2011 BMW X5

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.

I am reporting a potential safety-related defect involving the N63 twin-turbocharged engine in my 2011 BMW X5 xDrive50i (VIN: [XXX]). My vehicle has developed serious engine-related problems involving the turbocharger system and an oil leak/sealing failure. Bob Smith BMW evaluated the vehicle and provided a repair estimate of approximately $30,000. BMW previously acknowledged recurring technical issues involving N63 engines and established special customer-care and repair programs addressing certain engine and turbocharger-related defects. When I contacted BMW regarding my vehicle, representatives acknowledged that my problem was consistent with turbocharger-related issues reported by other N63 owners. However, BMW declined assistance because the applicable repair program had expired. My concern is not simply the cost of repair. Oil leaking near extremely hot turbocharger and exhaust components may create a potential fire or smoke hazard. I am also concerned about possible engine malfunction or loss of power resulting from this failure. I respectfully request that NHTSA investigate whether these turbocharger and oil-sealing problems represent a recurring safety-related defect affecting BMW vehicles equipped with the N63 engine. I also request that NHTSA review historical BMW service campaigns, customer-care programs, and existing consumer complaints involving similar failures to determine whether further investigation or a safety recall is warranted. I believe this issue deserves independent safety review rather than being treated solely as an expired warranty matter. Vehicle: 2011 BMW X5 xDrive50i Engine: N63 Twin-Turbocharged V8 VIN: [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11776290

Incident

Apr 11, 2019

The contact owns a 2011 BMW X5. The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle unexpectedly stalled, and the fuel pump message was displayed. The vehicle was able to restart. The contact stated that there was an abnormal gasoline odor coming from the vehicle after the failure. The contact stated that the vehicle had taken longer than normal to start before the failure had occurred. After the failure, the vehicle failed to start. Several service technicians went to the residence and diagnosed the vehicle with a failed fuel pump connector at the intake, which caused the wiring harness to burn out and the fuel pump to fail. The contact was informed that the fuel pump and wiring harness had failed and needed to be replaced. The fuel pump was replaced, and a replacement wiring harness was ordered. The failure mileage was 193,000.

NHTSA ID

11774452

Incident

Oct 29, 2026

Mileage

193,000 mi

There's currently an open recall for a number of BMW engines involving aluminum bolts in the vanos assembly that shear, strip, and break off completely. The open recall is somehow excluding some vehicles with the same exact problem like my 2011 BMW X5 xdrive35i N55 E70 with the inline 6. Currently my vanos bolts are already sheared off and sitting in my oil pan. My vehicle started misfiring and acting strange while I was traveling at 75mph, luckily I made it into a gas station and had to have it towed from there because it wouldn't start again and hasn't since. BMW knows about these hazardous bolts and chose to not repair some of them directly endangering drivers and their families. My local BMW dealership won't even confirm that the bolts in my oil pan are the vanos bolts even after I showed them photographic evidence which I still have. I've spoken with BMW North America and they said I need to get it confirmed by my local dealership, so where dies that leave me? Here...over $8,000 in damage/loss from an obvious manufacturer error that THEY ARE AWARE OF!

NHTSA ID

11736796

Incident

Feb 28, 2026

The comfort access door handle, got so hot it started to melt the plastic exterior handle and produce a lot of smoke would have caught fire if i didn't turn off car and disconnect electrical signal to the cas handle

NHTSA ID

11675041

Incident

Jul 19, 2025

The contact owns a 2011 BMW X5. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was towed to an unknown dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer informed the contact that the VIN was not under recall. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 132,000.

NHTSA ID

11663129

Incident

May 27, 2025

Mileage

132,000 mi

EGR failure where the diesel emissions come into the cabin via the hvac system Dealer said the EGR cooler needs to be replaced. This is a know problem and recall on the 2012 and 2013. This makes the fumes to the driver when first driving the car in the morning dangerous as carbon monoxide and diesel exhaust enter the car. My friend has an exact similar problem and this issue is known on all the BMW boards

NHTSA ID

11642373

Incident

Feb 1, 2024

Was driving vehicle home from work and during the drive the engine without warning died while driving and vehicle put in neutral. Vehicle stopped in the middle of parkway on right lane, tried to restart vehicle multiple times and unsuccessful. Pulled codes and found that fuel pressure codes present and fuel pressure while cranking is 2.5-4 bar. Spec 600-800 bar while starting. Vehicle was towed to a safe place.

NHTSA ID

11606925

Incident

Jul 3, 2024

Headlight wiring insulation dry rots prematurely within headlight causing system failure, which includes Headlight malfunction and system shorting. Headlights are known to stop working due to wiring shorting out, issues may cause an electrical fire besides malfunction.

NHTSA ID

11588833

Incident

Feb 1, 2024

While performing a 12-Volt battery jump start, disconnect, or replacement, Vehicle test, and/or Programmingprocedure- 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

The Footwell Module (FRM) limited warranty for defects in materials and / or workmanship has been supplementarily increased to 15 years / 186,000 miles as determined from the original first in-service / delivery date.

This bulletin outlines the Customer Care Package program that has been designed exclusively for BMWvehicles with the N63 engine. Vehicles with the N63 high performance engine are engineered with EfficientDynamics that provides fueleconomy without compromising on its “class leading” power and performance. To ensure these engines keep delivering the ultimate performance, we have designed this Care Package thatincludes a 6 point check, and if necessary, the replacement of one or more of the following powertraincomponents: Hot-Film Air Mass Sensors PIEZO High Pressure Fuel Injectors Engine Vacuum Pump Fuel System Low Pressure Sensor/Feed Line Fresh Air Intake Turbo Seals Crankcase Ventilation Lines (Hoses)

The Footwell Module (FRM) limited warranty for defects in materials and / or workmanship has been supplementarily increased to 15 years / 186,000 miles as determined from the original first in-service / delivery date.

The Footwell Module (FRM) limited warranty for defects in materials and / or workmanship has been supplementarily increased to 15 years / 240,000 miles as determined from the original first in-service / delivery date.

The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.