NHTSA vehicle safety data

2010 BMW 1 Series Recalls & Complaints

The 2010 BMW 1 Series has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns and 8 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized BMW dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2010 BMW 1 Series. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2010 BMW 1 Series owner complaints

Owners have filed 8 complaints with NHTSA about the 2010 BMW 1 Series, describing incidents dated August 18, 2010 to October 20, 2017.

Most-cited components

Air Bags 4 complaints
Electrical System 1 complaint
Engine 1 complaint
Exterior Lighting 1 complaint
Fuel/Propulsion System 1 complaint
Seats 1 complaint

Newest complaints

ODI #11052350 · Filed December 4, 2017
FAILED PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR. DOES NOT DETECT PASSENGER. "AIRBAG OFF" IS ILLUMINATED WHEN PASSENGER IS PRESENT.
ODI #11035125 · Filed October 20, 2017
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.
ODI #10939068 · Filed January 2, 2017
TAKATA RECALL

Read all 8 complaints

Camshaft Timing Bolts May Loosen Causing Stall

NHTSA #23V707000 · Engine and Engine Cooling — Engine · NHTSA notice

Reported October 20, 2023 · BMW of North America, LLC

Potentially affected: 157,796 vehicles

Repair completion: 35.88% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Owners notified June 19, 2024

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

Loose or broken VANOS unit bolts can result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

Engine Cooling Fan Assemblies/Service Parts

NHTSA #12E029000 · Engine and Engine Cooling — Cooling System — Fan · NHTSA notice

Reported August 10, 2012 · Valeo

Potentially affected: 585 vehicles

Repair completion: 33.1% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Owners notified August 22, 2012

Defect description

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 overheat due to insufficient screwing of the semiconductor on the aluminum heat sink. This primary failure could cause adjacent components on the fan assembly motor circuit board to overheat and short.

Safety consequence

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.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

SOUND INSULATION BELT RETRACTOR UNIT

NHTSA #10V254000 · Seat Belts — Front — Retractor · NHTSA notice

Reported June 10, 2010 · BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC

Potentially affected: 31,935 vehicles

Owners notified August 23, 2010 · Vehicles built December 1, 2007 – May 27, 2010 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

THE INSULATION AROUND THE PRE-TENSIONER COULD IGNITE.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 2010 BMW 1 Series. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

8 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2010 BMW 1 Series.

Air Bags; Seats

ODI #11052350

Incident: September 13, 2017 · Filed: December 4, 2017

FAILED PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR. DOES NOT DETECT PASSENGER. "AIRBAG OFF" IS ILLUMINATED WHEN PASSENGER IS PRESENT.

Air Bags

ODI #11035125

Incident: October 20, 2017 · Filed: October 20, 2017

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

ODI #10939068

Incident: February 5, 2016 · Filed: January 2, 2017

TAKATA RECALL

Air Bags

ODI #10917243

Incident: February 5, 2016 · Filed: October 19, 2016

TAKATA RECALL

Vehicle Speed Control; Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #10785902

Incident: September 22, 2015 · Filed: October 26, 2015

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

ODI #10650047

Incident: August 18, 2010 · Filed: October 26, 2014

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

ODI #10430050

Incident: October 1, 2010 · Filed: October 13, 2011

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

ODI #10356287

Incident: September 17, 2010 · Filed: September 18, 2010

CAR SUDDENLY STALLED IN MIDDLE OF HIGHWAY. NO WARNING , ENGINE JUST QUIT. *TR

Other BMW 1 Series model years

Check your 2010 BMW 1 Series VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your BMW 1 Series at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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