NHTSA // SAFETY RECORD
2020 BMW M5 Safety Record
The 2020 BMW M5 has not been crash-tested by NHTSA, so it carries no Safety Index. Its federal safety record shows 3 recalls and 1 owner complaint on file.
Updated Oct 1, 2026 from NHTSA data · Reviewed by Ivanna Verstliar
CRASH
DATANot crash-tested
The 2020 BMW M5 does not carry a federal crash-test star rating, as NHTSA has not evaluated this model. Consequently, no Safety Index score can be computed for it. The available federal record indicates a Light burden band for recalls and complaints. Three recall campaigns address specific components. One unverified owner complaint has been filed. This data set offers neither a strong endorsement nor a definitive caution regarding the vehicle's crash safety, reflecting the limitations of available information for this particular model year.
The 2020 BMW M5 was not crash-tested by NHTSA, carries three recalls and a Light recall-and-complaint burden band, and all underlying data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration at nhtsa.gov.
MotorCaliber Safety Desk // NHTSA data, verified Oct 1, 2026
- shoppers who want the full federal safety picture in one place
| NHTSA crash test | Not crash-tested |
|---|---|
| Recall and complaint burden | Light |
| Recalls on file | 3 |
| Owner complaints | 1 (unverified allegations) |
| Data verified | Oct 1, 2026 |
ANALYSISHow safe is the 2020 BMW M5?
The 2020 BMW M5 has not undergone crash testing by NHTSA. Without these results, a full safety profile cannot be established. The vehicle's recall and complaint volume places it in the Light burden band, indicating a lower frequency of documented issues compared to other vehicles. Three recalls are on file: two concern the rearview camera system, and one addresses the automatic transmission. Both of these areas directly impact vehicle operation and safety. A single owner complaint, citing an engine concern, represents a statistically minor issue in the overall record. This Light burden categorization is based solely on recall and complaint data, not on crash performance.
NHTSA // RECALLSDoes the 2020 BMW M5 have any recalls?
The 2020 BMW M5 is covered by three recall campaigns. The first addresses the automatic transmission, where a component issue was identified across 2019-2020 M5 and certain 2020 M8 vehicles. The second and third both target the back-over prevention sensing system, specifically the rearview camera, with one campaign covering a broader 2018-2020 BMW lineup that includes the M5. No park-outside or do-not-drive directive appears in the data provided for these campaigns.
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA20V598000
Risk: If the driver relies on only the rearview camera image, the reduced rearview image view can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy: 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.
Reported 2020-09-30
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION19V883000
Risk: An electrical short circuit can cause the transmission to shift to neutral resulting in a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
Reported 2019-12-11
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA19V684000
Risk: The lack of an image in the back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
Reported 2019-09-27
NHTSA // COMPLAINTSWhat do owners report about the 2020 BMW M5?
The 2020 BMW M5 has one owner complaint on file with NHTSA. That single report names the engine as the affected component. It is an unverified consumer allegation, not an established finding, and the record shows zero reported crashes, zero fires, zero injuries, and zero fatalities connected to it.
1 owner complaint on file. These are unverified allegations reported to NHTSA.
USED BUYERWhat should used buyers know about the 2020 BMW M5?
Three recalls have been issued for the 2020 BMW M5. Any shopper considering a used model should run the vehicle's VIN through nhtsa.gov to confirm completion of all open safety repairs.
- NHTSA has not crash-tested the 2020 BMW M5, meaning no federal star ratings or Safety Index exist for this model year and no conclusion about crash performance can be drawn from the federal record.
- Three recall campaigns are on file for this model year: two address the rearview camera back-over prevention system and one addresses the automatic transmission, all of which are components with direct safety relevance.
- Only one owner complaint has been reported to NHTSA for the 2020 BMW M5, citing the engine; this is an unverified allegation and the record shows no associated crashes, injuries, or fatalities.
- Shoppers should verify recall completion status for any specific 2020 BMW M5 using the free VIN lookup at nhtsa.gov, as the three campaigns may or may not have been addressed on any individual vehicle.
FAQ2020 BMW M5 safety questions
Was the 2020 BMW M5 crash-tested by NHTSA?
No. NHTSA has not run a New Car Assessment Program crash test on this configuration, so it carries no Safety Index. Its safety record here is built from 3 recalls and 1 owner complaint on file.
How many recalls does the 2020 BMW M5 have?
According to NHTSA recall data, 3 vehicle recalls are on file for the 2020 BMW M5. Confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov to see which apply to your car.
How many complaints have owners filed about the 2020 BMW M5?
According to NHTSA's complaint database, 1 owner complaint is on file for the 2020 BMW M5. These are unverified allegations submitted by owners, not confirmed defects.
Cross-check this record against independent expert reviews and the live NHTSA database before you buy.
- DATA Pulled directly from NHTSA: the recallsByVehicle and complaintsByVehicle records for the BMW M5 2020.
- SCORE This configuration was not crash-tested by NHTSA, so it carries no Safety Index. We report its recall and complaint record only.
- EDITED Written by the MotorCaliber Safety Desk and reviewed for accuracy and plain-language clarity by Ivanna Verstliar, Editor, against the source figures on this page.
- VERIFIED Data last synced Oct 1, 2026. Recalls change; confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. See our corrections policy and disclosure.