Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2010 BMW 1 Series, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Air bags4
- Seats1
- Vehicle speed control1
- Engine and engine cooling1
- Electrical system1
- Fuel/propulsion system1
- Exterior lighting1
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 0 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Registered new in Europe in 2010
141,661 new BMW 1 Series cars were registered in the EU, Norway and Iceland in 2010; the largest markets were Germany (55,253), the United Kingdom (31,876), France (13,064).
- Average mass
- 1,431 kg
- Fuel type recorded
- Diesel 70% · Petrol 30%
European Environment Agency, CO₂ emissions from new passenger cars · averages weighted by registrations; CO₂ is the type-approval value; fuel type as recorded at registration, where many non-plug-in hybrids appear as petrol · re-use permitted with acknowledgement
Engines
The most common engines in 2010 BMW 1 Series cars on Dutch roads are the 2.0 petrol (90 kW, 121 hp), 2.0 petrol (105 kW, 141 hp) and 2.0 diesel (100 kW, 134 hp), out of 10 versions with at least 20 cars.
| Engine | Power | Cars |
|---|---|---|
| 2.0 petrol | 90 kW 121 hp | 1,382 |
| 2.0 petrol | 105 kW 141 hp | 1,169 |
| 2.0 diesel | 100 kW 134 hp | 134 |
| 2.0 petrol | 125 kW 168 hp | 131 |
| 1.6 petrol | 90 kW 121 hp | 107 |
| 2.0 diesel | 105 kW 141 hp | 62 |
| 3.0 petrol | 160 kW 215 hp | 58 |
| 2.0 diesel | 85 kW 114 hp | 56 |
| 2.0 diesel | 130 kW 174 hp | 34 |
| 3.0 petrol | 225 kW 302 hp | 24 |
RDW Open Data (CC0): registered passenger cars and their fuel data · engine size rounded to 0.1 litre, net maximum power · versions with at least 20 cars
In the Netherlands
3,206 first registered in 2010 are on Dutch roads; 40% arrived later as imports. Median list price when new: €31,446.
Most common APK defects
- Bandenspanning niet op juiste waarde1,846
- Band onvoldoende profiel1,143
- Dimlicht onjuist afgesteld799
- Band(en) aanwezig met een profieldiepte van 1,6 t/m 2,5 mm742
- Overmatige vloeistoflekkage overige vloeistoffen518
- Kentekenplaatverlichting werkt niet (goed) / ontbreekt517
- Schokdemper aanwezig die lekkage vertoont509
- Mechanische delen van het remsysteem vertonen slijtage373
Colours
RDW Open Data: registered vehicles and APK defects (CC0) · defect descriptions in the RDW's Dutch wording
In the United Kingdom
18,918 cars built in 2010 were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, and 2,205 more were declared off the road (SORN).
Department for Transport and DVLA, vehicle licensing statistics (table VEH0124, year of manufacture) · Open Government Licence v3.0
MOT test results in Great Britain
In 2023, 24,644 of these cars first registered in 2010 took their annual MOT test. 67% passed first time; among all cars first registered in 2010 the figure was 60%.
| Failed on | These cars | All cars from 2010 |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 1.2% | 17.8% |
| Suspension | 1.0% | 15.5% |
| Tyres | 0.8% | 7.4% |
| Brakes | 0.7% | 9.6% |
| Visibility | 0.7% | 6.0% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 0.3% | 4.5% |
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023 (Department for Transport) · Open Government Licence v3.0 · first tests only; a fix made at the test station within the hour still counts as a fail
In Finland
474 of these cars first registered in 2010 were in use in Finland on 30 Jun 2026, with an average of 222,000 km on the odometer at their last inspection.
Traficom (Finnish Transport and Communications Agency), open data on vehicles in use · CC BY 4.0
In New Zealand
1,125 2010 cars are on the New Zealand register; 81% arrived as used imports, 16% were sold new in New Zealand.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
Recalls in Canada
10 Transport Canada recalls for the 2010 BMW 1 Series.
| 2024544 15 Aug 2024 | Label Issue: On certain vehicles, the tire and loading information label does not list that there is no spare tire in both official languages. The label reads as "N… |
| 2023568 20 Oct 2023 | Engine Issue: On certain vehicles, the variable camshaft timing (VANOS) adjustment unit housing bolts could loosen or break. As a result, the camshaft could become in… |
| 2022095 2 Mar 2022 | Engine Issue: On certain vehicles equipped with an N52 or N52K 6-cylinder engine, a manufacturing problem could cause the PCV valve heater (blow-by heater) to short … |
| 2019384 7 Aug 2019 | Electrical Issue: On certain vehicles, the connector for the blower motor regulator may corrode. If this happens, the wiring could overheat and melt. Potential warnings … |
| 2017470 28 Sept 2017 | Engine On certain vehicles equipped with the N52 6-cylinder engine, an electrical short could occur in the PCV valve heater due to manufacturing irregularities. If thi… |
| 2016142 31 Mar 2016 | Airbag On certain vehicles, the driver frontal airbag inflator could produce excessive internal pressure during airbag deployment. Increased pressure may cause the inf… |
| 2014170 13 May 2014 | Engine On certain vehicles, housing bolts for the variable camshaft timing system could break, allowing camshaft timing to deviate. If this occurs, the engine would re… |
| 2014127 10 Apr 2014 | Engine On certain vehicles, housing bolts for the variable camshaft timing system could break, allowing camshaft timing to deviate. If this occurs, the engine would re… |
| 2013048 7 Feb 2013 | Electrical On certain vehicles, the positive battery cable connection to the fuse box could fail while the vehicle is being driven. This could interrupt the vehicle’s ele… |
| 2010196 10 Jun 2010 | Seats And Restraints On certain vehicles, the sound insulation in the "B" pillar (around the seatbelt pre-tensioner) may ignite during a crash severe enough to deploy the pre-tensio… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
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.
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.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What BMW told its dealers about the 2010 BMW 1 Series: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 10249027 | The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few years. This has led to increased demands being placed on the battery. This document covers important information for the dealer on how to handle discharged battery complaints. |
| 10240305 | Spl Parts, Inc. communications index accompanying MCP uploads 23mc40464 & 23mc40471 |
| 10240273 | This is the companion to SPL Parts, Inc.'s SB 23-01 mailed by private label independent distributor Turner Motorsports. |
| 10240266 | SPL Parts, Inc. manufacturers and distributes aftermarket lower control arms for dedicated competition vehicles and "track day" cars some of which may be used on both track and highway. SB 23-01 adresses proper installation torque of cap bolt fasteners attaching SPL's aftermarket lower control arms, recurring inspection and confirmation of torque setting and removal and replacement of damaged or under torqued fasteners to reduce risk of premature failure and accident. SB-23-01 was mailed, emailed and posted on SPL website to known resellers, race teams and users of the affected parts and is b |
| 10182619 | Discharged Battery Energy Diagnosis Must Be Performed: The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few years. This has led to increased demands being placed on the battery. This document covers important information for the dealer on how to handle "discharged battery" complaints. In order to properly repair the vehicle the first time in the workshop, it is very important that the diagnostic test plans are performed to completion, with all results taken into consideration. Without performing the energy diagnosis test plan, the root caus |
| 10145306 | NAVIGATION SYSTEM: REPORTING MISSING OR INCORRECT ROAD MAP DATA: The route guidance is inaccurate and therefore irritating to the customer; or it is not possible to locate certain addresses, for instance: |
