The Lemon Index2011 BMW 5 Series.
The 2011 BMW 5 Series is worse than average by owner complaints: 114 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 190, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about tires, it has 5 recalls, and it gets 17 to 25 mpg combined. The best BMW 5 Series year is 2016.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 347 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every BMW 5 Series year. 2011 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 3K to 85K miles on the car (236 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- engine complaints mostly came at 38K–100K miles
- transmission & drivetrain complaints mostly came at 1K–79K miles
- fuel or ev drive system complaints mostly came at 60K–86K miles
Recalls 5
- engine 2017
The heater for the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve may short circuit.
- transmission & drivetrain 2017
The rear driveshaft constant velocity (CV) joint on the affected vehicles may fatigue and break.
- airbags 2016
The affected vehicles may have received a replacement Sensor Cluster Unit (SCU) during a service visit.
Show all 5 recalls
- fuel system, gasoline 2016
The affected vehicles have in-tank fuel pumps that may have insufficiently crimpe.
- engine 2014
In the affected vehicles, the bolts that secure the housing f.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems BMW told dealers about
BMW sent dealers 427 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- TICKING NOISE FROM THE FRONT AXLE WHEN CORNERING: The customer may complain of a metallic…
- Cracking noises from the front axle area while turning the wheels, when stationary or parking
- Buzzing noise heard coming from steering wheel
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BMW 528 I 4 DR RWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $3200–4700 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 3.0L 6-cyl, 4.4L 8-cyl.
In owners' words
Sidewall bubble on right front goodyear run flat excellence 245/40r19 94y. Dot ne66 jf1r 1510 only 8400 miles! Vehicle is 2011 BMW 550i which has been driven gently.
2011 BMW 5 Series owner · NHTSA complaint 10415206
More owner reports
Tires are extremely susceptible to bubbles in the sidewall caused by routing driving. I've replaced two tires in less than 6 months on a new vehicle with less than 12,000 miles. (BMW 550i x-drive).
NHTSA complaint 10449478
Goodyear eagle ls-2 tire failure- bubble in sidewall with less than 3,000 miles on it.
NHTSA complaint 10453570
Quick answers
Is the 2011 BMW 5 Series reliable?
No, it is worse than average by government complaints. It drew 1.9× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 190; 100 is average, lower is better). The best BMW 5 Series year by this measure is 2016.
What are the most common 2011 BMW 5 Series problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are tires (38%), transmission & drivetrain (19%) and steering (17%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2011 BMW 5 Series have?
5 safety recalls (latest: engine). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2011 BMW 5 Series get?
17 to 25 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2011 BMW 5 Series safe?
NHTSA gave it 5 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
At what mileage do 2011 BMW 5 Series problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 3,500 and 85,800 miles. The middle report was at 45,000 miles, from 236 complaints.
Does the 2011 BMW 5 Series have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 19% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2011 BMW 5 Series cost in fuel a year?
About $3200 to $4700 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2011 BMW 5 Series have?
3.0L 6-cyl, 4.4L 8-cyl.
What BMW 5 Series year is better than the 2011?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2016, 2015 and 2020.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works