2010 BMW 5 Series Recalls, Complaints & Specs
5 safety recalls list the 2010 BMW 5 Series, and owners have filed 6 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.
5 safety recalls for the 2010 BMW 5 Series
Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.
-
Engine (engine and engine cooling)
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…
Remedy: 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…
-
Crankcase (pcv) (engine and engine cooling)
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 1 Series Coupe (128i); 2007-2013 3 Series Coupe (328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive); 2007-2010 X3 SAV (X3 3.0si, X3 xDrive30i); 2008-2013 1 Series Convertible (128i); 2006-2011 3 Series Sedan (325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 330i, 330xi); 2006-2012 3 Series Wagon (328i, 328i…
Remedy: This recall supersedes and expands previous NHTSA recalls 17V-683 and 19V-273. Dealers will install an electrical wiring harness with fuse protection for the PCV Valve heater in potentially affected vehicles, free of…
-
Cables (electrical system)
BMW is recalling certain model year 2004-2010 5-series, model year 2004-2010 6-series, model year 2006-2010 m5, and model year 2007-2010 m6 vehicles. The insulated bulkhead connector for the positive battery cable may have been incorrectly attached to the trunk floor panel, which can lead to a loosening of the bolt connection. As it…
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and secure the battery bolt cable connection as necessary, free of charge. The safety recall began on april 30, 2012. Owners may contact BMW customer relations and…
-
Vacuum (service brakes)
BMW is recalling certain model year 2004-2010 5-series, 6-series, and model year 2002-2008 7-series vehicles. A check valve of the brake vacuum pump may leak a small amount of lubricating oil. Over time this could result in contamination of the brake booster.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners and dealers will repair the vehicles free of charge. The safety recall began on november 24, 2010. Owners may contact BMW at 1-800-525-7417.
-
Fuel gauge system (fuel system)
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.
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.
6 owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Owners of the 2010 BMW 5 Series have filed 6 complaints with NHTSA. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 65,600 miles. Complaints peaked in 2010 with 2 filed that year.
Most-reported components
What owners are reporting
“Car stalls at high speed, fuel pump warnings light comes on. Car will reset after 30 mins but will continue to shut off during driving. Both fuel pumps have been replaced”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, June 17, 2019 · Fuel/propulsion system
“On sunday 12/03 i suddenly heard a knocking noise while accelerating and immediately reached the dealership to have the car checked. The diagnosis i received is that there has been a fatal failure of”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, December 22, 2017 · Engine
Fuel economy and specs
EPA ratings for the 2010 BMW 5 Series (528i, 528i xDrive, 535i, 535i Gran Turismo, …). Ranges cover every tested configuration.
| Combined | 18–22 mpg |
|---|---|
| City / Highway | 15–19 / 22–28 |
| Fuel | Premium |
| EPA class | Large Cars, Midsize Cars, Midsize Station Wagons |
| Engine | 6/8 cyl, 3/4.4/4.8 L |
| Transmission | Automatic (S6); Automatic (S8); Manual 6-spd |
Compare BMW 5 Series model years
Recall and complaint counts for every BMW 5 Series model year in NHTSA's database.
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 1989 BMW 5 Series | 0 | 1 |
| 1995 BMW 5 Series | 0 | 3 |
| 1996 BMW 5 Series | 1 | 0 |
| 1997 BMW 5 Series | 1 | 1 |
| 1999 BMW 5 Series | 0 | 2 |
| 2000 BMW 5 Series | 0 | 2 |
| 2001 BMW 5 Series | 0 | 3 |
| 2002 BMW 5 Series | 0 | 7 |
| 2003 BMW 5 Series | 0 | 15 |
| 2004 BMW 5 Series | 6 | 64 |
| 2005 BMW 5 Series | 4 | 21 |
| 2006 BMW 5 Series | 7 | 85 |
| 2007 BMW 5 Series | 3 | 13 |
| 2008 BMW 5 Series | 3 | 105 |
| 2009 BMW 5 Series | 3 | 8 |
| 2010 BMW 5 Series | 5 | 6 |
| 2011 BMW 5 Series | 4 | 81 |
| 2012 BMW 5 Series | 0 | 10 |
| 2023 BMW 5 Series | 1 | 0 |
Checking a specific 2010 BMW 5 Series
How do I know if my 2010 BMW 5 Series has an open recall?
Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 5 campaigns currently list the 2010 BMW 5 Series; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised BMW dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 10V331000).
What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?
A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.
Other BMW models
- X53,154 complaints
- 328I2,578 complaints
- X32,004 complaints
- 325I1,386 complaints
- Z41,281 complaints
- 3 Series843 complaints
- 528I835 complaints
- 330I815 complaints
Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.