The Lemon Index2016 BMW 5 Series.
The 2016 BMW 5 Series is one of the most reliable years by owner complaints: 5 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 14, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about airbags, it has 4 recalls, and it gets 19 to 30 mpg combined. It's the best BMW 5 Series year we track.
One of the most reliable. 7.1× fewer complaints than average.
Worst year 2008
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 81 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every BMW 5 Series year. 2016 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 36K to 94K miles on the car (27 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
Recalls 4
- engine 2024
An improperly sealed electrical connector on the water pump may be exposed to water and short circuit.
- airbags 2016
The affected vehicles have seat- mounted side air bag inflator initiators that may fail to ignite during a crash.
- seat belts 2016
The vehicle-sensitive locking mechanism of the seat belt Emergency Locking Retractor (ELR) for the driver's seat may not lock as designed.
Show all 4 recalls
- child seat 2015
As such, these vehicles may fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 225, "Child Restraint Anchorage Systems.".
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems BMW told dealers about
BMW sent dealers 257 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Cbs brake pad calculation and correction
- ?SI B34 06 14December 2015 BrakesTechnical Service This Service Information bulletin…
- Vibration while braking
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- OpenHigh pressure fuel pump failure2023
- OpenDesiccated air bag inflator rupture2021
- ClosedPedestrian alert sounds2023
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BMW 5 Series 4 DR RWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| BMW 5 Series 4 DR AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| BMW 5 Series GT 5 HB AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| BMW 5 Series GT 5 HB RWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2950–4200 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.0L 4-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl, 4.4L 8-cyl.
Quick answers
Is the 2016 BMW 5 Series reliable?
Yes, it is one of the most reliable by government complaints. It drew 7.1× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 14; 100 is average, lower is better).
What are the most common 2016 BMW 5 Series problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are airbags (40%), tires (40%) and brakes (20%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2016 BMW 5 Series have?
4 safety recalls (latest: engine). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2016 BMW 5 Series get?
19 to 30 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2016 BMW 5 Series safe?
NHTSA gave it 5 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
At what mileage do 2016 BMW 5 Series problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 36,000 and 94,000 miles. The middle report was at 68,000 miles, from 27 complaints.
Does the 2016 BMW 5 Series have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2016 BMW 5 Series cost in fuel a year?
About $2950 to $4200 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2016 BMW 5 Series have?
2.0L 4-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl, 4.4L 8-cyl.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works