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2011 BMW 5 Series ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING Recalls

3 recalls Highest severity: Critical

All recalls are free to repair at your local dealership. Contact your dealer to schedule service for ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING issues.

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ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING Safety Recalls

Critical #18V248000 Plain English
Component

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER

Manufacturer
BMW of North America, LLC
What Happened
The electric auxiliary water pump in your BMW is a small motor that helps keep your engine cool. In certain 2011-2012 models, this pump could fail, causing the circuit board to overheat.
Risk if Unfixed
If the circuit board overheats, there's a risk of a fire, which could cause serious damage to your vehicle and possibly harm you or others nearby.
Free Fix
Your BMW dealer will replace the faulty electric auxiliary water pump with a new one, free of charge. You'll get a notice when the repair is available, and it's recommended that you park your vehicle outside until the fix is done.
Show original NHTSA language
Original — What Happened
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2011-2012 BMW 550i, 550i xDrive, 550i Gran Turismo, 550i Gran Turismo xDrive, 750i, 750Li, 750i xDrive, 750Li xDrive, 760Li, X5 xDrive50i, X5 M, X6 xDrive50i, X6 M, ActiveHybrid7, MINI Cooper S Convertible, John Cooper Works (JCW) Convertible, Cooper S Countryman, Cooper S Countryman ALL4, Cooper S, JCW, Cooper S Clubman, JCW Clubman, Cooper S Roadster, JCW Roadster, Cooper S Coupe, JCW Coupe and Rolls-Royce Ghost, 2011 BMW X6 Hybrid and 2012 BMW 650i Coupe, 650i xDrive Coupe, 650i Convertible and 650i xDrive Convertible vehicles. The electric auxiliary water pump may fail and cause the circuit board to overheat.
Original — Risk if Unfixed
If the circuit board were to overheat, it can increase the risk of a fire.
Original — Remedy
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the electric auxiliary water pump, free of charge. Depending on the model, there are currently limited parts available, however not all parts are available at this time. Owners will be notified of the recall beginning June 11, 2018, and will receive a second notification when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact BMW customer service at BMW 1-800-525-7417, MINI at 1-866-825-1525, or Rolls-Royce at 1-877-877-3735. Note: BMW recommends that owners park their vehicle outdoors until the recall remedy has been performed.
View full recall details → Repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Find a dealer →
Critical #17V683000 Plain English
Component

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CRANKCASE (PCV)

Manufacturer
BMW of North America, LLC
What Happened
The PCV valve in your engine helps control the air pressure inside your engine. It has a small heater that could short circuit and cause a fire, even when your car is turned off.
Risk if Unfixed
If the PCV valve heater shorts, it can melt critical components and increase the risk of a fire, even if your car is parked and turned off. This is a serious safety risk.
Free Fix
Your BMW dealer will replace the faulty PCV valve heater for free. You'll get a notice with a scheduled date for the repair, and it's essential to have it done as after confirming availability with your dealer as possible to ensure your safety. This timing describes the original 2017 filing; contact your dealer now to confirm the free repair is available.
Show original NHTSA language
Original — What Happened
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2011 128i and 2007-2011 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 525i, 525xi, 528i, 528xi, 530i, 530xi, X3 3.0si, X3 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive30i, Z4 3.0i, Z4 3.0si and Z4 sDrive30i vehicles. The heater for the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve may short circuit.
Original — Risk if Unfixed
An electrical short can cause the parts within the PCV valve to melt, increasing the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is not in use.
Original — Remedy
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the PCV valve heater, free of charge. Interim letters were mailed on November 27, 2017. Owners will receive a second notification by the end of October 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
View full recall details → Repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Find a dealer →
Critical #14V176000 Plain English
Component

