2011 BMW 5 Series Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 5%of 81 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 2,984miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2011 BMW 5 Series, 5% of the 81 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 2,984 miles. 3 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
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.
“I bought a 2011 Bmw 535i on november 30, 2010. On december 4, 2010, I experienced car trouble. The engine malfunction, and reduce power warning lights came on. The car shutdown completely, but not before shaking very sharply. This all occurred in about 15 seconds, while I was driving. Bmw response was safe mode . On december 9, 2010 the vehicle was being repaired again for the same issues, they replaced a fuel sensor. On december 30, 2010, the car was being serviced again, they replaced the high and low fuel pumps. …”
NHTSA complaint #10392634, filed 2011-03, 4,000 miles“I took delivery of a new 2011 535i on 7/11/10. The car was built on 6/1/10. On 9/5/10 (odometer reading less than 2000 miles), I was driving on local streets at approximately 30 MPH when the car reported an engine malfunction error and the car shutdown. I pushed the gas pedal and there was no response and steering locked up. The car was pushed to the side of the road and then towed to the Bmw dealership. Initial analysis from the Bmw dealership was that the error recorded (fault stored for valvetronic system. Deviation too great. …”
NHTSA complaint #10356826, filed 2010-09, 1,969 miles“The car has acceleration issues when not only adding additional speed while driving but when beginning to accelerate from a stop sign or traffic light, as well. The car hesitates when accelerating and there is often a lag in accelerating while the car is stopped or at a low speed, creating a safety concern. Not only is there a safety issue, but it is not how a $51,000 luxury sedan should drive -- it is rather rough and annoying to drive the car. The car also idles at an extremely low speed or no speed when the car is started after sitting for a longer period of time. …”
NHTSA complaint #10425302, filed 2011-09, 200 miles“The contact owns a 2011 BMW 5 Series. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed as a camshaft failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number- 14V176000 ( Engine and Engine Cooling). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 67,000. The VIN was not available.”
NHTSA complaint #11512985, filed 2023-03, 67,000 milesRelated recalls
- 23V707000Oct 20, 2023BMW 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…Covers: BMW 5 Series 2010–2011, 3 Series 2010–2012, 1 Series 2010–2012 +3 more
- 12V161000Apr 10, 2012Bmw 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…Covers: BMW 5 Series 2011, 6 Series 2012, 5-SERIES Gran Turismo 2011 +3 more
- 11V521000Oct 20, 2011Bmw 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…Covers: BMW 5 Series 2011, X6 2008–2011, 7 Series 2009–2011 +2 more
Related service bulletins
- 10247567Dec 20, 2023Engine will crank but not start. There is no communication with the integrated fuel module (TFE) whendiagnosing with ISTA. The following two fault codes will be stored in the…
- 10215024Jun 1, 2017The engine?s intake charge-air duct limited warranty extension to 10 years/120,000 miles applies to ?eligible USspecification
- 10057339Mar 1, 2015Bmw: electrical contacts for circuit heater in thermostat can develop moisture and corrosion causing service engine soon light to illuminate. *pe updated 9/25/15.
- 10043910Apr 1, 2014Bmw: delay in engine response. *kb updated 08/06/2014
- 10053326Feb 1, 2014Bmw: different fault codes stored for the n51, n52k, n52t, and n55 engines in the dme related to vanos and camshaft position. *kb updated 11/1/13. *pe updated 05/05/2014
- 10041407Mar 1, 2013Bmw: service engine soon light is on and the engine has reduced power with trouble codes stored. *rm updated on 4/24/2013.
- 10038217Mar 1, 2013Bmw: crankcase pressure diagnosis and information for all vehicles. *rm updated on 4/24/2013.
- 10040044Jan 1, 2013Bmw: there is a delayed throttle response when driving off with a high engine load. It occurs when it is hot outside, the a/c is switched on, and the wheel is turned slightly…
- 10037657Jun 1, 2012Bmw: there is a clanking noise from the engine or exhaust area. Wastegate valve is not completely closing and clanking. *rm updated 7/17/12.
- 10044281Dec 1, 2011Bmw: see document search button for owner letter. On certain model year 2008-2011 vehicles, a defect involving the electric auxiliary water pump can over heat or fail to cool…
Engine cooling: other model years
Other parts of the 2011 BMW 5 Series
30 complaintsSteering
20 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
10 complaintsElectrical system
6 complaintsFuel system
5 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