2010 BMW 5 Series Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Best The 2010 BMW 5 Series ranks 8th out of 9 model years, with a complaint index of 13 and 6 complaints reported to NHTSA, earning a Best verdict relative to other 5 Series years. NHTSA lists 5 recalls covering engine, electrical, brakes, and fuel system issues.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 13/100
- #8 of 9 5 Series years
- Verdict
- Best
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 6
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 5
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 0
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Engine
Top 2010 BMW 5 Series problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine2 (33%)
- Fuel System2 (33%)
- Airbags1 (17%)
- Electrical System1 (17%)
- Other1 (17%)
- Structure & Body1 (17%)
- Visibility & Wipers1 (17%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Engine can lose power at higher RPM and then recover once RPM drops, a pattern owners said repeated after a dealer repair.
- The airbag warning light can illuminate intermittently with a passenger seated and belted, without BMW diagnostics identifying a clear fault.
- The sunroof can shatter suddenly while driving on the freeway, scattering glass without a related crash.
- A knocking noise can develop while accelerating, linked by owners to a bearing failure that requires engine replacement.
- Both fuel pumps have been reported to fail, with the car stalling at high speed and a fuel pump warning light coming on before it resets and stalls again.
2010 BMW 5 Series recalls
5 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 23V707000Oct 20, 2023Engine157,796 vehicles
Engine and engine cooling:engine
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 adjustment (VANOS) unit can loosen over time and possibly break.
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.
- NHTSA 22V119000Mar 2, 2022Engine917,106 vehicles
Engine and engine cooling:exhaust system:emission control:crankcase (pcv)
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 xDrive); 2007-2013 3 Series Convertible (328i); 2006-2010 5 Series Sedan (525i, 525xi, 528i, 528xi, 530i, 530xi); 2006-2007 5 Series Wagon (530xi); 2007-2010 X5 SAV (X5 3.0si, X5 xDrive30i); 2006-2008 Z4 Coupe (Z4 3.0si); and 2006-2011 Z4 Roadster (Z4 3.0i, Z4 3.0si, Z4 sDrive30i) vehicles. The heater for the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve may short circuit.
Risk: An electrical short can cause the PCV valve heater to overheat, increasing the risk of a fire while driving or, soon after driving when parked.
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 charge. This recall supersedes and expands previous NHTSA recalls 17V-683 and 19V-273. Vehicles previously repaired under the prior recalls will need to come back for the new recall remedy. The remedy is currently being developed. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed on April 1, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 22, 2022. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
- NHTSA 12V126000Mar 26, 2012Electrical System367,682 vehicles
Electrical system:12v/24v/48v battery:cables
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 loosens, an increase in electrical resistance at this cable connection is possible and could cause the cable connection to overheat.
Risk: Overheating could lead to a fire, even while the vehicle is not in use. As a precaution, owners are advised to park outside until the remedy has been made.
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 services at 1-800-525-7417.
2010 compared with other 5 Series years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2010 BMW 5 Series reliable?
- Relative to other 5 Series model years, the 2010 has a Best verdict, with a complaint index of 13 and only 6 complaints logged with NHTSA, the second-lowest complaint volume among the 9 years with data.
- What problems does the 2010 BMW 5 Series have?
- NHTSA complaints point to engine issues (33% of complaints), fuel system issues (33%), and single reports each for airbags, electrical system, structure and body, and visibility and wipers.
- Does the 2010 BMW 5 Series have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2010 5 Series, covering the engine (VANOS bolts and wiring), electrical system (battery cable connector), brakes (vacuum pump check valve), and fuel system (fuel level sensor).
- How does the 2010 5 Series compare to other years?
- The 2010 ranks 8th worst out of 9 years tracked, well below 2008 (complaint index 100, Avoid) and 2011 (complaint index 88, Avoid), and close to 2012 (complaint index 25, Good).
- At what mileage do 2010 5 Series problems tend to show up?
- Median mileage at failure across all reported issues is 53,000 miles, though engine complaints show a median of 70,000 miles and fuel system complaints show a median of 130,000 miles.