IllustrationBMW GOODYEAR ISSUES RUN-FLAT TIRES INSTALLED ON 5 SERIES CARS ARE DEFECTIVE. THE TIRES CAUSE BUBBLES IN THE SIDE WALL EVEN OVER MINOR BUMPS. REPLACEMENT IS REQUIRED TO AVOID SERIOUS INJURY. TIRES ARE GOODYEAR LS2 245/40/19. *TR
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
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
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
What owners actually said
81 reportsREPLACED 3 TIRES OF BMW 19INCH RFT. BUBBLES ON ALL TIRES. 6K MILES. WE NEED A RECALL HERE BEFORE INJURY OCCURS. *TR
BLISTER IN TIRE. THIS IS ONE OF FOUR BLISTERS. *TR
GOODYEAR LS2 RUN FLAT TIRE DEVELOPED A BUBBLE AFTER ONLY 170 MILES. *TR
DRIVING MY COMMUTE, THAT I PREVIOUSLY HAD TRAVELED ON LOW PROFILE TIRES IN MY PREVIOUS BMW FOR 3 YEARS WITHOUT INCIDENT, I GOT A BUBBLED SIDEWALL ON MY BRAND NEW GOODYEAR RUN FLAT TIRE. UPON DOING SOME RESEARCH I FOUND OUT THESE BMW OEM TIRES WERE FAILING ALL OVER THE US. IT SEEMS THE TIRES WERE ONLY SPEC'D ON THE SPORT PACKAGE …
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DRIVING MY COMMUTE, THAT I PREVIOUSLY HAD TRAVELED ON LOW PROFILE TIRES IN MY PREVIOUS BMW FOR 3 YEARS WITHOUT INCIDENT, I GOT A BUBBLED SIDEWALL ON MY BRAND NEW GOODYEAR RUN FLAT TIRE. UPON DOING SOME RESEARCH I FOUND OUT THESE BMW OEM TIRES WERE FAILING ALL OVER THE US. IT SEEMS THE TIRES WERE ONLY SPEC'D ON THE SPORT PACKAGE WITH THE ALL WHEEL DRIVE OPTION. THE TIRES ARE UNAVAILABLE DO TO I ASSUME THE LARGE AMOUNT OF FAILURES. BMW PUT A SIZE ON THE CAR THAT IN THE OEM SPEC DOESN'T EXIST BY ANY OTHER TIRE MANUFACTURE. THE FIX WAS TO GIVE ME 2 SUMMER TREAD TIRES UNTIL THE OEM TIRES WERE AVAILABLE. ALTHOUGH BMW NEVER RECOMMENDS MIXING SUMMER AND ALL SEASON RUBBER. *TR
TWO SAFETY ISSUES WITH MY 2011 BMW 535I: 1- STEERING: THE STEERING WHEEL PULLS TO THE RIGHT. IT ALSO CANNOT BE CONTROLLED IF ANY WIND IS BLOWING. I HAVE TO SLOW DOWN JUST TO KEEP IT CENTERED. 2- TRANSMISSION: THE THROTTLE IS INITIALLY NON-RESPONSIVE FROM STOP OR LOW SPEEDS, THEN SUDDENLY IT JERKS TO THE FRONT, ALMOST HITTI…
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TWO SAFETY ISSUES WITH MY 2011 BMW 535I: 1- STEERING: THE STEERING WHEEL PULLS TO THE RIGHT. IT ALSO CANNOT BE CONTROLLED IF ANY WIND IS BLOWING. I HAVE TO SLOW DOWN JUST TO KEEP IT CENTERED. 2- TRANSMISSION: THE THROTTLE IS INITIALLY NON-RESPONSIVE FROM STOP OR LOW SPEEDS, THEN SUDDENLY IT JERKS TO THE FRONT, ALMOST HITTING THE CAR INFRONT OF ME. *TR
BRAND NEW 2011 BMW 528I IS PULLING TO THE RIGHT AND HAVING HESITATION AND JERKINESS ISSUES. *TR
WAS 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.
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,…
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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
SIDE WALL BUBBLES ON GOODYEAR EAGLE LS2 RUN ON FLATS SUPPLIED WITH 2011 BMW 550XI SPORT PACKAGE WHEN DRIVING OVER SMALL POTHOLES OR ROAD IMPERFECTIONS
Official recalls
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 ↗
NHTSA investigations
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.