2019 BMW 5 Series: What to check before buying

Owners have filed 67 complaints with NHTSA about this car, most about the electrical, transmission, and airbags. The 10 checks below target those problems, in the order you would do them at the car.

2019

Owner complaints: 67
Recalls: 10; 1 urgent
Crashes reported: 8; 8 injuries
Reliability: Good; 62/100 on Auto Reliability Index

One recall on this model year told owners to park outside until the repair was done.

Do not buy until you have dealer paperwork or a recall lookup showing it was completed for this VIN.

Which 5 Series is it?

EPA figures for each version of the 2019 BMW 5 Series. Use them to confirm you are looking at the version that was advertised, and as a yardstick on the test drive.

Version	Drive	EPA rating
2.0L 4-cylGas	AWD, RWD	27 mpg
3.0L 6-cylGas	AWD, RWD	24 mpg
4.4L 8-cylGas	AWD	20 mpg
2.0L 4-cylPlug-in hybrid	AWD, RWD	360–370 mi range

The 2019 BMW 5 Series was sold in four versions. Confirm which one this is from the window sticker, the engine cover, or the VIN report before you compare prices.
On the plug-in hybrid, watch for the car moving off on electric power at low speed and for any hybrid system warning on the dash.
Reset the trip computer at the start of the drive. A 5 Series that averages well under the EPA 20 mpg combined on a mixed route may have an engine or tire problem.

Check the odometer against these mileages

Owners report these failures starting around the mileages below. A car inside one of these ranges deserves a closer look at that part, or records showing it was already fixed.

Coolant and oil filter housing leaks
40,000–60,000 miles

0 mi25k50k75k

Why these checks: what owners reported

NHTSA complaints for the 2019 BMW 5 Series, grouped by the part owners named. Open a row to read what goes wrong.

Electrical103 crashes
Fires break out in parked, switched-off cars, and owners tie them to recall campaign 25V636000. Many complaints are about that recall's parts not being available yet, which leaves cars unrepaired for long stretches. Several reports describe a parked car with the brake set suddenly lunging forward or backward, causing crashes and injuries. Owners also report the instrument panel and speedometer going dark at highway speed, which dealers could not reproduce, and an engine that kept running in a closed garage after the fob was removed. A few filings describe vandalism or tracking rather than a defect.
Transmission10No crashes
Coolant and oil leaks from the heat management module and oil filter housing show up around 40,000 miles. A crankshaft vibration damper failure brings a loud pop and a cluster of warning lights. Other reports include front axle failure on xDrive cars, shudder under acceleration, and loss of power with a "Drivetrain Malfunction" message. Owners also describe a stall with a blank dashboard on the highway and a car lunging forward after a full stop. The shifter can slip into Neutral at 60 mph with a light touch, and rodent-chewed wiring triggers drivetrain warnings.
Airbags73 crashes
A passenger restraint malfunction warning comes on, meaning the passenger air bag may not deploy. Dealers have replaced the knee air bag wiring harness and then the air bag control unit, sometimes on cars with under 20,000 miles. Owners say warranty coverage was refused and the repair cost thousands. Some fixes do not clear the fault. Separate crash reports describe air bags that did not deploy, only side air bags deploying in a rear-end and frontal impact, and one driver air bag deployment that caused a concussion.
Engine5No crashes
Coolant leaks lead to low-coolant warnings, and the cause is often a cracked plastic oil filter housing or a water pump and heat management assembly leaking at the seals. Warnings can progress from low coolant to low oil. Owners worry that leaking oil could reach hot parts, and that overheating could ruin the engine. One car caught fire under the hood while driving at about 15 mph with only 4,500 miles. The cause was not determined. Excessive oil consumption also appears.
Brakes42 crashes
Brakes fail to stop the car as expected, sometimes with an abnormal sound and an "Electronic Stability Control System Malfunctioning" message. Two of these reports end in collisions. Automatic emergency braking also misbehaves in both directions. It fails to brake for cars ahead at low speed, and elsewhere it activates suddenly with a screeching alarm when nothing is there. One intermittent case appears around 31,000 miles. Dealers have not found a cause or completed a repair in these reports.
Exterior lights4No crashes
Headlights fill with heavy condensation after rain or in cold, damp weather, and it can take days to clear. In one case, moisture bent the beam enough to hurt visibility, and one report puts the onset at 3,000 miles. Replacement headlights can fail again within months, and owners quote thousands of dollars per side. Daytime running light modules overheat and melt the light tube. The tube is sold only as part of the full assembly, so the failure can mean a costly replacement and a failed state inspection.
Acceleration and cruise control3No crashes
At highway speeds around 60 mph, the car slows sharply on its own, and the driver cannot accelerate. This leaves drivers coasting in fast traffic with no warning light. One car needed a tow, and dealer tests found nothing. A separate report describes the screen going dark at startup and the car then accelerating without the pedal pressed, more than once. Service centers have not explained or fixed these events.
Automatic emergency braking2No crashes
The collision avoidance system brakes hard with nothing ahead, on surface streets and at 50 mph on clear, dry roads. Owners say a following car could not have avoided hitting them. The dealer could not find a fault even on a car still under warranty, so the false braking goes unrepaired.

