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2011 BMW 5 Series

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

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

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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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

Vehicle Speed Control complaints

3 reports
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3,000 miles · Nov 7, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW 5 SERIES. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE CONTACT APPROACHED A STOP SIGN AND DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WHERE THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED DUE TO DRIVER ERROR. TH…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW 5 SERIES. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE CONTACT APPROACHED A STOP SIGN AND DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WHERE THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED DUE TO DRIVER ERROR. THE FAILURE RECURRED THREE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. AN ENGINEER WAS SENT TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE AND PERFORMED SOFTWARE UPDATES. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,000.

NHTSA ODI #10434444

1 miles · Aug 10, 2011
SteeringVehicle Speed Control

THERE ARE TWO MAJOR PROBLEMS WITH MY 2011 528I AUGUST10 BUILD. THE FIRST IS THE PULLING TO THE RIGHT THAT THE CAR HAS HAD SINCE DAY ONE. I TOOK IT TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND THEY WERE COMPLETELY OBLIVIOUS TO THE PROBLEM. AFTER SOME PERSISTENCE THEY DECIDED TO CHECK THE CAR OUT. THE STRUTS WERE ROTATED AND SOFTWARE UPDATED AND…

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THERE ARE TWO MAJOR PROBLEMS WITH MY 2011 528I AUGUST10 BUILD. THE FIRST IS THE PULLING TO THE RIGHT THAT THE CAR HAS HAD SINCE DAY ONE. I TOOK IT TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND THEY WERE COMPLETELY OBLIVIOUS TO THE PROBLEM. AFTER SOME PERSISTENCE THEY DECIDED TO CHECK THE CAR OUT. THE STRUTS WERE ROTATED AND SOFTWARE UPDATED AND NOW "DRIVES STRAIGHT". THE CAR DRIVES STRAIGHT FOR MAYBE 25 FEET BEFORE THE CAR STARTS TUGGING HARD RIGHT EVERYTIME. I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE SHOP AND THEY SAID THAT THERE WAS NOTHING MORE THEY CAN DO AND IT IS ALL "WITHIN TOLERANCE". THIS IS A POTENTIALLY VERY DANGEROUS ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE SERIOUSLY ADDRESSED. THE SECOND ISSUE IS THE INITIAL LAG IN ACCELERATION WHEN PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL. WHEN AT A DEAD STOP OR CRUISING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, YOU HAVE TO FLOOR THE CAR TO FINALLY GET IT TO DECIDE WHICH GEAR TO START IN. THIS ACCELERATION LAG CAN BE A COUPLE OF SECONDS AND WHEN PULLING OUT IN TRAFFIC A COUPLE OF SECONDS CAN MEAN ALOT. I HOPE BMW ADDRESSES THESE ISSUES OR I WILL BE FORCED TO SELL MY CAR AND NEVER LOOK BACK. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10418466

500 miles · Oct 5, 2010
Vehicle Speed Control

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW 528I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD HESITATE WHENEVER HE ATTEMPTED TO SLOW DOWN OR IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS ENGAGED. THE DEALER WAS INFORMED ABOUT THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT IT WAS NORMAL; HOWEVER, SHIFTING INTO SPORT MODE WOULD PREVE…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW 528I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD HESITATE WHENEVER HE ATTEMPTED TO SLOW DOWN OR IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS ENGAGED. THE DEALER WAS INFORMED ABOUT THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT IT WAS NORMAL; HOWEVER, SHIFTING INTO SPORT MODE WOULD PREVENT THE FAILURE FROM OCCURRING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED EVERY TIME THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 500 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 1575.

NHTSA ODI #10359360

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.