2011 BMW 1 Series Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 12%of 33 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 20,840miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the engine of the 2011 BMW 1 Series, 12% of the 33 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 20,840 miles. 2 a fire, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The car has stalled over 600 times in 4 years. The car has failed to start 4 times. Bmw failed to replace the battery cable for 2 years -- even after the battery caught on fire at a gas station pump. The car can only be moved with wheel trollies, since you cannot put the car in neutral or even open the trunk (battery in trunk) due to no manually key override tumble for either. Bmw has charged me for labor and two batteries, even though they admit to failing to honor the recall and performing said repairs. The car is dangerous, and my wife is afraid to drive the car. …”
NHTSA complaint #10725065, filed 2015-06, 80 miles“The vehicle is a 2011 Bmw 1m coupe. While passing another vehicle on a rural 2 lane country road outside of houston, tx, engine completely lost power in the middle of the pass, almost causing what would have been a major accident. It took almost two hours for a tow truck to pickup the car and temperatures were in the mid 90's with heat index of over 100 degrees, and I had no water or access to water or shade resulting in a very dangerous situation. …”
NHTSA complaint #10745872, filed 2015-08, 31,679 miles“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.”
NHTSA complaint #11161297, filed 2018-12, 92,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10151170Mar 1, 2016N51 Engine: Service Engine Soon Lamp Illuminated - Loss of Power and Various Faults Stored in the DME. The customer complains that the Service Engine Soon lamp is illuminated…
- 10151068Feb 1, 2016This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI B07 03 14 dated October 2015. Diagnosing Stored Fault Codes to Help Avoid Repeat Repair Visits. Fault codes stored in vehicles…
- 10045283Oct 1, 2014Bmw: experiencing loss of engine power, service engine soon lamp is illuminated, a noise, like rattling, coming from engine compartment. *pe updated 10/31/12. *pe models 2010…
- 10056707Aug 1, 2014Bmw: when air conditioner is on, engine speed will fluctuates, intermittently, from 500 to 1,100 rpm, after coming to a stop and possible cause is due to unfavorable dme…
- 10147966Feb 1, 2014"N51, N52K, N52T and N55 Engine: Various Faults Stored in DME Related to VANOS and Camshaft Position. INFORMATION Part NumberDescriptionQuantity 11 36 7 583 207Adjustment unit…
- 10150033Jul 1, 2013N51, N52K, N52T and N55 Engine: Various Faults Stored in DME Related to VANOS and Camshaft Position. A rattling noise can be heard from the engine compartment; the engine…
- 10150065Jun 1, 2013"BMW NA has agreed to extend the emissions warranties of the turbocharger's wastegate to: ??8 years or 82,000 miles, whichever occurs first, as determined from the vehicle's…
- 10149589May 1, 2013"N54 Engine: Diagnosis of Cold Start Rough Running with Misfire Faults. The customer may complain that during the cold start in the morning, the engine runs very roughly and the…
- 10052356May 1, 2013Bmw: service engine soon lamp flashes or eml light flashers with check control message to reduced power output. Models 2013 e82, 84, 88, 89, 92, 93, f01, 02, 06, 07, 10, 12, 13…
- 10150096Mar 1, 2013N55 Engine Failsafe - FC 120308 Boost Pressure Control, Plausibility: Pressure Too Low Stored in DME Fault Memory. INFORMATION The customer complains the SES is illuminated and…
Engine: other model years
Other parts of the 2011 BMW 1 Series
15 complaintsElectrical system
7 complaintsFuel system
5 complaintsVehicle speed control
3 complaintsEquipment
2 complaintsOther or unknown
2 complaintsBody and structure
2 complaintsBrakes
1 complaintsExterior lighting
1 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
1 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2011 BMW 1 Series
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology