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ProblemsByVinFile / 2016-BMW-M5NHTSA data synced 3 days ago
BMW
2016 BMW M5 problems
The 2016 BMW M5 has 2 active recall campaigns on file and only 1 owner complaint in the NHTSA database. Often that means the recall caught it before the field did.
The 2016 BMW M5 has 1 NHTSA owner complaint and 2 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
Limited NHTSA data — only 1 complaint on file. The score reflects what's reported, but a small sample skews easily. 2 active recalls on file.
0
Critical
2
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2016 M5?
Not enough data for a verdict
Only 1 NHTSA complaint on file — too few for a confident call. The 2 active recalls above remain authoritative; read those first.
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model —
not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
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BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2017 BMW 640i, 640i xDrive, 650i, 650i xDrive, M6, 535i, 535i xDrive, 430i, 430i xDrive, 440i, 440i xDrive, M4, X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i, i3, i8, Rolls-Royce Dawn, Mini Clubman Cooper, Clubman Cooper S, Cooper All4, Cooper S All4, Mini 4-Door Cooper, Cooper S, Mini 2-Door Cooper, Cooper S, John Cooper Works and 2016 BMW 528i, 528i xDrive, 535i, 535i xDrive, 550i, 550i xDrive, M5 and 535d vehicles
If the air bag inflator initiator fails to ignite, the seat-mounted air bag will not deploy, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag modules, free of charge. The recall began February 6, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2016 528i, 528i xDrive, 535i, 535i xDrive, 535d xDrive, M5, 550i, 550i xDrive, and 535d sedans
If the child seat is not properly attached to the lower anchors, it can increase the child's risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, repair the inboard lower anchor on the left rear seat, free of charge. The recall began on December 28, 2015. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Common questions
Is the 2016 BMW M5 reliable?
Limited NHTSA data. Only 1 owner complaint has been filed for the 2016 BMW M5, which is not enough for a meaningful reliability score. Active recalls (if any) are listed on this page and remain authoritative — those are verified defects regardless of complaint volume. For a confident reliability read we look for at least 10 owner complaints in the federal database.
Should you avoid the 2016 BMW M5?
Only 1 NHTSA complaint on file — too few for a confident call. The 2 active recalls above remain authoritative; read those first. We don't issue a buy/avoid verdict on the 2016 BMW M5 without a meaningful complaint sample — doing so off a handful of filings would be guesswork.
What should I check before buying a used 2016 BMW M5?
There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on the 2016 BMW M5 to flag a standout failure pattern. Run the VIN for open recalls — those are free to fix regardless of warranty — get a standard pre-purchase inspection, and ask the seller for service records.
Is the 2016 BMW M5 a good used car to buy?
Hard to say from federal data alone — only 1 owner complaint has been filed. Lean on the recall list above, a pre-purchase inspection, and a vehicle-history report on the specific VIN. Our data tells you what the model is known for; a history report tells you what that exact car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2016 BMW M5?
No problem area has crossed our reporting threshold yet, which is a good sign for this vehicle.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
Major repair items haven't been flagged often enough on this vehicle to single one out.
How do I check if my BMW M5 has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2016 BMW M5?
Hard to say from NHTSA data alone with only 1 complaint on file. A quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. The decision comes down to your specific situation: vehicle cost, miles on it, how long you plan to keep it, and whether you can absorb a $3K–$8K repair without straining cashflow. With limited public data on this vehicle, lean on the recall list above and check owner forums before committing.
Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database, last synced 3 days ago. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2016/BMW/M5.
Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics.
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