Recall 10V331 affects 6,080 2010-2011 BMW 5 Series and 5-SERIES Gran Turismo vehicles for inaccurate fuel-gauge readings. Repair is free at any franchised BMW dealer.
BMW is recalling 6,080 2010-2011 5-SERIES Gran Turismo and 5 Series vehicles because the fuel level sensor can wedge against the tank and make the gauge show more fuel than is actually there. If the tank runs empty, the result is a stall risk and higher crash risk; the BMW dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The fuel level sensor in the 2010-2011 BMW 5-SERIES Gran Turismo and 5 Series sits inside the fuel tank. Its job is to read how much fuel is in the tank and send that information to the dashboard fuel gauge. The gauge depends on that sensor moving freely as the fuel level rises and falls.
On affected BMW vehicles, the fuel level sensor can become wedged against the inside of the tank. Once it is stuck, the sensor no longer tracks the fuel level correctly. That can leave the driver relying on a fuel gauge reading that does not match the actual fuel in the tank.
There is no warning sign before failure. The first sign can be a fuel reading that seems wrong for the distance driven, or a vehicle running out of fuel when the gauge still shows fuel remaining.
Who's affected?
Covers both the 5-SERIES Gran Turismo and 5 Series across the 2010 and 2011 model years, with the fuel-gauge system as the shared component.
| 2010 BMW 5-SERIES Gran Turismo | fuel system |
|---|---|
| 2011 BMW 5-SERIES Gran Turismo | fuel system |
| 2011 BMW 5 Series | fuel system |
| 2010 BMW 5 Series | fuel system |
| Units affected | 6,080 |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether this recall applies to your specific car.
What's the safety risk?
An incorrect fuel-gauge reading can show more fuel than is actually in the tank. If the tank runs empty, the vehicle can stall and increase crash risk. If your VIN is included, avoid running the tank low and schedule the recall repair soon. Repair will be free at any franchised BMW dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2010-2011 BMW 5-SERIES Gran Turismo or 5 Series is included in this recall.
- Ask a franchised BMW dealer whether the free fuel-level-sensor repair is open for your VIN.
- Schedule the fuel-level-sensor repair that keeps the gauge from reading more fuel than is in the tank.
- Bring the recall notice if BMW has mailed one. If not, reference recall number 10V331 when you call.
- Keep extra fuel in the tank until the repair is complete, since an empty tank can stall the vehicle.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a BMW technician repairs the fuel level sensor problem inside the fuel tank at no charge under recall 10V331. BMW's filing says the safety recall began on October 18, 2010, and dealers were instructed to repair affected vehicles free of charge. The remedy description does not name a specific replacement part or labor step, so ask the service desk to confirm the fuel tank sensor repair tied to this campaign before the work order is opened. Parts and labor are covered by the recall.
Timeline
| July 22, 2010 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| October 18, 2010 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 10V331?
Recall 10V331 covers 6,080 2010-2011 BMW 5-SERIES Gran Turismo and 5 Series vehicles with a fuel-level sensor that can get wedged against the tank. The fuel gauge can show more fuel than is actually in the tank, and BMW dealers repair the vehicles for free.
What should I do if my 2010-2011 BMW 5-SERIES Gran Turismo or 5 Series is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 10V331. If it is, contact a franchised BMW dealer to schedule the fuel-system repair. Reference recall number 10V331000 when you call. The dealer repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to perform safety recall repairs at no cost, and BMW's remedy says dealers will repair the vehicles free of charge. Use a franchised BMW dealer for the covered recall work.
What is the safety risk?
The fuel gauge can read higher than the fuel actually in the tank. If the tank runs empty, the vehicle can stall, increasing crash risk. Until the repair is complete, do not rely only on the gauge if your VIN is included.
What if I bought my BMW 5 Series used?
The free recall repair still applies. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to honor the recall regardless of ownership history. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific BMW is included, then call a franchised BMW dealer and reference recall number 10V331000.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/10V331000 |
|---|---|
| BMW customer service | 1-800-525-7417 |
| NHTSA recall # | 10V331 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 10V331000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Defect / Noncompliance Notice (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 3, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →