RoadVitals

2011 BMW X5 Diesel Sav Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
44
Latest Jun 13, 2019
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
11
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
1

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2011 BMW X5 Diesel Sav, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

  • Engine1833.3%
  • Airbags1018.5%
  • Powertrain (other)59.3%
  • Steering35.6%
  • Other / unspecified23.7%
  • Electrical23.7%
  • Body & structure23.7%
  • Brakes11.9%
  • Suspension11.9%
  • Tires & wheels11.9%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

18
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

MY WIFE WAS DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY WITH SPEED LIMIT OF 50 MILES / PER HOUR. SUDDENLY THE CAR SHOWED "ENGINE MALFUCTION - POWER REDUCED" AND SHE COULDN'T KEEP THE SPEED AND CAR STARTING LOSING SPEED AND DROPPED TO 10 MILES / HOUR, SHE HAD TO PULL OFF THE ROAD TO AVOID THE DANGER OF BEING HIT BY OTHER CARS ON THE BUSY EXPRESSWAY. AFTER SHE PULLLED OVER AND CALLED ME, I DROVE TO THE PLACE WHERE SHE PARKED THE CAR AND USED A CODE READER TO FOUND SOME ERROR CODE "47C4", BUT AFTER RESTARTED CAR, CAR SEEMED OK. I DROPPED THE CAR AT BMW MOUNTAIN VIEW DEALER AND THEY FOUND THE "LOW PRESSURE EGR" WAS BAD AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED WITH A COST OF $1800. WE FEEL THIS IS VERY DANGER TO HAPPEN TO ANY CAR BECAUSE SUCH AN FAILURE IT'S NOT SAFE TO US AND ALSO TO OTHER DRIVERS. THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED!

NHTSA ID 11219793 · filed Jun 13, 2019

THE ISSUE STARTED WITH EXHAUST FUME IN THE CABIN FOR 2-3 DAYS. FOLLOWED BY AIR LEAKING SOUND FROM THE ENGINE BAY ON LOW RPM. VEHICLE WENT IN AND OUT OF LIMP MODE (GETTING "ENGINE MALFUNCTIONED / REDUCED POWER" MESSAGE) WHILE DRIVING WHICH WAS VERY DANGEROUS ON HIGHWAY OR MERGING INTO TRAFFIC. DEALER FOUND OUT THAT THE EGR COOLER WAS CRACKED.

NHTSA ID 11193664 · filed Apr 3, 2019
All 18 reports naming engine

Airbags

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.

10
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

THE PASSENGER RESTRAINT LIGHT IS ON. DEALER REPORTS THERE IS A FAULT STORED FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT MAT. I UNDERSTAND THAT BMW HAS HAD RECALLS FOR THIS PROBLEM IN PREVIOUS MODEL YEARS.

NHTSA ID 11208893 · filed May 21, 2019

RECALL HAS BEEN IN AFFECT SINCE MAY 2016 AND I STILL HAVE NOT RECEIVED A PASSENGER AIR BAG MAY 25, 2016 | RECALL CAMPAIGN NO. 16V-364. I'VE BEEN TO TWO LOCAL DEALERSHIPS AND ADDED MY NAME TO A LIST BUT NOTHING.

NHTSA ID 11044273 · filed Nov 7, 2017
All 10 reports naming airbags

Fuel system

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.

9
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

LEAKING EGR COOLER. DEALER STATED THAT IF ISSUE IS NOT REPAIRED A POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD EXISTS. A RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR VIN SPECIFIC VEHICLES BUT OTHERS WITH THE SAME ISSUE ARE NOT COVERED BY THE RECALL.

NHTSA ID 11171426 · filed Jan 22, 2019

2016, MARCH 03 - DIESEL EXHAUST FUMES IN CABIN. MAG BMW DEALER REPLACED FAULTY: INTAKE TEMP SENSOR FAULT # 004BC6 AND FUEL PRESUPLY LINE: FAULTS #004BDA AND 004BDC. SCR TANK FAULT 0046F9 WAS NOT REPAIRED BY BMW.

