2011 Bmw 5 Series problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Tires (29) · Steering (17) · Power Train (6)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Bmw 5 Series model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
73 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (4)
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:engine:other Fuel Types:turbo/Supercharger 2012-04-10 · campaign 12V161000 · 2,846 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: THIS COULD LEAD TO A SMOLDERING OF THE PUMP OR AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT OR VEHICLE FIRE.
Fix: 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.
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:other Fuel Types:turbo/Supercharger 2011-10-20 · campaign 11V521000 · 32,084 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: THIS COULD LEAD TO A SMOLDERING OF THE PUMP OR AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT OR VEHICLE FIRE.
Fix: 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.
Fuel System, Other:storage:fuel Gauge System 2010-07-22 · campaign 10V331000 · 6,080 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (68)
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.
Engine 2025-03-27 · B110614 · Service Campaign
this bulletin outlines the customer care package program that has been designed exclusively for bmwvehicles with the n63 engine. vehicles with the n63 high performance engine are engineered with efficientdynamics that provides fueleconomy without compromising on its “class leading” power and perform
Structure:body 2025-02-20 · B650425 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
vehicle has the air bag warning lamp on after a body shop has made repairs. there is a fault code stored in the air bag control module acsm3: 930a5b airbag sensor, door, front left: open circuit 30a65 airbag sensor, door, front right: open circuit
Fuel/Propulsion System 2024-09-16 · B131110 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
only fuel nozzles with the recommended “specified” diameter for diesel engine passenger vehicles can beinserted into the filler neck. most fuel stations have their diesel fuel pumps fitted with this recommendeddiameter fuel nozzle. however, if the vehicle’s filler-neck misfuelling protection system
Electrical System 2024-01-16 · B510819 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
the basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.
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.
Fuel System, Gasoline 2023-12-20 · B160623 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
engine will crank but not start. there is no communication with the integrated fuel module (tfe) whendiagnosing with ista. the following two fault codes will be stored in the dme: 032b43 - low fuel pressure system, electric fuel pump: pressure value too low cda594 - message (- 0x33e) missing, rec
Showing the 6 most recent of 68 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2023-03-21 · Engine And Engine Cooling · 67,000 mi“the contact owns a 2011 bmw 5 series. the contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed as a camshaft failure. the contact related the failure to nhtsa campaign number- 14v176000 ( engine and engine cooling). the manufacturer was …”
2019-06-19 · Visibility:defroster/Defogger/Hvac System:fan/Motor · 38,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2011 bmw 5-series. the contact stated that there was an electrical malfunction in which the vent controls failed to function for the air conditioner and heater. due to the extreme temperatures, the vehicle was unable to be driven. bmw of wilmington (4920 new centre dr, wilmington, nc 28403, (910) 392-2700) stated that the blo…”
2019-03-26 · Electrical System · 37,846 mi“while driving with ac on smoke started coming heavily for the interior ac vents. a very toxic smoke, with electrical smell. i noticed the bmw 3 series has a recall on electrical blower problem. i think my car has the same issue.…”
2018-12-01 · Steering · 89,000 mi“while make turns while driving the vehicle axel makes popping noise and steering wheel jerks violently. took to shop they said nothing found wrong with car. cv axel replaced on both sides problem still persists.also not even 10k miles the car went thru 2 belt tensioner causing the drive belt to snap/tear.…”
2018-04-05 · Electrical System“my ac fan motor has started to make a weird noise when you lift the foot from the accelerator. this happens even when the car is stationary…”
2018-04-05 · Steering“a few days back my steering wheel started making a squeaky noise like one of the rubbers have gone bad in the steering column. my car has approximately 55k miles on it and is majorly garage kept. i researched online and there are numerous complains of the same issue. you can see an example at: http://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=83850…”
2017-11-04 · Unknown Or Other · 64,000 mi“positive crankcase ventilation pcv valve heater this is a recall bmw states remedy not available yet.…”
2017-05-06 · Fuel/Propulsion System“nhtsa recall campaign 16v-746 was issued 13 oct 2016. to date bmw has yet to to notify us to schedule the repair of the defect - nearly 6 months after the recall was issued. we believe this an unacceptably long wait for which we have not seen any action from nhtsa or other federal authorities to compel bmw to accelerate compliance with the recall…”
2016-12-30 · Engine · 48,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2011 bmw 5-series. when the accelerator pedal was depressed, the engine stalled without warning. the vehicle did not restart. the vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. an independent mechanic diagnosed that the timing chain failed and needed to be replaced. the vehicle was not repaired. the manufacturer stated that th…”
2016-05-24 · Seats · 40,000 mi · 🔥 fire“while driving for 15 minutes with seat warmers on my husband (driver) turned it off. we were travelling on suburban roads around 40 mph. then at a stop light he noticed a burning smell. we continued driving when light turned green. then i noticed the smell a few seconds later, so i opened a window expecting to find smell a fire nearby or hear sire…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.