Recalls: BMW F10 5-Series sedan
Overview
Manufacturers, or importers, issue recalls for defects or faults which have the potential to cause injury. Generally, manufacturers will inform the original buyers if their vehicle is subject to a recall and of the steps required to remedy the defect or fault. Please note that the recalls below (if any) are for Australian-delivered vehicles only. Furthermore, the number of recalls should not be taken as an indication of a model’s reliability or its safety more generally.
Recalls: BMW F10 5-Series sedan
2010-11 BMW F10 5-Series with turbo V8: coolant pump failure
In November 2011, a recall was issued for BMW F10 5-Series sedan vehicles with turbocharged V8 engines that were manufactured prior to February 2011. In these vehicles, dissolved plastic additives in the coolant pump may short-circuit and cause the coolant pump to fail – as a result, the coolant pump could overheat and present a fire hazard (PRA 2012/13086).
2012-13 BMW F10 5-Series: loss of power braking assistance
In October 2013, a recall was issued for BMW F10 5-Series vehicles that were available for sale from 1 November 2012 to 31 July 2013. In these vehicles, the vacuum pump may fail due to a lack of lubrication. As a result, the power brake boost unit would not be supplied with sufficient vacuum force, reducing the effectiveness of the brake assistance function. In turn, reduced braking effectiveness posed a hazard to the driver and other road users. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, see PRA 2013/13801.
BMW F10 5-Series with I6 engine: VANOS oil leak and ‘limp home’ mode
In June 2014, a recall was issued for BMW F10 5-Series Sedans that had N51, N52 or N55 six-cylinder petrol engines and were available for sale from 1 October 2009 to 30 April 2012. In these vehicles, the bolted connection on the housing of the variable valve timing unit (VANOS) adjustment units could become loose. If this occurred, the units may develop an internal oil leak and then no longer adjust quickly enough due to the reduced oil pressure. The vehicle’s emergency engine mode would then be activated and the engine warning light would illuminate to warn the driver. If the vehicle was being driven and slowed down or stopped unexpectedly, it would pose an accident hazard to the driver and other road users (PRA 2014/14160).
2013-16 BMW F10 5-Series Sedan: Takata airbag recall
In December 2018, a staged recall campaign was initiated for BMW ‘F Series’ models – this included 2013-16 BMW F10 5-Series Sedan vehicles. These vehicles had Takata driver’s airbags and the propellant wafers in these airbags could absorb moisture over time. In the event of airbag deployment, excessive internal pressure could cause the metal inflator housing to rupture and metallic fragments could be projected through the airbag cushion towards vehicle occupants – these fragments posed a risk of serious injury and fatality. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see PRA 2018/17191.
2010-12 BMW F10 5-Series Sedan: camshaft timing unit bolts could break
In November 2023, recall campaign 0011520700 was issued for 2010-12 BMW F10 5-Series Sedans. In these vehicles, the bolts connecting the variable camshaft timing unit (BMW’s ‘VANOS’) to the engine may break. If this occurred, the vehicle’s ‘limp home’ safety mode may be activated, the engine warning light may illuminate and the vehicle may lose motive power. A loss of motive power while driving could increase the risk of a collision and injury to vehicle occupants and other road users. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see REC-005810.
Problems and faults: BMW F10 5-Series Sedan
Overview
This section identifies potential problems, causes and fixes based on the experiences of owners and repairers, online sources and technical service bulletins. This information is provided solely for reference purposes and AustralianCar.Reviews recommends that only properly qualified persons carry out repairs or modifications. Furthermore, the number of items below should not be taken as an indicator of a model’s reliability or the frequency with which they may occur.
To report a problem or fault to the AustralianCar.Reviews team, please use the Contact Us form. Note that AustralianCar.Reviews does not offer advice on automotive problems or disputes; such enquiries will not receive a reply. For vehicles purchased from dealers after 1 January 2011, please see our Australian Consumer Law fact sheet.
