IllustrationWAS PARKING 2011 BMW 550 AUTOMATIC.CAR SUDDENLY TOOK OFF AND HIT VERY HARD ON STONE WALL.ALL AIRBAGS DEPLOYED INCLUDING LOWER PASSENGER WINDOWS.CAR ELECTRIC SYSTEM FAILED.LOTS OF DAMAGE TO CAR. ALSO TAKEN CAR TO DEALER BEFORE DUE TO PULLINGOF CAR ON RIGHT WHILE DRIVIG AND ON APPLYING BRAKES.
2011 BMW 5 Series
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
Counts are not adjusted for sales, age, mileage exposure or reporting. A lower count does not establish that a car is problem-free.
About this comparison →81Owner complaints
Model-year median: 5
4Recall campaignsView recall details →
0InvestigationsView investigation details →
Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗ Model-level counts do not show whether a particular VIN is affected or repaired.
Inspection summary
2011 BMW 5 Series
NHTSA snapshot: September 18, 2026. 81 owner complaints · 4 recall campaigns · 0 investigations.
Counts are not failure probabilities and are not adjusted for sales, age, mileage exposure or reporting. One report may name several categories. Comparison method and limitations.
Top reported categories (up to 5)
- Tires: 30 reports
- Steering: 20 reports
- Power Train: 10 reports
- Electrical System: 6 reports
- Engine And Engine Cooling: 4 reports
Full reported-category list and vehicle report
Recall links
- 23V707000 — Engine And Engine Cooling:engine
- 12V161000 — Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:other Fuel Types:turbo/supercharger
- 11V521000 — Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:other Fuel Types:turbo/supercharger
- 10V331000 — Fuel System, Other:storage:fuel Gauge System
Check a VIN with NHTSA. Model-level history does not establish whether a particular VIN is affected or repaired.
Print the top reported categories, recall links, snapshot date and comparison limits.
How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all 5 Series years →Counts vary with age, sales, mileage exposure and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
620–25K
525–50K
350–75K
375–100K
0100–150K
0150K+
73 reports with mileage · 8 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.
- Tires. Review the 30 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Steering. Review the 20 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
2 crash reports2 fire reports1 injury reports
Fuel System, Gasoline complaints
2 reportsTHE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED, MY WIFE DROVE OUR 2011 BMW 535I TO WORK AND THE FUEL GAUGE WAS READING HALF TANK. IT'S ONLY APPROX. 20 MILES TO WORK ROUND TRIP TO OUR HOUSE BUT WHEN SHE CAME BACK HOME THE FUEL GAUGE WAS ALMOST EMPTY AND FLASHING WARNING LIGHT FUEL REFILL IS SHOWING. I DROVE THE CAR FOR THE PAST FEW DAYS AND I NOTICE…
Read full complaint
THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED, MY WIFE DROVE OUR 2011 BMW 535I TO WORK AND THE FUEL GAUGE WAS READING HALF TANK. IT'S ONLY APPROX. 20 MILES TO WORK ROUND TRIP TO OUR HOUSE BUT WHEN SHE CAME BACK HOME THE FUEL GAUGE WAS ALMOST EMPTY AND FLASHING WARNING LIGHT FUEL REFILL IS SHOWING. I DROVE THE CAR FOR THE PAST FEW DAYS AND I NOTICED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE INDICATOR SEEMED TO BE STAYING ALL THE TIME AT HALF TANK READING. I DROVE IT THIS MORNING TO OUR FAMILY PHYSICIAN AND TO THE MALL AND I STILL NOTICED THE FUEL GAUGE INDICATOR IS NOT MOVING AND WAS READING HALF TANK. WHEN I WENT TO THE LOCAL GROCERY STORE TO BUY BOTTLED WATER, I DECIDED TO LEAVE THE CAR IDLE AND THE ENGINE ON. WHEN I DROVE IT AGAIN, THAT'S WHEN I NOTICED THE FUEL GAUGE NEEDLE MOVED SLOWLY BUT STEADILY FROM HALF TANK READING TO ALMOST 1/4 TANK. THEN MY WIFE DROVE THE SAME VEHICLE AGAIN TO WORK WITH THE FUEL GAUGE READING 1/4 TANK. 10 MINUTES LATER SHE CALLED BACK BY PHONE BECAUSE FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS WAS SHOWING THAT THE CAR NEEDS TO REFUELED AND SHE SAID THE FUEL GAUGE IS READING ALMOST EMPTY. *TR
Recall campaigns
423V707000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine
Oct 20, 2023
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.
12V161000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:other Fuel Types:turbo/supercharger
Apr 10, 2012
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
11V521000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:other Fuel Types:turbo/supercharger
Oct 20, 2011
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
10V331000 · Fuel System, Other:storage:fuel Gauge System
Jul 22, 2010
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
Defect investigations
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
An investigation is not a finding of a defect, and closure does not prove a vehicle is problem-free.