NHTSA ID 11162416 · filed Dec 19, 2018
All 9 reports naming fuel system

Powertrain (other)

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.

5
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

MY WIFE WAS DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY WITH SPEED LIMIT OF 50 MILES / PER HOUR. SUDDENLY THE CAR SHOWED "ENGINE MALFUCTION - POWER REDUCED" AND SHE COULDN'T KEEP THE SPEED AND CAR STARTING LOSING SPEED AND DROPPED TO 10 MILES / HOUR, SHE HAD TO PULL OFF THE ROAD TO AVOID THE DANGER OF BEING HIT BY OTHER CARS ON THE BUSY EXPRESSWAY. AFTER SHE PULLLED OVER AND CALLED ME, I DROVE TO THE PLACE WHERE SHE PARKED THE CAR AND USED A CODE READER TO FOUND SOME ERROR CODE "47C4", BUT AFTER RESTARTED CAR, CAR SEEMED OK. I DROPPED THE CAR AT BMW MOUNTAIN VIEW DEALER AND THEY FOUND THE "LOW PRESSURE EGR" WAS BAD AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED WITH A COST OF $1800. WE FEEL THIS IS VERY DANGER TO HAPPEN TO ANY CAR BECAUSE SUCH AN FAILURE IT'S NOT SAFE TO US AND ALSO TO OTHER DRIVERS. THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED!

NHTSA ID 11219793 · filed Jun 13, 2019

1. "IDLER PULLEY BOLT FAILED" - WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, THE PULLEY BOLT FAILED. WHEN THIS HAPPENED, I LOST POWER TO THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE MESSAGE "CHARGING MALFUNCTION" APPEARED. I OPENED THE HOOD AND PULLED OUT THE BROKEN BELTS. THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE GARAGE AND IT COST ME ROUGHLY $900 TO FIX + THE TOWING FEE. 2. CAR HAD RATTLE SOUNDS. I HAD TO HAVE THE "STABILIZER BAR/CONTROL ARM/SHOCK N STRUT ASSEMBLY" REPLACED AT 75,141 MILES.......

NHTSA ID 11114599 · filed Jul 30, 2018

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Steering

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

IDLER PULLEY BOLT BROKE FOR SECOND TIME IN 5 MONTHS. IN FEBRUARY, FIRST OCCURRENCE, CAR WAS STATIONARY. CAR WAS REPAIRED UNDER RECALL BY LOCAL MECHANIC. SECOND OCCURRENCE ON JUNE 29, CAR WAS IN MOTION ENTERING A TRAFFIC ROTARY. BOLT AUDIBLY SNAPPED JUST PRIOR TO ENTERING ROTARY. ALL POWER STEERING WAS LOST. CAR WAS SAFELY NAVIGATED THROUGH ROTARY AND 1/4 MILE DOWN ROAD TO A SAFE PARKING SPOT. CAR REPAIRED AT DEALER WITH KNOWLEDGE THE REPLACEMENT BOLT WAS THE SAME FAULTY BOLT. NEW RECALL CURRENTLY UNDER DEVELOPMENT, BUT NO FIX AVAILABLE. THE BOLT THAT BROKE IN FEBRUARY 2018 WAS THE REPLACEMENT BOLT INSTALLED DURING THE ORIGINAL RECALL IN 2012. IT WAS REPLACED BEFORE IT FAILED. NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 12V550000 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 18V336000

