Photo: Rudolf Stricker, Attribution, via Wikimedia Commons

BMW Série 5 IV (E39) recalls: manufacturer campaigns

2 documented manufacturer recalls: a defect acknowledged by the brand, fixed free of charge at a dealer, even on a used car.

manufacturer campaigns: 2
of 5 versions affected: 5
official RappelConso notice: 1

This guide has not been translated yet: it is shown in its original French version.

Is your version affected?

Find your engine (fuel type and power on the registration document): each row lists the campaigns that concern it. A recall often covers only a production period: only the vehicle identification number (VIN) settles it.

Version	Recalls
520i 170Petrol · 170 hp 523i 170Petrol · 170 hp 528i 193Petrol · 193 hp 525d 163Diesel · 163 hp 530d 193Diesel · 193 hp	Airbag conducteur : rappels de gonfleur Airbags frontaux : déclenchement intempestif (rappel de décembre 2003)

Each campaign in detail

Airbag conducteur : rappels de gonfleur
Manufacturer recall
Fiches-auto liste plusieurs campagnes : alerte européenne A12/0484/19 (voitures d'avril 2000 à septembre 2004), février 2026 pour les voitures produites du 9 novembre 1998 au 19 décembre 2003 (code BMW 0032800300), campagne 2024 et janvier 2020. Le gonfleur peut éclater et projeter des fragments.
Fixed free of charge by a dealer and not counted in the reliability score: ask for proof the work was done (invoice, or a VIN check at a dealer).
Single source so far: to be confirmed.
Versions
520i 170, 523i 170, 528i 193, 525d 163, 530d 193
Onset
not documented
Repair
not documented
Sources
- Fiabilité Bmw Serie 5 (1995-2003), 317 témoignages — Fiches-auto (new tab)
Airbags frontaux : déclenchement intempestif (rappel de décembre 2003)
Manufacturer recall
Caradisiac mentionne un rappel de 4 700 exemplaires pour un risque de déclenchement intempestif des airbags frontaux sur les voitures fabriquées de janvier à août 2001 (défaut de l'unité de commande).
Fixed free of charge by a dealer and not counted in the reliability score: ask for proof the work was done (invoice, or a VIN check at a dealer).
Single source so far: to be confirmed.
Versions
520i 170, 523i 170, 528i 193, 525d 163, 530d 193
Onset
not documented
Repair
not documented
Sources
- Maxi-fiche fiabilité : que vaut la BMW Série 5 E39 en occasion ? — Caradisiac (new tab)

Official notices published in France (RappelConso)

Notices from the French consumer authority (DGCCRF) linked to this model, collected on 29 October 2026.

27 February 2026 — Les substances chimiques présentes dans les gonfleurs des airbags takata psdi4 peuvent se détériorer avec le temps, en particulier dans les climats chauds et humides. Cela pourrait provoquer la rupture de l'airbag avec trop de force en cas d'accident, ce qui pourrait entraîner des blessures graves, voire mortelles, dans le pire des cas.
Models or references
Série 5 (e39) - x5 (e53) voiture de tourisme, équipée d'airbags takata.
Risk
Blessures
Official notice (new tab)

Checking that a recall was done

Note the vehicle identification number (VIN): box E of the French registration certificate.
Ask a dealer of the brand whether each campaign was carried out on this VIN: the check and the repair are free.
Ask the seller for the invoice or dealer certificate for each recall.

Where to check online

Check vehicle recalls (DVSA) (new tab) : for a car registered in the UK, by make, model and VIN.
RappelConso (new tab) : the official French recall website (DGCCRF): search for the make and model.
Safety Gate (new tab) : European alerts on dangerous products, vehicles included.

Recalls of rival models

The same data for the alternatives suggested in the guide.

Model	Recalls	Known faults	Reliability
Audi A6 C5	0	1	5.0/5
BMW Série 5 VIII (G60)	0	0	not rated

Recall FAQ

How many recalls has the BMW Série 5 IV (E39) had?

We have documented 2 manufacturer recalls for the BMW Série 5 IV (E39): Airbag conducteur : rappels de gonfleur ; Airbags frontaux : déclenchement intempestif (rappel de décembre 2003).

Which versions of the BMW Série 5 IV (E39) are affected?

Every version in our guides is affected by at least one campaign.

How do I know whether the recalls were done on a used BMW Série 5 IV (E39)?

Note the vehicle identification number (VIN): box E of the French registration certificate. Ask a dealer of the brand whether each campaign was carried out on this VIN: the check and the repair are free. Ask the seller for the invoice or dealer certificate for each recall.

Do I have to pay for a recall?

No: a manufacturer recall is fixed free of charge by the brand's dealer network, even on a used car bought privately, as long as the campaign is open.

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