Most common 2002 BMW M5 problems
Share of the 6 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
BMW M5 complaints by model year
Best M5 years: 2010, 2016. Years to avoid: 2006. Compare all years →
2002 BMW M5 recalls (2)
Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2000-2002 BMW 320i, 323i, 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi, 323Ci, 325Ci, 330Ci, M3, 323iT, 325iT and 325xiT vehicles, 2001-2002 525i, 530i, 540i, M5, 525iT and 540iT vehicles, and 2001-2003 X5 3.0i, X5 4.4i, and X5 4.6is vehicles.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the vehicle has been remedied. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the driver side air bag module, replacing it as necessary, free of charge.
Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2002-2005 325i, 325xi, 330i, and 330xi Sedans, and 325xi and 325i Sportswagons, 2002-2006 330Ci, 325Ci, and M3 Convertibles and 325i, 330i, and M3 Coupes, 2002-2003 M5, 540i, 525i Sedan, and 530i Sedans, and 540i and 525i Sportswagons, and 2003 X5 3.0i and 4.4i…
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the vehicle has been remedied. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front driver air bag module, free of charge. The recall began Aug 2016.
2002 BMW M5 engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.9L 8-cyl | 6-speed manual | RWD | 12 / 19 / 15 |
EPA ratings. Class: Compact car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2002 BMW M5 a good car?
Based on 6 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2002 M5 rates few complaints: 1.3× as many complaints as a typical year of the M5 at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2002 BMW M5?
The windows, wipers & sunroof — 2 complaints, 33% of all complaints for this model year, most often about rear window wiper/washer. Next are the electrical system (1) and seats (1).
How many recalls does the 2002 BMW M5 have?
There are 2 recalls for the 2002 BMW M5, the most recent from January 20, 2017 (inflator module). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the BMW M5?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2010 and 2016. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2006. See the full BMW M5 years comparison.
At what mileage do 2002 BMW M5 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 26,000 miles; 80% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.