← New search

2011 BMW 5 Series

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
Compare all 5 Series years →

Counts vary with age, sales 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

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, Other complaints

2 reports
Clear category filter
4,000 miles · Mar 23, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Other

I BOUGHT A 2011 BMW 535I ON NOVEMBER 30, 2010. ON DECEMBER 4, 2010, I EXPERIENCED CAR TROUBLE. THE ENGINE MALFUNCTION, AND REDUCE POWER WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. THE CAR SHUTDOWN COMPLETELY, BUT NOT BEFORE SHAKING VERY SHARPLY. THIS ALL OCCURRED IN ABOUT 15 SECONDS, WHILE I WAS DRIVING. BMW RESPONSE WAS "SAFE MODE". ON DECEMBER 9,…

Read full complaint

I BOUGHT A 2011 BMW 535I ON NOVEMBER 30, 2010. ON DECEMBER 4, 2010, I EXPERIENCED CAR TROUBLE. THE ENGINE MALFUNCTION, AND REDUCE POWER WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. THE CAR SHUTDOWN COMPLETELY, BUT NOT BEFORE SHAKING VERY SHARPLY. THIS ALL OCCURRED IN ABOUT 15 SECONDS, WHILE I WAS DRIVING. BMW RESPONSE WAS "SAFE MODE". ON DECEMBER 9, 2010 THE VEHICLE WAS BEING REPAIRED AGAIN FOR THE SAME ISSUES, THEY REPLACED A FUEL SENSOR. ON DECEMBER 30, 2010, THE CAR WAS BEING SERVICED AGAIN, THEY REPLACED THE HIGH AND LOW FUEL PUMPS. AFTER BEING DRIVEN HOME BY THE SERVICE MANGER OF BMW JUST TO INSURE THAT THE CAR WAS FIXED, IT BROKE DOWN AGAIN ON HIM ON DECEMBER 31, 2010. THEY REPLACED THE LOW PRESSURE FUEL PUMP AGAIN, THE SECOND TIME IN TWO DAYS. THEY RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO ME ON JANUARY 13, 2011. ON MARCH 17, 2010 THE VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED AGAIN FOR LONG CRANK TIME, AND FOR NOT START SOMETIMES AT ALL. I AM ALSO A PREVIOUS OWNER OF RECALLED 335, WHICH I TRADED FOR THIS VEHICLE. OUT OF THE FIVE TIMES THAT THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN SERVICE, TWO OF THOSE TIMES IT BROKE DOWN WHILE IN TRAFFIC COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP, ONCE WHILE ON A FREEWAY. THIS VEHICLE IS DANGEROUS. I WOULD ASK THAT THE NHTSA TAKE THIS MATTER SERIOUSLY. THERE ARE MANY MORE COMPLAINTS LIKE THIS ON BIMMERFEST.COM, AND ALSO THE INTERNET. BMW WILL NOT RESOLVE THIS ISSUE. THEY ARE PLAYING WITH MY FAMILY'S LIFE, OTHER BMW OWNERS, AND OTHER MOTORIST THAT OCCUPY THE ROADS WITH BMW CUSTOMERS. THIS VEHICLE IS A HAZARD. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN OCCURRING FOR ALMOST FIVE YEARS NOW. MY OPINION AS A MULTIPLE BMW OWNER IS THAT BMW IS OPERATING WITH MALICE AT THIS POINT. PLEASE YOU ALL ARE OUR ONLY HOPE! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10392634

1,900 miles · Jul 29, 2010
Fuel System, Other

I BOUGHT A 2011 BMW 535I 3 WEEKS AGO. UPON DRIVING ON LOCAL STREETS, THE CAR STOPPED ABRUPTLY FROM 30MPH TO 0MPH. MY CAR HAS UNDER 2000 MILES ON IT. STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION, WITH "FUEL PUMP MALFUNCTION", AND "ENGINE MALFUNCTION" ON THE ONBOARD DASH. I HIT MY HEAD ON THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN THIS OCCURRED. I WA…

Read full complaint

I BOUGHT A 2011 BMW 535I 3 WEEKS AGO. UPON DRIVING ON LOCAL STREETS, THE CAR STOPPED ABRUPTLY FROM 30MPH TO 0MPH. MY CAR HAS UNDER 2000 MILES ON IT. STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION, WITH "FUEL PUMP MALFUNCTION", AND "ENGINE MALFUNCTION" ON THE ONBOARD DASH. I HIT MY HEAD ON THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN THIS OCCURRED. I WAS ALSO CARRYING A 5 GALLON SQUARE CONTAINER OF WATER THAT WAS CAPPED AND SEALED IN THE TRUNK. DURING THE ABRUPT STOP OF THE CAR, ABOUT 1/2 A GALLON OF WATER SPILLED INTO THE TRUNK. AFTER BEING TOWED TO SHELLY BMW AND TALKING TO THEM THE NEXT DAY, THEY SAID IT WAS MY FAULT AND THAT THE WATER SHORTED OUT THE COMPONENTS IN THE TRUNK. #1. THE WATER SPILLED INTO THE TRUNK AFTER THE CAR ABRUPTLY STOPPED. #2. I WAS ALMOST REAR-ENDED BY THE CARS BEHIND ME WHEN THE CAR WENT FROM 30MPH TO 0MPH. THE CAR DID NOT STALL AND SLOWLY COME TO A STOP....IT BASICALLY LOCKED UP AND STOPPED....CAUSING ME TO HIT MY HEAD ON THE STEERING WHEEL. SHELLY BMW IS NOW TELLING ME THAT I HAVE TO PAY $2600 TO REPAIR/REPLACE THE MODULES THAT ARE DAMAGED. #3. THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED ON JULY 26, 2010. #4. IRVINE POLICE DEPARTMENT WAS DISPATCHED TO THE SITE TO MAKE SURE THAT I WAS NOT HIT FROM OTHER CARS AS I SAT IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION FOR 1.5 HOURS WAITING FOR A TOW TRUCK. I AM CONSIDERING SEEKING LEGAL ADVICE. THIS ISSUE IS ALSO FILED WITH BMW NORTH AMERICA IN WHICH I AM STILL WAITING FOR THEM TO CONTACT ME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10346220

Official recalls

4

23V707000 · 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 ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.