VehicleVerdict

2011 BMW 5-Series Gran Turismo problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 8 complaints on file for the 2011 BMW 5-Series Gran Turismo — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 4 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

8

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2011 compare to other 5-Series Gran Turismo years?

5-Series Gran Turismo NHTSA complaints by model year, 2011 highlighted8 complaints2010: 5 complaints2011: 8 complaints2017: 0 complaints
5-Series Gran Turismo NHTSA complaints by model year, 2011 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all 5-Series Gran Turismo years to avoid →

What are the most common 2011 BMW 5-Series Gran Turismo problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine338%
Tires & Wheels225%
Speed Control113%
Steering113%
Transmission113%

Does the 2011 BMW 5-Series Gran Turismo have recalls?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

16V746000Fuel SystemOctober 17, 2016 · 136,188 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

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.

12V161000EngineApril 10, 2012 · 2,846 units

Defect

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 OVERHEAT.

Consequence

THIS COULD LEAD TO A SMOLDERING OF THE PUMP OR AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT OR VEHICLE FIRE.

Remedy

BMW WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AUXILIARY WATER PUMP FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 30, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND SERVICES AT 1-800-525-7417.

11V521000EngineOctober 20, 2011 · 32,084 units

Defect

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 FOR THE ELECTRIC AUXILIARY WATER PUMP CAN OVERHEAT.

Consequence

THIS COULD LEAD TO A SMOLDERING OF THE PUMP OR AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT OR VEHICLE FIRE.

Remedy

BMW WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AUXILIARY WATER PUMP FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 19, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND SERVICES AT 1-800-525-7417.

10V331000Fuel SystemJuly 22, 2010 · 6,080 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

IF THIS OCCURS, THE FUEL GAUGE IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WOULD DISPLAY A LARGER AMOUNT OF FUEL THAN WAS ACTUALLY IN THE TANK. AS A RESULT, IF THE TANK BECAME EMPTY, THE VEHICLE COULD STALL INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

BMW WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-525-7417.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“VEHICLE RUNS ROUGH. MURRAY BMW DENVER, COLO AGREED THAT THERE IS A RECALL ISSUED BY BMW FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT AS OF YET THEY ARE UNABLE TO REPAIR IT AS BMW OF NORTH AMERICA HAS NOT PROVIDED THE NECESSARY PARTS TO MAKE THE REPAIR.(SEE RECALL CAMPAIGN NO. 14V-176: VANOS ASSEMBLY BOLTS). *TR”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · April 9, 2014

“THE INSIDE CORDS OF THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE EXPLODED WHILE I WAS HEADED SOUTH BOUND ON I75 FROM MIRAMAR TO MIAMI FLORIDA. WHEN I GOT HOME I CHECKED ON LINE TO SEE IF ANYBODY HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS AND I FOUND THIS WEB SIGHT THAT SEVERAL PEOPLE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL OF CAR. LINK…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · April 20, 2013

“WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC, MY VEHICLE SUDDENLY BEGAN TO LOSE POWER AND SHAKE FORCEFULLY. DUE TO THE SUDDEN AND UNEXPECTED OCCURRENCE, I NEARLY LOST CONTROL AND NEARLY CRASHED INTO VEHICLES IN MY GENERAL AREA. I WAS SOMEHOW ABLE TO AVOID A CRASH AND PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AT WHICH TIME I…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · May 8, 2015

“WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC, MY VEHICLE SUDDENLY BEGAN TO LOSE POWER AND SHAKE FORCEFULLY. DUE TO THE SUDDEN AND UNEXPECTED OCCURRENCE, I NEARLY LOST CONTROL AND NEARLY CRASHED INTO VEHICLES IN MY GENERAL AREA. I WAS SOMEHOW ABLE TO AVOID A CRASH AND PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AT WHICH TIME I…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · May 8, 2015

“WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC, MY VEHICLE SUDDENLY BEGAN TO LOSE POWER AND SHAKE FORCEFULLY. DUE TO THE SUDDEN AND UNEXPECTED OCCURRENCE, I NEARLY LOST CONTROL AND NEARLY CRASHED INTO VEHICLES IN MY GENERAL AREA. I WAS SOMEHOW ABLE TO AVOID A CRASH AND PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AT WHICH TIME I…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · May 8, 2015

2011 BMW 5-Series Gran Turismo — common questions

Is the 2011 BMW 5-Series Gran Turismo reliable?

The record is thin — 8 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 4 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 2011 BMW 5-Series Gran Turismo have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2011 BMW 5-Series Gran Turismo. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which BMW 5-Series Gran Turismo years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the 5-Series Gran Turismo years to avoid are 2017. The cleanest record among 5-Series Gran Turismo years belongs to 2010.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.