2011 BMW 1 Series: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 33 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is air bags (41% of complaints); the 2009 and 2010 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Oct 2023
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 33 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The car was moving at highway speed with ac running. Smoke plumed from vents and under front passenger footwell. Electrical fire stemming from blower motor final stage unit and wiring harness.”Owner report · Electrical System · Nov 2018
“The vehicle was in motion and the blower motor resistor harness began to smoke heavily. The a/c stopped working. I pulled over and disconnected the wiring harness and pulled the fuse. The wires melted, the connector melted, and the resistor is broken. After some research I see that bmw has recalled other cars for this exact same issue, but not the 1 series.”Owner report · Electrical System · Nov 2018
“I bring in to longbeach bmw dealers and they mass up the car and they wanted 10,000 dallors to fixed it and I only bring to in for recalls I don't let me pick up the car”Owner report · Electrical System · Nov 2017
Show 7 more owner reports
“Takata recall braman bmw keep saying they do not have the parts. I have been waiting for 2 years, and every time I called they give me the same "scripted answer". I have been waiting for 2 years to get this part replaced and they just keep getting my name on a waiting list, that is not real. I got a letter from bmw saying the part is available and they keep saying to me that is not available.”Owner report · Air Bags · Oct 2017
“Takata recall - I have never been contacted by bmw regarding this recall. I have no idea if my airbags are faulty or not. I have called my dealer and they said that I would receive a letter if/when they were able to repair the airbags. Have never heard from them.”Owner report · Air Bags · Aug 2017
“Tl* the contact owns a 2011 bmw 135i. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA campaign number: 16v071000 (air bags) and stated that the part needed was unavailable to perform the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.”Owner report · Air Bags · May 2016
“Bmw 2011 52i , fuel pump wire plug is get hot burn hold at top of pump housing , when tank is full it leak out under rear seat . [xxx] at satterfields' auto tech , decatur , alabam 35601 , phon # [xxx]I can send you pictures or the pump information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6). *tr”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Apr 2016
“I was accelerating into heavy traffic and my door flew open as I hit 45 mph. I immediately pulled over when safe, and found my door would not latch. I drove home slowly holding onto the door. After some playing with the buttons, it finally caught. I called the dealer and they repaired it on 3/25/16 for >$500. Again 6/14/16, I went to get in my car to go to work and the door would not latch. No injuries occurred but a serious safety hazard. I took the car back in 6/17/16 and they still have it. Told me there was "water in the actuator". Very worried about this fix.”Owner report · Electrical System · Mar 2016
“Recall campaign no. 16v-071: driver's front air bag module, this is a dangerous situation, not resolved by bmw. Airbag could shoot metal fragments into driver and passenger, resulting in serious injury or death, in the case of inflation. Not comfortable driving myself or passengers in this bwm. Recall received in march 2016, still no parts, not replaced, still forced to drive in a dangerous car.”Owner report · Air Bags · Mar 2016
“Takata recall notice from bmw is dated and was received in march 2016. Called bmw customer relations number 800-525-7417 several times since march with the same reply that bmw has no parts and doesn't know any more. It is now the end of september, 2016 with no resolution and a potentially dangerous situation still exists. This is terrible customer service from a well known car manufacturer, leaving customers to either not drive their car for an undeterminable time or risk the hazard of a deadly explosion of a known faulty air bag. Please advise at once any remedy! [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6). *tr”Owner report · Air Bags · Mar 2016
Recalls - 3 campaigns
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.
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.
BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008-2011 1-SERIES VEHICLES. IN A CRASH OF SUFFICIENT SEVERITY, DEPLOYMENT OF THE FRONT PRE-TENSIONER AND LOAD-LIMITER OCCURS.
Remedy: VEHICLES PRODUCED UP THROUGH DECEMBER 2009 WILL RECEIVE NEW FRONT SAFETY BELT RETRACTOR UNITS AND A MODIFICATION TO THE SOUND INSULATION NEAR THE UNITS, WHILE VEHICLES PRODUCED BETWEEN JANUARY 2010 AND MAY 2010 WILL RECEIVE A MODIFICATION TO THE SOUND INSULATION NEAR THE UNITS. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 23, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-525-7417.
This recall involves aftermarket parts sold by Valeo. Valeo is recalling certain engine cooling fans, part numbers 696121, 696273, and 696275, used as service replacement parts for model year 2008-2011 BMW 1-Series, 2006-2011 BMW 3-Series, 2000-2009 BMW 5-Series, 2004-2005 BMW 6-Series, and 2006-2007 BMW 7-Series vehicles. A metal-oxide semiconductor may overheat due to insufficient screwing of the semiconductor on the aluminum heat sink. This primary failure could cause adjacent components on the fan assembly motor circuit board to overheat and short.
Remedy: Valeo will notify owners and replace the fans free of charge. The safety recall began on August 22, 2012. This recall is being conducted by Valeo, not by BMW. For further information, owners may contact Valeo at 1-888-718-2536.
How other years compare
Check your exact 1 Series by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2011 BMW 1 Series reliable?
NHTSA has 33 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 2011 BMW 1 Series. The most complained-about area is air bags (41% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2011 BMW 1 Series problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 43,000 miles or less.
Does the 2011 BMW 1 Series have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning engine and engine cooling:engine. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.