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BMW 5 Series E60 common faults.

2003–2010. The fault list covers this generation and the engines in it. If the listing gives the exact version, pick it below.

BMW 5 Series E60

Rudolf Stricker / CC BY-SA 3.0

What to watch for

What can go wrong on this car?

The list covers the generation, the engines and the transmissions. Once you pick the version, only the faults that apply to it stay.

21 more faults belong to this generation. On the version page, only the ones that apply stay.

Official recall7 recallsShow

The manufacturer fixes these for free at a franchised dealer. Ask with the VIN whether it was done. The list covers the whole generation. We did not filter it by model year. Some apply only to a narrower production window.

Most recent: 19 November 2025

SR/00581/26Safety recallInjuries19 November 2025 · EU Safety Gate

The chemical substances in the inflators of the TAKATA PSDI4 airbags may deteriorate over time, particularly in warm, humid climates. This could cause the airbag to rupture with too much force in the event of an accident, which could lead to serious or even fatal injuries in the worst-case scenario. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Request to stop driving Date of entry into force: 19/11/2025 Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: 31/10/2025

The authority's notice

A12/00017/19Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

The gas generator on the driver side airbag could burst in the event of airbag activation if it had been exposed to high air humidity, high temperatures and considerable temperature fluctuations over several years. This could result in metal parts being discharged, increasing the risk of injury of the vehicle occupants. No information

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown

The authority's notice

A12/0202/17Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

The universal joint of the drive shaft might break, causing a sudden loss of propulsion.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown

The authority's notice

A12/02573/24Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

The propellant in the driver airbag may deteriorate over time. If the airbags deploy, it could result in fragments from the inflator injuring the vehicle's occupants. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown

The authority's notice

A12/0266/17Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

If the driver's airbag is deployed, the inflator might burst if it was subject to high air humidity, high temperatures and substantial temperature fluctuations over a number of years. This may result in the ejection of metal parts, which could cause injury or death to the driver and the passengers.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown

The authority's notice

A12/0484/19Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

Owing to retrofitting of the steering wheel, certain vehicles may be equipped with a driver airbag that has a gas generator which could burst in the event of airbag activation if it has been exposed to moisture and heat cycles over time. This may result in metal parts being discharged, which could lead to injury or death of the vehicle occupants.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown

The authority's notice

A12/1067/19Safety recallFireno date · EU Safety Gate

The battery positive (B+) transfer point in the boot may corrode. This can result in increased contact resistance, potentially leading to malfunction of the power supply and increased risk of fire.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown

The authority's notice

Engines and transmissions in this generation

A fault is often tied to the engine, not to the whole generation. You find the engine code in the registration document.

E60 · 2003–2010

Pick the version.

The fault list opens on the version page.

284 versions

Showing 60 of 284 versions.

Neighbouring generations

E60 · 2003–2010

E60/E61 (2003-2010). If the listing is from the changeover year, look at the neighbour too.

Previous generation

This is the earliest.

This generation

E60 · 2003–2010

Next generation

F10 · 2010–2017

Common questions

About this generation

Which years does this page cover?

2003–2010. The changeover year can fall in two generations. If the listing is from that year, look at the neighbour too.

Does the fault apply to every car like this?

No. It depends on the engine and the transmission too.

Is it free?

The fault list is.

Information, not an expert opinion

We write the descriptions, and we put the source next to them. A person reviews them before they go out. They are still information, not a technical expert opinion.

  • A fault on the list does not mean the car you are looking at has it.
  • A fault missing from the list does not mean the model is fault-free. Write-ups are made model by model. Not all of them are done.
  • You decide whether to buy. This is no substitute for an inspection. That needs a workshop and a history check.
Details in the terms