2010 BMW 5 Series: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2010 BMW 5 Series: 5 recalls, 6 owner complaints and up to 22 mpg combined.
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Recalls
5 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Fuel system (other) Vehicle recall #10V331000 · 2010 · 6,080 vehicles
What's wrong: The vehicle's fuel level sensor within the fuel tank can become wedged against the tank.
Why it matters: If this occurs, the fuel gauge in the instrument cluster would display a larger amount of fuel than was actually in the tank. As a result, if the tank became empty, the vehicle could stall increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Bmw will notify owners and dealers will repair the vehicles free of charge. The safety recall began on October 18, 2010.
Brakes (hydraulic) Vehicle recall #10V446000 · 2010 · 198,352 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: Power assist braking performance could be adversely affected. In extreme cases there could be a complete loss of power assist braking. An unexpected reduction or loss in power braking assist May increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Bmw will notify owners and dealers will repair the vehicles free of charge. The safety recall began on November 24, 2010.
Electrical Vehicle recall #12V126000 · 2012 · 367,682 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: 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.
Engine & cooling Vehicle recall #22V119000 · 2022 · 917,106 vehicles
What's wrong: 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…
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: 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…
Engine & cooling Vehicle recall #23V707000 · 2023 · 157,796 vehicles
What's wrong: The aluminum bolts that secure the housing for the variable camshaft timing adjustment (vanos) unit can loosen over time and possibly break.
Why it matters: Loose or broken vanos unit bolts can result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: 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.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 0 mention a fire, 0 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Airbags (1): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Electrical (1): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Engine & cooling (1): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Other / unknown (1): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
The 2010 BMW 5 Series has 6 owner complaints, ranking #11 of 18 5 Series model years for complaints (well below the 24 average). Complaints peaked in 2010 (2 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 2 years old, at a median of 53,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2009 (8 complaints, 3 recalls), 2011 (81 complaints, 4 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.0 L 6-cyl | Manual 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 18 | 28 | 22 | Premium |
| 3.0 L 6-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 19 | 28 | 22 | Premium |
| 3.0 L 6-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 18 | 27 | 21 | Premium |
| 3.0 L 6-cyl | Automatic (S6) | All-Wheel Drive | 17 | 25 | 20 | Premium |
| 3.0 L 6-cyl | Manual 6-spd | All-Wheel Drive | 17 | 25 | 20 | Premium |
| 3.0 L 6-cyl turbo | Automatic (S6) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 | 26 | 20 | Premium |
| 3.0 L 6-cyl turbo | Manual 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 | 26 | 20 | Premium |
| 3.0 L 6-cyl turbo | Manual 6-spd | All-Wheel Drive | 16 | 25 | 19 | Premium |
| 3.0 L 6-cyl turbo | Automatic (S6) | All-Wheel Drive | 16 | 24 | 19 | Premium |
| 4.8 L 8-cyl | Manual 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 | 22 | 18 | Premium |
| 4.8 L 8-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 | 23 | 18 | Premium |
| 3.0 L 6-cyl turbo | Manual 6-spd | All-Wheel Drive | 16 | 23 | 18 | Premium |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2010 BMW 5 Series.
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Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
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FAQ
Does the 2010 BMW 5 Series have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 5 vehicle recalls for the 2010 BMW 5 Series. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2010 BMW 5 Series problems?
Owners have filed 6 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are airbags (1), electrical (1), engine & cooling (1).
What gas mileage does the 2010 BMW 5 Series get?
EPA ratings run up to 22 mpg combined (3.0 L, Manual 6-spd), across 14 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2010 BMW 5 Series repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.