NHTSA ID 11111406 · filed Jul 15, 2018

PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 12V550000 A REPLACEMENT OF THE IDLER PULLEY BOLT RECALL WAS CONDUCTED DUE TO GRAVE PUBLIC SAFETY CONCERNS. I CONSULTED BOTH BMW OF NORTH AMERICA AND MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP ABOUT THIS REPAIR, AND OF COURSE I AM TOLD THE ONLY RECALL OUTSTANDING FOR MY VEHICLE IS RELATED TO AIRBAGS AND THIS FIX WAS ALREADY IMPLEMENTED. ATTACHED TO THIS SAFETY REPORT IS A DIAGRAM OF THE CRANKCASE PULLEY DESIGN. ITEM '2' IN THE ATTACHED DIAGRAM WAS THE PART REPLACED TO CORRECT THE ISSUE.DESPITE THIS 'FIX' I HAVE RECENTLY EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE LOSS OF STEERING AND ELECTRIC POWER AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, IN EXCESS OF 70 MPH, AS WELL AS THE ENGINE OPERATING AT OR ABOVE NORMAL RANGE. THIS OF COURSE IS DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE PRIMARY CRANKCASE PULLEY AFFECTS ALL OF THESE SYSTEMS INSTANTLY IF THIS ROTATING MASS COMES TO A HALT. INITIAL THOUGHTS AND INSPECTION ONE WOULD ASSUME A LOOSE, SLIPPING SERPENTINE BELT OR TENSIONER PULLEY BEING THE FAULT FOR THE INSTANT MULTIPLE SYSTEM FAILURES, HOWEVER FURTHER INSPECTION REVEALS A COMPLETE FAILURE OF THE 'VIBRATION' DAMPER PULLEY. THE TORQUE FROM THIS DIESEL ENGINE SHREDS THIS RUBBER PULLEY, COMPLETELY RIPPING IT OFF ITS METAL SLEEVE, DESPITE THE REINFORCEMENT OF THE HARDENED STEEL 'BOLT' REPLACEMENT. IN ALL MY DAYS OF OWNING A VEHICLE, I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF SUCH 'MAINTENANCE' REPAIR WORK OF REPLACING THE PRIMARY CRANKCASE PULLEY AS IT IS SEEN BY THE MANUFACTURER AS A 'WEAR AND TEAR' ITEM. IN MY EXPERIENCE, REPLACING THE CRANKCASE PULLEY WAS DELIBERATE TO GAIN AN EDGE AT THE DRAG STRIP, NOT FOR MY FAMILIES SAFETY.

NHTSA ID 11083309 · filed Apr 4, 2018

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Other / unspecified

Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING START MALFUNCTIONING AFTER 5 YEARS.

NHTSA ID 10979577 · filed Apr 20, 2017

07/31/2011: 2011 BMW X5D, WITH 10,500 MILES, ALL 4 TIRES WERE INFLATED BY DEALER AT 40PSI; FOUR WEEKS LATER THE REAR TIRES WERE AT 35PSI, BUT BOTH FRONT TIRES WERE AT 22PSI. THE TPMS WAS SHOWING GREEN ON ALL FORU TIRES, DID NOT GIVE ANY WARNING. CALLED BMWUSA AND THEY SAID THAT IF IT IS GREEN IT SAFE TO DRIVE. WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND ALL THEY DID WAS CHECK THE PRESSURE AND REINFLATE TO 40PSI. THERE MIGHT BE PEOPLE DRIVING AND LOOKING AT THEIR TPMSS SHOWING ALL 4 TIRES ARE GREEN, BUT THEY ARE ACTUALLY UNDERINFLATED. I CALLED BERU, THE MANUFACTURER FOR THE TPMS PLACED ON BMWS, THEY SAID THAT THIS WAS A COST SAVING MEASURE FOR BMW. I THINK PEOPLE WILL BE WILLING TO SEE THE TIRES PSI, RATHER THAN JUST GREEN TIRES SIGNIFYING "SUPPOSEDLY GOOD TIRE PRESSURE." *TR

