The most-reported i5 run is WBY33FK01RC (2024 builds) with 3 complaints, 2.1× the typical run. Service brakes problems make up 25% of reports; NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for i5 model years 2024–2025.
Which build runs owners report most
A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The BMW i5 has 20 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 39% of every i5 complaint on file.
| Production run (VIN 1–11) | Year | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WBY33FK01RC•••••• | 2024 | — | — | |
| WBY33FK00SC•••••• | 2025 | — | — | |
| WBY43FK01RC•••••• | 2024 | — | — | |
| WBY33FK06RC•••••• | 2024 | — | — | |
| WBY33FK03RC•••••• | 2024 | 1 | — | |
| WBY43FK00RC•••••• | 2024 | 1 | — | |
| WBY13HG00SC•••••• | 2025 | 1 | — | |
| WBY13HG07SC•••••• | 2025 | — | — | |
| WBY43FK03RC•••••• | 2024 | — | — | |
| WBY33FK09RC•••••• | 2024 | — | — | |
| WBY33FK07RC•••••• | 2024 | — | — | |
| WBY43FK08RC•••••• | 2024 | — | — |
Each of the other 8 i5 runs has 1 complaint or fewer. ForCar has checked 18 i5 VINs so far, most often 2024, 2026, 2025 builds; 3 of them belong to one of the 12 runs above.
Which model years to check twice
Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list.
| Year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 8 | 6 | 2 | |
| 2024 | 20 | 14 | 2 |
Heaviest year here is 2024 at 1.4 complaints per run; lightest is 2025 at 1.3. The 2025 line is still collecting reports, so it reads low.
What to inspect on this car
One system accounts for 25% of everything BMW i5 owners report: Service Brakes, 11 of 28 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.
| System | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Service Brakes | 3 | — | |
| Electrical System | — | — | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 2 | — | |
| Unknown Or Other | — | — | |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 1 | — | |
| Hydraulic | 1 | — | |
| Power Train | — | — | |
| Lane Departure | — | — |
Recalls to check against your VIN
NHTSA has 7 recall campaigns on the BMW i5; the 6 below cover build years 2024 to 2025. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.
| Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|
| 24V104000 | Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 2024–2025 |
| 24V697000 | Electronic Stability Control (esc):control Module | 2024–2025 |
| 26V422000 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:electric:control Module | 2024–2025 |
| 23V700000 | Electrical System:adas:driver Monitoring:camera/sensor | 2024 |
| 23V885000 | Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings:external/pedestrian Alert | 2024 |
| 24V135000 | Electrical System:propulsion System:traction Battery | 2024 |
The i5 against its rivals
The i5 draws 1.4 complaints per production run; the Acura TLX 2.1, the Subaru Legacy 1.5 and the Porsche Taycan 2.3. That is the lowest rate of the 4.
| Model | Complaints | Runs | Per run | Involved a crash |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BMW i5 | 28 | 20 | 14.3% | |
| Acura TLX | 860 | 409 | 4.1% | |
| Subaru Legacy | 2,751 | 1,871 | 8.7% | |
| Porsche Taycan | 271 | 118 | 4.1% |
How serious were they
Of the 28 reports on the BMW i5, 14.3% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, above the norm.
| Outcome | BMW i5 | All vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints filed | 28 | 1,116,631 |
| Involved a crash | 4 (14.3%) | 64,221 (5.8%) |
| Involved a fire | 0 (0%) | 26,977 (2.4%) |
| Injuries reported | 3 | 58,047 |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 2,728 |
Crash-related reports run 147% above the all-vehicle rate.
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How this check works
The file behind this page holds 1,116,631 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 299,142 production runs. The BMW i5 share of that is 28 complaints over 20 runs, 0% of everything on record.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a BMW i5 VIN for free?
Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 28 NHTSA complaints from 20 i5 runs and 7 recall campaigns. No account, no card.
Which i5 production run has the most complaints?
WBY33FK01RC, a 2024 build, with 3 complaints. The typical i5 run has 1.4.
Which i5 years have the most complaints?
Per production run, 2024 is heaviest at 1.4 complaints per run and 2025 lightest at 1.3.
Does the i5 get more complaints than the Acura TLX?
No: 1.4 complaints per production run for the i5 against 2.1 for the Acura TLX.
How many i5 complaints involve a crash?
14.3% of 28 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 0 involved a fire.
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