NHTSA recalls & complaints · 2011

BMW ActiveE recalls and VIN decoding

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the BMW ActiveE, covering model year 2011, and no owner complaints filed under this model name.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint flat files, updated September 25, 2026.

Decode your BMW ActiveE VIN

See the model year, plant and build details of one vehicle, then the recalls for its exact year.

2 recall campaigns on file
1 model year with data (2011)

latest recall 13V017000 (reported Jan 17, 2013)

BMW ActiveE recalls

2 campaigns · newest first

Every vehicle recall campaign NHTSA lists under the model name ActiveE, newest first. The 2 campaigns cover model year 2011.

2 recall campaigns

BMW ActiveE recall campaigns covering each model year
2011: 2 campaigns

NHTSA campaign 13V017000
Reported Jan 17, 2013
Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Model year 2011
BMW is recalling certain model year 2011 1-Series ActiveE passenger vehicles manufactured August 17, 2011, through December 19, 2011. Due to an insufficient sealing of the drivetrain housing assembly there may be a lack of grease lubrication on the gear shaft that transfers power from the electric motor to the transmission.
Consequence:
Over time, the connection between the electric motor and the transmission may wear, possibly resulting in a sudden loss of vehicle propulsion. This could increase the risk of a vehicle crash.
Remedy:
BMW will notify owners by telephone, and dealers will inspect the drivetrain connection and update the sealing system. Any worn electric motor gearing will be replaced. The recall began on April 4, 2013. Owners may call BMW at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.
Filed by BMW of North America, LLC
NHTSA campaign 12V302000
Reported Jun 28, 2012
Steering › Electric Power Assist System
Model year 2011
BMW is recalling certain model year 2011 1-series active e and model year 2012 Z4 vehicles. Variations in electrical current may occur within the electric power steering assistance system, leading to sudden loss of power steering assistance.
Consequence:
Sudden loss of steering assistance may increase the steering effort required to control the direction of a vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy:
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering assistance module, free of charge. The safety recall began during July 2012. Owners may contact BMW customer relations at 1-800-525-7417.
Filed by BMW of North America, LLC

Recall text is shown as NHTSA publishes it; older campaigns, which NHTSA stores in capital letters, are shown in sentence case. NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Hotline, 1-888-327-4236, also answers recall questions.

How to read this recall list

This list shows every safety recall campaign NHTSA has on file for this make, model and model year. It is not specific to one vehicle: a recall often covers only vehicles built in a certain date range or with a certain part, and many of the vehicles it covers will already have been repaired.

What each recall field means

What each recall field means
Field	What it tells you
Campaign number	NHTSA's unique ID for the recall, such as 20V771000. Quote it to a dealer or when searching NHTSA's site.
Component	The system or part involved, for example air bags, brakes or electrical software.
Summary	What the defect or non-compliance is and which vehicles are covered.
Consequence	The safety risk if the problem isn't fixed.
Remedy	What the manufacturer will do, such as a repair, replacement or software update, and whether it is free.

Some recalls carry an NHTSA consumer advisory, “Do Not Drive” or “Park Outside”. Follow it until the repair is done.
A single campaign often covers several models or model years, so the same campaign number can appear in more than one list.
Recalls are shown as NHTSA publishes them. Very recent campaigns may take time to appear.

Does your vehicle have an open recall? Only a VIN check can tell you. Enter the VIN at NHTSA's recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or on the manufacturer's website. Our VIN recall check guide explains what each option covers.

BMW ActiveE questions

3 questions

How many recalls does the BMW ActiveE have?

NHTSA lists 2 vehicle recall campaigns for the BMW ActiveE, covering model year 2011. The most recent, 13V017000, was reported on January 17, 2013 and is filed under “Power train”.

Which BMW ActiveE model years do the recalls cover?

The 2 campaigns cover model year 2011. NHTSA has no owner complaints filed under the model name ActiveE, so this page has no complaint statistics.

Does every recall on this page apply to my BMW ActiveE?

Not necessarily. Each campaign lists specific model years, and many cover only vehicles built in a certain period or fitted with a certain part; repairs already carried out aren’t shown. To see whether a recall is open on your vehicle, enter its VIN at NHTSA’s recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or ask a BMW dealer.

8 models · most complaints first

The BMW models with the most NHTSA complaints, and the BMW VIN decoder with every BMW model page, WMI code and VIN note.

BMW X5 1999–2026 · 103 recalls · 3,138 complaints
BMW 328i 1996–2016 · 27 recalls · 2,576 complaints
BMW X3 2004–2026 · 60 recalls · 1,989 complaints
BMW 325i 1995–2012 · 20 recalls · 1,281 complaints
BMW Z4 2002–2023 · 28 recalls · 1,280 complaints
BMW 3 Series 1995–2023 · 8 recalls · 841 complaints
BMW 528i 1997–2016 · 14 recalls · 831 complaints
BMW 330i 1999–2026 · 38 recalls · 813 complaints

All BMW models and WMI codes Look up recalls by year

Data: NHTSA recalls and complaints flat files, updated September 25, 2026. Recall campaigns are vehicle (V) campaigns listed for this model name; complaints are counted once per NHTSA ODI number and model year.