2010-11 BMW F10 520d: N47 timing chain failure
For 2.0-litre N47 four-cylinder turbo-diesel engines manufactured between March 2007 and March 2011, excessively sharp teeth on the crankshaft sprocket could damage, or break, the timing chain. Please note that in the event of breakage, catastrophic engine damage could result and the primary symptom of timing chain damage was a loud ticking noise from the rear end of the engine. For these engines, two situations applied:
- For models manufactured before May 2009, the timing chains, camshaft sprocket and crankshaft required replacement. Of these, the crankshaft had to be replaced because the sprocket was welded to it and the engine also had to be removed because the timing chains were positioned at the rear of the engine, Due to the cost of repair, some owners opted to replace the engine instead.
- For models manufactured from May 2009 to March 2011, the crankshaft did not require replacement since the design of the crankshaft sprockets had been changed. The timing chains and timing guides, however, still required replacement.
2010-14 BMW F10 520i, 528i, 535i and 550i: ‘Service Engine Soon’, ‘Drivetrain Malfunction’ and VANOS faults
In September 2014, BMW North America issued Service Bulletin SI B12 26 14 for BMW F10 520i, 528i, 535i and 550i sedans that were manufactured prior to July 2014. These vehicles may exhibit the following symptoms:
- Illumination of the ‘Service Engine Soon’ warning (Malfunction Indicator Light);
- The engine may enter a reduced power mode with the ‘Drivetrain Malfunction’ message displayed; and,
- One or more VANOS faults may be stored in the DME, even though the engine is mechanically sound and no unusual noises can be heard from the VANOS area. These VANOS faults related to implausible camshaft position (intake or exhaust), the camshaft stuck situation, or the camshaft angle offset relative to the crankshaft being outside the tolerance range.
According to the service bulletin, these symptoms could be due to unfavourable Engine Position Management (EPM) parameters in the DME software. The service bulletin recommended test plans be performed using BMW’s ISTA/D diagnostics system and any VANOS hardware issues were to be corrected. After performing repairs, or if the ISTA test plan was inconclusive, the vehicle’s DME software was to be re-programmed with the latest version of ISTA/P. If further VANOS control faults occurred after the DME software was updated, further diagnosis would be required to identify its cause.
2009-11 BMW F10 528i and 535i: rattling noise, loss of power and ‘Service Engine Soon’
In October 2014, BMW issued Service Information Bulletin SI B12 14 10 for BMW F10 528i and 535i Sedans produced from September 2009 to August 2011 that had N52 and N55 engines. According to the bulletin, these vehicles may exhibit the following symptoms:
- A rattling noise from the engine compartment;
- A loss of engine power;
- Illumination of the ‘Service Engine Soon’ lamp; and,
- A range of faults stored in the DME related to VANOS and camshaft position.
The bulletin attributed these symptoms to one or both (intake and/or exhaust) of the VANOS gear assemblies having faulty assembly bolts. As a result, one or more of the four assembly bolts may have loosened or broken. If the VANOS gear assembly bolts were found loose or broken, the affected VANOS gear assembly was to be replaced.
2010-12 BMW F10 550i: oil consumption and rough running
In November 2012, BMW issued Service Information Bulletin SI B11 07 12 for BMW F10 550i Sedans that had N63 engines. According to the technical bulletin, the N63 engine may:
- Consume oil above its permitted specification;
- Run rough; and,
- White or blue smoke may be emitted from the exhaust.
The technical bulletin attributed these symptoms to engine compartment temperatures making the construction material of the crankcase ventilation connection lines and vent pipes brittle.
For BMW F10 550i Sedans produced prior to January 2011, the crankcase ventilation connecting lines and vent pipes were to be replaced. For vehicles produced after January 2011, the crankcase ventilation connecting lines and vent pipes were to be inspected and, if loose, secured.
2010-12 BMW F10 550i: engine oil pump volume control valve leaks
In August 2012, BMW issued Service Information Bulletin SI B11 08 12 for 2010-12 BMW F10 550i Sedans that had N63 engines. According to the technical bulletin, the engine oil pump volume control valve gasket seal ring may leak engine oil due as a result of damage to the seal ring during assembly. To fix,
- The engine oil pump volume control valve was to be removed;
- The engine oil pump volume control valve gasket seal ring (part number 07 11 9 963 473) was to be replaced; and,
- The oil pump volume control valve was to be reinstalled.
