2010 Bmw 5 SERIES
Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report
Quick Summary
The 2010 Bmw 5 SERIES has 9 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.8x the segment average of 12. The most common issue is engine problems (22% of all complaints), specifically: this is the second time this particular problem happened. the first time the car lost power when revs went up above 3.5k rpm and recovered as soon as revs fell below this range. this almost resulted in an accident since the driver behind me was taken by surprise with the abrupt reduction in speed. i. There are 2 recalls issued for this model year.
9
Total Complaints
2
Recalls Issued
—/5
Safety Stars
0.8x
vs Segment Avg
Known Problems(top 5 of 7)
ENGINE
2 complaints- • THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM HAPPENED. THE FIRST TIME THE CAR LOST POWER WHEN REVS WENT UP ABOVE 3.5K RPM AND RECOVERED AS SOON AS REVS FELL BELOW THIS RANGE. THIS ALMOST RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT SINCE THE DRIVER BEHIND ME WAS TAKEN BY SURPRISE WITH THE ABRUPT REDUCTION IN SPEED. I
- • ON SUNDAY 12/03 I SUDDENLY HEARD A KNOCKING NOISE WHILE ACCELERATING AND IMMEDIATELY REACHED THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THE CAR CHECKED. THE DIAGNOSIS I RECEIVED IS THAT THERE HAS BEEN A FATAL FAILURE OF BEARING THAT CAUSE THE ENGINE TO GET DAMAGED AND IN NEED TO BE REPLACED. I LOOKED UP ON THE WEB AND
“THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM HAPPENED. THE FIRST TIME THE CAR LOST POWER WHEN REVS WENT UP ABOVE 3.5K RPM AND RECOVERED AS SOON AS REVS FELL BELOW THIS RANGE. THIS ALMOST RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT SINCE THE DRIVER BEHIND ME WAS TAKEN BY SURPRISE WITH THE ABRUPT REDUCTION IN SPEED. I”
— NHTSA complaint filing
Recalls (2)
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 1 Series Coupe (128i); 2007-2013 3 Series Coupe (328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive); 2007-2010 X3 SAV (X3 3.0si, X3 xDrive30i); 2008-2013 1 Series Convertible (128i); 2006-2011 3 Series Sedan (325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 330i, 330xi); 2006-2012 3 Series Wagon (328i, 328i xDrive); 2007-2013 3 Series Convertible (328i); 2006-2010 5 Series Sedan (525i, 525xi, 528i, 528xi, 530i, 530xi); 2006-2007 5 Series Wagon (530xi); 2007-2010 X5 SAV (X5 3.0si, X5 xDrive30i); 2006-2008 Z4 Coupe (Z4 3.0si); and 2006-2011 Z4 Roadster (Z4 3.0i, Z4 3.0si, Z4 sDrive30i) vehicles. The heater for the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve may short circuit.
Risk: An electrical short can cause the PCV valve heater to overheat, increasing the risk of a fire while driving or, soon after driving when parked.
Fix: This recall supersedes and expands previous NHTSA recalls 17V-683 and 19V-273. Dealers will install an electrical wiring harness with fuse protection for the PCV Valve heater in potentially affected vehicles, free of charge. This recall supersedes and expands previous NHTSA recalls 17V-683 and 19V-273. Vehicles previously repaired under the prior recalls will need to come back for the new recall remedy. The remedy is currently being developed. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed on April 1, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 22, 2022. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Estimated Insurance Cost for 2010 Bmw 5 SERIES
How this estimate is calculated
Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.
Maintenance & Warranty
Recommended Bmw 5 SERIES Service Intervals
Condition-Based Service (CBS) tells you exactly when service is due. Transmission fluid was labeled 'lifetime' but many owners service at 60K-100K.
"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.
Bmw New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage
Corrosion is unlimited miles for 12 years
These are the terms for a new Bmw. If you're buying a used 2010 5 SERIES, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Bmw dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.
Estimated Repair Costs
Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.
🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Based on 9 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:
- ☐ENGINE: THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM HAPPENED. THE FIRST TIME THE CAR LOST POWER WHEN REVS WENT UP ABOVE 3.5K RPM AND RECOVERED AS SOON AS REVS FELL BELOW THIS RANGE. THIS ALMOST RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT SINCE THE DRIVER BEHIND ME WAS TAKEN BY SURPRISE WITH THE ABRUPT REDUCTION IN SPEED. I
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐FUEL SYSTEM: WHEN THE TEMPERATURE HITS 100 DEGREES AS IT DOES IN THE DESERT 5 MONTHS OR SO PER YEAR, THE INTERIOR CABIN FILLS UP WITH VERY HARMFUL GAS FUMES. WE OWNED A 2008 AND THE SAME SITUATION. AS A RESULT OF THIS AND PROBLEMS WITH THE FUEL PUMP ON THE 2008, THE DEALERSHIP BOUGHT THE CAR BACK. MY HUSBAND
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐AIR BAGS: AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATES WITH ADULT PASSENGER FIRMLY BELTED INTO PASSENGER SEAT. LIGHT REMAINS ILLUMINATED FOR PERIODS WHICH VARY FROM 5 MINUTES TO 30 MINUTES. THERE IS NO WAY TO TELL IF THIS IS A DEFECTIVE LIGHT ONLY OR IF THE AIR BAG IS INOPERATIVE. AN ADDITIONAL SAFETY CONCERN IS THAT BM
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐ELECTRICAL: AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATES WITH ADULT PASSENGER FIRMLY BELTED INTO PASSENGER SEAT. LIGHT REMAINS ILLUMINATED FOR PERIODS WHICH VARY FROM 5 MINUTES TO 30 MINUTES. THERE IS NO WAY TO TELL IF THIS IS A DEFECTIVE LIGHT ONLY OR IF THE AIR BAG IS INOPERATIVE. AN ADDITIONAL SAFETY CONCERN IS THAT BM
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐RECALLS: Verify all 2 recalls have been completed — free at any Bmw dealer
- ☐General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)
Bmw 5 SERIES — Year Comparison
How does 2010 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.
Full years-to-avoid analysis →NHTSA Safety Rating
No NHTSA safety rating available
At a Glance
- Complaints
- 9
- Recalls
- 2
- Fire reports
- 0
- Crash reports
- 0
- Injury reports
- 0
- Segment avg
- 12
Check a Specific VIN
See recalls for YOUR 2010 Bmw 5 SERIES