Failed passenger seat occupancy sensor. Does not detect passenger. "airbag off" is illuminated when passenger is present.
The worst 2010 BMW 1 Series problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Airbags4
- Acceleration1
- Electrical1
- Engine1
- Fuel system1
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Airbags4
- Acceleration1
- Electrical1
- Engine1
- Fuel system1
- Lights1
- Seats1
Recalls 2
Engine and engine cooling: engine
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- Loose or broken VANOS unit bolts can result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
- 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.
Recall number 23V707000 · Recall details
Seat belts: front: retractor
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- The insulation around the pre-tensioner could ignite.
- 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.
Recall number 10V254000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 2010 BMW 1 Series 65
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- The Footwell Module (FRM) limited warranty for defects in materials and / or workmanship has been...
- The Footwell Module (FRM) limited warranty for defects in materials and / or workmanship has been...
- Screw Cap Return
- Socket Housing Return
- The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few...
- Spl Parts, Inc. communications index accompanying MCP uploads 23mc40464 & 23mc40471
- This is the companion to SPL Parts, Inc.'s SB 23-01 mailed by private label independent distributor Turner...
- SPL Parts, Inc. manufacturers and distributes aftermarket lower control arms for dedicated competition...
- Discharged Battery Energy Diagnosis Must Be Performed: The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been...
- Navigation system: reporting missing or incorrect road map data
What 2010 BMW 1 Series owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
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.
Takata recall
Takata recall
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.
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.
The tail lights and 3rd brake light fail. There is no indicator on dash that notifies of such failure, creates a very dangerous situation.
Car suddenly stalled in middle of highway. No warning , engine just quit.
Compare the 2010 BMW 1 Series
Other model years
Questions about the 2010 BMW 1 Series
Is the 2010 BMW 1 Series reliable?
Owners have filed 8 complaints about the 2010 BMW 1 Series, 1.6 times a typical 1 Series model year.
What is the most common problem with the 2010 BMW 1 Series?
Airbags, with 4 complaints. Next is acceleration (1).
How many recalls does the 2010 BMW 1 Series have?
2 recalls, covering engine and engine cooling and seat belts.
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