You might be thinking about getting a BMW 5 Series because it looks stylish, drives smooth, and feels powerful. But you should know something important before making that big choice. Not every BMW 5 Series is the same. Some years have problems that can cost you a lot of money and stress. In this article, you will learn which BMW 5 Series years to avoid, based on real stories from owners and expert advice. This will help you choose the right one and stay away from the ones with too many issues.
2006 BMW 5 Series
The 2006 BMW 5 Series looks great from the outside. It has a sporty design and feels fancy. But sadly, this year has many issues that can give you a big headache. One of the biggest problems is with the iDrive system.
This is the screen that controls music, navigation, and other car settings. In 2006, this system was slow and often stopped working. People who bought it new or used said it was confusing and would freeze while driving.
Another major problem is with the cooling system. Many owners said the water pump and thermostat failed too early. These are important parts of the engine. If they break, the engine can get too hot, and that can cause serious damage. Fixing these parts costs a lot, sometimes more than $1,000.
Also, the 2006 model has issues with the transmission. Some people said their car would shift hard or make strange noises when changing gears. This can feel unsafe, especially if it happens while driving on the highway. Repairing the transmission can cost thousands.
The suspension system also has problems. You might feel every bump on the road, and the ride doesn’t feel smooth. That’s because the control arms and bushings wear out fast. Replacing them is not cheap.
The engine in the 2006 model sometimes leaks oil. Many owners had to go back to the repair shop again and again. If the oil leak isn’t fixed early, it can cause engine failure.
Another small but annoying issue is with the door locks. Sometimes they won’t unlock with the key fob. That means you may have to unlock the car by hand, which is frustrating.
Overall, the 2006 BMW 5 Series has too many expensive problems. Even if the price is low when buying used, the repair bills can make it a bad deal.
- Weak and faulty iDrive system
- Frequent water pump and thermostat failures
- Costly transmission problems
- Suspension wears out too fast
- Engine oil leaks
- Door lock malfunctions
2008 BMW 5 Series
The 2008 BMW 5 Series was supposed to be better than before. But sadly, it still had many of the same problems, and even some new ones. One of the most common problems with this year is with the fuel pump. It fails too often, especially in the 535i model with the turbocharged engine. When this part fails, the car might not start or may shut off while driving. That’s scary and dangerous.
This model also has a high-pressure fuel pump (HPFP) that fails too early. BMW even had a recall for it, but some owners still had issues even after the repair. This part is very expensive to replace.
Another issue is the engine misfiring. The car may shake or lose power when driving. This is often caused by bad spark plugs, ignition coils, or fuel injectors. Replacing all these parts costs a lot of money.
The electronic problems in this model are frustrating. The dashboard lights may flash without reason. The car may give warning signs even when nothing is wrong. The iDrive system continues to be slow and confusing.
People also complained about the air conditioning system. Sometimes it stops working in hot weather, and the repair is costly. Driving without A/C in the summer is not fun.
The 2008 model also has oil leaks, just like 2006. The valve cover gasket and oil pan gasket often fail. If not fixed, it can damage the engine.
Lastly, the run-flat tires that come with the car are noisy and do not last long. Replacing them is more expensive than regular tires.
This year of the BMW 5 Series looks good, but the inside systems make it a bad choice.
- Frequent fuel pump failures
- HPFP issues even after recalls
- Engine misfires and loss of power
- Electrical dashboard glitches
- Poor A/C performance
- Oil leaks from gaskets
- Run-flat tires wear out fast
2011 BMW 5 Series
In 2011, BMW gave the 5 Series a new look. It looks fresh, modern, and more stylish than older models. But even with the new design, this year still has big problems you should know about. One of the main problems is with the engine, especially the N20 and N55 engines. These engines have timing chain problems. If the timing chain breaks, it can destroy the engine. That means you’ll have to pay thousands to replace or rebuild the engine.
The 2011 model also has oil leakage problems. The oil filter housing gasket and valve cover gasket often go bad. When they leak, they can damage other parts like the alternator and belts.
Another issue is with the power steering. Some owners said the steering feels heavy or unresponsive. This makes the car harder to control, especially at low speeds. Fixing the power steering is not cheap.
The iDrive system improved a little from earlier years, but it still has bugs. It can freeze or restart while driving, and Bluetooth sometimes disconnects.
The 2011 model also had problems with the automatic start-stop system. Some people found that the car turns off at red lights but doesn’t turn back on quickly. This can be very dangerous if you are in traffic.
