NHTSA vehicle safety data
1996 BMW 5 Series Recalls & Complaints
The 1996 BMW 5 Series has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file as of October 21, 2026. try.vin has no NHTSA owner complaints on file for the 1996 BMW 5 Series. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized BMW dealer.
NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 1996 BMW 5 Series. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
Steering Rod May Detach from Wheel Knuckle
NHTSA #19E058000 · Steering — Linkages — Rod — Relay — Connecting · NHTSA notice
Reported August 28, 2019 · ZF North America, Inc.
Potentially affected: 614 vehicles
Repair completion: 41.21% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated October 21, 2026)
Owners notified August 28, 2019
Defect description
ZF Group North America Operations (ZF) is recalling certain Lemförder Steering Center Rods sold as aftermarket parts for 1996-2004 BMW 5-Series (E39) vehicles. The steering center rods may have an insufficient ball pin pull force that may allow the rods to detach from the steering knuckle.
Safety consequence
If the steering rod detaches from the steerable wheel knuckle, it can cause sudden loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Manufacturer remedy
ZF has notified the parts distributors, instructing them to inform the end customer. ZF will reimburse them for the affected parts. The recall began August 28, 2019.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
FMVSS 108/HEADLAMP/AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR
NHTSA #06E023000 · Exterior Lighting — Headlights · NHTSA notice
Reported March 13, 2006 · ANZO USA, INC.
Potentially affected: 292,000 vehicles
Owners notified May 9, 2006
Defect description
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."
Safety consequence
WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Manufacturer 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.
Notes
THIS RECALL ONLY PERTAINS TO AFTERMARKET HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES MANUFACTURED BY ANZO AND HAS NO RELATION TO ANY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED ON THE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES.CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.
BMW/FRONT SPRING STRUT PLATE
NHTSA #04V183000 · Suspension — Front · NHTSA notice
Reported April 12, 2004 · BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE
Potentially affected: 25,270 vehicles
Owners notified May 17, 2004 · Vehicles built February 27, 1996 – January 31, 1997 (per NHTSA)
Defect description
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, DUE TO LONG EXPOSURES TO CERTAIN ENVIRONMENTAL AND OPERATING CONDITIONS, THE MATERIAL STRUCTURE OF THE FRONT SPRING STRUT PLATE COULD BE AFFECTED. IN SOME CASES, THE STRUT PLATE COULD BEGIN TO CRACK, AND EVENTUALLY IT COULD BREAK. IF THIS OCCURRED, THE PLATE COULD CONTACT THE TIRE.
Safety consequence
THIS COULD LEAD TO A SUDDEN LOSS OF TIRE PRESSURE OR TIRE FAILURE.
Manufacturer remedy
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A RETAINING CLIP TO THE UNDERSIDE OF THE FRONT SPRING STRUT PLATES. THE RECALL BEGAN MAY 17, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.
Notes
CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
Other BMW 5 Series model years
Check your 1996 BMW 5 Series VIN
Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your BMW 5 Series at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
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