What Owners Report NHTSA ODI · 2,175,102 complaints · MY1998–2026

2011 BMW X5 Diesel SAV

Typical pattern

3.4% of complaints about the 2011 BMW X5 Diesel SAV came in the first year, which is unremarkable for a 2011 vehicle — around the middle of the 203 model-years on record. The median complaint arrives at 6.8 yr in service. The most-reported system is engine (18 complaints), typically at 7.0 yr or about 95,000 miles.

Complaints
59
Median age at failure
6.8 yr
Median mileage
90,000 n=49
Crash / fire / tow
5.1% of reports
Safety recalls
2

When each system is reported — middle 50% of complaints

System
0y2y4y6y8y10y12y14y
Engine
18 reports · 95,000 mi
7.0 yr
11.1%

Safety recalls — NHTSA campaigns

16V311000 2016-05-17
Power train:driveline:driveshaft

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2011 X5 xDrive 35i, xDrive50i, X5 M, X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i, and X6 M vehicles manufactured April 5, 2010, to November 20, 2010, 2011 X5 xDrive35d diesel vehicles manufactured April 7, 2010, to November 20, 2010, and 2011 X6 Active Hybrid vehicles manufactured April 15, 2010, to November 17, 2010. The affected vehicles have a front driveshaft universal joint that may not seal out water and debris from getting in and damaging the joint, which could lead to its failure.

If the front universal joint fails, the front wheels would not be driven, affecting vehicle traction. Additionally, continued driving of the vehicle with a broken front universal joint may damage other components. Either condition may increase the risk of a crash.

11V332000 2011-06-23
Engine and engine cooling:engine:diesel

BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011, X5 DIESEL SPORTS ACTIVITY VEHICLES (SAV) MANUFACTURED FROM MARCH 31, 2011, THROUGH MAY 19, 2011. DUE TO A COMPONENT MANUFACTURING ERROR AT THE SUPPLIER, THE WELDS IN THE BELT TENSIONER COULD HAVE INCIPIENT CRACKS. OVER TIME, THIS COULD LEAD A MALFUNCTION OF THE BELT TENSIONER.

IF THE BELT TENSIONER FAILS, THERE COULD BE A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSISTANCE, IF POWER STEERING ASSIST IS LOST, MANUAL STEERING CAPABILITY IS STILL RETAINED AND COULD INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

In owners’ own words

Engine 98,000 mi 3.1 yr in service
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW X5 DIESEL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE ENGINE MALFUNCTION REDUCED POWER WARNING MESSAGE DISPLAYED INTERMITTENTLY AS THE VEHICLE STALLED. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WAS OVER-CONSUMING EXHAUST FLUID. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS COMING FROM THE EXHAUST TEMPERATURE CONTROL AND THE LOW PRESSURE REGULATING VALVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000.
Engine 109,957 mi 5.1 yr in service
PREMATURE FAILURE OF DIESEL PARTICULATE FILTER DUE TO MALFUNCTIONING EMISSIONS CONTROL SYSTEM COMPONENTS, PRE- AND POST- FILTER PRESSURE SENSORS. THE FAILURE WAS A RESULT OF NO ACTIVE REGENERATION CYCLES DUE TO MALFUNCTIONING PRESSURE SENSORS THAT DID NOT ACTIVE FAULT CODES UNTIL AFTER FILTER HAS BEEN BLOCKED. I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A DEFECT IN THE SOFTWARE PROGRAMING OF THE DIESEL REGENERATION CYCLE.
Engine 91,000 mi 7.0 yr in service
OUR BMW X5 DIESEL HAD A RECALL DONE BACK IN 2012 FOR EGR VALVE BEING FAULTY. BMW'S EMISSIONS ARE FAILING ON THEIR 2009-2011 DIESELS. WE RECENTLY DROPPED OFF OUR BMW X5 FOR SERVICE AND FOR ANOTHER RECALL, DISCOVERED BMW WILL NOT COVER THEIR FAULT PART THIS TIME AROUND. THEY HAVE A BAD DESIGN WITH THE EGR'S AND THEY KNOW IT, THAT'S WHY THE RECALL WAS DONE BEFORE, NOW THE RECALL PART FAILED. THEY WANT US TO PAY FOR IT. THEY ARE NOT TREATING THIS ISSUE WITH MUCH ATTENTION. OUR ENGINE IS GOING TO FAIL BECAUSE OF THIS RECALL. DONT KNOW WHAT ELSE TO DO AT THIS POINT.

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