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

Manufacturer
BMW of North America, LLC
What Happened
The VANOS unit in your engine helps control timing for your engine's valves. The bolts holding it in place can loosen over time and potentially break.
Risk if Unfixed
If the bolts break, your engine may lose power or stall while you're driving. A sudden engine stall increases the risk of a crash, which could put you and others in harm's way.
Free Fix
Your BMW dealer will replace the four VANOS housing bolts at no cost to you. This repair is free, and you should schedule it after checking repair availability with your dealer. This timing describes the original 2014 filing; contact your dealer now to confirm the free repair is available.
Show original NHTSA language
Original — What Happened
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 128i Coupe, 128i Convertible, 328i Sedan, 328i xDrive Sedan, 328i Coupe, 328i Convertible, 328i Sports Wagon and Z4 sDrive 30i, 2011-2012 135i Coupe, 135i Convertible, 335i Sedan, X5 xDrive 35i, and X6 xDrive 35i, 2011 335i xDrive Sedan, 335i Coupe, 335i Convertible, 528i Sedan, 535i Sedan, 535i xDrive Sedan, X3 xDrive 28i, and X3 xDrive 35i, 2010 X3 xDrive 30i, and X5 xDrive 30i, 2012 640i Coupe, and 640i Convertible and 2010-2012 535i Gran Turismo vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the bolts that secure the housing for the variable camshaft timing adjustment (VANOS) unit can loosen over time and may possibly break.
Original — Risk if Unfixed
If the bolts loosen or break the engine may have reduced power or stall. An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
Original — Remedy
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the four VANOS housing bolts for both VANOS units (intake and exhaust), free of charge. In addition, owners of approximately 170,172 model year 2010-2012 BMW vehicles equipped with inline 6 cylinder engines not covered by this recall, will receive an extended warranty to address this condition. The recall began on September 24, 2014. Owners may contact BMW at 1-800-525-7417.
View full recall details → Repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Find a dealer →

Other BMW 5 Series 2011 Recalls

POWER TRAIN
1 recall
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
1 recall
AIR BAGS
1 recall

Other BMW 5 Series Years

2025
4 recalls
2024
6 recalls
2023
3 recalls
2022
5 recalls
2021
10 recalls
2020
7 recalls
2019
2 recalls
2018
6 recalls
2017
2 recalls
2016
7 recalls
2015
4 recalls
2014
6 recalls
2013
4 recalls
2012
5 recalls
2010
2 recalls
2009
2 recalls
2008
3 recalls
2007
3 recalls
2006
4 recalls
2003
2 recalls
2002
4 recalls
2001
4 recalls
2000
2 recalls

Similar ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING Recalls in Other Vehicles

2010 BMW X5
30 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING recalls
2011 BMW X5
30 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING recalls
2010 BMW Z4
24 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING recalls
2011 BMW Z4
24 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING recalls
2026 FORD Explorer
24 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING recalls
2014 JEEP Grand Cherokee
24 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING recalls

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the 2011 BMW 5 Series safe to drive?

This model year has 3 recorded safety recalls. Model-level listings do not establish VIN-specific open recalls or whether this vehicle is safe to drive. Check your VIN and contact the manufacturer for recall instructions.

What is the ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER recall for the 2011 BMW 5 Series? (Campaign #18V248000)

The electric auxiliary water pump in your BMW is a small motor that helps keep your engine cool. In certain 2011-2012 models, this pump could fail, causing the circuit board to overheat. If the circuit board overheats, there's a risk of a fire, which could cause serious damage to your vehicle and possibly harm you or others nearby. Your BMW dealer will replace the faulty electric auxiliary water pump with a new one, free of charge. You'll get a notice when the repair is available, and it's recommended that you park your vehicle outside until the fix is done.

What is the ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CRANKCASE (PCV) recall for the 2011 BMW 5 Series? (Campaign #17V683000)

The PCV valve in your engine helps control the air pressure inside your engine. It has a small heater that could short circuit and cause a fire, even when your car is turned off. If the PCV valve heater shorts, it can melt critical components and increase the risk of a fire, even if your car is parked and turned off. This is a serious safety risk. Your BMW dealer will replace the faulty PCV valve heater for free. You'll get a notice with a scheduled date for the repair, and it's essential to have it done as after confirming availability with your dealer as possible to ensure your safety. This timing describes the original 2017 filing; contact your dealer now to confirm the free repair is available.

What is the ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE recall for the 2011 BMW 5 Series? (Campaign #14V176000)

The VANOS unit in your engine helps control timing for your engine's valves. The bolts holding it in place can loosen over time and potentially break. If the bolts break, your engine may lose power or stall while you're driving. A sudden engine stall increases the risk of a crash, which could put you and others in harm's way. Your BMW dealer will replace the four VANOS housing bolts at no cost to you. This repair is free, and you should schedule it after checking repair availability with your dealer. This timing describes the original 2014 filing; contact your dealer now to confirm the free repair is available.