Problems · NHTSA complaints
2011 BMW 5 Series problems
Owners filed 479 complaints about the 2011 BMW 5 Series with NHTSA between Jul 2010 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is engine (121).
Complaints
479
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
9
Reported by owners
Fires
21
Reported by owners
Injuries
14
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Engine121
- Power train79
- Tires75
- Fuel/propulsion system74
- Electrical system58
- Engine and engine cooling47
- Steering33
- Wheels29
- Vehicle speed control21
- Air bags17
- Fuel system, gasoline13
- Exterior lighting11
- Suspension10
- Structure9
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 9, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
16
63
30
28
28
29
38
56
45
30
21
18
7
12
38
16
4
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 16 |
| 2011 | 63 |
| 2012 | 30 |
| 2013 | 28 |
| 2014 | 28 |
| 2015 | 29 |
| 2016 | 38 |
| 2017 | 56 |
| 2018 | 45 |
| 2019 | 30 |
| 2020 | 21 |
| 2021 | 18 |
| 2022 | 7 |
| 2023 | 12 |
| 2024 | 38 |
| 2025 | 16 |
| 2026 | 4 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Engine
121 reports10 fires
“1. Vanos Bolts recall. NHTSA Recall 23V-707. Cause the car the have a rough idle, check engine light, car to stall, and cut off in traffic all with seconds. Dealership says it was not the Vanos Bolts that cause the shutdown, but it is the DME and ICM. 2. The safety of myself and my 15 year old daughter was at risk, along with the drivers on the highway. The car stopped in traffic, and would not release out of park to go in neutral. 3. State Trooper came to call a tow truck, the car was inspected by BMW of Irondale. 4. No warning lamps, messages or other symptoms prior to the failure. The car was driving as normal, a sudden rough idle, light came on, and the car cut off in ongoing traffic, with not warning before.”
Power train
79 reports1 crash1 related recall
“ValveTronic motor and eccentric shaft is a very common issue that my specific car has. Affects the timing and makes a loud sound. Dangerous to drive in this condition.”
Tires
75 reports1 crash
“6 TIRES IN LESS THAN A 3 YEAR PERIOD HAVE FAILED. SOME HAVE BUBBLED. TWO HAVE GONE FLAT. ONE FAILED ON THE HIGHWAY AT 65MPH. THIS SEEMS TO BE A PARTICULAR PROBLEM WITH THE GOODYEAR RUNFLAT TIRES ON THE 19 INCH RIMS ON THIS VEHICLE. SMALL POTHOLES ARE UNAVOIDABLE ON MASSACHUSETTS ROADWAYS. SOME OF THE INCIDENTS OCCURRED DAYS AFTER. OTHERS WERE UNASSOCIATED WITH SUCH AN INCIDENT. BOTH BMW AND GOODYEAR REFUSE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM. *TR”
Fuel/propulsion system
74 reports4 fires
“My car suddenly shut off when I came to a stop at a red light while on a busy state route. The information cluster then began to read “Fuel supply” and “Battery Discharge” My car would not turn back on and still has not turned back on since and it's been over a month now. According to the OBD results, the fuel pump and injectors were somehow seized and therefore have caused the car to become inoperable. I was forced to spend over $1000 just to get my car out of the police tow yard and towed to my home because I could not afford the cost of the repairs needed. The NHSTA website states that there is a recall on both the fuel system and the electrical system for my exact vehicle, but according to my Vin search results, there are 0 recalls. That doesn't make sense. I had just got my new inspection done maybe a month prior to my car breaking down.”
Electrical system
58 reports2 crashes14 fires
“I am filing a complaint regarding the recall work performed on my 2011 BMW 528i for the VANOS bolt safety recall. The recall notice stated the vehicle was unsafe to drive until repaired. I arranged towing to Jackie Cooper BMW in Edmond, Oklahoma because of this safety warning. The dealership performed the recall repair and released the vehicle back to me. Immediately after picking it up, the vehicle experienced a failure and became inoperable. The vehicle had to be towed again. This time, the dealership covered the towing cost and had the vehicle returned to my residence. Staff present at the time included a technician named Luke and the Service Drive Manager, Tayler Hawkins. Staff statements indicated that diagnostic charges would have applied if issues outside the recall were found, but no diagnostics were ultimately billed. There were also inconsistencies regarding the availability of the service manager. I am filing this complaint because the vehicle failed immediately after recall service and required towing. I am concerned that the recall work may not have been performed correctly or that the vehicle was released in a condition that was not suitable for…”
Engine and engine cooling
47 reports4 related recalls
“The contact owns a 2011 BMW 528I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V707000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 9, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.