Car · BMW recalls

2020 BMW 5 Series recalls

NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for the 2020 BMW 5 Series, filed between September 28, 2019 and August 2, 2021. Each one is below with what is wrong and the free fix.

Check my VIN Check repair status at NHTSA

Part	Filed	Risk
Engine	August 2, 2021	Crash risk
Back over prevention: camera	February 19, 2021	Crash risk
Power train: driveshaft	February 3, 2021	Crash risk
Back over prevention: camera	September 30, 2020	Crash risk
Electrical system: traction batteryPlug-in hybrid only	September 30, 2020	Fire risk
Power train: automatic transmission	December 11, 2019	Crash risk
Back over prevention: camera	September 28, 2019	Crash risk

EngineCrash risk

Campaign 21V598000 · Filed August 2, 2021

Trims named in this campaign: 540i

What is wrong. During engine start, the engine management software may cause loss of braking assist.

What could happen. Loss of braking assist can increase the risk of a crash.

The fix. 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.

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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.

Back over prevention: cameraCrash risk

Campaign 21V096000 · Filed February 19, 2021

Trims named in this campaign: 530e, 530i, 540i, M550i

What is wrong. When shifting into Reverse, a small portion of the rearview image may be obscured, or the screen may not illuminate.

What could happen. 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.

The fix. 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.

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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."

Power train: driveshaftCrash risk

Campaign 21V046000 · Filed February 3, 2021

Trims named in this campaign: 530i, 540i

What is wrong. 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.

What could happen. 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.

The fix. 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.

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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.

Back over prevention: cameraCrash risk

Campaign 20V598000 · Filed September 30, 2020

Trims named in this campaign: 530i, 540i, 550e, M5, M550i

What is wrong. A small portion of the rearview image may be slightly obscured.

What could happen. If the driver relies on only the rearview camera image, the reduced rearview image view can increase the risk of a crash or injury.

The fix. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, program the rearview camera with updated software. The recall began November 18, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

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BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020-2021 X3 sDrive 30i, X3 xDrive 30i, X3M 40i, X3 xDrive 30e, X4 xDrive 30i, X4M 40i, 530i, 540i, 540i xDrive, M550i xDrive, M5, 550e, 550e xDrive, and 550e iPerformance vehicles. A small portion of the rearview image may be slightly obscured. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

Electrical system: traction batteryFire risk

Campaign 20V601000 · Filed September 30, 2020 · Plug-in hybrid models only

Trims named in this campaign: 530e

What is wrong. Debris may have entered one or more of the hybrid battery cells during their production.

What could happen. The debris could result in a short-circuit, increasing the risk of fire or injury.

The fix. BMW will inspect and, if necessary, replace the battery module free of charge. 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.

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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.

Power train: automatic transmissionCrash risk

Campaign 19V883000 · Filed December 11, 2019

Trims named in this campaign: M5

What is wrong. The transmission wiring harness can become damaged, resulting in an electrical short circuit.

What could happen. An electrical short circuit can cause the transmission to shift to neutral resulting in a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash.

The fix. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace any damaged transmission harnesses. All harnesses will be rerouted and secured. These repairs will be performed, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin February 3, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

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BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2020 M5 and 2020 M8 Gran Coupe, M8 Coupe, and M8 Convertible vehicles. The transmission wiring harness can become damaged, resulting in an electrical short circuit.

Back over prevention: cameraCrash risk

Campaign 19V684000 · Filed September 28, 2019

Trims named in this campaign: 530e, 530i, 540i, M5, M550i

What is wrong. The back-up camera and display settings can be adjusted such that the rear view image is no longer visible and the system will retain that setting the next time the vehicle is placed in reverse.

What could happen. The lack of an image in the back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash.

The fix. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will update the back-up camera software, free of charge. The recall began November 8, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or Rolls-Royce at 1-877-877-3735. Toyota owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371.

Show NHTSA's full text

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018 540d, 2018-2020 530i, 530i xDrive, 540i, 540i xDrive, M550i xDrive, M5, 530e, 530e xDrive, X3 sDrive, X3 xDrive, X3 M40i, X3 M, and 2019-2020 X4 xDrive, X4 M40i, X4 M, X7 xDrive, X7 M50i, 740Li, 740Li xDrive, 750Li, 750Li xDrive, 8 Series Convertible and Coupe 840i, 840i xDrive, M850i xDrive, X5 sDrive, X5 xDrive, X5 M50i, X6 xDrive, X6 M50i, 330i, 330i xDrive, M340i, M340i xDrive, Z4 sDrive, Z4 M40i, 740Le xDrive and 745Le xDrive, 2018-2019 640i xDrive Gran Turismo and Rolls-Royce Phantom, 2019 M850i xDrive Gran Coupe and Rolls-Royce Cullinan and 2020 Toyota Supra vehicles. The back-up camera and display settings can be adjusted such that the rear view image is no longer visible and the system will retain that setting the next time the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rearview Mirrors."

Check that your car is on the list

Most campaigns cover only cars built in a certain date range or at a certain plant, so a 2020 BMW 5 Series may or may not be included. The VIN is the only sure test. It is 17 characters, on the dashboard by the windshield and on the driver door jamb sticker. Look up your VIN at NHTSA to see whether a campaign is open for your exact car.

How to confirm the repair is free

Call any authorized BMW dealer service desk and give them the VIN and the campaign number from the list above.
Ask them to confirm the campaign is open for your car. If it is, the parts and labor are covered.
If the dealer says the part is not in stock, ask for a written note with the date, and ask about a loaner if the notice says not to drive the car.
Keep the repair order. It shows the campaign number and proves the work was done.

If you already paid for a repair that a recall later covered, BMW may owe you a refund. Ask the dealer or BMW customer service about reimbursement, and keep your receipts.

Other model years of the 5 Series

More: all BMW recalls, check-engine codes, car repair costs.

2020 BMW 5 Series recall questions

How many recalls does the 2020 BMW 5 Series have?

NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for the 2020 BMW 5 Series. A campaign can cover only some cars of that model year, so check your VIN to see whether yours is included.

Is a recall repair on a 2020 BMW 5 Series free?

Yes. A safety recall repair is free at an authorized BMW dealer, whatever the age or mileage of the car and no matter who owns it now.

How do I know if my 2020 BMW 5 Series was already fixed?

Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls. It shows whether a campaign is open for that exact car. You can also ask a dealer to run the VIN, or look at the service history paperwork for the campaign number.

Source: NHTSA recalls API, checked 2026-10-29. Text is NHTSA's wording of each campaign. New campaigns are added over time. Not a repair shop, estimates only.