VehicleVerdict

1995 BMW 5 Series problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 6 complaints on file for the 1995 BMW 5 Series — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 3 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

6

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

0

Investigations

2

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1995 compare to other 5 Series years?

5 Series NHTSA complaints by model year, 1995 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, 1995 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all 5 Series years to avoid →

What are the most common 1995 BMW 5 Series problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System233%
Latches & Locks233%
Airbags117%
Speed Control117%

Does the 1995 BMW 5 Series have recalls?

3 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.

06E023000LightingMarch 13, 2006 · 292,000 units

Defect

CERTAIN ANZO COMBINATION HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS WHICH 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.

Remedy

ANZO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE HEADLAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN MAY 9, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ANZO USA AT 909-468-3688.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“REAR DOORS WILL NOT UNLOCK, AND HORN WILL NOT WORK WHEN VEHICLE WAS OFF, CAUSING A PASSENGER TO BE LOCKED INSIDE OF VEHICLE, AND WAS UNABLE TO NOTIFY BYSTANDERS. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · August 28, 2002

“REAR DOORS WILL NOT UNLOCK, AND HORN WILL NOT WORK WHEN VEHICLE WAS OFF, CAUSING A PASSENGER TO BE LOCKED INSIDE OF VEHICLE, AND WAS UNABLE TO NOTIFY BYSTANDERS. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Latches & Locks · August 28, 2002

“WHEN I WAS DRIVING IN MY SUBDIVISION IN A 25 MPH ZONE, THE CAR SUDDENLY GOT SELF ACCELERATED AND GOT BEYOND MY CONTROL. I TRIED TO PUSH THE BRAKE, THE BRAKE DID NOT WORK. THE CAR HIT ANOTHER CAR ON THE SIDE, AND WENT THROUGH FRONT YARDS OF TWO HOUSES AND THEN CROSSED THE ROAD AND HIT THE BRICK…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · October 27, 2011 · crash

“WHEN I WAS DRIVING IN MY SUBDIVISION IN A 25 MPH ZONE, THE CAR SUDDENLY GOT SELF ACCELERATED AND GOT BEYOND MY CONTROL. I TRIED TO PUSH THE BRAKE, THE BRAKE DID NOT WORK. THE CAR HIT ANOTHER CAR ON THE SIDE, AND WENT THROUGH FRONT YARDS OF TWO HOUSES AND THEN CROSSED THE ROAD AND HIT THE BRICK…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · October 27, 2011 · crash

1995 BMW 5 Series — common questions

Is the 1995 BMW 5 Series reliable?

The record is thin — 6 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 3 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 1995 BMW 5 Series have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 1995 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.