2011 BMW 5 Series Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 6about this part
- Share
- 7%of 81 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 37,846miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the electrical system of the 2011 BMW 5 Series, 7% of the 81 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 37,846 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 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.
“While driving with AC on smoke started coming heavily for the interior AC vents. A very toxic smoke, with electrical smell. I noticed the Bmw 3 series has a recall on electrical blower problem. I think my car has the same issue.”
NHTSA complaint #11191722, filed 2019-03, 37,846 miles“Involved in an accident. Other vehicle going southbound crossed over median strip of highway, hit three cars going northbound, mine was third car to be struck. Offending car did a 360 in front of me, I slowed to about 25 and he moved into me. I struck his rear passenger side corner. I had front end damage over $5k. No airbag, but default messages and an airbag icon came on the video screen and the front instrument panel. It states driver and passenger airbag or restraint system malfunction.”
NHTSA complaint #10661924, filed 2014-12, 50,400 miles“While driving for 15 minutes with seat warmers on my husband (driver) turned it off. We were travelling on suburban roads around 40 MPH. Then at a stop light he noticed a burning smell. We continued driving when light turned green. Then I noticed the smell a few seconds later, so I opened a window expecting to find smell a fire nearby or hear sirens. At that point we saw a ploom of smoke come from under his seat towards the passenger side open window. He immediately pulled over, jumped out of the car and turned everything off. The smoke took some time to clear but did stop. …”
NHTSA complaint #10870649, filed 2016-05, 40,000 miles“I purchased 2011 model Bmw 535i in august 2010. There are 3 cigarette lighter power outlets inside the car and electricity is supplying all the time regardless of whether vehicle is being locked or not. If I use accessories like GPS, charger, coffer warmer etc. And left in the locked vehicle under summer sun could really be a fire hazard. I have contacted to Bmw customer relations and local service asking to rewire to stop power supply while engine is stopped or/and vehicle is locked but they refused to fix the problem. …”
NHTSA complaint #10355492, filed 2010-09, 6 miles“Just parked the vehicle, turned off the vehicle and smelled something burning. Exited the vehicle, observed smoke from under the hood, opened the hood and observed flames from the left side of the engine, mostly on the top left of the engine now. Called the fire department who extinguished the flames, and had the car towed to the dealer. The vehicle is now in their lot waiting for their investigators to look at the vehicle. The first comment out of the dealership, maybe an animal built a nest in the engine area. …”
NHTSA complaint #10456604, filed 2012-04, 3,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10249437Jan 16, 2024The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.
- 10249027Jan 11, 2024The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few years. This has led to increased demands being placed on the battery…
- 10245422Nov 22, 2023Customers may state that the alarm system (DWA) is not active after locking their unoccupied vehicle. Depending on the vehicleâÂÂs equipment and settings, no acoustic or…
- 10056099Jun 1, 2014Bmw: when using iphone, various connectivity failures occur, such as disconnection of call, list of contacts incomplete, due to the variants and software used. Model 2008-2014.
- 10056095Jun 1, 2014Bmw: the position of an affected tire is incorrectly displayed, when tire pressure is low, in instrument cluster and control display (cd), due to software error. Model 2011 f 01…
- 10052612Jun 1, 2013Bmw: engine, due to ambient temperatures and engine is cold, fails to turn over on first attempt, but and will turn over at second or third attempts. Model 2010-2012 f10.
- 10052367May 1, 2013Bmw: software error causing the parking assistant system to malfunction. Models 2010-2013 f10, 10h, 12, 13.
- 10052366May 1, 2013Bmw: on some activehybrid (3,5,7), the high voltage battery is cooled by refrigerant and is regulated by expansion valve at base of battery and it can become stuck in open…
- 10052012Mar 1, 2013Bmw: battery has an increased demand due to developemental process of the electrical system. This is causing the batter to need to undergo an energy diagnosis.
- 10051912Jan 1, 2013Airbag warning lamp illuminated; shorted wire in front seat harness. Bmw models f07, and f10. Model years 2009-2013.
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 6 | 7% |
| 2010 | 1 | 17% |
| 2009 | 2 | 25% |
| 2008 | 16 | 15% |
| 2007 | 3 | 23% |
| 2006 | 19 | 22% |
| 2005 | 4 | 19% |
| 2004 | 9 | 14% |
| 2003 | 4 | 27% |
Other parts of the 2011 BMW 5 Series
30 complaintsSteering
20 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
10 complaintsFuel system
5 complaintsEngine cooling
4 complaintsEngine
3 complaintsOther or unknown
3 complaintsVehicle speed control
3 complaintsWheels
3 complaintsSuspension
2 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
2 complaintsAir bags
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2011 BMW 5 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