| 10143564 | NAVIGATION SYSTEM: REPORTING MISSING OR INCORRECT ROAD MAP DATA: The route guidance is inaccurate and therefore irritating to the customer; or it is not possible to locate certain addresses, for instance: |
| 10057335 | BMW: THE CAMSHAFT (VANOS) ADJUSTMENT UNITS, ON CERTAIN VEHICLE, HAD THE LIMITED WARRANTY EXTENDED, WITHOUT THE LIMITATION OF MILEAGE, TO 10 YEARS. *PE |
| 10056707 | BMW: WHEN AIR CONDITIONER IS ON, ENGINE SPEED WILL FLUCTUATES, INTERMITTENTLY, FROM 500 TO 1,100 RPM, AFTER COMING TO A STOP AND POSSIBLE CAUSE IS DUE TO UNFAVORABLE DME SOFTWARE. MODEL 2010-13 E82 (1 SERIES), E88 (1 SERIES). *PE |
| 10056099 | BMW: WHEN USING IPHONE, VARIOUS CONNECTIVITY FAILURES OCCUR, SUCH AS DISCONNECTION OF CALL, LIST OF CONTACTS INCOMPLETE, DUE TO THE VARIANTS AND SOFTWARE USED. MODEL 2008-2014. |
| 10053585 | BMW: OIL LEAKS FROM THE AIR HOSE ON TURBOCHARGER. THIS IS DESIGNATED FOR E70, AND E90 MODELS WITH M57Y DIESEL ENGINES. SERVICE ENGINE SOON LAMP MAY BE ILLUMINATED. *KB |
| 10053485 | BMW: SERVICE ENGINE AND ENGINE MALFUNCTION LIGHT ILLUMINATES. VEHICLE MAY HAVE REDUCED POWER OUTPUT. FAULT CODE MAY NOT CLEAR FROM DME FAULT MEMORY. *KB UPDATED ON 11/8/2013. *KB UPDATED 2/21/2014 *JS UPDATED 3/11/14. *PE |
| 10053326 | BMW: DIFFERENT FAULT CODES STORED FOR THE N51, N52K, N52T, AND N55 ENGINES IN THE DME RELATED TO VANOS AND CAMSHAFT POSITION. *KB UPDATED 11/1/13. *PE UPDATED 05/05/2014 *JS |
| 10052013 | BMW: REPLACEMENT OF THE OC3 SENSOR SEAT MAT ON THE PASSENGER SEAT. MODELS E82, E88, E90, E91, E92, E93. MODEL YEARS UNKNOWN. *KB UPDATED 12/6/13. *PE |
| 10052012 | BMW: BATTERY HAS AN INCREASED DEMAND DUE TO DEVELOPEMENTAL PROCESS OF THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THIS IS CAUSING THE BATTER TO NEED TO UNDERGO AN ENERGY DIAGNOSIS. *KB |
| 10052011 | BMW: FUEL TANK PRESSURE. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT MAY ILLUMINATE WITH A FAULT CODE OF 19401B. THIS LIGHT INDICATES THAT THE PRESSURE MAY BE LOW AS OPPOSED TO AMBIENT. *KB |
| 10051899 | INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DISPLAY IS INTERMITTENTLY INOPERATIVE. BMW F25, AND F30 MODELS. *KB |
| 10051898 | INSTRUMENT PANEL AND GUAGES ARE INOPERATIVE. BMW MODEL F30. *KB |
| 10051897 | DURING THE SCHEDULED 3 MONTH/ 5,000 MILE SERVICE IT COULD POSSIBLY BE DETERMINED THAT SOME OF THE CONTACT PROTECTIVE SLEEVE S IN THE CHARGING SOCKET MAY BE MISSING. BMW MODEL E28E. *KB |
| 10051892 | ASC (AUTOMATIC STABILITY CONTROL) OPERATION TO SENSITIVE. CRUISE CONTROL ACTION FUNCTION CAN OCCASIONALLY ACTIVATE AND DEACTIVATE DUE TO THE ASC IMPLAUSABILITY WHEN THE DSC WARNING LAMP IS FLASHING ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. BMW. *KB |
| 10046899 | BMW: INFORMATION ON MAINTENANCE TO E MOTOR GREASING WHERE THE EME/E MOTOR ASSEMBLY IS REMOVED. THE CABLES, EME HIGH VOLTAGE, SHOULD BE REINSTALLED IN ORIGINAL FACTORY POSITION TO AVOID CONTACT WITH EXPOSED FASTENERS IN REAR RIGHT WHEEL HOUSING AND POSSIBLE DAMAGE TO INSULATION. MODEL E82E (1SERIES). NO MODEL YEAR LISTED. *PE |
| 10046721 | BMW: REINSTALL THE EPS HARNESS IN CORRECTLY, FACTORY POSITION, AFTER REPLACING EPS STEERING RACK. IF ROUTED INCORRECTLY, MAY CONTACT SUBFRAME MEMBER AND DAMAGE HARNESS INSULATION. MODEL E82E (1 SERIES). NO MODEL YEAR LISTED. *PE |
| 10045285 | BMW: WATER PENETRATES THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT DUE TO OPENINGS IN SERVICE TRANSMISSION TUNNEL WITH INSUFFICIENT SEALING, CAUSING CARPET TO BE WET IN CENTER TUNNEL AREA. *PE |
| 10045283 | BMW: EXPERIENCING LOSS OF ENGINE POWER, SERVICE ENGINE SOON LAMP IS ILLUMINATED, A NOISE, LIKE RATTLING, COMING FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT. *PE UPDATED 10/31/12. *PE MODELS 2010 E70, 71, 82, 88, 90, 92, 93, F07, 10, 12, 13, 25. UPDATED 1/18/13. *PE UPDATED 4/18/2013. *KB UPDATED 05/13/2013 *JS UPDATED 5/19/15. *PE |
| 10045281 | BMW: PARKING LOCK ADAPTION NEEDS TO BE RELEARNED, VIA SERVICE FUNCTIONS OF ISTA ACTIVEE, AFTER EME, TRANSMISSION/PARKING LOCK REPLACEMENT OF ACTUATOR. *PE |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)