2011 BMW 5 Series Recalls: 1 Safety Recall
NHTSA lists 1 safety recall for the 2011 BMW 5 Series. Here's what each one means for a used-car buyer.
1
Open recall campaign (NHTSA)
No
“Park it” urgent warning
1
Vehicle systems affected
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Open recalls for the 2011 BMW 5 Series
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
NHTSA 23V707000
Defect: 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.
Remedy: 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.
Reported: 20/10/2023
Is the 2011 BMW 5 Series safe to buy used?
1 open recall doesn't automatically mean you should walk away — most recalls are repaired free of charge at a dealer. What matters is whether this specific car has had the work done. An unrepaired recall is both a safety risk and real negotiating leverage: you can make the repair a condition of sale or ask for money off to cover your time.
How buyers use recall data to negotiate
- Lead with the facts. Bring the NHTSA campaign numbers to the seller — it signals you've done your homework.
- Make repair a condition. Ask the seller to complete any open recall at a dealer before you pay.
- Trade it for price. If they won't fix it, ask for money off to cover the trip and downtime.
- Verify the VIN. A full ClearVIN Buyer Brief confirms which recalls are still open on the exact car.
Get the full Buyer Brief for your 2011 BMW 5 Series
Enter the VIN and we'll pull this car's exact open recalls, a fair market-value range, an inspection checklist, and a 5-point negotiation script — in about 30 seconds.
Run my VIN report — $9.99
Frequently asked questions
How many recalls does the 2011 BMW 5 Series have?
NHTSA lists 1 open safety recall for the 2011 BMW 5 Series. Each campaign and its remedy is listed above.
Are BMW 5 Series recall repairs free?
Yes. Safety recall repairs are performed free of charge at any authorized BMW dealer, regardless of the car's age or mileage and regardless of how many owners it has had.
How do I check if a specific 2011 BMW 5 Series had its recalls fixed?
You need the car's 17-character VIN. A ClearVIN Buyer Brief looks up the exact VIN against NHTSA's database and shows which recall campaigns are still open on that individual vehicle.
Should recalls stop me from buying a used 2011 BMW 5 Series?
Not necessarily. Most recalls are quick, free dealer fixes. Use any open recall as leverage: ask the seller to complete the repair before sale, or negotiate the price down to cover it.
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