NHTSA (USA)Medium Risk
At a glance
What can fail
The aluminum bolts securing the variable camshaft timing adjustment housing can loosen and break over time, potentially causing the unit to fail.
The 2010 BMW 5 Series has 4 recalls, the most serious being two separate fire risks: a loose positive battery cable connection that can overheat and ignite even while the car is parked, and a crankcase ventilation valve heater that can short and catch fire while driving or shortly after.
For the battery cable issue, BMW has advised owners to park outside and away from structures until the repair is made. The crankcase ventilation heater fault carries a similar fire risk, particularly in the period just after the engine is shut off and heat lingers in the engine bay.
On the engine side, bolts securing the VANOS unit, which controls valve timing, can come loose or break, causing the engine to stall unexpectedly. A sudden stall at highway speed or in traffic raises the risk of a crash, since power steering and braking assistance drop significantly when the engine cuts out. There is also a fuel gauge concern: a sender unit inside the fuel tank can stick and report more fuel than is actually present, meaning the gauge may show a quarter tank while the vehicle is nearly empty and at risk of running out of fuel without warning.
At a glance
What can fail
The aluminum bolts securing the variable camshaft timing adjustment housing can loosen and break over time, potentially causing the unit to fail.
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What the fix does
Dealers will replace all four VANOS bolts at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The heater for the positive crankcase ventilation valve may short circuit, potentially causing an electrical fault.
What the fix does
Dealers will install a new electrical wiring harness with fuse protection for the PCV valve heater at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The insulated connector for the positive battery cable may be improperly attached to the trunk floor panel. The bolt connection can loosen over time, increasing electrical resistance and causing the cable connection to overheat.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and tighten the battery cable bolt connection as needed, at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The fuel gauge sender inside the tank can get stuck, making the gauge show more fuel than you actually have. If the tank empties without warning, your engine could stall.
What the fix does
The dealer will replace the fuel level sender with an updated part.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
