2007 BMW M5 recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-18. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
1 safety recall, most serious first
1. Electrical system
What's wrong, in plain English: Wiring, modules, batteries. Short circuits can cause stalls or fires. THE INSULATED BULKHEAD CONNECTOR FOR THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE MAY HAVE BEEN INCORRECTLY ATTACHED TO THE TRUNK FLOOR PANEL, WHICH CAN LEAD TO A LOOSENING OF THE BOLT CONNECTION. AS IT LOOSENS, AN INCREASE IN ELECTRICAL RESISTANCE AT THIS CABLE CONNECTION IS POSSIBLE AND COULD CAUSE THE CABLE CONNECTION TO OVERHEAT.
What could happen: OVERHEATING COULD LEAD TO A FIRE, EVEN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS NOT IN USE. AS A PRECAUTION, OWNERS ARE ADVISED TO PARK OUTSIDE UNTIL THE REMEDY HAS BEEN MADE.
The fix: BMW WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND SECURE THE BATTERY BOLT CABLE CONNECTION AS NECESSARY, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 30, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND SERVICES AT 1-800-525-7417.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2007 M5.
- Book a repair at any authorized BMW dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 12V126000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-525-7417.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES
Summary: BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2010 5-SERIES, MODEL YEAR 2004-2010 6-SERIES, MODEL YEAR 2006-2010 M5, AND MODEL YEAR 2007-2010 M6 VEHICLES. THE INSULATED BULKHEAD CONNECTOR FOR THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE MAY HAVE BEEN INCORRECTLY ATTACHED TO THE TRUNK FLOOR PANEL, WHICH CAN LEAD TO A LOOSENING OF THE BOLT CONNECTION. AS IT LOOSENS, AN INCREASE IN ELECTRICAL RESISTANCE AT THIS CABLE CONNECTION IS POSSIBLE AND COULD CAUSE THE CABLE CONNECTION TO OVERHEAT.
Consequence: OVERHEATING COULD LEAD TO A FIRE, EVEN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS NOT IN USE. AS A PRECAUTION, OWNERS ARE ADVISED TO PARK OUTSIDE UNTIL THE REMEDY HAS BEEN MADE.
Remedy: BMW WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND SECURE THE BATTERY BOLT CABLE CONNECTION AS NECESSARY, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 30, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND SERVICES AT 1-800-525-7417.
Notes: CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Compact car fire extinguisher
- Portable jump starter
- 2007 BMW M5 owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Airbags (4), Seat belts (1), Seats (1), Vehicle Speed Control (1), Electrical system (1).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (6)
09/22/2014 · Airbags
A MESSAGE FLASHED ON THE SCREEN STATING THAT THE PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM WAS DEFECTIVE. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE TEST RESULTS SHOWED THAT A SEAT MAT SENSOR IN THE PASSENGER'S SEAT WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ESTIMATED COST OVER 3000 DOLLARS ASKING BMW TO AUTHORIZE UNDER SIMILAR RECALL REPAIR. BMW ISSUED 10 Y…
03/11/2014 · Airbags
THE PASSENGER OCCUPANCY SEAT MAT IS FAULTY. ITS AN KNOWN ONGOING ISSUE WITH MANY MANY BMW M5 OWNERS, AND A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE! NOW THE AIRBAGS MAY NOT DEPLOY PROPERLY. BMW REFUSES TO FIX THE PROBLEM AND IS OVER $2000 TO FIX. THEY HAD A RECALL FOR THE SAME EXACT ISSUE BUT ONLY UNTIL MID-2005 MODELS. THIS ISSUE IS GOING ON WELL PAST VEHICLES BUILT IN 2005.…
02/27/2014 · Vehicle Speed Control
I WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT. THE CAR HAD NUMEROUS SAFETY MALFUNCTIONS ON AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT. THE I-DRIVE SCREEN PROMPT ADVISED TO DRIVE IN A CAUTIOUS MANNER. WHILE STATIONARY AT THE RED LIGHT THE CARS REV COUNTER WAS BOUNCING UP AND DOWN FROM 500RPM-1500RPM. MY DESTINATION WAS ROUGHLY ONE MILE AWAY. THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN AND I GAVE THE CAR THROTT…
08/17/2012 · Airbags
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW M5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A MESSAGE FLASHED ON THE SCREEN STATING THAT THE PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM WAS DEFECTIVE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE TEST RESULTS SHOWED THAT A SEAT MAT SENSOR IN THE PASSENGER'S SEAT WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT DID NOT HAVE THE SEN…
06/28/2012 · Airbags
BMW CONTINUES TO DENY THAT A MANUFACTURING DEFECT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT MAT CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO DISABLE THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG WHEN OCCUPIED BY AN ADULT. THE FOLLOWING RECALL WAS ISSUED IN 2008 FOR 2004-2006 MODEL 5-SERIES VEHICLES WITH THE SAME EXACT PASSENGER SEAT MAT. HTTP://WWW.BMWUSA.COM/STANDARD/CONTENT/CONTACTUS/VOLUNTARYRECALL.ASPX THERE ARE…
08/27/2007 · Electrical system
SPEEDOMETER ON MY NEW CAR IS NOT CALIBRATED CORRECTLY. IT CONSTANTLY REGISTERS ABOUT 8% TOO HIGH. DOES DOT REGULATE THIS CALIBRATION? IT SEEMS POSSIBLE THAT ODOMETER COULD ALSO BE INCORRECT. BMW SAYS THAT THEIR ALLOWABLE TOLERANCE IS 10%. CAN THIS POSSIBLY BE ALLOWABLE IN THE US? THERE DOES SEEM TO BE A POTENTIAL SAFETY ISSUE. *JB