The Lemon Index

All cars · BMW 5 Series · 2015

2015 BMW 5 Series. Advanced data.

The raw numbers: engines, recall campaign numbers, failure mileage and manufacturer communications.

Lemon Index15100 = average car
Complaints7NHTSA, first 3 years
Sold44,162U.S. model year
Per 100K sold16complaints
Year rank#2 of 20#1 = fewest complaints

Engines and drivetrains 6

EngineTransmissionDriveCity / hwy / combinedFuelFuel cost/yr
3.0L 6-cyl turboAuto (S8)RWD21 / 31 / 25Premium$3,100
3.0L 6-cyl turboManual 6-spdRWD17 / 26 / 20Premium$3,850
3.0L 6-cyl turboAuto (AM-S7)RWD17 / 24 / 19Premium$4,050
4.4L 8-cyl turboManual 6-spdRWD15 / 22 / 17Premium$4,550
4.4L 8-cyl turboAuto (AM-S7)RWD14 / 20 / 16Premium$4,850
4.4L 8-cyl turboAuto (S8)AWD14 / 19 / 16Premium$4,850

EPA test versions for this model year. Fuel cost is the EPA's current estimate, not the price in that year.

Failure mileage by system

Half of owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 44,500 and 99,000 miles. Median 74,900, from 41 complaints with a mileage.

SystemMedianMiddle halfComplaints
Electrical85,00070,800–118,00020
Engine90,00073,500–118,00020

Mileage owners typed into their NHTSA complaint, all complaints for this model year. People report some problems late, so read it as a range.

Complaints by system

SystemShare of complaints
Visibility29%
Wheels14%
Body structure14%
Transmission & drivetrain14%
Brakes14%

One complaint can name more than one system, so shares can add to more than 100%.

Severity, all complaints

TotalCrashesFiresInjuriesDeathsTows
9725108

As reported by owners to NHTSA. Not verified.

Recall campaigns 1

  • 24V608000 Aug 2024 Engine And Engine Cooling / Cooling System / Pump

    Defect. BMW of North America, LLC. (BMW) is recalling certain 2012-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i, 2012-2016 Z4 sDrive28i, 528i, 528i xDrive, 328i, 328xi, 2016-2018 X5 xdrive 40e, 2014-2016 228i, 228xi, 428i, 428i xDrive, 328xi Gran Turismo, 2013-2017 X3 sDrive28i, X3 xDrive28i, 2015-2018 X4 xDrive28i, 2015-2016 428xi vehicles. An improperly sealed electrical connector on the water pump may be exposed to water and short circuit.

    Risk. An electrical short increases the risk of a fire.

    Remedy. Dealers will inspect and replace the water pump and plug connector as necessary, and install a protective shield, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 28, 2025. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

NHTSA investigations

StatusSubjectOpenedClosed
OpenHigh pressure fuel pump failure2023–
OpenDesiccated air bag inflator rupture2021–
ClosedPedestrian alert sounds20232023

Manufacturer communications 333

BMW filed 333 service communications for this car with NHTSA.

  • ?n63t and s63t engine: valve seal replacement
  • "airbag warning light: acsm fc 930a60 or 930a1c seat occupancy detection
  • "headlight assemblies have visible internal moisture/condensation

Crash ratings by version

VersionOverallFrontSideRollover
BMW 528 I 4 DR RWD★★★★★★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★★
BMW 528 I Xdrive 4 DR AWD★★★★★★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★★

Safety equipment

Electronic stabilityForward collision warningLane departure warning
StandardOptionalOptional

Nearby model years

YearLemon IndexComplaintsSoldTop system
2012603756,798Tires
2013302156,863Engine
2014382352,704Engine
201515744,162Visibility
201614532,408Airbags
201721940,658Steering
2018612743,937Seat belts

Sources: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications; EPA fuel economy data; YouTube video titles. Complaints are owner reports, not proof of a defect.

Updated

Free to use with credit: Source: The Lemon Index (lemonindex.com). Get the data