Ask the seller for proof the repair was completed, or run the free VIN check. Recall repairs are done at no cost by a dealer.
Recalls
Safety issues the manufacturer must repair for free. A recall means confirm the fix was done, not walk away.
Engine recall
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.
- Status
- Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
- What to do
- Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.
Engine recall
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.
- Status
- Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
- What to do
- Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.
Engine recall
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.
- Status
- Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
- What to do
- Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.
Fuel system recall
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.
- Status
- Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
- What to do
- Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.
Owner complaints by system
Unverified reports owners filed with NHTSA, grouped by the part of the car. Useful for spotting patterns. Open a group to read recent examples.
Engine & powertrain
20
Most reports here involve sudden stalling. Of these, 1 mention a crash, 1 mention an injury.
Read full complaint
The contact owns a 2011 BMW 5 Series. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed as a camshaft failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number- 14V176000 ( Engine and Engine Cooling). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 67,000. The VIN was not available.
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11512985 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
Electrical & infotainment
2
Most reports here involve electrical shorts.
Read full complaint
2011 BMW 335I CONVERTIBLE. NAVIGATION SYSTEM CONSTANTLY ALMOST ALWAYS TAKES YOU TO THE WRONG PLACE. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS IN THAT IT CAN TAKE ME TO VERY DANGEROUS AND DEADLY PLACES. BMW SHOULD BE MADE TO MAKE THE NAVIGATION SYSTEM WORK ACCURATELY OR REPLACE THE SYSTEM WITH ONE THAT WORKS. IT FAILS TO FIND LOCATIONS WHICH ARE EVEN IN THEIR OWN PROVIDED "POINTS OF INTEREST"!!! THIS NAVIGATION SYSTEM IS TOO DANGEROUS FOR US TO USE. WE DON'T WANT TO RISK OUR LIVES IN MIAMI, FL AND ALL OTHER UNKNOWN PLACES WHICH YOU MAY ENTER INTO THE EQUIPMENT. AFTER ALL THAT IS WHAT THE NAVIGATION SYSTEM IS FOR - TO FIND PLACES YOU DON'T KNOW WHERE THEY ARE!! I HAVE CONTACTED MY MIAMI DEALER (SOUTH BMW MOTORS) AND IG BURTON BMW DEALER IN MILFORD, DE. IG BURTON SAID THEY FIXED IT BUT IT WAS NOT FIXED AND I NOTIFIED THEM IMMEDIATELY. NEITHER DEALER CARES ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, IT SEEMS. THANK YOU FOR MAKING BMW CORRECT THIS DANGEROUS SITUATION WITH THEIR EQUIPMENT. *TR
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #10358502 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
Steering, suspension & tires
52
Most reports here involve loss of steering.
Read full complaint
WHILE MAKE TURNS WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AXEL MAKES POPPING NOISE AND STEERING WHEEL JERKS VIOLENTLY. TOOK TO SHOP THEY SAID NOTHING FOUND WRONG WITH CAR. CV AXEL REPLACED ON BOTH SIDES PROBLEM STILL PERSISTS.ALSO NOT EVEN 10K MILES THE CAR WENT THRU 2 BELT TENSIONER CAUSING THE DRIVE BELT TO SNAP/TEAR.
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11155399 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
Airbags & seat belts
1
Most reports here involve airbags not deploying. Of these, 1 mention a crash.
Read full complaint
INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. OTHER VEHICLE GOING SOUTHBOUND CROSSED OVER MEDIAN STRIP OF HIGHWAY, HIT THREE CARS GOING NORTHBOUND, MINE WAS THIRD CAR TO BE STRUCK. OFFENDING CAR DID A 360 IN FRONT OF ME, I SLOWED TO ABOUT 25 AND HE MOVED INTO ME. I STRUCK HIS REAR PASSENGER SIDE CORNER. I HAD FRONT END DAMAGE OVER $5K. NO AIRBAG, BUT DEFAULT MESSAGES AND AN AIRBAG ICON CAME ON THE VIDEO SCREEN AND THE FRONT INSTRUMENT PANEL. IT STATES "DRIVER AND PASSENGER AIRBAG OR RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION." *JS
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #10661924 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
Structure & body
2
Most reports here involve other issues.
Read full complaint
THE DRIVER DOOR DOES NOT SHUT INTERMITTENTLY THE DOOR RELEASE, DOOR UNLOCK/LOCK, DOOR HANDLE DOES NOT RELEASE THE STATE. THE CAR WON'T MOVE BECAUSE THE DOOR IS NOT LOCKED, IT CAN TAKE UPWARDS OF A FEW HOURS OF TINKLING TO GET THIS GOING AGAIN. THE DEALER HAS DILIGENTLY CHANGED SO MANY PARTS AND ITS NOT THAT THEY ARE NOT TRYING TO REMEDY THE SITUATION. IS ANYONE ELSE EXPERIENCING THIS OUT THERE. MY 4 YR WARRANTY WILL END IN JUNE AND I AM VVERY CONCERNED HOW I AM GOING TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE.
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #10690982 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
Other systems
4
Most reports here involve smoke.
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW 5-SERIES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTION IN WHICH THE VENT CONTROLS FAILED TO FUNCTION FOR THE AIR CONDITIONER AND HEATER. DUE TO THE EXTREME TEMPERATURES, THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN. BMW OF WILMINGTON (4920 NEW CENTRE DR, WILMINGTON, NC 28403, (910) 392-2700) STATED THAT THE BLOWER MOTOR MAY NEED TO BE REPLACED AND WAS TO CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TESTED AND DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE, BUT THE DETAILS WERE UNKNOWN. VOLVO CARS NEW BERN (3405 DOCTOR M.L.K. JR BLVD, NEW BERN, NC 28562, (252) 638-6161) DIAGNOSED THAT THE BLOWER MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,000. *JS
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11221190 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
How does it compare with other years? The 2011 has 81 complaints on file, more than the 2012 (10). Older model years have had longer to collect complaints.