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2011 BMW 1 Series

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

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

About this comparison →
33Owner complaints

Model-year median: 3

2Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
18
200818
20098
201033
20110
2012
Compare all 1 Series years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Air Bags
15Electrical System
7Engine
4Fuel/propulsion System
4Vehicle Speed Control
3
All reported categories
Equipment
2Structure
2Unknown Or Other
2Exterior Lighting
1Fuel System, Gasoline
1Power Train
1Service Brakes
1Visibility
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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

Structure complaints

2 reports
Clear category filter
14,500 miles · Jan 15, 2014
Electrical SystemExterior LightingStructure

BMW "THIRD STOP LAMP" (THE BREAK LIGHT) DOES NOT FIT THE 1SERIES CORRECTLY. THEY FALL OFF, CRACK, AND DISAPPEAR FREQUENTLY. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH ALL 1 SERIES BMW'S. AS THIS IS A BRAKE LIGHT, IT IS CONCERNING. I BELIEVE THE PART NUMBER FOR THIS ITEM IS (63 25 7164978). HERE IS A LINK TO THE PART WITH A PICTURE {HTTP…

Read full complaint

BMW "THIRD STOP LAMP" (THE BREAK LIGHT) DOES NOT FIT THE 1SERIES CORRECTLY. THEY FALL OFF, CRACK, AND DISAPPEAR FREQUENTLY. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH ALL 1 SERIES BMW'S. AS THIS IS A BRAKE LIGHT, IT IS CONCERNING. I BELIEVE THE PART NUMBER FOR THIS ITEM IS (63 25 7164978). HERE IS A LINK TO THE PART WITH A PICTURE {HTTP://BMWETK.INFO/PARTS-CATALOG/PRD/BMW/VT/P/E82/COU/135I%20N54/USA/L/N/2009/06/50622/63/63_1055} THOUSANDS OF INDIVIDUALS ARE COMPLAINING OF THIS PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10560143

12,900 miles · Dec 11, 2012
Structure

AS I WAS DRIVING TO WORK IN THE MORNING ON THE FREEWAY I HAD THE POP SOUND, NEXT THING I KNOW IS THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR POPPED OPEN AND THE WARNING LIGHTS WENT ON. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10487977

Official recalls

2

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.

10V254000 · Seat Belts:front:retractor

Jun 10, 2010

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.