Representative model. Photo: Calreyn88, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Recalls & complaints · NHTSA data

2020 BMW 5 Series recalls

Every recall campaign and owner complaint NHTSA has on file for the 2020 model year. Not every vehicle is affected by every campaign: check a specific car by VIN below.

Recall campaigns: 8
Park-it warnings: 2
Complaints: 17
Latest campaign: Jul 8, 2026

Recall summary by component8

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h

Component	Campaigns	Park‑it	Latest	Campaign IDs
Electrical system	3	2	Jul 8, 2026	26V441000 25V636000 20V601000
Back over prevention	3	–	Feb 19, 2021	21V096000 20V598000 19V684000
Engine	1	–	Aug 2, 2021	21V598000
Power train	1	–	Feb 3, 2021	21V046000

Safety recalls8

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h

2Park-it warnings

0Fixable over the air

Jul 8, 2026Latest campaign


Jul 8, 202626V441000	Electrical system: starter assembly relay A short circuit in the starter relay may increase the risk of a fire. Park outside, away from structures DetailsHide details for campaign 26V441000 What's wrong BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018-2020 530e xDrive, 2017-2019 740Le xDrive, 2018-2020 530e iPerformance, 2016-2018 330e iPerformance vehicles. The engine starter relay may corrode, causing the relay to overheat and short circuit. Risk A short circuit in the starter relay may increase the risk of a fire. Remedy Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the remedy is complete. Dealers will replace the engine starter, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 30, 2026. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning August 28, 2026. Filed under 530e Iperformance, 530e Xdrive Iperformance Campaign NHTSA 26V441000 · Jul 8, 2026
Sep 23, 202525V636000	Electrical system: starter assembly relay A short circuit in the starter relay may increase the risk of a fire. Park outside, away from structures DetailsHide details for campaign 25V636000 What's wrong BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2021 BMW 330i, 2019-2022 BMW Z4, 2020-2022 BMW 530i, X3, X4, Toyota Supra, 2021-2022 BMW 430i, 430i Convertible, and 2022 BMW 230i vehicles. The engine starter relay may corrode, causing the relay to overheat and short circuit. Risk A short circuit in the starter relay may increase the risk of a fire. Remedy Owners are advised to park their vehicles outside and away from structures until the remedy is complete. Dealers will replace the engine starter, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 6, 2026. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov November 14, 2025. Filed under 530i Campaign NHTSA 25V636000 · Sep 23, 2025
Aug 2, 202121V598000	Engine Loss of braking assist can increase the risk of a crash. DetailsHide details for campaign 21V598000 What's wrong BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020 M340i, M340i xDrive, 540i, 540i xDrive, X3 M40i, 2020-2021 X4 M40i, 745Le xDrive, 2019-2021 Z4 M40i, and 2020-2021 Toyota Supra vehicles. During engine start, the engine management software may cause loss of braking assist. Full mechanical braking (without assist) remains available. Risk Loss of braking assist can increase the risk of a crash. Remedy Dealers will update the engine management software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 17, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Filed under 540i Campaign NHTSA 21V598000 · Aug 2, 2021
Feb 19, 202121V096000	Back over prevention: sensing system camera If the driver relies on only the rearview camera image, the missing or reduced rearview image view can increase the risk of a crash or injury. DetailsHide details for campaign 21V096000 What's wrong BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2021 X3 sDrive30i, X3 xDrive30i, X3 M40i, X3M, X4 xDrive30i, X4 M40i, M550i, X4M, X5 sDrive40i, X5 xDrive40i, X5 xDrive50i, X5M, X5 M50i, X7 xDrive40i, X7 xDrive50i, X7 M50i, Alpina XB7, 330i, 330i xDrive, M340i, M340i xDrive, and 8 Series Coupe, Convertible and Grand Coupe, 840i, 840i xDrive, M850i xDrive, M8, 2020-2021 530e, 530e xDrive, 330e, 330e xDrive, 745Le, 745Le xDrive, X5 xDrive45e, X3 xDrive30e, X6 sDrive40i, X6 xDrive40i, X6 xDrive50i, X6 M50i, X6M, 530i, 530i xDrive, 540i, 540i xDrive, M550i xDrive, M5, 740i, 740Li, 740Li xDrive, M760i Drive, M760Li xDrive, 750Li xDrive Alpina, Alpina B7 xDrive, and 2021 4 Series Coupe 430i, 430i xDrive, M440i xDrive vehicles. When shifting into Reverse, a small portion of the rearview image may be obscured, or the screen may not illuminate. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility." Risk If the driver relies on only the rearview camera image, the missing or reduced rearview image view can increase the risk of a crash or injury. Remedy BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rearview camera software and update it if necessary, free of charge. The recall began April 16, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Filed under 530e, 530i, 540i, M550i Campaign NHTSA 21V096000 · Feb 19, 2021
Feb 3, 202121V046000	Power train: driveline driveshaft A broken output shaft can lead to a loss of drive power or a rollaway condition in a parked vehicle (if the parking brake is not engaged), increasing the risk of a crash. DetailsHide details for campaign 21V046000 What's wrong BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020-2021 530i xDrive, 540i xDrive and 2021 740Li xDrive vehicles. The output shafts (left/right) which transfer power from the driveshaft to the rear wheels may break due to a heat treatment error during supplier production. Risk A broken output shaft can lead to a loss of drive power or a rollaway condition in a parked vehicle (if the parking brake is not engaged), increasing the risk of a crash. Remedy BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the output shaft(s), free of charge. The recall began March 24, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Filed under 530i, 540i Campaign NHTSA 21V046000 · Feb 3, 2021
Sep 30, 202020V601000	Electrical system: propulsion system traction battery The debris could result in a short-circuit, increasing the risk of fire or injury. DetailsHide details for campaign 20V601000 What's wrong BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020-2021 530e, 530e xDrive, 530e iPerformance and X3 xDrive30e and MINI Cooper Countryman All4 SE, 2020 BMW i8, and 2021 330e, 330e xDrive, 745Le xDrive and X5 xDrive45e vehicles. Debris may have entered one or more of the hybrid battery cells during their production. Risk The debris could result in a short-circuit, increasing the risk of fire or injury. Remedy BMW will inspect and, if necessary, replace the battery module free of charge. The remedy is currently being developed. Until the remedy is completed, drivers are instructed to not charge their vehicles. Drivers are instructed to not drive in manual mode, sport mode, and to not use the shift paddles. Owners were notified of the safety risk October 23, 2020. The recall began November 24, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Filed under 530e Campaign NHTSA 20V601000 · Sep 30, 2020

