2011 Bmw 5 SERIES
Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report
Quick Summary
The 2011 Bmw 5 SERIES has 96 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 8.0x the segment average of 12. The most common issue is tires problems (31% of all complaints), specifically: side wall bubbles on goodyear eagle ls2 run on flats supplied with 2011 bmw 550xi sport package when driving over small potholes or road imperfections. There is 1 recall issued for this model year. ⚠️ 2 fire reports filed.
96
Total Complaints
1
Recalls Issued
—/5
Safety Stars
8.0x
vs Segment Avg
Known Problems(top 5 of 8)
TIRES
30 complaints- • SIDE WALL BUBBLES ON GOODYEAR EAGLE LS2 RUN ON FLATS SUPPLIED WITH 2011 BMW 550XI SPORT PACKAGE WHEN DRIVING OVER SMALL POTHOLES OR ROAD IMPERFECTIONS
- • DRIVING MY COMMUTE, THAT I PREVIOUSLY HAD TRAVELED ON LOW PROFILE TIRES IN MY PREVIOUS BMW FOR 3 YEARS WITHOUT INCIDENT, I GOT A BUBBLED SIDEWALL ON MY BRAND NEW GOODYEAR RUN FLAT TIRE. UPON DOING SOME RESEARCH I FOUND OUT THESE BMW OEM TIRES WERE FAILING ALL OVER THE US. IT SEEMS THE TIRES WERE ONL
- • GOODYEAR LS2 RUN FLAT TIRE DEVELOPED A BUBBLE AFTER ONLY 170 MILES. *TR
“SIDE WALL BUBBLES ON GOODYEAR EAGLE LS2 RUN ON FLATS SUPPLIED WITH 2011 BMW 550XI SPORT PACKAGE WHEN DRIVING OVER SMALL POTHOLES OR ROAD IMPERFECTIONS”
— NHTSA complaint filing
When Problems Appear on the 2011 Bmw 5 SERIES
Based on 87 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 2K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.
TIRES
STEERING
TRANSMISSION
ENGINE
ELECTRICAL
Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.
Recalls (1)
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, and Z4 sDrive30i vehicles. The aluminum bolts that secure the housing for the variable camshaft timing adjustment (VANOS) unit can loosen over time and possibly break.
Risk: Loose or broken VANOS unit bolts can result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Estimated Insurance Cost for 2011 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 2011 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 96 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:
- ☐TIRES: SIDE WALL BUBBLES ON GOODYEAR EAGLE LS2 RUN ON FLATS SUPPLIED WITH 2011 BMW 550XI SPORT PACKAGE WHEN DRIVING OVER SMALL POTHOLES OR ROAD IMPERFECTIONS
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐STEERING: EVER SINCE I'VE OWNED THIS VEHICLE, I NOTICED IT PULLS TO THE RIGHT. IT CONSTANTLY PULLS TO THE RIGHT AND THE DEALER HAS NO FIX YET. *TR
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐TRANSMISSION: BRAND NEW 2011 BMW 528I IS PULLING TO THE RIGHT AND HAVING HESITATION AND JERKINESS ISSUES. *TR
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐ENGINE: I TOOK DELIVERY OF A NEW 2011 535I ON 7/11/10. THE CAR WAS BUILT ON 6/1/10. ON 9/5/10 (ODOMETER READING LESS THAN 2000 MILES), I WAS DRIVING ON LOCAL STREETS AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH WHEN THE CAR REPORTED AN ENGINE MALFUNCTION ERROR AND THE CAR SHUTDOWN. I PUSHED THE GAS PEDAL AND THERE WAS NO RESPO
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐RECALLS: Verify all 1 recall 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 2011 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
- 96
- Recalls
- 1
- Fire reports
- 2
- Crash reports
- 4
- Injury reports
- 3
- Segment avg
- 12
Check a Specific VIN
See recalls for YOUR 2011 Bmw 5 SERIES