CarRecallDB

2002 BMW M5 recalls and problems

2 recalls and 6 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2002 BMW M5.

2
recalls
6
owner complaints
0
complaints mentioning a crash
0
mentioning a fire

Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.

2002 BMW M5 recalls

Air bags: frontal, driver side, inflator module

NHTSA campaign 17V047000 · reported January 20, 2017 · BMW of North America, LLC · 230,117 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
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.
The risk
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix
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.

Air bags: frontal, driver side, inflator module

NHTSA campaign 15V318000 · reported May 28, 2015 · BMW of North America, LLC · 419,235 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
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.
The risk
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix
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.

Most reported problems

Areas named in owner complaints to NHTSA. One complaint can name several areas.

What owners report

Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.

Aug 1, 2019 · Structure · 195 miles

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 NORMAL DRIVING AND 1000 MILES FOR THE…

May 5, 2017 · Air bags

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 REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE…

Jan 12, 2015 · Seats · 26,000 miles

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 CAR. ATTEMPTS TO CORRECT THE SEAT…

Jun 30, 2009 · Electrical system · 99,999 miles

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 (E39) BUILT BETWEEN 2000-2003.

Sep 9, 2008 · Visibility · 30,000 miles

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 INCLEMENT WEATHER. HOWEVER I'VE RECENTLY…

M5 model years compared

YearRecallsComplaintsCrashesFires
2000 2411
2001 3400
2002 2600
2003 1300

All BMW M5 years →

Questions

Does the 2002 BMW M5 have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2002 BMW M5, the most recent reported on January 20, 2017 (Air bags: frontal, driver side, inflator module). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2002 BMW M5?
Owners have filed 6 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is visibility (2 complaints), followed by air bags (1).
How many 2002 BMW M5 complaints mention a crash or fire?
0 of 6 complaints report a crash and 0 a fire; 2 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received August 1, 2019.