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ProblemsByVinFile / 2021-BMW-M5NHTSA data synced 3 days ago
BMW
2021 BMW M5 problems
The 2021 BMW M5 has 1 active recall campaign on file and only 2 owner complaints in the NHTSA database. Often that means the recall caught it before the field did.
The 2021 BMW M5 has 2 NHTSA owner complaints and 1 recall on file (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
Limited NHTSA data — only 2 complaints on file. The score reflects what's reported, but a small sample skews easily. 1 active recall on file.
0
Critical
1
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2021 M5?
Not enough data for a verdict
Only 2 NHTSA complaints on file — too few for a confident call. The 1 active recall 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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What owners are saying
recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
2021 M5· lighting
The reverse backup lights and camera image is so dim and limited as be unusable and very unsafe when backing up at night in darkness. Dealer service could not fix as designed in! I believe same system used on all 2021 series 5 cars. Left car at dealer with fobs as I am refusing…
Had a problem with your 2021 BMW M5?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020-2021 X3 sDrive 30i, X3 xDrive 30i, X3M 40i, X3 xDrive 30e, X4 xDrive 30i, X4M 40i, 530i, 540i, 540i xDrive, M550i xDrive, M5, 550e, 550e xDrive, and 550e iPerformance vehicles
If the driver relies on only the rearview camera image, the reduced rearview image view can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, program the rearview camera with updated software. The recall began November 18, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Common questions
Is the 2021 BMW M5 reliable?
Limited NHTSA data. Only 2 owner complaints have been filed for the 2021 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 2021 BMW M5?
Only 2 NHTSA complaints on file — too few for a confident call. The 1 active recall above remain authoritative; read those first. We don't issue a buy/avoid verdict on the 2021 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 2021 BMW M5?
There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on the 2021 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 2021 BMW M5 a good used car to buy?
Hard to say from federal data alone — only 2 owner complaints have 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 2021 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 2021 BMW M5?
Hard to say from NHTSA data alone with only 2 complaints 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/2021/BMW/M5.
Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics.
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