- The problem
- BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2011 128i and 2007-2011 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 525i, 525xi, 528i, 528xi, 530i, 530xi, X3 3.0si, X3 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive30i, Z4 3.0i, Z4 3.0si and Z4 sDrive30i vehicles. The heater for the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve may short circuit.
- The risk
- An electrical short can cause the parts within the PCV valve to melt, increasing the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is not in use.
- The fix
- BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the PCV valve heater, free of charge. Interim letters were mailed on November 27, 2017. Owners will receive a second notification by the end of October 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Vehicle safety record
2011 BMW 525I Problems, complaints & recalls
No owner complaints about the 2011 BMW 525I have been filed with NHTSA. It is covered by 1 recall, the latest in October 2017 for the crankcase (pcv).
NHTSA data checked
AFar fewer problems than a typical 525I year, for its age
- Complaints
- 0
- Recalls
- 1
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
2011 BMW 525I recalls 1
Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do
What owners say
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No complaints about the 2011 BMW 525I yet
No owner has filed a complaint about this vehicle with NHTSA. If yours has a problem, share it here and report it to NHTSA.
BMW 525I: every year compared
All 525I years2011 BMW 525I vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 BMW 525I | 0 | 1 | A | |
| 2011 BMW 328I | 686 | 7 | F | Compare |
| 2011 BMW 328I Xdrive | 686 | 0 | F | Compare |
| 2011 BMW 128I | 92 | 7 | F | Compare |
| 2011 BMW 135I | 66 | 6 | F | Compare |
| 2011 BMW 325I | 1 | 3 | C | Compare |
| 2011 BMW 323I | 1 | 2 | C | Compare |
More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.
Questions about the 2011 BMW 525I
Does the 2011 BMW 525I have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2011 BMW 525I: crankcase (pcv) (October 2017). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.
How many complaints has the 2011 BMW 525I had?
None have been filed with NHTSA so far.
Is the 2011 BMW 525I a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 84 out of 100 (grade A: far fewer problems than a typical BMW 525I year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.
Which BMW 525I years have the most complaints?
1995 (24), 1992 (18), 1991 (13). See every BMW 525I year compared.
What should I do if my 2011 BMW 525I has a problem?
If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data