Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
110–25K
325–50K
350–75K
375–100K
1100–150K
0150K+
21 reports with mileage · 12 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Air Bags. Review the 15 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
0 crash reports2 fire reports0 injury reports
What owners actually said
33 reports
140,000 miles · May 1, 2019
Air BagsUnknown Or Other
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 ACCID…
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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 2 OTHER RECALL ISSUES THAT ARE HAPPENING TO MY CAR THE AIR BAG THE SIGNAL KEEPS COMING ON AND OFF AND ALSO THE PCV VALVE OFF AND ON I SMELL SOMETHING BURNING I DO HOPE SOMEONE CAN CONTACT ME SO I CAN GET THESE RECALLS FIX NOW I AM REALLY SCARED THIS IS A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH. I HAVE MY RECEIPT OF ME GETTING THE BOLTS ISSUE FIXED AND REQUESTING A REFUND
NHTSA ODI #11204967
55 miles · Apr 1, 2019
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion System
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
NHTSA ODI #11193250
92,000 miles · Dec 14, 2018
Electrical SystemEngineUnknown Or OtherFire
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.
NHTSA ODI #11161297
90,000 miles · Nov 21, 2018
Electrical System
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 SAM…
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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 1 SERIES.
NHTSA ODI #11153013
79,000 miles · Jul 18, 2018
Fuel/propulsion System
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 COMPET…
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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 IT IN A COUPLE HOURS AT THE MOST. THE PROBLEM IS EXACERBATED AND MADE EXTREMELY FRUSTRATING BY THE SERVICE CENTERS REFUSING TO ADDRESS THE OBVIOUS PROBLEM. INSTEAD THEY FEIGN IGNORANCE WHILE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF THESE ARE REPLACED AFTER HAVING REPLACED NUMEROUS OTHER THINGS. THESE OTHER DISTRACTIONS ARE ALL MORE TIME CONSUMING TO REPLACE AND THE ROOT DEFECTIVE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP IS THE LAST THING TO BE ADDRESSED WHEN IT SHOULD BE THE FIRST AND QUICKEST. EVERY TIME ONCE THIS HAS BEEN REPLACED, IT HAS BEEN FIXED RIGHT AWAY. IT IS OFTEN THAT IT WILL LAST FOR A FEW MONTHS OR FEW THOUSAND MILES BEFORE FAILING AGAIN. BMW NEEDS TO PROPERLY DESIGN AND REPLACE THESE DANGEROUS FAILING UNITS ON N55 AND OTHER 3.0L TURBO DIRECT INJECTION MOTORS.
NHTSA ODI #11112223
10,000 miles · Apr 22, 2018
Air BagsEngineService Brakes
ASD
NHTSA ODI #11089274
72,000 miles · Nov 9, 2017
Air Bags
TAKATA RECALL
NHTSA ODI #11044869
Mileage unknown · Oct 23, 2017
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 P…
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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 THEY KEEP SAYING TO ME THAT IS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #11035852
Mileage unknown · Aug 21, 2017
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.
NHTSA ODI #11018738
Mileage unknown · Jun 5, 2017
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.
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE INSULATION AROUND THE PRE-TENSIONER COULD IGNITE.
Remedy: 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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
2011 BMW 1 Series Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year