2010 BMW 1 Series
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
Have the VIN?
Vehicles › BMW › 1 Series › 2010
These records cover every 2010 BMW 1 Series. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
3 recalls name the 2010 BMW 1 Series. Newest first.
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…
Risk and remedy
Risk
Loose or broken VANOS unit bolts can result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
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 may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
This recall involves aftermarket parts sold by Valeo. Valeo is recalling certain engine cooling fans, part numbers 696121, 696273, and 696275, used as service replacement parts for model year 2008-2011 BMW 1-Series, 2006-2011 BMW 3-Series, 2000-2009 BMW 5-Series, 2004-2005 BMW 6-Series, and 2006-2007 BMW 7-Series vehicles. A metal-oxide semiconductor may…
Risk and remedy
Risk
This condition could cause the fan motor to become inoperative, or cause the motor circuit board in the assembly to overheat, potentially leading to a fire in the engine compartment.
Remedy
Valeo will notify owners and replace the fans free of charge. The safety recall began on August 22, 2012. This recall is being conducted by Valeo, not by BMW. For further information, owners may contact Valeo at 1-888-718-2536.
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 and remedy
Risk
The insulation around the pre-tensioner could ignite.
Remedy
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.
Owner complaints
8 complaints
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Air bags · Seats
Failed passenger seat occupancy sensor. Does not detect passenger. "Airbag off" IS illuminated when passenger IS present.
- Air bags
I received a letter from BMW advising that parts are available and to contact my local dealer to have them installed. I have contacted my dealer and they said that due to limited availability of parts, I could not have them installed until march 2018.
- Air bags
Takata recall
- Air bags
Takata recall
- Fuel/propulsion system · Vehicle speed control
My wife was driving her car on the free way at night by her self and it went from 65 miles to hour to 25 miles an hour and then it stopped. I had to have the vehicle towed to my home and my wife was very scared. I then had the car towed to mag BMW in dublin ohio. Once there I was told that it had a…
My wife was driving her car on the free way at night by her self and it went from 65 miles to hour to 25 miles an hour and then it stopped. I had to have the vehicle towed to my home and my wife was very scared. I then had the car towed to mag BMW in dublin ohio. Once there I was told that it had a gas leak in the inside of the fuel tank that IS causing the car to loose power and that IS why it stopped. I was told by the service person that it would cost me $3000 to get it repaired. I was also told that BMW does not use that fuel tank anymore so I would have to replace the fuel pump also. I asked if you no longer use the fuel tank it must be something wrong with it and then BMW should be responsible. I was told that was not the case and that I was responsible. as you can see this could have turned out very bad if my wife would have been in heavy traffic going 65 miles per hour and then just starts to slow down with no notice or no issue. The car IS still in my garage with no work been done just incase some one needs to look at the car. I did have to pay $400 dollars to be told about the gas tank problem. The car has 40,000 miles on it.
- Electrical system
Radio not always going on when turned on or turning off by itself or changing stations. Ongoing problem. Brought to dealer who had me wait for over 5 hrs. For the "controller" to be changed. Problem continued along with one occasion of loud buzzing coming from rear of vehicle. Brought to attention…
Radio not always going on when turned on or turning off by itself or changing stations. Ongoing problem. Brought to dealer who had me wait for over 5 hrs. For the "controller" to be changed. Problem continued along with one occasion of loud buzzing coming from rear of vehicle. Brought to attention of dealer several times when in for servicing but was told there was no problem. Discovered only too late that I was beyond the time of filing a complaint under the lemon law. Brought vehicle it to dealer for appraisal and possible "buy back" but was offered only about half its value. Now I am encountering problem of "service engine soon" light going on and remaining on (over several thousand mi.), paid to have checked but received code only. Tired of going around in circles with this car and company so am now considering trading with another company. *tr
- Exterior lighting
The tail lights and 3RD brake light fail. There IS no indicator on dash that notifies of such failure, creates a very dangerous situation. *Tr
- Engine and engine cooling
Car suddenly stalled in middle of highway. No warning , engine just quit. *Tr
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 10249027The 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.
- 10240305Spl Parts, Inc. communications index accompanying MCP uploads 23mc40464 & 23mc40471
- 10240273This is the companion to SPL Parts, Inc.'s SB 23-01 mailed by private label independent distributor Turner Motorsports.
- 10240266SPL Parts, Inc. manufacturers and distributes aftermarket lower control arms for dedicated competition vehicles and "track day" cars some of which may be used on both track and highway. SB 23-01 adresses proper installation torque of cap bolt fasteners attaching SPL's aftermarket lower control arms, recurring inspection and confirmation of torque setting and removal and replacement of damaged or under torqued fasteners to reduce risk of premature failure and accident. SB-23-01 was mailed, emailed and posted on SPL website to known resellers, race teams and users of the affected parts and is being submitted here as required by part 579.5. Vehicle Applications include: BMW series 1,2,3,& 4, 2008-2023; Chevrolet Camaro 26-2023, Cadillac ATS, CTS 2016-2019; Ford Mustang 2015-2023; Toyota Supra 2020-2023.
- 10182619Discharged 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.
- 10145306NAVIGATION SYSTEM: REPORTING MISSING OR INCORRECT ROAD MAP DATA: The route guidance is inaccurate and therefore irritating to the customer; or it is not possible to locate certain addresses, for instance:
- 10143564NAVIGATION SYSTEM: REPORTING MISSING OR INCORRECT ROAD MAP DATA: The route guidance is inaccurate and therefore irritating to the customer; or it is not possible to locate certain addresses, for instance:
- 10057335BMW: the camshaft (vanos) adjustment units, on certain vehicle, had the limited warranty extended, without the limitation of mileage, to 10 years.
