repaired · 2026 Q1
Engine and engine cooling: engine
Risk. Loose or broken VANOS unit bolts can result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
2011 BMW 1 SeriesProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 33 owner complaints about the 2011 BMW 1 Series, most often about the air bags. It is covered by 2 safety recalls, and for recall 23V-707 the manufacturer reports only 34% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through October 20, 2023. Updated daily.
Complaints by system
Where the 2011 BMW 1 Series has problems
33 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
15Air bags
7Electrical system1 crash/fire/injury
4Fuel/propulsion system
4Engine2 crash/fire/injury
3Vehicle speed control
2Structure
2Equipment
1Visibility
1Exterior lighting
33 other systems
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 15 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 7 | 1 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 4 | 0 |
| Engine | 4 | 2 |
| Vehicle speed control | 3 | 0 |
| Structure | 2 | 0 |
| Equipment | 2 | 0 |
| Visibility | 1 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 1 | 0 |
| 3 other systems | 3 | 0 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
2 recalls
2011 BMW 1 Series 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.
no report yet
Front: retractor
Risk. THE INSULATION AROUND THE PRE-TENSIONER COULD IGNITE.
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 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 median. How we score
'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
In owners' words
What 1 Series owners report
Recent air bags complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
I JUST HAD THE BOLTS ON BOTH THE (INTAKE AND EXHAUST REPLACED) THIS IS LISTED IN THE UNSPECIFIED RECALL AND NO ONE NOTIFIED ME ON THIS RECALL I DRIVE THE 2011 128I SERIES COUPE AND THIS COST ME OUT OF POCKET $1,800 DOLLARS TO REPLACE, WHAT I DO NOT UNDERSTAND IS WHY I WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THIS I…
TAKATA RECALL BRAMAN BMW KEEP SAYING THEY DO NOT HAVE THE PARTS. I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR 2 YEARS, AND EVERY TIME I CALLED THEY GIVE ME THE SAME "SCRIPTED ANSWER". I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR 2 YEARS TO GET THIS PART REPLACED AND THEY JUST KEEP GETTING MY NAME ON A WAITING LIST, THAT IS NOT REAL. I GOT…
TAKATA RECALL - I HAVE NEVER BEEN CONTACTED BY BMW REGARDING THIS RECALL. I HAVE NO IDEA IF MY AIRBAGS ARE FAULTY OR NOT. I HAVE CALLED MY DEALER AND THEY SAID THAT I WOULD RECEIVE A LETTER IF/WHEN THEY WERE ABLE TO REPAIR THE AIRBAGS. HAVE NEVER HEARD FROM THEM.
Own a 2011 1 Series?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.