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BMW M5Model year report

2002 BMW M5 Problems

Complaints
6filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
26,000miles, 5 complaints with mileage
Recalls
22 do-not-drive
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
15 mpgcombined, 4.9L 8-cyl RWD · 12 city / 19 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2002 BMW M5 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 6 consumer complaints for the 2002 BMW M5. The part named most often is visibility, with 2 complaints (33% of the total), followed by air bags (1) and electrical system (1). 5 of the complaints include a mileage, and 80% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 26,000 miles. Of all complaints, 2 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns (2 marked do-not-drive) and 16 technical service bulletins for this model year. Visibility complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part. Air bags complaints overlap with 2 recall campaigns covering the inflator module and 5 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Example complaints

Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): “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 mirror may be highly toxic. How do I know for sure if I have a problem? If I do what type of treatment do I seek? Thanks”

NHTSA complaint #10231098, filed 2008-06, 12,000 miles

Air bags: “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 of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.”

NHTSA complaint #10983677, filed 2017-05

Electrical system: “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.”

NHTSA complaint #10275361, filed 2009-06, 99,999 miles

Seats: “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 positioning by moving the seat backwards via power switch caused the inner bottom portion of the seat (around the thigh bolsters) to bind and jam against the center console. We found that the power passenger seat had the same problem. …”

NHTSA complaint #10671711, filed 2015-01, 26,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

80% of the 5 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 12,000 and 30,000 miles.

20%0–1020%10–2540%25–500%50–7520%75–1000%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (5 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 26,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

200822009201520172019
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2002 BMW M5 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
M5 RWD4.9L 8-cyl6-speed manual121915$5,500

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2002 BMW M5 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 16 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 16 bulletins →

Other model years of the BMW M5

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
2019844,4303—17—Not enough data
201867503—17—Not enough data
20131037,0002—17—Not enough data
2008667,5002—13—Not enough data
2007651,0001—13—Not enough data
20063955,1001—13Not compared (before 2008)Falling
2002626,0002—15—Not enough data

All BMW M5 model years

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2002 BMW M5 have?

NHTSA recorded 6 consumer complaints for the 2002 BMW M5 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2002 BMW M5 is reported most often?

Visibility is named most often, in 2 complaints (33% of the total), followed by air bags with 1.

Has the 2002 BMW M5 been recalled?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year, 2 of them with a do-not-drive advisory. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2002 BMW M5 get?

The EPA rates the 2002 BMW M5 (M5, 4.9L 8-cyl) at 15 mpg combined, 12 city and 19 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $5,500 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2002 BMW M5 reported?

Among the 5 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 26,000 miles and the middle half falls between 12,000 and 30,000 miles; 80% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.