and electricity) (fueleconomy.gov).

How does the BMW M5 compare with the Audi RS6 and Mercedes-Benz E-Class on recalls?

For 1991–2026 models the M5 has 23 NHTSA recall campaigns. The Audi RS6 has 16, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class 100. Complaints run 105, 51 and 5,345 in that order, with no sales adjustment.

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