RoadVitals

2011 BMW 1 Series Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
33
Latest May 1, 2019
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
10
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
2

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2011 BMW 1 Series, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

  • Airbags1535.7%
  • Fuel system511.9%
  • Engine49.5%
  • Driver assistance37.1%
  • Body & structure24.8%
  • Brakes12.4%
  • Exterior lighting12.4%
  • Powertrain (other)12.4%
  • Visibility12.4%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Airbags

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.

15
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

I JUST HAD THE BOLTS ON BOTH THE (INTAKE AND EXHAUST REPLACED) THIS IS LISTED IN THE UNSPECIFIED RECALL AND NO ONE NOTIFIED ME ON THIS RECALL I DRIVE THE 2011 128I SERIES COUPE AND THIS COST ME OUT OF POCKET $1,800 DOLLARS TO REPLACE, WHAT I DO NOT UNDERSTAND IS WHY I WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THIS I COULD HAVE BEEN IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT AND ALSO I HAVE 2 OTHER RECALL ISSUES THAT ARE HAPPENING TO MY CAR THE AIR BAG THE SIGNAL KEEPS COMING ON AND OFF AND ALSO THE PCV VALVE OFF AND ON I SMELL SOMETHING BURNING I DO HOPE SOMEONE CAN CONTACT ME SO I CAN GET THESE RECALLS FIX NOW I AM REALLY SCARED THIS IS A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH. I HAVE MY RECEIPT OF ME GETTING THE BOLTS ISSUE FIXED AND REQUESTING A REFUND

NHTSA ID 11204967 · filed May 1, 2019

ASD

NHTSA ID 11089274 · filed Apr 22, 2018
All 15 reports naming airbags

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

9
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

I BRING IN TO LONGBEACH BMW DEALERS AND THEY MASS UP THE CAR AND THEY WANTED 10,000 DALLORS TO FIXED IT AND I ONLY BRING TO IN FOR RECALLS I DON'T LET ME PICK UP THE CAR

NHTSA ID 11193250 · filed Apr 1, 2019

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 ID 11161297 · filed Dec 14, 2018
All 9 reports naming electrical

Fuel system

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.

5
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

I BRING IN TO LONGBEACH BMW DEALERS AND THEY MASS UP THE CAR AND THEY WANTED 10,000 DALLORS TO FIXED IT AND I ONLY BRING TO IN FOR RECALLS I DON'T LET ME PICK UP THE CAR

NHTSA ID 11193250 · filed Apr 1, 2019

THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP HAS FAILED AND BEEN REPLACED MULTIPLE TIMES. IT BEGINS WITH THE CAR TAKING MUCH LONGER TO CRANK AND START. THEN IT COMPLETELY FAILS POTENTIALLY WHILE DRIVING, CREATING A SAFETY ISSUE, OR WILL NO LONGER START. THE HPFP IS EASILY REPLACED WITH JUST 3 BOLTS HOLDING IT TO THE SIDE OF THE MOTOR. ANY COMPETENT SHOP CAN REPLACE IT IN A COUPLE HOURS AT THE MOST. THE PROBLEM IS EXACERBATED AND MADE EXTREMELY FRUSTRATING BY THE SERVICE CENTERS REFUSING TO ADDRESS THE OBVIOUS PROBLEM. INSTEAD THEY FEIGN IGNORANCE WHILE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF THESE ARE REPLACED AFTER HAVING REPLACED NUMEROUS OTHER THINGS. THESE OTHER DISTRACTIONS ARE ALL MORE TIME CONSUMING TO REPLACE AND THE ROOT DEFECTIVE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP IS THE LAST THING TO BE ADDRESSED WHEN IT SHOULD BE THE FIRST AND QUICKEST. EVERY TIME ONCE THIS HAS BEEN REPLACED, IT HAS BEEN FIXED RIGHT AWAY. IT IS OFTEN THAT IT WILL LAST FOR A FEW MONTHS OR FEW THOUSAND MILES BEFORE FAILING AGAIN. BMW NEEDS TO PROPERLY DESIGN AND REPLACE THESE DANGEROUS FAILING UNITS ON N55 AND OTHER 3.0L TURBO DIRECT INJECTION MOTORS.

NHTSA ID 11112223 · filed Jul 18, 2018

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 ID 11161297 · filed Dec 14, 2018

ASD

NHTSA ID 11089274 · filed Apr 22, 2018

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Driver assistance

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

SOMETIMES, THE CAR FROM A STAND STILL OR LOW SPEED (BELOW 10-15 MPH) HAS A DELAY BETWEEN THROTTLE INPUT AND ACTUAL ACCELERATION. THIS DELAY OF ACCELERATION HAS CAUSED MANY CLOSE CALLS FOR ACCIDENTS AND/OR SUDDEN BRAKING NEEDED BECAUSE OF OVER ACCELERATION. BETWEEN MY RESEARCH ON THIS ISSUE AND EXPERIENCES WITH THIS, I CAN RELIABLY REPRODUCE THIS ISSUE. BUT DUE TO THE NATURE OF THIS ISSUE, WITHOUT PROPER DOCUMENTATION EQUIPMENT, I CANNOT PROVIDE ANY CONCRETE DATA (BESIDES OTHER DATA PROVIDED BY VARIOUS SOURCE WITH PROFESSIONAL EQUIPMENT.)

NHTSA ID 10811348 · filed Dec 20, 2015

I OWN A 2011 BMW 128I. ON 7/5, MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE WHEN IT SUFFERED A TOTAL ELECTRONIC FAILURE. SHE WAS UNABLE TO SEE HOW FAST SHE WAS TRAVELING DUE TO THE FACT, THE SPEEDOMETER FAILED. WHEN SHE RETURNED HOME, ALL OF THE WARNING LIGHTS WERE ON. THE CAR WOULD REV WITHOUT TOUCHING THE GAS. I SPOKE TO D-[XXX] THE BMW DEALER. THEY HAD ME TOW THE CAR INTO THEIR SHOP. 7/9, I RECEIVED A CALL FROM [XXX] AT BMW DEALER. HE ADVISED ME THAT SOME WATER FROM A JUG I CARRY IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY LEAKED AND GOT ONTO THE ELECTRONICS IN THE TRUNK AND IT WOULD COST ME 531.00. HE TOLD ME TO CONTACT MY INSURANCE TO HAVE THEM PAY. I CALLED BMW CORPORATE BECAUSE THIS SOUNDED A LITTLE STRANGE. BMW TOLD ME THEY DO NOT RECOMMEND PUTTING GROCERIES IN THE TRUNK BECAUSE IT COULD CAUSE A DANGEROUS EFFECT. I WAS NOT TOLD OF THIS WHEN I BOUGHT MY CAR. BMW (ANOTHER DEALER) ADVISED MY FATHER THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND AFFECTS ALL MODELS. THEY WILL NOT FIX IT AND WANT EVERYONE TO USE THEIR INSURANCE TO PAY FOR IT. BMW IS TOO LAZY TO PAY TO CORRECT THE ISSUE. MY WIFE OR SOMEONE ON THE ROAD COULD HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN A TRAFFIC ACCIDENT DUE TO THE FACT HER SPEEDOMETER WENT OUT. THIS IS A DANGEROUS CAR. MY CAR IS STILL IN THE SHOP AS OF 7/10. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID 10464836 · filed Jul 10, 2012

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Body & structure

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

BMW "THIRD STOP LAMP" (THE BREAK LIGHT) DOES NOT FIT THE 1SERIES CORRECTLY. THEY FALL OFF, CRACK, AND DISAPPEAR FREQUENTLY. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH ALL 1 SERIES BMW'S. AS THIS IS A BRAKE LIGHT, IT IS CONCERNING. I BELIEVE THE PART NUMBER FOR THIS ITEM IS (63 25 7164978). HERE IS A LINK TO THE PART WITH A PICTURE {HTTP://BMWETK.INFO/PARTS-CATALOG/PRD/BMW/VT/P/E82/COU/135I%20N54/USA/L/N/2009/06/50622/63/63_1055} THOUSANDS OF INDIVIDUALS ARE COMPLAINING OF THIS PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID 10560143 · filed Jan 15, 2014

AS I WAS DRIVING TO WORK IN THE MORNING ON THE FREEWAY I HAD THE POP SOUND, NEXT THING I KNOW IS THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR POPPED OPEN AND THE WARNING LIGHTS WENT ON. *TR

NHTSA ID 10487977 · filed Dec 11, 2012

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

ASD

NHTSA ID 11089274 · filed Apr 22, 2018

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Exterior lighting

Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

BMW "THIRD STOP LAMP" (THE BREAK LIGHT) DOES NOT FIT THE 1SERIES CORRECTLY. THEY FALL OFF, CRACK, AND DISAPPEAR FREQUENTLY. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH ALL 1 SERIES BMW'S. AS THIS IS A BRAKE LIGHT, IT IS CONCERNING. I BELIEVE THE PART NUMBER FOR THIS ITEM IS (63 25 7164978). HERE IS A LINK TO THE PART WITH A PICTURE {HTTP://BMWETK.INFO/PARTS-CATALOG/PRD/BMW/VT/P/E82/COU/135I%20N54/USA/L/N/2009/06/50622/63/63_1055} THOUSANDS OF INDIVIDUALS ARE COMPLAINING OF THIS PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID 10560143 · filed Jan 15, 2014

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Powertrain (other)

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

SOMETIMES, THE CAR FROM A STAND STILL OR LOW SPEED (BELOW 10-15 MPH) HAS A DELAY BETWEEN THROTTLE INPUT AND ACTUAL ACCELERATION. THIS DELAY OF ACCELERATION HAS CAUSED MANY CLOSE CALLS FOR ACCIDENTS AND/OR SUDDEN BRAKING NEEDED BECAUSE OF OVER ACCELERATION. BETWEEN MY RESEARCH ON THIS ISSUE AND EXPERIENCES WITH THIS, I CAN RELIABLY REPRODUCE THIS ISSUE. BUT DUE TO THE NATURE OF THIS ISSUE, WITHOUT PROPER DOCUMENTATION EQUIPMENT, I CANNOT PROVIDE ANY CONCRETE DATA (BESIDES OTHER DATA PROVIDED BY VARIOUS SOURCE WITH PROFESSIONAL EQUIPMENT.)

NHTSA ID 10811348 · filed Dec 20, 2015

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Visibility

Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

THE RADIO DISPLAY IN THE CAR HAS ITS POLARIZING FILTER OFF-SET SO THAT WHEN WEARING POLARIZED GLASSES YOU CANNOT SEE THE DISPLAY. WHEN REQUIRED TO WEAR PRESCRIPTION GLASSES THIS IS A DISTRACTION AND A SAFETY HAZARD AS YOU HAVE TO REMOVE THE GLASSES TO SEE THE RADIO DISPLAY. THIS IS EXPERIENCED IN THE 335I, WHICH DOES NOT APPEAR IN YOUR PULL DOWN LIST ON THE FOLLOWING PAGES THE CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM HAS ITS POLARIZED FILTER CORRECTLY POSITIONED. ONLY OCCURS IN THE CAR WHEN YOU DO NOT HAVE THE 'I'DRIVE OPTION. *TR

NHTSA ID 10347499 · filed Aug 5, 2010

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .