2011 BMW 5 Series

Complaint history

When NHTSA received these reports. Changes in reporting alone do not establish a change in failure rates.

Problems owners report

Listed groups have at least 3 complaints. The page includes the 20 largest groups plus any additional flagged groups; some complaints are not assigned to a group.

AI groups complaints by meaning; the groups are approximate. Share ratio compares the problem’s share of this vehicle’s complaints with its share on other vehicles over the last 24 months (shown from 3 recent complaints). A 2× ratio means twice the complaint share, not twice the failure risk. Flags mark unusual shares or recent surges after an AI review of the complaint content. “First signal” does not mean the pattern has persisted continuously.How recall estimates are calculated.

Recalls

• NHTSA recall #23V707000October 20, 2023157,796 vehicles affected

  engine and engine cooling: engine

  BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2010-2012 1 Series Coupe, 1 Series Convertible, 3 Series Sedan, 3 Series Convertible, 2010-2011 3 Series Sportswagon, 3 Series Coupe, 5 Series Sedan, X3 xDrive 28i, X3 xDrive 30i, X5 xDrive30i, and Z4 sDrive30i vehicles. The aluminum bolts that secure the housing for the variable camshaft timing adjustment (VANOS) unit can loosen over time and possibly break.

  Loose or broken VANOS unit bolts can result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

  Remedy

  Dealers will replace the four VANOS bolts, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk are expected to be mailed December 18, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed June 19, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

• NHTSA recall #12V161000April 10, 20122,846 vehicles affected

  engine and engine cooling: engine: other fuel types: turbo/supercharger

  Bmw is recalling certain model year 2011 5-SERIES, 5-SERIES gran turismo, model year 2012 6-SERIES convertible, 7-SERIES, X5 sav, and X6 sav vehicles equipped with 8- or 12-CYLINDER, turbocharged, engines because the circuit board for the electric auxiliary water pump Can overheat.

  This could lead to a smoldering of the pump or an engine compartment or vehicle fire.

  Remedy

  Bmw will notify owners, and dealers will replace the auxiliary water pump free of charge. The safety recall began on april 30, 2012. Owners may contact Bmw customer relations and services at 1-800-525-7417.

• NHTSA recall #11V521000October 20, 201132,084 vehicles affected

  engine and engine cooling: engine: other fuel types: turbo/supercharger

  Bmw is recalling certain model year 2011 5-SERIES, model year 2010-2011 5-SERIES gran turismo, model year 2009-2011 7-SERIES, model year 2010-2011 X5 sav, and model year 2008-2011 X6 sav vehicles equipped with 8- or 12-CYLINDER, turbocharged, engines because the circuit board for the electric auxiliary water pump Can overheat.

  This could lead to a smoldering of the pump or an engine compartment or vehicle fire.

  Remedy

  Bmw will notify owners, and dealers will replace the auxiliary water pump free of charge. The safety recall began on december 19, 2011. Owners may contact Bmw customer relations and services at 1-800-525-7417.

• NHTSA recall #10V331000July 22, 20106,080 vehicles affected

  fuel system, other: storage: fuel gauge system

  Bmw is recalling certain 2010 and 2011 5-SERIES and 5-SERIES gran turismo passenger vehicles manufactured from january 12 through july 1, 2010. The vehicle's fuel level sensor within the fuel tank Can become wedged against the tank.

  If this occurs, the fuel gauge in the instrument cluster would display a larger amount of fuel than was actually in the tank. As a result, if the tank became empty, the vehicle could stall increasing the risk of a crash.

  Remedy

  Bmw will notify owners and dealers will repair the vehicles free of charge. The safety recall began on october 18, 2010. Owners may contact Bmw at 1-800-525-7417.

Other model years

• 2004 64
• 2006 85
• 2008 98
• 2011