In owners' own words

Excerpts from complaints 5 Series owners filed with NHTSA, as written. Listen for the same symptoms on your test drive.

Transmission

Vehicle shudders under acceleration no warning lights or errors . Changed transfer case oil and same problem continues. No recall from manufacturer for issu

Filed with NHTSA, February 2026

Airbags

Vehicle is relatively new and kept in great shape. No damage nothing, one day the sensor for passenger airbag malfunction appears indicating that passenger airbag will not deploy in event of a crash. Dealership says it’s not covered under warranty and have to pay to replace out of pocket costing multiple thousands of dollars. Error seems manufacturer defect.

Filed with NHTSA, June 2025

Airbags

Seat restraint malfunction that prevents the air bag from working properly. Dealer is aware of this problem but has not been able to correct it.

Filed with NHTSA, September 2025

How the 2019 compares with other 5 Series years

Complaints for this year next to the average for the other model years, area by area.

The 2019 ranks second for owner complaints among 6 5 Series years, close to the average of the others. Newer years have had less time to collect complaints, so compare like with like.

2019 Average of other years

Electrical105
Transmission101
Airbags78
Engine54
Brakes41
Exterior lights40

Where the 2019 fits in the 5 Series's history

Redesigns and mid-cycle updates change what can go wrong.

The 2019 is the third model year of the 5 Series's seventh generation (2017–2023).

BMW updated the 5 Series for 2020, so a 2019 does not have those changes.

What changed for 2020 (not on a 2019)

Minor cosmetic updates
Improved hybrid capabilities

Recalls to confirm (10)

Recall repairs are free at any BMW dealer, but the seller may never have had them done. Check each campaign number against the VIN.

