Menu

2011 BMW 1 Series MProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 2 owner complaints about the 2011 BMW 1 Series M, most often about the air bags. It is covered by 3 safety recalls, and for recall 16V-071 the manufacturer reports only 47% of affected cars repaired.

–
CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls3Lowest repair rate 47%Owner complaints20 with a crash, fire or injuryTop problem1Air bags

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through January 15, 2020. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 2011 BMW 1 Series M has problems

2 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Air bags10
Engine10

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

3 recalls

2011 BMW 1 Series M recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

77%repaired · 2021 Q2

Driver side: inflator module

Recall 20V-017 · Jan 15, 2020 · 59,965 vehicles · 46,423 repaired

Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

86%repaired · 2018 Q3

Driveline: constant velocity joint

Recall 17V-067 · Feb 2, 2017 · 8,752 vehicles · 7,546 repaired

Risk. If the CV joint breaks, the vehicle may have a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

47%repaired · 2018 Q1

Driver side: inflator module

Recall 16V-071 · Feb 5, 2016 · 840,000 vehicles · 394,589 repaired

Risk. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with BMW.

Best & worst years

2011 vs. every other 1 Series M year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the 1 Series M median. How we score

'08'09'10'11'12'13
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
1 investigation

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2011 BMW 1 Series M, and the recalls they led to.

  1. Desiccated Air Bag Inflator RuptureEA21002 · still open
    Open
In owners' words

What 1 Series M owners report

Recent air bags complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW 1 SERIES M. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE…
Complaint 10907168 · Sep 16, 2016

Own a 2011 1 Series M?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.