Total Complaints
3 filings
BMW M5 · model year
2010 BMW M5
3 NHTSA complaints, and 2 active recalls for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2010BMWM5 carries 3 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2010 M5 is air bags:sensor:occupant classification:front passenger with 1 filings, followed by air bags:sensor:occupant classification (1) and air bags (1). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 2 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.
NHTSA currently has 34 investigation files overlapping the 2010 M5. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
3
Complaints
0
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
Crashes Reported
0 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Complaints vs. fleet median (215)
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
Complaints by Component
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER | 1 |
| AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION | 1 |
| AIR BAGS | 1 |
Recalls (2)
12V12600026/03/2012
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES
BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2010 5-SERIES, MODEL YEAR 2004-2010 6-SERIES, MODEL YEAR 2006-2010 M5, AND MODEL YEAR 2007-2010 M6 VEHICLES. THE INSULATED BULKHEAD CONNECTOR FOR THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE MAY HAVE BEEN INCORRECTLY ATTACHED TO THE TRUNK FLOOR PANEL, WHICH CAN LEAD TO A LOOS
13V40700011/09/2013
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS
BMW is recalling certain model year 2008 through 2010 528i, 535i, 550i, and M5 passenger cars manufactured from March 1, 2007, through December 31, 2009. Over time, increased resistance at the taillight electrical contact points may cause damage to the ground terminal and housing of the connector r
Recent Complaints
20190402AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 BMW M5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE "AIR BAG OFF" INDICATOR WAS FLASHING FOR THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000.
Mileage: 72,000
20190402AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 BMW M5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE "AIR BAG OFF" INDICATOR WAS FLASHING FOR THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000.
Mileage: 72,000
20190402AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 BMW M5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE "AIR BAG OFF" INDICATOR WAS FLASHING FOR THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000.
Mileage: 72,000
Compare 2010BMWM5 to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 2010 BMW M5 have?▼
The 2010 BMW M5 has 3 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2010 BMW M5?▼
Yes, the 2010 BMW M5 has 2 recall(s). The most common affected component is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2010 BMW M5?▼
The most-complained component for the 2010 BMW M5 is AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER with 1 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION and AIR BAGS.
Is the 2010 BMW M5 safe to buy?▼
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?▼
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.
Vehicle Safety Guides
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.