Research · Compact Cars · 2 NHTSA variants

2019 BMW 5 SeriesRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 40 owner complaints for the 2019 BMW 5 Series. Most complaints involve electrical system (12) and engine (9). The EPA rates it 20–29 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
20–29mpg
EPA · 7 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
2campaigns
Latest Sep 2019
Owner complaints
40
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$2,650est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

2 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Back over prevention: camera

Free remedy

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."

Back over preventionReported Sep 28, 2019NHTSA 19V684000

Equipment: electrical

Free remedy

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.

EquipmentReported Sep 20, 2018NHTSA 18V652000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

40 complaints filed with NHTSA · Mar 2019 – Oct 2026
  1. Electrical system12
  2. Engine9
  3. Vehicle speed control6
  4. Power train5
  5. Service brakes5
  6. Fuel/propulsion system4
  7. Forward collision avoidance4
  8. Air bags3
  9. Seat belts2

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each 5 Series model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
199769
199859
199970
200075
200165
2011479
2012194
2013127
2014151
2015100
201738
201940
202016
202128
202413
Crashes reported
7
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
6
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Electrical system

12 reports3 crashes
“The contact owns a 2019 BMW 530E. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V441000 (Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact had not experience a failure.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 29, 2026Electrical systemODI 11767663

Engine

9 reports
“I learned from Carfax on July 12, 2026 that a recall has been issued on my vehicle, a 2019 BMW 530e -- "Recall 26V-441:540 Engine Starter". The recall relates to the engine starter and I understand from my research that the engine could catch on fire, even when the car is turned off. Now 5 weeks later, I have not received ANY notification from BMW about the recall, the hazard it presents, nor the advice apparently to park the car away from structures. All of my information is coming from Carfax. And there is apparently still no remedy available! This seems utterly unacceptable -- both no communication from BMW or a dealer and no remedy available after almost 6 weeks.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 22, 2026EngineODI 11758780

Vehicle speed control

6 reports4 crashes
“The contact owns a 2019 BMW 540i. The contact stated that while slowly driving into the driveway the vehicle erroneously accelerated forward at a high rate of speed and crashed into the garage door. The contact indicated that during the incident the brake pedal was being pressed but the vehicle did not immediately stop. During the incident the front end of the vehicle was damaged but no air bags deployed. No injuries were reported but the contact experienced emotional stress from the incident. The contact also indicated that the failure had once occurred while the husband was driving the vehicle. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 31,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 14, 2026Vehicle speed controlCrash reportedODI 11737812
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

7 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Compact Cars, Midsize Cars
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl turbo plug-in hybrid · 2.0L 4-cyl turbo · 3.0L 6-cyl turbo · 4.4L 8-cyl turbo
Transmissions
Automatic (S8)
Drive
Rear-Wheel Drive · All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
EV range
370 mi (EPA)

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
530e
Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · Rear-Wheel Drive
273029$2,650193
530e xDrive
Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive
273128$2,750200
530i
Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · Rear-Wheel Drive
243427$2,850324
530i xDrive
Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive
233327$2,850331
540i
Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo · Rear-Wheel Drive
212924$3,200371
540i xDrive
Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive
212924$3,200371
M550i xDrive
Auto (S8), 8 cyl, 4.4 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive
182520$3,850433
  • 530e
    Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    27 city · 30 hwy · $2,650/yr
    29
    mpg comb.
  • 530e xDrive
    Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    27 city · 31 hwy · $2,750/yr
    28
    mpg comb.
  • 530i
    Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    24 city · 34 hwy · $2,850/yr
    27
    mpg comb.
  • 530i xDrive
    Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    23 city · 33 hwy · $2,850/yr
    27
    mpg comb.
  • 540i
    Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo
    21 city · 29 hwy · $3,200/yr
    24
    mpg comb.
  • 540i xDrive
    Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo
    21 city · 29 hwy · $3,200/yr
    24
    mpg comb.
  • M550i xDrive
    Auto (S8), 8 cyl, 4.4 L, Turbo
    18 city · 25 hwy · $3,850/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

4 tested variants
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2019 BMW 5 Series as of Nov 10, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026Vehicle 13395Vehicle 13394Vehicle 13393
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2019 5 Series questions

How many recalls does the 2019 BMW 5 Series have?

2 safety recalls as of Nov 10, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2019 BMW 5 Series problems?

Owners filed 40 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (12), engine (9), vehicle speed control (6). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2019 BMW 5 Series get?

The EPA rates the 2019 BMW 5 Series at 20–29 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (7 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026