2011 Bmw 1 Series problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Air Bags (13) · Fuel/Propulsion System (4) · Vehicle Speed Control (3)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Bmw 1 Series model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
21 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (3)
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine 2023-10-20 · campaign 23V707000 · 157,796 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: Loose or broken VANOS unit bolts can result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System:fan 2012-08-10 · campaign 12E029000 · 585 vehicles
Defect: This recall involves aftermarket parts sold by Valeo. Valeo is recalling certain engine cooling fans, part numbers 696121, 696273, and 696275, used as service replacement parts for model year 2008-2011 BMW 1-Series, 2006-2011 BMW 3-Series, 2000-2009 BMW 5-Series, 2004-2005 BMW 6-Series, and 2006-2007 BMW 7-Series vehicles. A metal-oxide semiconductor may overheat due to insufficient screwing of the semiconductor on the aluminum heat sink. This primary failure could cause adjacent components on
Risk: This condition could cause the fan motor to become inoperative, or cause the motor circuit board in the assembly to overheat, potentially leading to a fire in the engine compartment.
Fix: Valeo will notify owners and replace the fans free of charge. The safety recall began on August 22, 2012. This recall is being conducted by Valeo, not by BMW. For further information, owners may contact Valeo at 1-888-718-2536.
Seat Belts:front:retractor 2010-06-10 · campaign 10V254000 · 31,935 vehicles
Defect: BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008-2011 1-SERIES VEHICLES. IN A CRASH OF SUFFICIENT SEVERITY, DEPLOYMENT OF THE FRONT PRE-TENSIONER AND LOAD-LIMITER OCCURS.
Risk: THE INSULATION AROUND THE PRE-TENSIONER COULD IGNITE.
Fix: VEHICLES PRODUCED UP THROUGH DECEMBER 2009 WILL RECEIVE NEW FRONT SAFETY BELT RETRACTOR UNITS AND A MODIFICATION TO THE SOUND INSULATION NEAR THE UNITS, WHILE VEHICLES PRODUCED BETWEEN JANUARY 2010 AND MAY 2010 WILL RECEIVE A MODIFICATION TO THE SOUND INSULATION NEAR THE UNITS. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 23, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-525-7417.
Service bulletins (145)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Electrical System 2025-03-13 · B012016 · Warranty Program/Extension
the footwell module (frm) limited warranty for defects in materials and / or workmanship has been supplementarily increased to 15 years / 186,000 miles as determined from the original first in-service / delivery date.
Electrical System 2025-02-20 · B012016 · Warranty Program/Extension
the footwell module (frm) limited warranty for defects in materials and / or workmanship has been supplementarily increased to 15 years / 240,000 miles as determined from the original first in-service / delivery date.
Electrical System 2024-01-11 · B611305 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
the electrical system of bmw vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few years. this has led to increased demands being placed on the battery. this document covers important information for the dealer on how to handle ã¢ââdischarged batteryã¢ââ complaints.
Suspension 2023-08-02 · SB23-01 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
spl parts, inc. communications index accompanying mcp uploads 23mc40464 & 23mc40471
Suspension 2023-07-17 · sb23-01TMS · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this is the companion to spl parts, inc.'s sb 23-01 mailed by private label independent distributor turner motorsports.
Suspension 2023-07-14 · SB 23-01 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
spl parts, inc. manufacturers and distributes aftermarket lower control arms for dedicated competition vehicles and "track day" cars some of which may be used on both track and highway. sb 23-01 adresses proper installation torque of cap bolt fasteners attaching spl's aftermarket lower control arms,
Showing the 6 most recent of 145 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2019-05-01 · Unknown Or Other · 140,000 mi“i just had the bolts on both the (intake and exhaust replaced) this is listed in the unspecified recall and no one notified me on this recall i drive the 2011 128i series coupe and this cost me out of pocket $1,800 dollars to replace, what i do not understand is why i was not notified of this i could have been in a serious accident and also i have …”
2019-04-01 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 55 mi“i bring in to longbeach bmw dealers and they mass up the car and they wanted 10,000 dallors to fixed it and i only bring to in for recalls i don't let me pick up the car…”
2018-12-14 · Unknown Or Other · 92,000 mi · 🔥 fire“the car was moving at highway speed with ac running. smoke plumed from vents and under front passenger footwell. electrical fire stemming from blower motor final stage unit and wiring harness.…”
2018-11-21 · Electrical System · 90,000 mi“the vehicle was in motion and the blower motor resistor harness began to smoke heavily. the a/c stopped working. i pulled over and disconnected the wiring harness and pulled the fuse. the wires melted, the connector melted, and the resistor is broken. after some research i see that bmw has recalled other cars for this exact same issue, but not the…”
2018-07-18 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 79,000 mi“the high pressure fuel pump has failed and been replaced multiple times. it begins with the car taking much longer to crank and start. then it completely fails potentially while driving, creating a safety issue, or will no longer start. the hpfp is easily replaced with just 3 bolts holding it to the side of the motor. any competent shop can replace…”
2017-10-23 · Air Bags“takata recall braman bmw keep saying they do not have the parts. i have been waiting for 2 years, and every time i called they give me the same "scripted answer". i have been waiting for 2 years to get this part replaced and they just keep getting my name on a waiting list, that is not real. i got a letter from bmw saying the part is available and…”
2017-08-21 · Air Bags“takata recall - i have never been contacted by bmw regarding this recall. i have no idea if my airbags are faulty or not. i have called my dealer and they said that i would receive a letter if/when they were able to repair the airbags. have never heard from them.…”
2017-06-05 · Air Bags“takata recall. i feel that 15 months is way to long to wait to fix a problem that has the potential to maim or kill my wife who drives this car. i keep asking the bmw dealership and all they do is shrug their shoulders.…”
2016-12-27 · Air Bags“i've been waiting for nearly ten months to be notified about when replacement parts would be available for my car's recalled driver-side airbag module (recall campaign no. 16v-071). over the past ten months, i've called bmw several times to get information about when it expects to receive replacement parts. each time, i've been told to simply wait!…”
2016-11-15 · Air Bags · 58,000 mi“my car had a passenger restraint malfunction that rendered the passenger airbag inoperative.…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.