VehicleVerdict

1989 BMW 5 Series problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just one complaint on file for the 1989 BMW 5 Series — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 2 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work. Reports tied to this model year include one death and 1 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

1

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

0

Investigations

1

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

1

Injuries

1

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1989 compare to other 5 Series years?

5 Series NHTSA complaints by model year, 1989 highlighted140 complaints1989: 1 complaints1990: 0 complaints1991: 0 complaints1992: 0 complaints1993: 0 complaints1994: 0 complaints1995: 6 complaints1996: 0 complaints1997: 1 complaints1998: 0 complaints1999: 2 complaints2000: 3 complaints2001: 4 complaints2002: 10 complaints2003: 19 complaints2004: 89 complaints2005: 26 complaints2006: 125 complaints2007: 22 complaints2008: 140 complaints2009: 12 complaints2010: 9 complaints2011: 96 complaints2012: 12 complaints2023: 0 complaints
5 Series NHTSA complaints by model year, 1989 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all 5 Series years to avoid →

What are the most common 1989 BMW 5 Series problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Speed Control1100%

Does the 1989 BMW 5 Series have recalls?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

06E049000LightingMay 24, 2006 · 27,176 units

Defect

CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Consequence

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy

CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.

06E026000LightingMarch 23, 2006 · 61,944 units

Defect

CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Consequence

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy

PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“MY MOTHER ENTERED A PARKING GARAGE AND WE SUSPECT THAT THE CAR ACCELERATED AS IT HAD DONE IT BEFORE. SHE HIT A WALL AND WAS KILLED. SHE WAS QUITE COHERENT AND AN EXPERIENCED DRIVER. SHE WAS DRIVING A 1989 BMW 500 SERIES. IT WAS NEVER PROVEN BUT THERE WAS A PROGRAM ON 20/20 WHERE THIS SAME THING…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · October 18, 2004 · crash

1989 BMW 5 Series — common questions

Is the 1989 BMW 5 Series reliable?

The record is thin — 1 NHTSA complaint — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 2 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 1989 BMW 5 Series have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 1989 BMW 5 Series. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which BMW 5 Series years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the 5 Series years to avoid are 2008, 2006, 2011, 2004. The cleanest record among 5 Series years belongs to 2023.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.