Research · Midsize Cars

2014 BMW M5Recalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 2 owner complaints for the 2014 BMW M5. Most complaints involve engine (2) and power train (1). The EPA rates it 16–17 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
16–17mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
1campaigns
Latest Mar 2015
Owner complaints
2
Top: engine
Fuel cost / yr
$4,550est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

1 NHTSA campaign · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Exterior lighting

Free remedy

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2013 528i, 528i xDrive, 535i, 535i xDrive, 550i, 550i xDrive, and ActiveHybrid 5 vehicles. The rear reflex reflectors may not reflect enough light. As such, the vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

Exterior lightingReported Mar 31, 2015NHTSA 15V188000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

2 complaints filed with NHTSA · Nov 2020 – Oct 2022
  1. Engine2
  2. Power train1
  3. Vehicle speed control1

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 M5 model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
20004
20014
200219
200318
2006124
20076
20086
20101
201310
20142
20153
20161
20184
20198
20202
20213
20221
20231
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Engine

2 reports
“My car (a 2014 BMW M5 with only approx. 39K miles) has a known issue with defective fuel injectors (manufactured by Bosch, subsequently replaced by an upgraded part). In fact, in 2018 BMW issued me and other owners with an extended warranty for the fuel injectors for 10 years/120,000 miles (see attached copy). However, in my opinion and based on a 9/7/2022 failure incident I experienced the defective fuel injectors should have resulted in a safety recall. Previously, my car experienced a check engine light in August 2022. The dealership suspected one or more leaking fuel injectors and noted as such on my repair invoice, but I was told due to the testing protocol which BMW requires they could not replace any of the fuel injectors. BMW's testing protocol also resulted in me incurring a large bill of almost $1,100 due to the diagnosis labor involved. On 9/7/2022 while I was driving on the highway at approximately 70 miles an hour, 2 fuel injectors failed (out of 8 injectors, confirmed by subsequent repair) which resulted in a sudden and complete loss of engine power while maneuvering in traffic. I am extremely lucky the sudden loss of engine power did not result…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 4, 2022EngineODI 11487810

Power train

1 report
“BEHAVIOR OF MY CAR'S DCT TRANSMISSION HAS CREATED A DANGEROUS SITUATION WHICH ALMOST RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT FOR ME. I BELIEVE THIS IS DUE TO A SOFTWARE CHANGE BMW MADE TO THE DCT TRANSMISSION. THE ISSUE IS AS FOLLOWS: -WHEN DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED, WHEN YOU RELEASE THE THROTTLE AND LET THE VEHICLE COAST (AS WHEN YOU WANT THE VEHICLE TO NATURALLY DECELERATE WITHOUT BRAKING) THE TRANSMISSION WILL DISENGAGE THE DCT CLUTCHES. THE CAR WILL THEN MAINTAIN SPEED (AS IF CRUISE CONTROL WERE ENGAGED) INSTEAD OF NATURALLY DECELERATING. IN AND OF ITSELF, THIS BEHAVIOR IS DANGEROUS DUE TO THE FACT THE VEHICLE WILL MAINTAIN UNWANTED SPEED. -WHEN THEN TRYING TO RE-ACCELERATE QUICKLY FROM COASTING WHERE A DOWNSHIFT IS NEEDED (AS IN WHEN NEEDING TO PASS LEGALLY ON A 2 LANE HIGHWAY), THE CAR WILL NOT RE-ENGAGE THE CLUTCHES FOR A COUPLE OF SECONDS OR SO. THIS CAUSES TOTAL LOSS OF POWER OR ACCELERATION FOR 2 OR SO SECONDS. WHILE THIS MAY SEEM LIKE A RELATIVELY MINOR SITUATION, THE ABOVE SITUATION ALMOST CAUSED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT AT HIGHWAY SPEED. ALSO, MY CAR DID NOT PREVIOUSLY DISPLAY THIS BEHAVIOR UNTIL AFTER A SERVICE VISIT (I BELIEVE LAST YEAR). I SUSPECT THE DCT TRANSMISSION…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 8, 2020Power train, Vehicle speed control, EngineODI 11373629

Vehicle speed control

1 report
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Midsize Cars
Engines
4.4L 8-cyl turbo
Transmissions
Manual 6-spd · Automatic (AM-S7)
Drive
Rear-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline

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
M5
Man 6-spd, 8 cyl, 4.4 L, Turbo · Rear-Wheel Drive
152217$4,550517
M5
Auto (AM-S7), 8 cyl, 4.4 L, Turbo · Rear-Wheel Drive
142016$4,850552
  • M5
    Man 6-spd, 8 cyl, 4.4 L, Turbo
    15 city · 22 hwy · $4,550/yr
    17
    mpg comb.
  • M5
    Auto (AM-S7), 8 cyl, 4.4 L, Turbo
    14 city · 20 hwy · $4,850/yr
    16
    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

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2014 BMW M5 as of Nov 10, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026Vehicle 8689
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

2014 M5 questions

How many recalls does the 2014 BMW M5 have?

1 safety recall 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 2014 BMW M5 problems?

Owners filed 2 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine (2), power train (1), vehicle speed control (1). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2014 BMW M5 get?

The EPA rates the 2014 BMW M5 at 16–17 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026