2020 BMW 5 Series problems and complaints

Owners have filed 15 complaints with NHTSA about the 2020 BMW 5 Series. The most-reported areas: Electrical System (5), Engine (4), Air Bags (2).

Key takeaways

  • 15 owner complaints on file with NHTSA.
  • 3 involve a crash, 1 a fire, 4 reported injuries.
  • Complaints are unverified owner reports; recalls are confirmed defects.
Complaints by component
ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System533%
Engine427%
Air Bags213%
Unknown Or Other213%
Service Brakes213%
Exterior Lighting213%
Power Train17%
Steering17%
Fuel/Propulsion System17%
Suspension17%

One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.

NHTSA 5-Star crash ratings
VersionOverallFrontSideRollover
2020 BMW 5 Series 4 DR RWDNot ratedNot ratedNot ratedNot rated
2020 BMW 5 Series 4 DR AWDNot ratedNot ratedNot ratedNot rated

Latest complaints, as filed

Owner-written and unverified by NHTSA.

Power Train - filed 2026-09-02

Last year around this time my differential failed and I lost all power to my wheels when driving in traffic in [XXX] on my way back to [XXX]. The car was driving and a loud clunk sound came from the car and the transmission wouldn't drive and I had to coast off the road cutting off cars to make it to a parking lot. I t...

Electrical System - filed 2026-07-21

The contact owns a 2020 BMW 530E. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine and starter failure warning lights illuminated. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The contact was informed that parts were unavailable to repair the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by ...

Electrical System,air Bags,engine - filed 2026-04-17

The contact owns a 2020 BMW 530I. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that while driving from a complete stop, and while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated while depressing the accelerator pedal. Additionally, the contact stated that the infotainment ...

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More for the 2020 BMW 5 Series

Complaints are reports filed by owners with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. NHTSA publishes them without verifying them, and counts rise with how many cars were sold, so compare years of the same model rather than different models. Crash ratings are NHTSA's own 5-Star Safety Ratings results.