25V636000ElectricalPark outsideSep 2025
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2021 BMW 330i, 2019-2022 BMW Z4, 2020-2022 BMW 530i, X3, X4, Toyota Supra, 2021-2022 BMW 430i, 430i Convertible, and 2022 BMW 230i vehicles. The engine starter relay may corrode, causing the relay to overheat and short circuit.
Risk: A short circuit in the starter relay may increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: Owners are advised to park their vehicles outside and away from structures until the remedy is complete. Dealers will replace the engine starter, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 6, 2026. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning November 14, 2025.
23V584000Seat beltsAug 2023
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2022 330i, 330i xDrive, M340i, 2022 430i Coupe, 2021-2022 430i, M440i Convertible, and 2020-2022 228i xDrive Gran Coupe vehicles. The receiver audio module control unit software may fail to properly generate audible seat belt warnings to the driver to fasten their seat belt. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection.".
Risk: An audible chime that does not properly alert the driver to fasten their seat belt increases the risk of injury in a crash.
Fix: Dealers will update the receiver audio module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 12, 2023. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
23V211000SeatsMar 2023
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2021 330i, 330i xDrive, M340i xDrive, 2020-2021 X3 sDrive30i, X3 xDrive30i, X3 M40i, X3M, 2021 X3 xDrive30e, X4 xDrive30i, and X4M vehicles. The seat frame may not have been welded properly to the seat rails.
Risk: An improperly welded seat frame may not properly restrain the occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Dealers will replace the seat frame and back rest, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 22, 2023. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
21V096000Backup cameraFeb 2021
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2021 X3 sDrive30i, X3 xDrive30i, X3 M40i, X3M, X4 xDrive30i, X4 M40i, M550i, X4M, X5 sDrive40i, X5 xDrive40i, X5 xDrive50i, X5M, X5 M50i, X7 xDrive40i, X7 xDrive50i, X7 M50i, Alpina XB7, 330i, 330i xDrive, M340i, M340i xDrive, and 8 Series Coupe, Convertible and Grand Coupe, 840i, 840i xDrive, M850i xDrive, M8, 2020-2021 530e, 530e xDrive, 330e, 330e xDrive, 745Le, 745Le xDrive, X5 xDrive45e, X3 xDrive30e, X6 sDrive40i, X6 xDrive40i, X6 xDrive50i, X6 M50i, X6M, 530i, 530i xDrive, 540i, 540i xDrive, M550i xDrive, M5, 740i, 740Li, 740Li xDrive, M760i Drive, M760Li xDrive, 750Li xDrive Alpina, Alpina B7 xDrive, and 2021 4 Series Coupe 430i, 430i xDrive, M440i xDrive vehicles. When shifting into Reverse, a small portion of the rearview image may be obscured, or the screen may not illuminate. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility.".
Risk: If the driver relies on only the rearview camera image, the missing or reduced rearview image view can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rearview camera software and update it if necessary, free of charge. The recall began April 16, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
20V355000SteeringJun 2020
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019 Z4 sDrive30i, 2019-2020 330i xDrive, M340i and M340i xDrive, 2020 X3M and X4M, and Toyota Supra vehicles. In certain driving conditions, such as high temperatures and rough road surfaces, a steering gear tie rod may become damaged, possibly resulting in a fractured tie rod.
Risk: A damaged or fractured tie rod may affect vehicle handling and control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: BMW and Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering gear tie rods, free of charge. The recall began August 14, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371.
19V912000Seat beltsDec 2019
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2020 330i and 330i xDrive vehicles. The outboard rear seat belt pretensioners may not lock as intended during a crash.
Risk: In the event of a crash, if the seat belt pretensioners fail to lock, there is an increased risk of injury.
Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear seat belts, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin February 10, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer at 1-800-525-7417.
19V732000EngineOct 2019
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2020 330i, 330i xDrive, and 2019 Z4 vehicles. The needle roller bearings of the counterbalance shafts may have been improperly installed, potentially causing the counterbalance shaft to loosen.
Risk: If the counterbalance shaft loosens, severe engine damage could occur, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the engine, free of charge. The recall began December 13, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
19V684000Backup cameraSep 2019
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018 540d, 2018-2020 530i, 530i xDrive, 540i, 540i xDrive, M550i xDrive, M5, 530e, 530e xDrive, X3 sDrive, X3 xDrive, X3 M40i, X3 M, and 2019-2020 X4 xDrive, X4 M40i, X4 M, X7 xDrive, X7 M50i, 740Li, 740Li xDrive, 750Li, 750Li xDrive, 8 Series Convertible and Coupe 840i, 840i xDrive, M850i xDrive, X5 sDrive, X5 xDrive, X5 M50i, X6 xDrive, X6 M50i, 330i, 330i xDrive, M340i, M340i xDrive, Z4 sDrive, Z4 M40i, 740Le xDrive and 745Le xDrive, 2018-2019 640i xDrive Gran Turismo and Rolls-Royce Phantom, 2019 M850i xDrive Gran Coupe and Rolls-Royce Cullinan and 2020 Toyota Supra vehicles. The back-up camera and display settings can be adjusted such that the rear view image is no longer visible and the system will retain that setting the next time the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rearview Mirrors.".
Risk: The lack of an image in the back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will update the back-up camera software, free of charge. The recall began November 8, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or Rolls-Royce at 1-877-877-3735. Toyota owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371.
19V352000AirbagsMay 2019
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2020 230i, 230i xDrive, M240i, M240i xDrive, M2 Competition Coupe, 430i, 430i xDrive, 440i, 440i xDrive, M4, and 2019 330i xDrive Sportswagon vehicles. The driver and passenger knee air bag assemblies may have been improperly folded and assembled.
Risk: An improperly folded and assembled air bag may not deploy as intended, increasing risk of injury.
Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the knee air bag modules, free of charge. The recall began July 8, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
18V652000EquipmentSep 2018
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018 BMW 330e iPerformance, i3 Rex, i3 Sport Rex, X5 xDrive40e, i3 BEV, i3 Sport BEV and 2019 i8 and i8 Roadster vehicles and 2018-2019 530e iPerformance, 530e xDrive iPerformance and 740Le xDrive iPerformance vehicles. Capacitors within the TurboCord Portable Chargers may fail, possibly resulting in a shock hazard or a fire.
Risk: An electrical shock or a fire can increase the risk of injury or death.
Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the charging cable, and replace it if necessary, free of charge. The recall began February 22, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.