NHTSA ID 10424578 · filed Sep 10, 2011

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON A LOCAL ROAD AT 40 MPH IN A STRAIGHT LINE, THERE WAS A LOUD, VERY SHORT LIVED NOISE IN THE ENGINE AND I IMMEDIATELY LOST POWER STEERING. MY SERPENTINE BELT FAILED AND I LIMPED HOME WITHOUT POWER STEERING, BATTERY CHARGING, ETC.... UPON INSPECTION BY MY LOCAL MECHANIC (NOT A BMW SERVICE CENTER), THE REASON FOR THE SERPENTINE BELT SYSTEM FAILING WAS THE ALTERNATOR IDLER PULLEY BOLT HAD FAILED IN THE BLOCK. HE HAD TO TAKE OUT THE CONDENSER, RADIATOR, ETC. IN ORDER TO DRILL THE BOLT OUT. THE BOLT SHEARED INSIDE THE ENGINE BLOCK AND HAD TO BE DRILLED OUT. THIS IS THE BOLT FOR WHICH THERE WAS A PAST RECALL AND MY MECHANIC HAS BEEN HAVING DIFFICULTY GETTING A REPLACEMENT BOLT FROM BMW FOR 2 DAYS NOW. I HAD NOT RECEIVED ANY NOTICE FROM BMW ABOUT THIS POTENTIALLY SERIOUS DEFECT AND HOW THE PAST RECALL HAD NOT EFFECTIVELY CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. I DISCOVERED THE PROBLEM YESTERDAY WHEN I WAS SEARCHING BMW FORA TO SEE WHY BMW WAS ASKING MY MECHANIC FOR DETAILS ABOUT THE BOLT WHEN HE WAS TRYING TO ORDER A REPLACEMENT AND STILL HAS NOT OFFERED TO SHIP THE BOLT TO MY MECHANIC.

NHTSA ID 11151426 · filed Nov 14, 2018

PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 12V550000 A REPLACEMENT OF THE IDLER PULLEY BOLT RECALL WAS CONDUCTED DUE TO GRAVE PUBLIC SAFETY CONCERNS. I CONSULTED BOTH BMW OF NORTH AMERICA AND MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP ABOUT THIS REPAIR, AND OF COURSE I AM TOLD THE ONLY RECALL OUTSTANDING FOR MY VEHICLE IS RELATED TO AIRBAGS AND THIS FIX WAS ALREADY IMPLEMENTED. ATTACHED TO THIS SAFETY REPORT IS A DIAGRAM OF THE CRANKCASE PULLEY DESIGN. ITEM '2' IN THE ATTACHED DIAGRAM WAS THE PART REPLACED TO CORRECT THE ISSUE.DESPITE THIS 'FIX' I HAVE RECENTLY EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE LOSS OF STEERING AND ELECTRIC POWER AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, IN EXCESS OF 70 MPH, AS WELL AS THE ENGINE OPERATING AT OR ABOVE NORMAL RANGE. THIS OF COURSE IS DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE PRIMARY CRANKCASE PULLEY AFFECTS ALL OF THESE SYSTEMS INSTANTLY IF THIS ROTATING MASS COMES TO A HALT. INITIAL THOUGHTS AND INSPECTION ONE WOULD ASSUME A LOOSE, SLIPPING SERPENTINE BELT OR TENSIONER PULLEY BEING THE FAULT FOR THE INSTANT MULTIPLE SYSTEM FAILURES, HOWEVER FURTHER INSPECTION REVEALS A COMPLETE FAILURE OF THE 'VIBRATION' DAMPER PULLEY. THE TORQUE FROM THIS DIESEL ENGINE SHREDS THIS RUBBER PULLEY, COMPLETELY RIPPING IT OFF ITS METAL SLEEVE, DESPITE THE REINFORCEMENT OF THE HARDENED STEEL 'BOLT' REPLACEMENT. IN ALL MY DAYS OF OWNING A VEHICLE, I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF SUCH 'MAINTENANCE' REPAIR WORK OF REPLACING THE PRIMARY CRANKCASE PULLEY AS IT IS SEEN BY THE MANUFACTURER AS A 'WEAR AND TEAR' ITEM. IN MY EXPERIENCE, REPLACING THE CRANKCASE PULLEY WAS DELIBERATE TO GAIN AN EDGE AT THE DRAG STRIP, NOT FOR MY FAMILIES SAFETY.

