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 5 SeriesProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 81 owner complaints about the 2011 BMW 5 Series, most often about the tires. It is covered by 4 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. Photo: Cedric Ramirez from Gibraltar, Gibraltar, CC BY-SA 2.0.
Complaints by system
Where the 2011 BMW 5 Series has problems
81 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
30Tires
20Steering1 crash/fire/injury
10Power train1 crash/fire/injury
6Electrical system3 crash/fire/injury
4Engine and engine cooling
3Engine
3Wheels
3Vehicle speed control
2Fuel system, gasoline
129 other systems3 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Tires | 30 | 0 |
| Steering | 20 | 1 |
| Power train | 10 | 1 |
| Electrical system | 6 | 3 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 4 | 0 |
| Engine | 3 | 0 |
| Wheels | 3 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 3 | 0 |
| Fuel system, gasoline | 2 | 0 |
| 9 other systems | 12 | 3 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
4 recalls
2011 BMW 5 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
Other fuel types: turbo/supercharger
Risk. THIS COULD LEAD TO A SMOLDERING OF THE PUMP OR AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT OR VEHICLE FIRE.
no report yet
Other fuel types: turbo/supercharger
Risk. THIS COULD LEAD TO A SMOLDERING OF THE PUMP OR AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT OR VEHICLE FIRE.
no report yet
Storage: fuel gauge system
Risk. IF THIS OCCURS, THE FUEL GAUGE IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WOULD DISPLAY A LARGER AMOUNT OF FUEL THAN WAS ACTUALLY IN THE TANK.
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.
Mileage at failure
When do tires problems start?
3kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 26 tires complaints. 100% were reported before 100,000 miles.
26under 30k miles26under 100k miles0100k miles or more
Best & worst years
2011 vs. every other 5 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 5 Series median. How we score
'96'97'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'23
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
In owners' words
What 5 Series owners report
Recent tires complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
GOODYEAR EAGLE LS TIRES SIDEWALL BUBBLES AFTER DRIVING JUST A FEW THOUSAND MILES. THIS IS THE SECOND TIRE WITH A DEFECT THAT WAS NOT CAUSED BY ANY IMPACT. *TR
LAST APRIL I PURCHASED A BMW 550IX. IN MARCH OF THIS YEAR WHILE ON THE FREEWAY I DEVELOPED A FLAT TIRE. I WAS ABLE TO RUN THE VEHICLE 40 MILES TO MY HOME WITH THE TIRE FLAT BUT HAD TO FLATBED THE VEHICLE TO MY CAR REPAIR STORE TO REPLACE THE TIRE. THAT TIRE HAD A BUBBLED SIDEWALL AT THE TIME OF THE…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW 550I WITH GOODYEAR EAGLE LS-2 TIRES, LINE SIZES P245/40/R19. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH OF THE FRONT TIRES DEVELOPED BUBBLES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE TIRES WERE UNSAFE TO DRIVE ON AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT…
Own a 2011 5 Series?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.