2011 BMW F10 550i: N63 high-pressure fuel pump failure
In July 2015, BMW issued Service Information Bulletin SI B13 02 15 for BMW F10 550i Sedans that were produced from 1 January 2011 to 1 December 2011. According to the service bulletin, the high-pressure fuel pump quantity control valve could fail and this would cause:
- Reduced engine output; and,
- An engine malfunction warning.
To fix, both high-pressure fuel pumps were to be replaced.
2010-13 BMW F10 550i: N63 Customer Care Package
In January 2015, BMW issued Service Information Bulletin SI B11 06 14 for BMW F10 550i Sedans produced from March 2010 to July 2013 that were powered by the N63B44O0 engine. This technical bulletin described the ‘N63 Customer Care Package’ which consisted of a six point check and, if necessary, the replacement of one or more of the following powertrain components:
- Hot-film air mass sensors;
- High-pressure piezo fuel injectors;
- Engine vacuum pump;
- Fuel system low pressure sensor/feed line;
- Fresh air intake turbo seals; and,
- Crankcase ventilation lines (hoses).
Issued in May 2015, Service Information Bulletin SI B11 16 14 advised that the engine timing chains should be checked for wear in conjunction with the N63 Customer Care Package. To avoid future valvetrain wear, the ECU was to be re-programmed and a shorter oil service interval (12 months/10,000 kilometres, previously 2 years/15,000 kilometres) was to be introduced via ISTA/P. Finally, the engine oil and filter were to be replaced.
Service Information Bulletin SI B11 06 14 also advised that Service Information Bulletin SI B61 30 14 (12 volt battery replacement) should also be performed if applicable. For vehicles that had undergone the N63 Customer Care Package, a service action label with the code ‘721’ was to be attached to the A-pillar.
The above inspections and replacements were to be performed at no cost to the owner, while the ‘N63 Customer Loyalty Offer’ provided incentives for owners affected by the campaign to trade-in their N63-powered vehicle.
BMW F10 5-Series with option 0465 (through load system)
In 2015, BMW UK issued a ‘non-code action’ for BMW F10 5-Series Saloons that were fitted with option 0465 – BMW’s through load system – and had VINs in the following ranges:
- WBA5A32000D791833 to WBA5E52070G215509; or,
- WBSFV92000G250519 to WBSFV92000G250609.
Due to a production fault during body manufacture, a lower ISOFIX mounting bracket may have been incorrectly fitted. As such, it may not be possible to correctly fit an ISOFIX child seat. To rectify, the relevant mountings were to be checked and, if necessary, re-worked (NCA/2015/027).
Problems and faults: BMW F10 5-Series sedan
- The engine may overheat due to either an electrical problem between the electric water pump and control module or the water pump itself.
- If there is a rattling noise from the front of the engine and the ‘check engine’ light illuminates, there may be a leak in an oil line for the variable valve timing system.
- For early models, the ‘check engine’ light may illuminate and the engine may run rough due to problems with the original ignition coils; BMW subsequently replaced the original coils with Bosch units.
- For models with the 3.0-litre inline six cylinder engine, the hydraulic valve adjusters (lifters) may tick on start-up due to oil drain-back and may take up to 30 minutes of driving to quiet down.
- The ‘electronic steering lock’ warning light may illuminate and/or the vehicle will not start if the battery was low when starting.
- The universal garage door opener may not accept a code from a different source (new transmitter or new owner) if the batteries in the transmitter are low.
- For models with steering wheel gearshift paddles, the paddles may stop working due to loose connectors terminating the electrical circuit.
- Vibrating speedometer and/or tachometer needles at idle require reprogramming.
- The pivot for the boot hydraulic lift cylinder may become loose and/or its threads may rust, requiring the cylinder to be reinstalled with sealant or the pivot to be replaced.
- The ‘flat tyre’ warning light may illuminate if the sensor is not reset after a tyre is replaced.
