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2002 BMW M5Problems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 6 owner complaints about the 2002 BMW M5, most often about the visibility. It is covered by 2 safety recalls, and for recall 17V-047 the manufacturer reports only 24% of affected cars repaired.

2002 BMW M5
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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls2Lowest repair rate 24%Owner complaints62 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage21kVisibility, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through August 1, 2019. Updated daily. Photo: Calreyn88, CC0.

Complaints by system

Where the 2002 BMW M5 has problems

6 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Visibility21
Air bags10
Electrical system10
Power train10
Seats11
Structure10

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

2 recalls

2002 BMW M5 recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

24%repaired · 2018 Q2

Driver side: inflator module

Do not drive

Recall 17V-047 · Jan 20, 2017 · 230,117 vehicles · 55,819 repaired

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…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

32%repaired · 2017 Q4

Driver side: inflator module

Do not drive

Recall 15V-318 · May 28, 2015 · 419,235 vehicles · 133,934 repaired

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…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with BMW.

Best & worst years

2002 vs. every other M5 year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the M5 median. How we score

'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'00'01'02'03'06'07'08'09'10'13'14'15'16'18'19'20'21'22'25'26
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

2002 BMW M5 safety ratings

2002 BMW M5 w/SAB in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

  • Stability control: Standard
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
In owners' words

What M5 owners report

Recent visibility complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

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.…
Complaint 10241468 · Sep 9, 2008 · 30,000 miles
MY REAR VIEW MIRROR FAILED AND LEAKED A SUBSTANCE WHICH DRIPPED ONTO MY SHIFT LEVER. UNKNOWINGLY I PLACED MY HAND ON THE LEVER AND WAS CONTAMINATED. I ALSO WAS BREATHING THE VAPORS WHICH SMELLED SOMEWHAT LIKE DRY CLEANING FLUID. I HAVE BEEN RESEARCHING AND HAVE FOUND THAT THE SUBSTANCE INSIDE THE…
Complaint 10231098 · Jun 16, 2008 · 12,000 miles

Own a 2002 M5?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.