Model year
2011 BMW 5 Series
NHTSA lists 4 recalls and 81 complaints for the 2011 BMW 5 Series (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). NHTSA also lists 21 recalls and 399 complaints under 525I, 525XI, 528I, 530I, 535I, 535I GRAN TURISMO, 535I US, 535XI, 550I, 550I GRAN TURISMO, and 5-SERIES GRAN TURISMO. Those counts are separate from the numbers above. The components listed on the most complaints are TIRES (30), STEERING (20), POWER TRAIN (8). NHTSA rated 10 variants 5 stars overall. EPA rates it 17–25 mpg combined depending on configuration (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $3,300–$4,850, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.
- 2000 2 complaints
- 2001 3 complaints
- 2002 7 complaints
- 2003 15 complaints
- 2004 64 complaints
- 2005 21 complaints
- 2006 85 complaints
- 2007 13 complaints
- 2008 105 complaints
- 2009 8 complaints
- 2010 6 complaints
- 2011 81 complaints
- 2012 10 complaints
- 2013 194 complaints
- 2014 152 complaints
- 2015 100 complaints
- 2016 83 complaints
- 2017 38 complaints
- 2018 89 complaints
- 2019 39 complaints
- 2020 15 complaints
- 2021 27 complaints
- 2022 17 complaints
- 2023 0 complaints
- 2024 18 complaints
- 2025 2 complaints
- 2026 1 complaints
- 2027 0 complaints
Recalls
23V707000 · Oct 20, 2023
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
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…
12V161000 · Apr 10, 2012
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OTHER FUEL TYPES:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER
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, ENGINES BECAUSE THE CIRCUIT BOARD FOR THE ELECTRIC AUXILIARY WATER PUMP CAN…
11V521000 · Oct 20, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OTHER FUEL TYPES:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER
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 EQUIPPED WITH 8- OR 12-CYLINDER, TURBOCHARGED, ENGINES BECAUSE THE CIRCUIT BOARD…
10V331000 · Jul 22, 2010
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:FUEL GAUGE SYSTEM
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 CAN BECOME WEDGED AGAINST THE TANK.
Complaints
81 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 2, fire flag on 2, injury field 1, deaths field 0. A complaint can be counted under more than one component. The injury and death figures are the file's numbers (the highest value on each complaint, then added), not a separate verified count of people.
Other NHTSA names
These names matched the same EPA model but are not included in the headline counts above.
| Name | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 525I | 1 | 0 |
| 525XI | 0 | 1 |
| 528I | 4 | 118 |
| 530I | 1 | 0 |
| 535I | 4 | 112 |
| 535I GRAN TURISMO | 2 | 2 |
| 535I US | 0 | 36 |
| 535XI | 0 | 35 |
| 550I | 3 | 84 |
| 550I GRAN TURISMO | 2 | 7 |
| 5-SERIES GRAN TURISMO | 4 | 4 |
Investigations
No investigations are matched to this name.
Safety ratings
| Variant | Overall | Front | Side | Pole | Rollover | Photo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 BMW 528 I 4 DR RWD | 5 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 · possibility 0.093 | — |
| 2011 BMW 535 I 4 DR AWD | 5 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 · possibility 0.093 | NHTSA photo |
| 2011 BMW 535 I 4 DR RWD | 5 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 · possibility 0.093 | NHTSA photo |
| 2011 BMW 535 I GT 4 DR RWD | 5 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 · possibility 0.093 | — |
| 2011 BMW 535 I Xdrive 4 DR 4WD | 5 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 · possibility 0.093 | — |
| 2011 BMW 535 I Xdrive GT 4 DR 4WD | 5 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 · possibility 0.093 | — |
| 2011 BMW 550 I 4 DR RWD | 5 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 · possibility 0.093 | — |
| 2011 BMW 550 I GT 4 DR RWD | 5 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 · possibility 0.093 | — |
2 more variants are in the Safety Ratings API and are not listed in this table.
Fuel economy
| Configuration | Fuel | City | Hwy | Comb | kWh/100 mi | Range | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 528i · 3L · Automatic (S8) · Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 21 | 31 | 25 | — | — | $3,300 |
| 535i · 3L · Manual 6-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 19 | 28 | 22 | — | — | $3,750 |
| 550i · 4.4L · Manual 6-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 15 | 22 | 17 | — | — | $4,850 |
| 550i · 4.4L · Automatic (S8) · Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 17 | 25 | 20 | — | — | $4,100 |
| 535i · 3L · Automatic (S8) · Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 20 | 30 | 24 | — | — | $3,400 |
| 535i xDrive · 3L · Automatic (S8) · All-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 20 | 28 | 23 | — | — | $3,550 |
| 550i xDrive · 4.4L · Automatic (S8) · All-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 16 | 24 | 18 | — | — | $4,550 |
| 535i Gran Turismo · 3L · Automatic (S8) · Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 20 | 30 | 24 | — | — | $3,400 |
| 535i xDrive Gran Turismo · 3L · Automatic (S8) · All-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 18 | 27 | 21 | — | — | $3,900 |
| 550i Gran Turismo · 4.4L · Automatic (S8) · Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 15 | 22 | 18 | — | — | $4,550 |
| 550i xDrive Gran Turismo · 4.4L · Automatic (S8) · All-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 15 | 22 | 18 | — | — | $4,550 |
Open this model year in the fuel-cost calculator. The calculator starts with no fuel price filled in.
Check a vehicle
This page is not a VIN lookup. NHTSA's recall tool checks a specific vehicle: nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's page for this model year is 2011 BMW 5 Series at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.