- 10056707BMW: when air conditioner IS on, engine speed will fluctuates, intermittently, from 500 to 1,100 rpm, after coming to a stop and possible cause IS due to unfavorable dme software. Model 2010-13 E82 (1 series), E88 (1 series).
- 10056099BMW: when using iphone, various connectivity failures occur, such as disconnection of call, list of contacts incomplete, due to the variants and software used. Model 2008-2014.
- 10053585BMW: oil leaks from the air hose on turbocharger. This IS designated for E70, and E90 models with M57Y diesel engines. Service engine soon lamp may be illuminated.
- 10053485BMW: service engine and engine malfunction light illuminates. Vehicle may have reduced power output. Fault code may not clear from dme fault memory. Updated on 11/8/2013. Updated 2/21/2014 updated 3/11/14.
- 10053326BMW: different fault codes stored for the N51, N52K, N52T, and N55 engines in the dme related to vanos and camshaft position. Updated 11/1/13. Updated 05/05/2014
- 10052013BMW: replacement of the OC3 sensor seat mat on the passenger seat. Models E82, E88, E90, E91, E92, E93. Model years unknown. Updated 12/6/13.
- 10052012BMW: battery has an increased demand due to developemental process of the electrical system. This IS causing the batter to need to undergo an energy diagnosis.
- 10052011BMW: fuel tank pressure. Check engine light may illuminate with a fault code of 19401b. This light indicates that the pressure may be low as opposed to ambient.
- 10051899Instrument cluster display IS intermittently inoperative. BMW F25, and F30 models.
- 10051898Instrument panel and guages are inoperative. BMW model F30.
- 10051897During the scheduled 3 month/ 5,000 mile service it could possibly be determined that some of the contact protective sleeve s in the charging socket may be missing. BMW model E28E.
- 10051892Asc (automatic stability control) operation to sensitive. Cruise control action function can occasionally activate and deactivate due to the asc implausability when the dsc warning lamp IS flashing on the instrument cluster. BMW.
- 10046899BMW: information on maintenance to e motor greasing where the eme/e motor assembly IS removed. The cables, eme high voltage, should be reinstalled in original factory position to avoid contact with exposed fasteners in rear right wheel housing and possible damage to insulation. Model E82E (1series). No model year listed.
- 10046721BMW: reinstall the eps harness in correctly, factory position, after replacing eps steering rack. If routed incorrectly, may contact subframe member and damage harness insulation. Model E82E (1 series). No model year listed.
- 10045285BMW: water penetrates the passenger compartment due to openings in service transmission tunnel with insufficient sealing, causing carpet to be wet in center tunnel area.
- 10045283BMW: experiencing loss of engine power, service engine soon lamp IS illuminated, a noise, like rattling, coming from engine compartment. Updated 10/31/12. Models 2010 E70, 71, 82, 88, 90, 92, 93, F07, 10, 12, 13, 25. Updated 1/18/13. Updated 4/18/2013. Updated 05/13/2013 updated 5/19/15.
- 10045281BMW: parking lock adaption needs to be relearned, via service functions of ista activee, after eme, transmission/parking lock replacement of actuator.
- 10045279BMW: a failure of the turbocharger wastegates, caused by a defect, has an emissions extended warranty, 8 years or 82,000 miles, whichever comes first, not otherwise falling within coverage exclusion.
- 10043862BMW: electronic malfunction and various check control messages are displayed in cid (central information display) and instrument cluster. Models 2009-2012 E70, E71, E72, E82, E88, E90, E91, E92, E93, F01, F02, F04, F07, F10, F12, F13, F25. Updated 11/2/12.
- 10042686BMW: on certain vehicles, the jbe (junction box electronics) module fails programming during a software update of the vehicle.
- 10042684BMW: on some vehicles, the high pressure fuel pump has an internal component that may fail and causing drivability symptoms such as erratic engine operation and longer starting times.
- 10041407BMW: service engine soon light IS on and the engine has reduced power with trouble codes stored. Updated on 4/24/2013.
- 10041277BMW: the door cannot be locked or unlocked when using the key or key remote. Lubrication of the door can cause defects.
- 10041276BMW: service engine soon light IS on with a fault code stored. Internal dmtl pump failure.*rm
- 10041069BMW: service engine soon light IS on with stored trouble codes.
- 10040854BMW: the vehicle electrical system fails and the vehicle fails to start. The central locking system fails to operate with the remote key. The key cannot be inserted into the key slot. Communication to the vehicle IS not possible. The positive battery cable connection at the front power distribution box loses connection.
- 10040852BMW: the service engine soon light IS on. There are trouble codes stored for the crankshaft sensor. No driveability issues.
- 10040845BMW: loss of performance and turbocharger noise due to the oil supply restricted, causing oil starvation and resulting in the seizing of the turbocharger assembly. Updated 7/09/13. Updated 9/25/15.
- 10040368BMW service campaign: see document search button for owner letter. There may be a problem with the fuel pump which could not meet emissions requirements. There may be a long crank and a service engine soon light.
- 10040170BMW: a software error IS causing the the service engine soon light to come on. There will be stored trouble codes.
- 10040045BMW: a new technical support process has been created regarding transmission concerns.
- 10039765BMW: the service engine soon light IS on while driving. This IS a programming issue. Updated 1/4/12. Updated 4/24/12.
Every BMW 1 Series model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.