Merged from NHTSA model names: 530e Iperformance, 530e Xdrive Iperformance, 530i, 540i, 530e, M550i, 550e. Not every vehicle of a model year is affected by every campaign.

To see whether a recall is still open on your car, enter the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or the BMW recall lookup. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer (federal law; see limits).

Owner complaints by component17

NHTSA Complaints API · cached ≤24 h

17Complaints filed

3Involving a crash

1Involving a fire

4Injuries reported

Component	Complaints	%	Crashes	Fires	Injuries
Electrical system	5	29	2	0	1
Engine	4	24	1	0	1
Unknown or other	3	18	0	1	1
Power train	2	12	0	0	0
Air bags	2	12	0	0	0
Service brakes	2	12	2	0	2
Exterior lighting	2	12	0	0	0
Steering	1	6	1	0	0
Fuel/propulsion system	1	6	0	0	0
Suspension	1	6	1	0	1
Fuel system	1	6	0	0	0
Gasoline	1	6	0	0	0

An owner can tag several components, so percentages add up to more than 100. Complaints are unverified owner reports, de-duplicated by NHTSA ODI number, merged from NHTSA model names 5 Series, 530E, M550I.

Latest reports

Power train
“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].”
Filed 09/02/2026 · ODI 11761685
Electrical system
“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.”
Filed 07/21/2026 · ODI 11751871
Electrical system
“The contact owns a 2020 BMW 530I. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated.”
Filed 04/17/2026 · ODI 11731883

Other BMW 5 Series model years

All years: 2025 · 2024 · 2023 · 2022 · 2021 · 2020 · 2019 · 2018 · 2017 · 2016 · 2015 · 2014 · 2013 · 2012 · 2011 · 2010 · 2009 · 2008 · 2007 · 2006 · 2005 · 2004 · 2003 · 2002 · 2001 · 2000

Other BMW models

All BMW models and years →

2020 BMW 5 Series recall questions

How many recalls does the 2020 BMW 5 Series have?

NHTSA lists 8 safety recall campaigns for the 2020 BMW 5 Series. The most recent, 26V441000 (reported July 8, 2026), concerns electrical system. 2 campaigns carry a park-it or park-outside warning. Not every vehicle is covered by every campaign; check a specific car by VIN.

What are the 2020 BMW 5 Series recalls for?

The largest group is electrical system, with 3 campaigns. Others: back over prevention (3), engine (1), power train (1). Each campaign below lists the defect, the risk and the free remedy.

What is the most common complaint about the 2020 BMW 5 Series?

Electrical system is the most-reported component, named in 5 complaints out of 17 filed with NHTSA (29%). Across all complaints, owners reported 3 crashs and 1 fire. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How do I check if a recall is open on my 2020 BMW 5 Series?

Enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or the BMW recall lookup. That shows campaigns still unrepaired on that exact car. Safety recall repairs are free at a franchised BMW dealer.

Check a specific BMW by VIN

Free · No signup · US-market vehicles, 1981+

Need the factory options too? See the BMW build sheet & window sticker guide.