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

2011 BMW X5

Typical pattern

4.4% of complaints about the 2011 BMW X5 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 6.3 yr in service. The most-reported system is engine (120 complaints), typically at 6.7 yr or about 75,000 miles.

Complaints
431
Median age at failure
6.3 yr
Median mileage
72,000 n=300
Crash / fire / tow
11.4% of reports
Safety recalls
10 4 do not drive

When each system is reported — middle 50% of complaints

System
0y2y4y6y8y10y12y14y
Engine
120 reports · 75,000 mi
6.7 yr
13.3%
Air bags
73 reports · 72,000 mi
5.8 yr
5.5%
Power train
64 reports · 74,000 mi
6.2 yr
9.4%
Fuel / propulsion
43 reports · 79,000 mi
6.5 yr
11.6%
Other
23 reports · 95,000 mi
6.8 yr
13%
Electrical system
21 reports · 78,000 mi
7.7 yr
23.8%
Steering
18 reports · 63,000 mi
6.3 yr
5.6%

Safety recalls — NHTSA campaigns

20V016000 2020-01-15 Do not drive
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2009-2012 X5 xDrive35d, 2008-2012 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6 M, 2007-2012 X5 30si, X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 48i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5 M and 2010-2011 X6 ActiveHybrid vehicles equipped with non-desiccated, passenger frontal air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSPI-2) propellant that were used as interim remedy parts for previous Takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and hig

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

19V017000 2019-01-14 Do not drive
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2007-2013 X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5 M vehicles, 2008-2014 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6 M vehicles, 2009-2013 X5 xDrive35d vehicles and 2010-2011 X6 ActiveHybrid vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-t

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

18V030000 2018-01-09 Do not drive
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2007-2013 X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i, X5 M, 2009-2010 X5 xDrive35d vehicles and 2009-2013 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i, and X6 M vehicles ever registered in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." BMW is also recalling certain 2007-2010 X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i, X5 M, X5 xDrive35d, X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDriv

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

16V364000 2016-05-25 Do not drive
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5M vehicles, 2009-2011 X5 xDrive35d vehicles, 2008-2011 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6 M vehicles, and 2010-2011 X6 ActiveHybrid vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, BMW is recalling certa

An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

23V707000 2023-10-20
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 secure the housing for the variable camshaft timing adjustment (VANOS) unit can loosen over time and possibly break.

Loose or broken VANOS unit bolts can result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

20V017000 2020-01-15
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 128i and 135i Convertibles, 128i, 135i, and M Coupes, 2007-2010 X3 30si and X3 xDrive30i, 2013-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i and X1 xDrive35i, 2007-2013 328i, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335is, 335i xDrive and M3 Coupes, 2006-2011 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive and M3, 2009-2011 335D, 2006-2012 325xi, 328i, 328xi and 328i xDrive, 2010-2011 X6 ActiveHybrid, 2007-2013 328i, 335i, 335is, M3 Coupes, X5 30si, X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 48i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5 M, 2009-2013 X5 xDr

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

18V336000 2018-05-23
Engine and engine cooling:engine

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2009-2013 X5 xDrive 35d diesel vehicles. The engine idler pulley bolt may loosen over time and break.

If the idler pulley bolt breaks, the vehicle may unexpectedly lose power-assisted steering, increasing the risk of a crash.

18V248000 2018-04-18
Engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline:turbo/supercharger

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2011-2012 BMW 550i, 550i xDrive, 550i Gran Turismo, 550i Gran Turismo xDrive, 750i, 750Li, 750i xDrive, 750Li xDrive, 760Li, X5 xDrive50i, X5 M, X6 xDrive50i, X6 M, ActiveHybrid7, MINI Cooper S Convertible, John Cooper Works (JCW) Convertible, Cooper S Countryman, Cooper S Countryman ALL4, Cooper S, JCW, Cooper S Clubman, JCW Clubman, Cooper S Roadster, JCW Roadster, Cooper S Coupe, JCW Coupe and Rolls-Royce Ghost, 2011 BMW X6 Hybrid and 2012 BMW 650i Coupe, 650i xDrive Coupe, 650i Convertible and 650i xDrive Convertible vehicles. The elect

If the circuit board were to overheat, it can increase the risk of a fire.

17V683000 2017-10-30
Engine and engine cooling:exhaust system:emission control:crankcase (pcv)

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2011 128i and 2007-2011 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 525i, 525xi, 528i, 528xi, 530i, 530xi, X3 3.0si, X3 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive30i, Z4 3.0i, Z4 3.0si and Z4 sDrive30i vehicles. The heater for the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve may short circuit.

An electrical short can cause the parts within the PCV valve to melt, increasing the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is not in use.

17V138000 2017-03-02
Power train:driveline:driveshaft

BMW of North America, LLC, (BMW) is recalling certain 2011-2013 X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive50i, X5 M and X5 xDrive35d vehicles, 2011-2014 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6M vehicles, and 2011 x6 ActiveHybrid Vehicles. Water and debris may enter the front driveshaft's universal joint, causing excessive wear and possibly resulting in the joint's 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.

In owners’ own words

Other mileage not reported 1 mo in service
CAN I GET LISTING OF ANY OPEN RECALL CAMPAIGN ON 2011 BMW X5 35D MANUFACTURED ON SEPTEMBER 26, 2010. THANKS *TR
Other 74,450 mi 4.4 yr in service
IT FEEL LIKE THE CAR WAS VIBRATING WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY I TOOK THE EXIT SO I CAN PULL OVER AND IT STARTED MAKING CLANKING SOUND UNDER THE DRIVER SEAT...WHEN CHECKED UNDER THE CAR DRIVE SHAFT IS MISSING SCREW AS IT CAME OFF AND HITTING THE GROUND AND CAR IS NOT DRIVEABLE...NOT SURE WHAT CAUSES IT. IT COULD'VE KILLED US IF I DIDN'T EXIT AS THE HIGHWAY WAS VERY BUSY AND I AM GLAD I PULLED OVER. READING ON INTERNET HONG KONG AND EUROPE HAVE RECALL ON THIS BUT I DIDN'T SEE ANY RECALLS FOR THIS US...UPDATED 06/01/16 *BF UPDATED 9/26/2017*CN
Other 40,000 mi 4.9 yr in service
THIS CAR ONLY HAS A LITTLE OVER 40K MILES. WAS DRIVING LONG DISTANCE ON FREEWAY AND SLOWLY I NOTICE STRANGE NOISE COMING FROM THE WHEEL WELL AREA FROM INSIDE THE CAR. I JACKED THE CAR UP AND DO A SPIN AND TURN OUT IT IS THE BEARING MAKING NOISE. CAN'T BELIEVE THIS FAILS AT SUCH A LOW MILEAGE. WILL THIS AFFECT THE DRIVESHAFT OR ANYTHING SAFETY OF THE CAR AT HIGH SPEED. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF BMW HAS A RECALL FOR THIS. THANKS
Power train 1,300 mi 11 mo in service
2012 BMW X5. UPON ENGINE START UP WHEN COLD, THE ENGINE SURGES EXCESSIVELY. IF THE TRANSMISSION IS ENGAGED DURING THE SURGING (FLUCTUATING RPM) THE VEHICLE LURCHES FORWARD/REVERSE CAUSING A DANGEROUS SITUATION AND POTENTIAL ACCIDENT. *KB

Other X5 model years

202420222021202020192017201620152014201320122011201020092008200720062005200320022001

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