People also reported issues with the transmission jerking or hesitating. This makes the driving experience uncomfortable and unsafe.
Some 2011 models have problems with interior quality. Buttons peel off and plastics wear out too fast. For a luxury car, this feels disappointing.
If you’re planning to buy a used 2011 5 Series, be very careful. It may cost less to buy, but you might spend too much fixing all the problems later.
- Timing chain problems in N20 and N55 engines
- Gasket oil leaks that damage other parts
- Power steering issues
- iDrive still buggy
- Start-stop system delays
- Jerky transmission
- Interior parts wear fast
2012 BMW 5 Series
The 2012 BMW 5 Series looks good on the outside and feels premium inside. But behind the nice look, it hides many serious problems. The most common issue is again with the N20 engine. This engine is known for timing chain failures. Once the chain breaks, it causes big engine damage. Replacing the engine costs more than $5,000.
This model also has trouble with oil leaks. Just like 2011, the valve cover gasket and oil filter housing gasket leak oil. If not fixed early, they can damage the engine and belts.
Another major problem is with the electrical system. The battery drains too fast, even when the car is off. Some owners said they had to jump-start the car often. BMW later updated the software, but not all cars got fixed.
The iDrive system can be glitchy again. Some people said it goes black while driving or the rear camera stops working. These issues are frustrating, especially in a luxury car.
Owners also reported problems with the fuel injectors. If they fail, the car may lose power or misfire. Replacing all fuel injectors is very expensive.
The ride quality in the 2012 model is not great. The run-flat tires make the ride feel hard and bumpy. The suspension also wears out too fast.
Some people said the sunroof leaks water during rain. This can lead to mold inside the car.
This model may look nice, but the inside issues make it one to avoid.
- N20 engine timing chain failures
- Oil leaks from common gasket problems
- Fast battery drain issues
- iDrive glitches and screen problems
- Failing fuel injectors
- Bumpy ride with run-flat tires
- Leaky sunroof
2013 BMW 5 Series
The 2013 BMW 5 Series had some small updates, but the major problems still stayed. The N20 engine was still used, and so were the same parts that caused engine problems. Timing chain issues did not go away. Many people had to replace their whole engine because of it.
Oil leaks were common again. The same gaskets that failed in earlier years continued to cause problems. If you don’t fix them early, you risk serious engine damage.
The electrical issues were also still there. Battery drain was a big problem. Some people said their car wouldn’t start even after short trips. Others had trouble with the key fob and door locks.
The iDrive system worked better but still had bugs. Bluetooth would disconnect. GPS would freeze or restart. The screen sometimes went black without warning.
The ride quality was another problem. The car feels too stiff, and the road noise is loud. Run-flat tires again made the problem worse. These tires cost more to replace and don’t last as long.
Some 2013 models had airbag warning lights turning on without a reason. This made people feel unsafe, even when nothing was wrong with the airbags.
There were also small problems like the radio turning off by itself and the trunk not opening smoothly. These may seem small, but they make the car feel cheap, not luxury.
With all these problems still going on, the 2013 model is not a good choice.
- Same engine problems with N20
- Gasket oil leaks remain a big issue
- Battery and key fob problems
- Buggy iDrive and screen freezes
- Rough ride and noisy tires
- Airbag warning light errors
- Annoying small tech glitches
2014 BMW 5 Series
You might think the 2014 model finally fixed all the old problems. But sadly, many issues still stayed. While it had better features, the 2014 BMW 5 Series still had the N20 engine. This means timing chain problems were still possible. If it breaks, the engine may need full replacement.
There were still oil leaks from the usual gaskets. Valve cover and oil filter housing gaskets failed early. These repairs are common but expensive.
Battery drain stayed a big issue. Some owners said the car would sit for two days and not start. Even after getting a new battery, the same problem returned.
The iDrive system was smoother than before, but some glitches still happened. GPS errors and camera freezes were common. The Bluetooth connection would also drop randomly.
Other issues included turbo failures. The 528i with the N20 engine sometimes lost power because the turbo stopped working. That’s a costly repair.
Some people said the automatic start-stop system was too aggressive. The engine turned off too fast, even when stopping for just a second. It made the car feel jumpy.
People also had issues with the steering. It felt too light or too heavy at times. This made driving less comfortable and less safe.
Lastly, the cabin materials, like leather and buttons, did not hold up well. Some parts wore out fast, which made the car feel old quickly.
- Timing chain problems still exist
- Gasket oil leaks continue
- Battery dies after sitting idle
- Glitchy iDrive and GPS issues
- Turbo failure in N20 engine
- Annoying start-stop system
- Cheap interior materials
Final Thoughts
Buying a BMW 5 Series can feel like a dream, but choosing the wrong year can turn that dream into a nightmare. Years like 2006, 2008, 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2014 all had serious problems that cost a lot of money to fix. These include engine failures, oil leaks, electrical issues, and glitchy tech. If you’re looking for a used 5 Series, it’s best to stay away from these years and pick a newer or more reliable model instead. Always check the service history and get a trusted mechanic to inspect it first.
| Year | Major Issues | Engine Problems | Electrical Issues | Costly Repairs | Drive Quality | Should Avoid? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | iDrive, Oil Leaks | Yes | Yes | Yes | Poor | Yes |
| 2008 | Fuel Pump, A/C | Yes | Yes | Yes | Rough | Yes |
| 2011 | Timing Chain, Start-Stop | Yes | Yes | Yes | Average | Yes |
| 2012 | Battery Drain, Injectors | Yes | Yes | Yes | Bumpy | Yes |
| 2013 | Engine, Electrical | Yes | Yes | Yes | Loud | Yes |
| 2014 | Turbo, Gaskets | Yes | Yes | Yes | Jumpy | Yes |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is it safe to buy a used 2008 BMW 5 Series?
It is not fully safe to buy a used 2008 BMW 5 Series because it has many problems. The fuel pump can fail, which can stop the car while driving. This makes it unsafe, especially if you’re on the road or in traffic. There are also electrical issues that make warning lights flash even when nothing is wrong. These things can make the car feel unreliable. You may also need to spend a lot of money fixing problems. So it’s better to pick a different year with fewer issues.
Can the BMW 5 Series engine fail suddenly?
Yes, the engine in some BMW 5 Series models can fail without much warning. This usually happens because of the timing chain problem found in the N20 and N55 engines, especially in the 2011 to 2014 models. If the timing chain breaks while driving, it can destroy the engine. This is very costly to fix and can even make the car useless. That is why it is important to avoid those years or make sure the timing chain has already been replaced.
Do I need to replace the fuel pump in older BMW 5 Series?
Yes, if you own an older BMW 5 Series, especially from 2008, you may need to replace the fuel pump. The high-pressure fuel pump in those models often fails too early. When it fails, the car might not start or can stop while you are driving. This is very risky and not safe. Replacing the pump costs a lot, and sometimes you also need to replace other parts. Always check if the pump has been replaced before buying a used model.
Is it worth fixing a 2012 BMW 5 Series?
Fixing a 2012 BMW 5 Series can be very expensive. If your car has engine problems like timing chain issues or oil leaks, you may need to spend thousands of dollars. It also has battery drain issues, iDrive bugs, and fuel injector problems. If your car has many of these problems, it may not be worth fixing unless you really love the car or already spent too much on it. Sometimes it is better to sell it and get a newer model with fewer problems.
Can the iDrive system be updated?
Yes, the iDrive system in many BMW 5 Series models can be updated. But it depends on the year and model. In some older models like 2006 and 2008, the system is very outdated and may not get new updates. In models after 2011, you might be able to update it through BMW dealers. But even after updates, some people still report bugs like freezing screens or Bluetooth issues. So updates can help, but they may not fix every problem.
Do I have to worry about oil leaks in the 5 Series?
Yes, oil leaks are a common problem in many BMW 5 Series models, especially from 2006 to 2014. The valve cover gasket and oil filter housing gasket often fail. When these parts leak, oil can drip onto the engine or other parts. This can cause bad smells, smoke, or even fire in very bad cases. Fixing the leak is important and should not be delayed. Always check for oil spots on the ground or engine area before buying a used model.
Is it okay to keep driving with engine warning lights?
No, you should not keep driving with engine warning lights on. These lights mean that something is wrong with the car, and it could get worse if you ignore it. For example, if the light is for low oil or engine temperature, it could lead to engine failure. BMW 5 Series models often have electrical bugs, but even false warnings should be checked by a mechanic. Driving with warning lights can also damage the car more and cost more to fix later.
Can I trust the mileage when buying a used BMW 5 Series?
Sometimes yes, but not always. Some used car sellers may reset or hide the mileage to make the car look newer. Even if the mileage looks low, the car may still have serious problems if it wasn’t taken care of properly. It is better to check the full service history and do a pre-purchase inspection. BMWs need regular care, so only trust the mileage if there are service records that match. Also, check the condition of the car inside and out.