RoadVitals

2011 BMW X5 Brakes Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the brake system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Brakes reportsComplaints 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.
9
Latest Nov 17, 2023
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
3%
of 263 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
1
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2011 BMW X5 submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 9 reports on file name it.

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

Owner reports naming brake

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

BrakesPowertrain (other)Steering
Filed Nov 17, 2023

Transfer case actuators plastic gear(s) might be worn out due to bad quality of the material used. On some of the BMW X5 models there was a problem with the differentials and a recall was issued to fix those. But some how some cars with particular VINs went missing in that. Codes thrown by my system are : 005219, 005F3A, 006EC4 Code 005F3A signifies that the Transfer case actuator is not engaging properly. This problem put me at risk when taking a U-turn as the gears did not engage properly and my car did not accelerate on time. The on coming traffic came very close and I somehow avoided a T-bone Collison. My cars dashboard produces warning signs occasionally when the actuator does not engage. This is a big problem as the 4x4 system stops working and puts the car in RWD mode. In winters this could be dangerous to people driving as it happens without the driver's attention. I have attached reports from NHTSA for the same issue on other BMW models where a recall was issued. I request NHTSA to issue a recall on 2011 BMW X5 xdrive 35i as the same issue persists.

NHTSA ID
11555719
Incident
Nov 17, 2023
Brakes
Filed Dec 10, 2020

DRIVING THE X5 ON DASH DISPLAY APPEARED THE WARNING FOR PARKING BRAKES MALFUNCTION. 9THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON CITY STREET). FROM THAT TIME THE PARKING BRAKE IS NOT WORKING ANYMORE, THE DASH MESSAGE STAYS ON AND I HAVE THE ERROR ON DISPLAY. THIS IS A MANUFACTURING PROBLEM FOR THE ELECTRIC PARKING BRAKES, MANY PEOPLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS IS SAFETY PROBLEM FOR NOR=T BE ABLE TO SAFE PARK/STOP THE CAR ON SLOPED ROADS/PARKINGS.

NHTSA ID
11382835
Incident
Aug 8, 2019
Mileage
80,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jun 30, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PARKING BRAKE FAILED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO PERFORM A MANUAL RESET OF THE PARKING BRAKE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT PARKING BRAKE MALFUNCTION ' DO NOT DRIVE ' GO TO THE NEAREST DEALER MESSAGES WERE DISPLAYED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

NHTSA ID
11331749
Incident
Jun 29, 2020
Mileage
90,000 mi
BrakesPowertrain (other)
Filed Sep 19, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW X5. WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A RED LIGHT, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND THE ABS AND FOUR WHEEL TRACTION WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. ALSO, "TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTION" DISPLAYED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND HAD TO BE MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE AND LOOKED UNDERNEATH, AND NOTICED OIL ALL OVER THE ROAD. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED A U-SHAPED PIECE STICKING OUT OF THE UNDER CARRIAGE SHIELD. THE CONTACT ENGAGED THE ELECTRONIC PARKING BRAKE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS ON AN INCLINE AND CALLED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE. WHEN THE TOW TRUCK ARRIVED, THE MECHANIC COULD NOT DISENGAGE THE ELECTRONIC PARKING BRAKE AND HAD TO CUT THE CABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO BMW OF ARLINGTON IN ARLINGTON, TEXAS WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION, FRONT DRIVE SHAFT, AND ELECTRONIC PARKING BRAKE FAILED. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE DRIVE SHAFT AND TRANSMISSION WERE GOING TO BE REPAIRED PER AN UNKNOWN RECALL, BUT THE ELECTRONIC PARKING BRAKE WAS NOT GOING TO BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

NHTSA ID
11024162
Incident
Sep 12, 2016
Mileage
50,000 mi
BrakesPowertrain (other)Steering
Filed Mar 13, 2017

