2011 BMW 5 SERIES — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
96
Owner Complaints
4
Recalls
13
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 2011 BMW 5 SERIES
The 2011 BMW 5 SERIES has received a total of 96 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 4 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OTHER FUEL TYPES:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER. 13 technical service bulletins have been issued by BMW of North America, LLC for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Tires (30 complaints), Steering (20 complaints), and Power Train (8 complaints).
Recalls for the 2011 BMW 5 SERIES
NHTSA has recorded 4 recalls for the 2011 BMW 5 SERIES, potentially affecting up to 198,806 vehicles.
Recall 23V707000 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
| 157,796 vehicles affected
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...
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...
View full details →Recall 12V161000 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OTHER FUEL TYPES:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER
| 2,846 vehicles affected
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.
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.
View full details →Recall 11V521000 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OTHER FUEL TYPES:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER
| 32,084 vehicles affected
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.
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.
View full details →Recall 10V331000 — FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:FUEL GAUGE SYSTEM
| 6,080 vehicles affected
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.
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.
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 2011 BMW 5 SERIES
96 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2011 BMW 5 SERIES. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tires | 30 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 20 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Power Train | 8 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Electrical System | 6 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Or Other | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Wheels | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System Gasoline | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System Other | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Power Trainautomatic Transmission | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspensionfront | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Air Bags | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuelpropulsion System | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat Belts | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibilitydefrosterdefoggerhvac Systemfanmotor | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibilitywindshield | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Most Recent Complaints
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 made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 67,000. The VIN was not available.
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 BLOWER MOTOR MAY NEED TO BE REPLACED AND WAS TO CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TESTED AND DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE, BUT THE DETAILS WERE UNKNOWN. VOLVO CARS NEW BERN (3405 DOCTOR M.L.K. JR BLVD, NEW BERN, NC 28562, (252) 638-6161) DIAGNOSED THAT THE BLOWER MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,000. *JS
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.
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.
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.
Safety Rating for the 2011 BMW 5 SERIES
NHTSA has not yet tested the 2011 BMW 5 SERIES in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2011 BMW 5 SERIES
BMW of North America, LLC has issued 13 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2011 BMW 5 SERIES. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
B650425 — AIR BAGS
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
11 11 15 — ENGINE
FAULTY CODES IN THE DME FOR THE ENGINE THERMOSTAT ACTIVATES THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT. *MA
SIB-11-23-14 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
BMW: ELECTRICAL CONTACTS FOR CIRCUIT HEATER IN THERMOSTAT CAN DEVELOP MOISTURE AND CORROSION CAUSING SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE. *PE UPDATED 9/25/15. *PE
SIB-36-03-14 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
BMW: THE POSITION OF AN AFFECTED TIRE IS INCORRECTLY DISPLAYED, WHEN TIRE PRESSURE IS LOW, IN INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AND CONTROL DISPLAY (CD), DUE TO SOFTWARE ERROR. MODEL 2011 F 01, 02, 04, 07, 10, 12, 13, 25 (X3). *PE
SI-B61-07-10 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
BMW: THERE ARE VARIOUS ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTIONS, FOR EXAMPLE: CENTRAL LOCKING, RADIO RECEPTION, TAILGATE, AND REAR LIGHTING. FATIGUED AND BROKEN WIRES IN TAILGATE HARNESS. THE PROBLEM MAY AFFECT EITHER LEFT OR RIGHT SIDE HARNESS AT TAILGATE. INSTALL REPAIR HARNESS ON AFFECTED SIDE OF VEHICLE. MODEL SPORTS WAGON (E61). NO MODEL YEARS...
SI-B61-07-10 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
BMW: THERE ARE VARIOUS ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTIONS, FOR EXAMPLE: CENTRAL LOCKING, RADIO RECEPTION, TAILGATE, AND REAR LIGHTING. FATIGUED AND BROKEN WIRES IN TAILGATE HARNESS. THE PROBLEM MAY AFFECT EITHER LEFT OR RIGHT SIDE HARNESS AT TAILGATE. INSTALL REPAIR HARNESS ON AFFECTED SIDE OF VEHICLE. MODEL SPORTS WAGON (E61). NO MODEL YEARS...
SIB-16-08-12 — FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:DELIVERY
BMW: IMPROPER DETECTION OF AN EVAPORATIVE SYSTEM LEAK CAUSED BY CONTAMINATION OF POPPET VALVE INSIDE PRESSURE SWITCH FOR TANK LEAKAGE DIAGNOSIS MODULE (NVLD-NATURAL VACUUM LEAK DETECTION), WILL BE REPLACED. MODEL 2011 F10. *PE UPDATED 1/11/13. *PE
SIB-16-08-12 — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
BMW: IMPROPER DETECTION OF AN EVAPORATIVE SYSTEM LEAK CAUSED BY CONTAMINATION OF POPPET VALVE INSIDE PRESSURE SWITCH FOR TANK LEAKAGE DIAGNOSIS MODULE (NVLD-NATURAL VACUUM LEAK DETECTION), WILL BE REPLACED. MODEL 2011 F10. *PE UPDATED 1/11/13. *PE
SIB-24-02-11 — POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
BMW: A SOFTWARE PROBLEM IS CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO ENTER SAFETY MODE WITH THE TRANSMISSION LIGHT ON. THERE IS A STORED TROUBLE CODE. *RM
SI-B13-08-09 — FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:DELIVERY
BMW: TEILE CLEARING FOR ENGINE DRIVABILITY AND FUEL SYSTEM. AN ENHANCED TECHNICAL SUPPORT (TEILECLEARING) PROCESS HAS BEEN DEVELOPED TO HELP IDENTIFY THE ROOT CAUSES OF COMPLAINTS RELATING TO THE DRIVABILITY AND FUEL SYSTEM (E.G., LONG CRANK, LOSS OF POWER, SES LAMP ON, ETC.). THIS PROCESS CAN ALSO HELP EXPEDITE THE...
Showing 10 of 13 technical service bulletins.
NHTSA Investigations for the 2011 BMW 5 SERIES
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the BMW 5 SERIES
- 2006 BMW 5 SERIES — 125 complaints
- 2007 BMW 5 SERIES — 22 complaints
- 2008 BMW 5 SERIES — 140 complaints
- 2009 BMW 5 SERIES — 12 complaints
- 2010 BMW 5 SERIES — 9 complaints
- 2011 BMW 5 SERIES (current)
- 2012 BMW 5 SERIES — 12 complaints
- 2016 BMW 5 SERIES — 0 complaints