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2011 BMW 528i

4 recalls Most severe issue: Critical

All recalls are free to repair at your local dealership. Contact your dealer to schedule service.

Known Safety Recalls

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 soon as possible to ensure your safety.
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 #16V746000 Plain English
Component

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

Manufacturer
BMW of North America, LLC
What Happened
The in-tank fuel pump in your vehicle is a critical part that sends gasoline from the tank to your engine. In some 2007-2012 BMW models, the wires that connect to this pump might not be crimped tightly enough.
Risk if Unfixed
If the wires melt, you could get a fuel leak, and if the pump fails, your engine might stall while driving, which could increase the risk of a collision.
Free Fix
Your BMW dealer will replace the faulty fuel pump module with a new one, free of charge. You'll get a notification from BMW, and you should schedule the repair as soon as possible.
Show original NHTSA language
Original — What Happened
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 BMW X5 3.0si, X5 4.8i, X5 M, X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive48i and X5 xDrive50i, 2008-2011 X6 x Drive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6 M, 2010-2011 X6 ActiveHybrid, 535i xDrive Gran Turismo, 535i Gran Turismo, 550i xDrive Gran Turismo and 550i Gran Turismo, 2011-2012 528i, 535i, 535i xDrive, 550i and 550i xDrive and 2012 535i ActiveHybrid, 640i Convertible, 650i Convertible, 650i xDrive Convertible, 650i Coupe and 650i Coupe xDrive vehicles. The affected vehicles have in-tank fuel pumps that may have insufficiently crimped wire contacts.
Original — Risk if Unfixed
The loose wires may cause the connector to melt, resulting in a fuel leak. Additionally, the fuel pump may stop working, possibly causing an engine stall and increase the risk of a crash.
Original — Remedy
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. The recall began February 2017. 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 as soon as you get the recall notice.
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 →
High Priority #16V832000 Plain English
Component

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE

Manufacturer
BMW of North America, LLC
What Happened
The Sensor Cluster Unit in your BMW is a critical computer that helps control your airbags, safety belt pre-tensioners, and head restraints. Unfortunately, some of these units may have been installed incorrectly, which could lead to problems in a crash.
Risk if Unfixed
If there's a severe collision, your airbags, safety belts, and head restraints might not deploy properly, which could increase the risk of serious injury.
Free Fix
Your BMW dealer will replace the faulty Sensor Cluster Unit with a new one, free of charge. You'll receive a notification, and you should schedule the repair as soon as possible.
Show original NHTSA language
Original — What Happened
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2011 BMW 528i, 528xi, 535i, 535xi, 550i and 550xi vehicles manufactured March 1, 2010, through August 31, 2011. The affected vehicles may have received a replacement Sensor Cluster Unit (SCU) during a service visit. These SCUs have an acceleration sensor that may have been incorrectly programmed and, as a result, the SCU may not accurately determine if activation and deployment of the air bags, safety belt pre-tensioners and head restraints is necessary in the event of a crash.
Original — Risk if Unfixed
Depending on the severity of the crash, inadequate activation of the driver and/or passenger air bags, safety belt pre-tensioners and active head restraints may increase the risk of injury.
Original — Remedy
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the SCU, free of charge. The recall began on December 16, 2016. 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 →

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