MYRModel Year Report

2011 BMW 5 Series

○ Not enough data
2011 BMW 5 Series
RENDERED 2026-08-02T13:19:14.161Z

Not enough comparison years on file yet for a fair verdict.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, BMW 5 Series Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2011 highlighted. 1989: 1 complaints 1989 1990: 0 complaints 1991: 0 complaints 1992: 0 complaints 1993: 0 complaints 1993 1994: 0 complaints 1995: 3 complaints 1996: 0 complaints 1997: 1 complaints 1997 1998: 0 complaints 1999: 2 complaints 2000: 2 complaints 2001: 3 complaints 2001 2002: 7 complaints 2003: 9 complaints 2004: 64 complaints 2005: 21 complaints 2005 2006: 85 complaints 2007: 13 complaints 2008: 98 complaints 2009: 4 complaints 2009 2010: 6 complaints 2011: 81 complaints 2011 2012: 10 complaints 2023: 0 complaints 2023
2011: 81 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19891
19900
19910
19920
19930
19940
19953
19960
19971
19980
19992
20002
20013
20027
20039
200464
200521
200685
200713
200898
20094
20106
201181
201210
20230

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

TIRES 37%

37% of complaints: tires — 30 distinct reports on file.

STEERING 25%

25% of complaints: steering — 20 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

THERE ARE 3 MAJOR ISSUES. 1. VEHICLE TENDS TO VEER TO THE RIGHT. FEELING IS QUITE LIKE A VEHICLE THAT HASN'T BEEN ALIGNED FOR A WHILE. 2. THE MOST DANGEROUS.

NHTSA ODI report, 20110808

A FEW DAYS BACK MY STEERING WHEEL STARTED MAKING A SQUEAKY NOISE LIKE ONE OF THE RUBBERS HAVE GONE BAD IN THE STEERING COLUMN. MY CAR HAS APPROXIMATELY 55K MILES ON IT AND IS MAJORLY GARAGE KEPT.

NHTSA ODI report, 20180405

POWER TRAIN 10%

10% of complaints: power train — 8 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

THERE ARE 3 MAJOR ISSUES. 1. VEHICLE TENDS TO VEER TO THE RIGHT. FEELING IS QUITE LIKE A VEHICLE THAT HASN'T BEEN ALIGNED FOR A WHILE. 2. THE MOST DANGEROUS.

NHTSA ODI report, 20110808

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 7%

7% of complaints: electrical system — 6 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

JUST PARKED THE VEHICLE, TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE AND SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING. EXITED THE VEHICLE, OBSERVED SMOKE FROM UNDER THE HOOD, OPENED THE HOOD AND OBSERVED FLAMES FROM THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ENGINE, MOSTLY ON THE TOP LEFT OF THE ENGINE NOW.

NHTSA ODI report, 20120426

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 5%

5% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 4 distinct reports on file.

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20101018 — fuel system, other

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 CA

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.

Campaign 10V331000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20111219 — engine and engine cooling

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 EQU

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 1-80

Campaign 11V521000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20120430 — engine and engine cooling

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, EN

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 1-800-5

Campaign 12V161000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20240619 — engine and engine cooling

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,...

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.

Campaign 23V707000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2011 BMW 5 Series — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for tires issues (30 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for steering issues (20 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for power train issues (8 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 10V331000 (fuel system, other) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 11V521000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 12V161000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 23V707000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

FAQ

Is the 2011 BMW 5 Series reliable?

There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on file yet to give this model year a verdict.

What are the most common problems with the 2011 BMW 5 Series?

The most-reported component is tires, accounting for 37% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2011 BMW 5 Series have?

4 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.