AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
2011 BMW X5 Sav
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Overview
Our database contains 24 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2011 BMW X5 Sav, most frequently naming the engine, fuel system and powertrain (other) categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 2 NHTSA investigations name it; and 8 manufacturer communications are on file.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Complaint activity over time
When owners filed reports about this model year
View as table
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Mar 2013 | 1 | 1 |
| Sep 2014 | 1 | 2 |
| May 2015 | 1 | 3 |
| Nov 2015 | 1 | 4 |
| Jan 2016 | 1 | 5 |
| Mar 2016 | 1 | 6 |
| Apr 2016 | 1 | 7 |
| Jul 2016 | 1 | 8 |
| Aug 2016 | 2 | 10 |
| Mar 2017 | 1 | 11 |
| Apr 2017 | 1 | 12 |
| May 2017 | 3 | 15 |
| Jul 2017 | 1 | 16 |
| Aug 2017 | 1 | 17 |
| Sep 2017 | 1 | 18 |
| Oct 2017 | 1 | 19 |
| Feb 2018 | 1 | 20 |
| Mar 2018 | 1 | 21 |
| Apr 2018 | 1 | 22 |
| Oct 2018 | 2 | 24 |
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
- Engine1029.4%
- Fuel system720.6%
- Powertrain (other)720.6%
- Driver assistance411.8%
- Airbags38.8%
- Electrical25.9%
- Interior & seats12.9%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Safety recalls
3 campaigns cover this model year
Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.
Check a VIN on NHTSA.govENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL; STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
Safety investigations
NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.
Idler Pulley Bolt Failure
In a May 23, 2018 letter, BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) notified the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) of a safety defect that may result in the loss of power steering assist in certain model year (MY) 2009 through 2013 BMW X5 xDrive35d vehicles (Recall 18V-336). The recall, which affects approximately 33,214 vehicles built from March 12, 2008 through June 27, 2013, corrects the remedy and expands the scope of a prior BMW recall (12V-550) which addressed idle pulley bolt failure in approximately 29,800 MY 2009 through 2012 BMW X5 xDrive35d vehicles built from September 1, 2008 through November 15, 2012. BMW's analysis indicates that due to a number of contributing factors it is possible that the bolt's pre-stressing force could drop to an extent that it results in the bolt becoming loosened over time. A loosening of the bolt could cause additional bending stress on top of the bolt. As a result, the bolt could break. If this were to happen, then a sudden loss of power steering assist could occur.If there were a loss of power steering assist, manual steering capability would be retained, although the effort required to steer the vehicle would be greater, and therefore may increase the risk of crash.ODI's analysis of the complaints it has received from the public (VOQ's) and BMW complaint data submitted in response to the information request letter for RQ18-001 identified a total of 93 unique VIN reports alleging failure of the idler pulley bolt after recall 12V-550 was completed on the vehicle, including 31 VOQ's and 72 BMW consumer complaints (5 complaints received by NHTSA and BMW, 3 unique VIN's submitted multiple complaints to BMW, and 1 unique VIN submitted multiple complaints to NHTSA).BMW is developing a new idler pulley fastening system as the remedy for 18V-336.The remedy is planned to begin in February 2019.Based on BMW's safety recall, this recall query is closed.The 31 VOQ's referenced in this resume are: 10499780, 10559422, 10579534, 10655424, 10661614, 10702323, 10819617, 10903433, 10948014, 10984353, 11002447, 11010667, 11013643, 11041551, 11054759, 11054909, 11066063, 11083479, 11097562, 11098865, 11113332, 11128649, 11130277, 10552773, 10817406, 10937632, 10956710, 11032006, 11042259, 11063010, 11091513.
Recent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
THE COOLANT LINES NEEDED COMPLETELY REPLACED CAUSING THE ENGINE TO START BARRELING SMOKE AFTER ABOUT 400-500 FT. LOOKED LIKE IT WAS ON FIRE THERE WAS SO MUCH SMOKE. GOT REPAIRED AT BMW OF WESTLAKE IN OHIO. THEY TOLD ME THERE WAS NOTHING I COULD DO TO HAVE PREVENTED IT.
- NHTSA ID
- 11144153
- Incident
- Feb 28, 2018
- Mileage
- 82,000 mi
ENGINE CLICKS WHEN ACCELERATING OR DECELERATION
- NHTSA ID
- 11144151
- Incident
- Oct 30, 2018
- Mileage
- 93,000 mi
I WOULD LIKE TO REPORT A VANOS ISSUE THE CAMSHAFT BOLTS LOOSEN AND BREAK AND IT COULD BE CATASTROPHIC. MY BOLTS LOOSENED AND I CAUGHT IT IN TIME BUT IF I DIDN'T KNOW ANY BETTER I COULD'VE HAD A COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE. MY CODE ORIGINALLY CAME UP AS CAMSHAFT STICKING. WHEN THE PROBLEM ORIGINATED I WAS TRAVELING ON A MAIN CITY ROAD AND MY CAR WENT INTO REDUCED POWER MODE.
- NHTSA ID
- 11083702
- Incident
- Mar 28, 2018
- Mileage
- 125,000 mi
DURING HARD ACCELERATION OF THE CAR WHILE GETTING ON THE FREE WAY RAMP, THE CAR WENT INTO LIMP MODE. THE ENGINE PERFORMANCE WAS DEGRADED AND I HAD TO PULL ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO RESTART THE CAR. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO BMW OF BELLEVUE NEXT WEEK AFTER INITIAL DIAGNOSIS OF A DME INTERNAL FAULT BY A SIGNATURE INDEPENDENT KIRKLAND. BMW OF BELLEVUE REPLACED AIR MASS FILTER AND OIL FILLER CAP. A FEW WEEKS LATER THE ISSUE HAPPENING AGAIN DURING REGULAR DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY. BMW OF BELLEVUE DIAGNOSED THIS AS A VACUUM HOSE LEAK. A FEW WEEKS LATER THE CAR WENT INTO LIMP MODE AGAIN WHILE GETTING ON THE FREEWAY, BMW OF BELLEVUE DIAGNOSED THIS AS A HIGH PRESSURE FUEL SENSOR SHORT, BMW OF NORTH AMERICA OPENED A PUMA CASE, BUT DID NOT RECOMMEND REPLACING THE DME YET. RIGHT AFTER PICKING UP THE CAR I HIT THE ISSUE AGAIN WHERE THE CAR WENT INTO LIMP MODE WHILE ACCELERATING ON THE FREEWAY RAMP. BMW OF BELLEVUE WORKED WITH BMW OF NA TO REPLACE THE DME WHICH IS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. BEFORE HANDING THE CAR BACK THE SERVICE ADVISOR DID A TEST AND WAS ABLE TO STILL REPRODUCE THE CAR GOING INTO LIMP MODE GETTING ON THE FREEWAY, DIAGNOSIS IS STILL NOT KNOWN. IT HAS BEEN 3 MONTHS TODAY SINCE THE ISSUE FIRST HAPPENED AND THE CAR HAS BEEN OUT OF USE FOR MORE THAN A MONTH AND THERE IS STILL NO CONCLUSION ON THE ROOT CAUSE.
- NHTSA ID
- 11080383
- Incident
- Dec 16, 2017
- Mileage
- 74,500 mi
THE SERVICE ADVISER AT THE BMW DEALERSHIP MENTIONED THAT THE DMTL PUMP IN MY VEHICLE HAS FAILED. I FOUND THE BELOW DOCUMENT REGARDING THE DMTL PUMP. HTTPS://STATIC.NHTSA.GOV/ODI/TSBS/2012/SB-10051299-3508.PDF CAN YOU PLEASE CHECK THIS AND LET ME KNOW OF MY OPTIONS? THANKS [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
- NHTSA ID
- 11066500
- Incident
- Oct 26, 2017
- Mileage
- 44,063 mi
X5 XDRIVE 35I SAV; WHILE DRIVING UNDER NORMAL STREET AND HIGHWAY CONDITIONS, VEHICLE SPEED AND ENGINE RPM HAVE BECOME UNSTABLE. THIS CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO INCREASE AND DECREASE IT'S SPEED INTERMITTENTLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE IS NOT TRUSTWORTHY AS YOU MAY LOSE POWER, OR UNINTENTIONALLY ACCELERATE WHILE TRYING TO EXECUTE A DRIVING MANEUVER, CAUSING A DANGEROUS CONDITION. CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATES. VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO BMW DEALERSHIP (ZT MOTORS) FOR DIAGNOSTICS. SERVICE PERSONNEL STATED THAT THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP INDICATED A LOW FUEL PRESSURE AT THE INLET. THIS WOULD TELL ME THAT THE LOW PRESSURE FUEL PUMP IS NOT DELIVERING THE CORRECT FUEL FLOW/PRESSURE TO THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP. REF NHTSA CAMPAIGN # 16V746000 ET AL. DIAGNOSTICS ALSO INDICATED THE VALVETRONIC MOTOR SHOWS IT SHORT CIRCUITING. DEALER RECOMMENDED REPLACEMENT OF VALVETRONIC MOTOR, CAM SHAFT AND OIL INJECTORS. THE REPLACEMENT OF THE CAM SHAFT AND OIL INJECTORS ARE UNNECESSARY MAINTENANCE ITEMS, ONLY THE VALVETRONIC MOTOR WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED, AND FUEL SYSTEM REPROGRAMMED. REF NHTSA CAMPAIGN # 14V176000 ET AL. RECOMMEND RECALL REPLACEMENT OF BOTH HIGH PRESSURE AND LOW PRESSURE FUEL PUMPS, VALVETRONIC MOTOR, VANOS CAM SHAFT AND OIL INJECTORS AS WELL AS REPROGRAMMING OF FUEL OPERATING SYSTEM. ALSO REPLACE CAM SHAFT MOUNTING BOLTS.
- NHTSA ID
- 11030853
- Incident
- Sep 15, 2017
- Mileage
- 93,000 mi
MY VEHICLE IS HAVING A RECALL REGARDING THE IN-TANK FUEL PUMP SINCE OCTOBER 2016 BMW OF SAN DIEGO HAS FAILED TO PROVIDE A REPLACEMENT PART IN A TIMELY MANNER AND BMW OF EL CAJON HAS JUST PROVIDED THE NECESSARY PART FOR MY PERSONAL VEHICLE I HAVE WAITED ALMOST A YEAR FOR A PART TO BE PROVIDED FOR MY VEHICLE. MOREOVER, THE CAR HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING FAILURES IN IGNITION AND STALLING DUE TO THIS PARTICULAR ISSUE AND POSSIBLY OTHER ISSUES THAT ARE DERIVED FROM THIS SPECIFIC RECALL. OTHER ISSUES REGARDING THE ENGINE COULD BE IN QUESTION DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE ENGINE RARELY SHUTS BY ITSELF WHEN STARTING THE IGNITION, ALSO THERE IS A PROBLEM INVOLVING COLD STARTS IN MOST BMW VEHICLES AND MY CAR IS NOT AN EXCEPTION. THE ENGINE SHUTTING OFF BY ITSELF IS A SPECIAL CONCERN BECAUSE THIS MAY MEAN THERE ARE OTHER FAULTY PARTS LOCATED DEEP WITHIN THE VEHICLE.
- NHTSA ID
- 11024054
- Incident
- Sep 18, 2017
- Mileage
- 74,000 mi
DRIVE THE VEHICLE ON VACATION AND THE ENGINE WOULD STUDDER AND STALL ON THE HIGHWAY AND AN ERROR PROMPTED ON THE VEHICLE DASHBOARD THAT DISPLAYED "ENGINE MALFUNCTION" REDUCED POWER. OCCASIONALLY THE VEHICLE ENGINE WOULD CUT OFF WHILE ON THE ROAD AND NEEDED TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT IT HAS A HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP MALFUNCTION THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND ALTHOUGH THE VEHICLE IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL IT SHOWED THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS SOME PROBLEMATIC MODELS. THIS OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON BOTH LOCAL ROADS AND THE HIGHWAY. IN ONE OCCASION, I NEEDED TO RESTART THE CAR TO GET IT TO A SAFE LOCATION.
- NHTSA ID
- 11020569
- Incident
- Aug 26, 2017
Manufacturer communications
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
While performing a 12-Volt battery jump start, disconnect, or replacement, Vehicle test, and/or Programming procedure- the BMW Footwell Module (FRM) may become unresponsive. As a result, one or more of the following vehicle electric system-related issues may occur: Headlights including the high beams, and/or taillights are not turning on or off Interior lights are not turning on Turn indicators are not working Instrument cluster indicator lights stay on The IHKA climate control system is not working Power windows are not working Folding mirrors are not working, and/or a Functional remote-control key FOB will not unlock and lock the doors
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few years. This has led to increased demands being placed on the battery. This document covers important information for the dealer on how to handle âÂÂdischarged batteryâ complaints.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The engine?s intake charge-air duct limited warranty extension to 10 years/120,000 miles applies to ?eligible USspecification
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS; SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:ABS WARNING LIGHT; SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:DISC
BMW: WARNING LAMPS ARE ILLUMINATED FOR THE DSC, ABS AND BRAKE AND A POSSIBLE WARNING IN CONTROL DISPLAY FOR CHASSIS CONTROL SYSTEM FAILURE. MODELS 2012 F25, 30, 01, 02, 07, 10, 12, 13, E70, 71, 84. *PE
ENGINE
BMW: SOME VEHICLE ENGINES MAY EXPERIENCE A DELAY IN RESPONSE TO ACCELERATION, AFTER SLOWING DOWN, DUE TO AN UNFAVORABLE SOFTWARE CALIBRATION. MODELS F10, 25, 07, E70, 71. NO MODEL YEARS LISTED. *PE
Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.
Compare model years
Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model
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. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.