Total Complaints
10 filings
BMW 1 SERIES · model year
2010 BMW 1 SERIES
10 NHTSA complaints, and 3 active recalls for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2010BMW1 SERIES carries 10 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2010 1 SERIES is air bags with 4 filings, followed by engine and engine cooling (1) and exterior lighting (1). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 3 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.
NHTSA currently has 34 investigation files overlapping the 2010 1 SERIES. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
10
Complaints
0
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
Crashes Reported
0 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Complaints vs. fleet median (215)
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
Complaints by Component
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| AIR BAGS | 4 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 1 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 1 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 1 |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 1 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 1 |
| SEATS | 1 |
Recalls (3)
23V70700020/10/2023
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
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 s
12E02900010/08/2012
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN
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 2006-20
10V25400010/06/2010
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
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.
Recent Complaints
20171204AIR BAGS
FAILED PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR. DOES NOT DETECT PASSENGER. "AIRBAG OFF" IS ILLUMINATED WHEN PASSENGER IS PRESENT.
Mileage: 93,000
20171204SEATS
FAILED PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR. DOES NOT DETECT PASSENGER. "AIRBAG OFF" IS ILLUMINATED WHEN PASSENGER IS PRESENT.
Mileage: 93,000
20171020AIR BAGS
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.
20170102AIR BAGS
TAKATA RECALL
20161019AIR BAGS
TAKATA RECALL
20151026FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
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 BEE
Mileage: 40,000
20151026VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
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 BEE
Mileage: 40,000
20141026ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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
20111013EXTERIOR LIGHTING
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
Mileage: 10,000
20100918ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
CAR SUDDENLY STALLED IN MIDDLE OF HIGHWAY. NO WARNING , ENGINE JUST QUIT. *TR
Mileage: 1,530
Compare 2010BMW1 SERIES to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 2010 BMW 1 SERIES have?▼
The 2010 BMW 1 SERIES has 10 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2010 BMW 1 SERIES?▼
Yes, the 2010 BMW 1 SERIES has 3 recall(s). The most common affected component is ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2010 BMW 1 SERIES?▼
The most-complained component for the 2010 BMW 1 SERIES is AIR BAGS with 4 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING and EXTERIOR LIGHTING.
Is the 2010 BMW 1 SERIES safe to buy?▼
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?▼
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.
Vehicle Safety Guides
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.