2011 BMW X5 35I XDRIVE - MY DRIVE SHAFT BROKE (VIOLENT BANGING NOISE FROM THE FRONT OF THE CAR) WHILE I WAS GOING 65 MILES PER HOUR ON THE FREEWAY CAUSING ME TO SWERVE TO THE LEFT LANE BACK OVER TO THE RIGHT LANE. SUPER LUCKY THAT I BARELY MISSED HITTING THE CARS NEXT TO ME! I HAD HARDLY ANY CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND THE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING WHILE I COASTED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD / DITCH. I LOST ALMOST 7 QUARTS OF OIL ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. MY ENGINE HAS A HOLE IN IT FROM THE DRIVE SHAFT. I DID NOT RECEIVE A RECALL NOTICE IN THE MAIL. THE MANUFACTURE WILL BE REPLACING MY ENGINE AND SOME HOSES THAT WERE DESTROYED. THE DEALER SAID THIS WASN'T A RECALL, JUST AN EXTENDED WARRANTY SINCE WE HAVE APPROX. 70,000 MILES ON THE CAR. THE DEALER GAVE US A LOANER CAR TO USE UNTIL OUR CAR IS REPAIRED. MY CONCERN IS THAT OWNERS SHOULD BE NOTIFIED IMMEDIATELY! HAD I KNOWN, I WOULD OF HAD MY CAR INSPECTED... NOW I'M OUT $325 DOLLARS FOR TOWING EXPENSES, A CAR THAT MIGHT NOT EVER BE QUITE THE SAME, LIVE 1HR 20 MINUTES FROM THE DEALER, AND THE MEMORY OF THE DRAMATIC EVENT.

NHTSA ID
10965742
Incident
Mar 1, 2017
Mileage
700,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jul 18, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW X5. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, ANOTHER DRIVER ALERTED THE CONTACT THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE BRAKE LIGHT FAILED TO OPERATE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V152000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID
10885618
Incident
Jul 14, 2016
BrakesEngineSteering
Filed Jul 10, 2013

WHILE DRIVING MY ENGINE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF ALONG WITH POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES. IT STARTED AGAIN AND I TOOK IT TO A BMW DEALER THAT SAID I NEEDED A $325 SOFTWARE UPDATE. I ASKED IF THAT MEANT MY ENGINE WOULD SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING SHOULD BY SOFTWARE EVER GO OUT OF DATE. THEY SAID YES, IT HAPPENS BUT NOT ON ALL SOFTWARE UPDATES. THEY ALSO SAID SOFTWARE UPDATE COME OUT ABOUT EVERY 3 TO 4 MONTHS MEANING MY ENGINE COULD BE SHUT OFF AGAIN AT ANY TIME. I FELT I HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO PAY THE MONEY SO MY CAR WOULD RUN AGAIN. I AM CONCERNED NOW ABOUT DRIVING AT ANY HIGHER RATE OF SPEED CONSIDERING I COULD LOSE MY STEERING AND BRAKES ANYTIME SOMEONE DECIDES I NEED TO UPDATE SOFTWARE THAT I WAS NEVER INFORMED WAS OUT OF DATE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10524158
Incident
Jun 16, 2013
Mileage
59,000 mi
BrakesEngine
Filed Jan 14, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, EXHAUST FUMES FROM THE ENGINE COULD BE SMELLED WHILE IN THE CABIN. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE POWER ASSIST ON THE BRAKES FAILED AND THAT BOTH FAILURES RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT IN ORDER TO REMEDY THE BRAKE FAILURE, A VALVE WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO REPLICATE THE EXHAUST FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 20,000.

NHTSA ID
10492948
Incident
Jun 13, 2012
Mileage
18,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jul 28, 2011
Crash reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH ON A SLIGHT INCLINE, HE ATTEMPTED TO PARK. WHILE ENGAGING THE BRAKES, THE PEDAL DEPRESSED TO THE FLOOR AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. SUDDENLY, THE VEHICLE JUMPED A CURB AND CAME TO A STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO TWO DIFFERENT AUTHORIZED DEALERS FOR DIAGNOSIS, WHERE BOTH WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE OR DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. ALSO, AN ENGINEER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND PROVIDED NO RESOLUTIONS. THE VEHICLE HAD REMAINED AT THE DEALER FOR SIX WEEKS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,783.

NHTSA ID
10415546
Incident
Jun 13, 2011
Mileage
8,783 mi

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.

Other components reported on this vehicle

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Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .