RoadVitals

2010 BMW 5-Series Gran Turismo

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

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.
3
Latest Jul 17, 2014
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
3
Latest Oct 17, 2016
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
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.
0

Overview

Our database contains 3 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2010 BMW 5-Series Gran Turismo, most frequently naming the fuel system and engine categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 26 manufacturer communications are on file.

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

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Fuel system375.0%
  • Engine125.0%

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

Safety recalls

3 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

Oct 17, 2016
136,188 units potentially affected
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 BMW X5 3.0si, X5 4.8i, X5 M, X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive48i and X5 xDrive50i, 2008-2011 X6 x Drive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6 M, 2010-2011 X6 ActiveHybrid, 535i xDrive Gran Turismo, 535i Gran Turismo, 550i xDrive Gran Turismo and 550i Gran Turismo, 2011-2012 528i, 535i, 535i xDrive, 550i and 550i xDrive and 2012 535i ActiveHybrid, 640i Convertible, 650i Convertible, 650i xDrive Convertible, 650i Coupe and 650i Coupe xDrive vehicles. The affected vehicles have in-tank fuel pumps that may have insufficiently crimped wire contacts.
The risk: The loose wires may cause the connector to melt, resulting in a fuel leak. Additionally, the fuel pump may stop working, possibly causing an engine stall and increase the risk of a crash.
The remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. The recall began February 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
BMW of North America, LLCView on NHTSA.gov

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OTHER FUEL TYPES:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER

Oct 20, 2011
32,084 units potentially affected
The defect: BMW 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 MODEL YEAR 2008-2011 X6 SAV VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 8- OR 12-CYLINDER, TURBOCHARGED, ENGINES BECAUSE THE CIRCUIT BOARD FOR THE ELECTRIC AUXILIARY WATER PUMP CAN OVERHEAT.
The risk: THIS COULD LEAD TO A SMOLDERING OF THE PUMP OR AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT OR VEHICLE FIRE.
The remedy: BMW WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AUXILIARY WATER PUMP FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 19, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND SERVICES AT 1-800-525-7417.
BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLCView on NHTSA.gov

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:FUEL GAUGE SYSTEM

Jul 22, 2010
6,080 units potentially affected
The defect: BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN 2010 AND 2011 5-SERIES AND 5-SERIES GRAN TURISMO PASSENGER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JANUARY 12 THROUGH JULY 1, 2010. THE VEHICLE'S FUEL LEVEL SENSOR WITHIN THE FUEL TANK CAN BECOME WEDGED AGAINST THE TANK.
The risk: IF THIS OCCURS, THE FUEL GAUGE IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WOULD DISPLAY A LARGER AMOUNT OF FUEL THAN WAS ACTUALLY IN THE TANK. AS A RESULT, IF THE TANK BECAME EMPTY, THE VEHICLE COULD STALL INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The remedy: BMW WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-525-7417.
BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLCView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

EngineFuel system
Filed Jul 17, 2014

FIRST OWNER 1. JAN 2012 FUEL INJECTOR PERMANENT MALFUNCTION (MILEAGE 25,857) 2. OCT 2012 FUEL INJECTOR LEAKING (MILEAGE 36,080) 3. JAN 2013 FUEL LINES/ PERMANENT MALFUNCTION / VEHICLE BATTERY PERMANENT FAILURE 4. NOV 2013 - DEC 2013 FUEL INJECTOR PERMANENT MALFUNCTION (MILEAGE 43,057) I PURCHASED JAN 2014 1. JAN 16, 2014 ELECTRICAL ISSUE 2. FEB 19, 2014 FUEL INJECTOR PERMANENT MALFUNCTION BATTERY CHARGE 3. MAR 31, 2014 FUEL PUMP REPLACED 4. MAY 2014 ELECTRICAL ISSUES 5. JUNE 19, 2014 ELECTRICAL ISSUE / COOLANT LEAK (OR FUEL INJECTOR) / ALTERNATOR FAILURE 6. JUNE 27, 2014 TURBO SEALS LEAKING (MILEAGE 49,529). *TR

NHTSA ID
10611274
Incident
Jan 13, 2012
Mileage
25,857 mi
Fuel system
Filed Feb 27, 2013

WHILE DRIVING, APPROXIMATE SPEED OF 30 MILES PER HOUR MY CAR SLOWED DOWN AND SHOWED A SIGNAL ON THE DASH BOARD SAYING A REDUCTION IN POWER. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO BMW AND WAS TOLD NOTHING COULD BE FOUND. MANAGER TOLD ME IT MAY HAVE BEEN BAD GAS. SINCE OCTOBER 22, 2012 THE VEHICLE HAS HAD THIS HAPPEN 3 MORE TIMES. EACH INCIDENT WITH THE REDUCTION IN POWER HAS OCCURRED AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS AND THE TERRAIN WAS DIFFERENT. EACH TIME IT IS TAKEN TO BMW I WAS TOLD THEY CANNOT FIND THE PROBLEM. THE TECHNICIAN SUGGESTED I TURN THE VEHICLE ON AND OFF ABOUT TEN TIMES AFTER PUTTING FUEL IN IT. THAT DID NOT, NOR HAS NOT SOLVED THE PROBLEM. AFTER VIEWING OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THIS SERIES I HAVE FOUND I' AM NOT THE ONLY PERSON HAVING THIS PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID
10500589
Incident
Oct 22, 2012
Mileage
50,200 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jul 6, 2011

CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V331000 OUR 2010 BMW 5 SERIES GRAN TURISMO WAS PURCHASED ON DECEMBER 28 FROM BMW OF ENCINITAS CALIFORNIA WHILE THIS RECALL WAS IN EFFECT. (RECALL STARTED OCT 18, 2010) THEY NEVER PERFORMED THE RECALL REPAIR BEFORE DELIVERING THE VEHICLE, NEVER INFORMED US OF A RECALL AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE, AND WE WERE NEVER INFORMED OF A RECALL BY THIS DEALER OR BY BMW AT ANY TIME AFTERWARDS. WE ONLY FOUND OUT ABOUT THE RECALL WHEN WE VISITED ANOTHER DEALER IN LATE JUNE, 8 MONTHS LATER, AND, AS A COURTESY, THEY CHECKED THE KEY FOB INFORMATION AND FOUND THERE WAS AN OUTSTANDING RECALL. WE TOOK THE VEHICLE IN ON JUNE 27 TO HAVE THE REPAIR DONE. FORTUNATELY, THE VEHICLE DID NOT EXPERIENCE A FAILURE IN THE INTERIM! AS A SAFETY ENGINEER AND INVESTIGATOR I FIND THIS TO BE INEXCUSABLE. HOW MANY OTHER RECALLS ARE OUT THERE ON THE ROAD WITHOUT ANY NOTICE FROM BMW? *TR

NHTSA ID
10410808
Incident
Jun 27, 2011

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

B510819

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.

B611305

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The 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. This document covers important information for the dealer on how to handle “discharged battery” complaints.

B160623

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING; FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

Engine 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 DME: 032B43 - Low fuel pressure system, electric fuel pump: pressure value too low CDA594 - Message (- 0x33E) missing, receiver DME, transmitter TFE

B653423

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT

Customers may state that the alarm system (DWA) is not active after locking their unoccupied vehicle. Depending on the vehicle’s equipment and settings, no acoustic or optical confirmation (folding the mirrors/blinking confirmation) is noticeable. Additionally, the red anti-theft alarm LED in the interior mirror does not briefly flash every 2 seconds, indicating the alarm is armed.

B611305

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT; EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY

Discharged Battery Energy Diagnosis Must Be Performed: The 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. This document covers important information for the dealer on how to handle "discharged battery" complaints. In order to properly repair the vehicle the first time in the workshop, it is very important that the diagnostic test plans are performed to completion, with all results taken into consideration. Without performing the energy diagnosis test plan, the root cause of the discharged battery cannot be identified. This increases the chances of a repeat repair.

SIB-11-16-14

ENGINE

BMW: ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, ENGINE TIMING CHAIN SHOULD BE CHECKED FOR EARLY STAGES OF WEAR, AND A REPAIR SOLUTION SHOULD BE PROVIDED. *PE UPDATED 9/25/15. *PE UPDATED 10/6/15. *PE

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

BMW 5-Series Gran Turismo by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2017001
2012000
2011440
2010Viewing330
2009000
2008000

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. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.