Highest complaint count among 12 1 Series model years — the most of any year.
2recalls
33complaints
0crashes
2fires
0injuries
24,974median miles
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not verified and not adjusted for sales. Ranking compares this model's own years only.
Does your car have an open recall? Recalls apply to specific vehicles. Only a VIN lookup on NHTSA's official site shows whether yours is affected and still unrepaired.
Oct 20, 2023 · NHTSA campaign 23V707000 · 157,796 vehicles
Problem: 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 & notes
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.
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.
Seat Belts
Jun 10, 2010 · NHTSA campaign 10V254000 · 31,935 vehicles
Problem: 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.
Original NHTSA wording
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.
Risk: The insulation around the pre-tensioner could ignite.
Original NHTSA wording
THE INSULATION AROUND THE PRE-TENSIONER COULD IGNITE.
Remedy & notes
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.
Owners May also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty 1-800-424-9153), or go to <a href=http://www.safercar.gov>http://www.safercar.gov</a> .
Recall text as published by NHTSA and the manufacturer.
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA; one complaint can name several areas. Not verified by NHTSA.
Complaints by year filed
2011 vs. other BMW 1 Series years
Owner complaints by model year; the darker bar is the 2011. Click a bar to switch year.
Questions
Does the 2011 BMW 1 Series have recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns covering the 2011 BMW 1 Series, the latest from Oct 20, 2023 (engine). A recall applies to specific vehicles: enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours is affected and still open.
What are the most common problems with the 2011 BMW 1 Series?
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA most often mention air bags (15), electrical system (7), fuel system (5). Complaints are consumer reports and are not verified by NHTSA.
Recalls by Model
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