NHTSA ID 11083309 · filed Apr 4, 2018

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Body & structure

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

SUNROOF DRAIN LINE TWISTING CAUSES WATER TO BACK-UP INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT AND CAUSE ELECTRICAL FAULTS AS CONFIRMED BY FORMER BMW FRANCHISEE MECHANIC AND AS NOTED WIDELY THROUGHOUT BWM OWNER FORUMS. THIS KNOWN ISSUE FOR MODEL HAS NO REPAIR OPTION OTHER THAN CUTTING INTO A PILLAR TO REPLACE DEFECTIVE (SELF KINKING) LINE. VEHICLE STATIONARY IN THE RAIN AT TIME OF HARMFUL WATER INTRUSION. FAULT CODES OCCURRED AT IGNITION. FLOORBOARDS FILLED WITH WATER. MILDEW OCCURRED IN CARPETS. EXTENSION TO WARRANTY WARRANTED (LIKE DEFECTIVE NOX SENSORS).

NHTSA ID 11165142 · filed Jan 8, 2019

SNAPPING NOISE HEARD RANDOMLY WHEN THE BODY FLEXED. TO REPAIR THE LEFT A-PILLAR FAILED WELD(S) EXTENSIVE REMOVAL OF INTERIOR TRIM, SUNROOF, WINDSHIELD, ETC NECESSARY TO WELD AND PAINT A-PILLAR AND/TO ROOF PANEL. *TR

NHTSA ID 10460855 · filed Jun 6, 2012

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

THE CAR IN PARK WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ON -- PARKED ON A HILL WILL ROLL DOWN THE HILL WHILE COMPLETELY POWERED OFF. THIS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES WHILE ON EVEN THE SMALLEST AMOUNT OF SLUSH ( NOT ICE.) I CAN ATTACH A VIDEO OF THE PROBLEM HAPPENING IF NEED BE. *TR

NHTSA ID 10561030 · filed Jan 22, 2014

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Suspension

Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

1. "IDLER PULLEY BOLT FAILED" - WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, THE PULLEY BOLT FAILED. WHEN THIS HAPPENED, I LOST POWER TO THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE MESSAGE "CHARGING MALFUNCTION" APPEARED. I OPENED THE HOOD AND PULLED OUT THE BROKEN BELTS. THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE GARAGE AND IT COST ME ROUGHLY $900 TO FIX + THE TOWING FEE. 2. CAR HAD RATTLE SOUNDS. I HAD TO HAVE THE "STABILIZER BAR/CONTROL ARM/SHOCK N STRUT ASSEMBLY" REPLACED AT 75,141 MILES.......

NHTSA ID 11114599 · filed Jul 30, 2018

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Tires & wheels

Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

07/31/2011: 2011 BMW X5D, WITH 10,500 MILES, ALL 4 TIRES WERE INFLATED BY DEALER AT 40PSI; FOUR WEEKS LATER THE REAR TIRES WERE AT 35PSI, BUT BOTH FRONT TIRES WERE AT 22PSI. THE TPMS WAS SHOWING GREEN ON ALL FORU TIRES, DID NOT GIVE ANY WARNING. CALLED BMWUSA AND THEY SAID THAT IF IT IS GREEN IT SAFE TO DRIVE. WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND ALL THEY DID WAS CHECK THE PRESSURE AND REINFLATE TO 40PSI. THERE MIGHT BE PEOPLE DRIVING AND LOOKING AT THEIR TPMSS SHOWING ALL 4 TIRES ARE GREEN, BUT THEY ARE ACTUALLY UNDERINFLATED. I CALLED BERU, THE MANUFACTURER FOR THE TPMS PLACED ON BMWS, THEY SAID THAT THIS WAS A COST SAVING MEASURE FOR BMW. I THINK PEOPLE WILL BE WILLING TO SEE THE TIRES PSI, RATHER THAN JUST GREEN TIRES SIGNIFYING "SUPPOSEDLY GOOD TIRE PRESSURE." *TR

NHTSA ID 10424578 · filed Sep 10, 2011

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .