Owner-reported complaints naming the fuel system system, filed with NHTSA
Data refreshed
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks. 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. 43 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.
The 25 most recent of 43, in the owner's own words
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.
I own a 2011 BMW x5. The NHTSA shows 15 recalls for my vehicle type; however, NHTSA must be relying upon BMW for the VIN numbers as: 1.) my vehicle doesn't show up for recalls; 2.) I have never been contacted by BMW for many of those recalls - in fact, I have not received a letter from BMW in many many years, and among the 15 recalls above, I have never received any notification of for at least October 20, 2023 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 23V707000 Camshaft Timing Bolts May Loosen Causing Stall Loose or broken VANOS unit bolts can result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash. April 18, 2018 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V248000 Electric Auxiliary Water Pump Failure October 30, 2017 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V683000 PCV Heater may Short Circuit March 2, 2017 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V138000 Front Driveshaft Universal Joint may Fail May 17, 2016 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V311000 Front Driveshaft Universal Joint may Fail. When I call BMW, they say there are no recalls outstanding on my vehicle and this NHTSA states there are recalls, but does not associate my VIN with the recalls, so say there are no recalls outstanding. The most prominent recent issue was that when my BMW dealership diagnosed a check engine light in my vehicle, they wanted to replace a SCR DEF active tank for $3,000, but it turned out that BMW had an almost 100% failure rate for the same part and issued an extended warranty for this part under their technical bulletin SI B01 23 16. They denied replacing the parts under the warranty stating that it was limited to 10 years/120,000 miles. I had only 101,600 miles on my car, but they stated the 10 year limited out the warranty from the in-service date. However, my car had many emission system related issues including just a few years previous.
Our car get on fire from begin low on oil, we stopped on the side and went on another car to get oil at the gas station and Suddenly star on fire and our entire car truck burned. Luckily we were able to get out off the car on time.
The SUVs drive belt has come loose and was ingested through the front crankshaft seal, causing engine issues such as oil starvation leading to engine damage and unknown check engine codes. The SUV has been confirmed to have belt fragments inside the engine. I have video documentation.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 62 MPH, THE PASSIVE TANK LEVEL SENSOR FAILED. THE CONTACT THAT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE THEN WENT INTO LIMP MODE NOT ALLOWING HIM TO EXCEED 50 MPH WHILE DRIVING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO VALLEY BMW (4725 MCHENRY AVE, MODESTO, CA 95356) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH THE PASSIVE TANK LEVEL SENSOR NEEDING TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WANTED A SECOND OPINION AND TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE MECHANIC CONFIRMED THE FIRST RESULT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FAILURE WAS A WELL KNOWN ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 166,000. *DT
VEHICLE'S ENGINE, BEING A DIESEL, REQUIRES NOX TRAP SYSTEM AND SCR SYSTEMS IN ORDER TO REDUCE HARMFUL EMISSIONS PER EPA STANDARDS. IN ORDER FOR THE SCR SYSTEM TO WORK PROPERLY, THE ENGINE MUST INJECT DEF (DIESEL-EXHAUST FLUID) INTO THE SCR SYSTEM. IN THE BMW X5 35D, THE DEF SYSTEM IS COMPRISED OF TWO TANKS: THE ACTIVE TANK AND THE PASSIVE TANK. A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS SYSTEM IS THE PRIMARY SENSOR OF THE PASSIVE TANK FAILING. THE SENSOR ITSELF FAILS, BUT THE ENTIRE TANK HAS TO BE REPLACED AS A RESULT OF THE SENSOR'S ISSUES, RESULTING IN SEVERAL THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS BEING SPENT DUE TO THE SENSOR ITSELF NOT BEING ABLE TO BE REPLACED IN THE ORIGINAL TANK. RECALL IS RECOMMENDED FOR BMW TO REPLACE THESE SENSORS AS THE FAILURE OF THESE SENSORS RESULTS IN THE SCR CATALYST SYSTEM FAILING TO OPERATE, WHICH IN TURN SIGNIFICANTLY DECREASES ENGINE PERFORMANCE, INCREASES EXHAUST EMISSIONS, AND RESULTS IN THE ENGINE NOT KNOWING THE CAPACITY ON WHICH TO OPERATE. THIS CAN BE DANGEROUS.
CABIN HAS ONE ODOR OF GASOLINE - ESPECIALLY NOTICEABLE ON INITIAL STARTING, WHEN STOPPED WITH THE ENGINE IDLING, AND UPON ACCELERATING FROM A COMPLETE STOP. I NOTICED THAT BMW HAS A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM, BUT MY VIN IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. I HAVE SPENT SEVERAL HUNDRED DOLLARS HAVIN A MECHANIC ISOLATE THE LEAK, BUT IT HAS NOT BEEN FOUND. PLEASE HELP!
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS EMITTING A BURNING ODOR COMING FROM BOTH INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE WHEN DRIVING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER STOPPING THEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE WOULD HESITATE. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE JERKED WHEN TURNING OR DECELERATING. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT FLASHED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (ROADSHOW BMW, ADDRESS: 405 N GERMANTOWN PKWY #6207, CORDOVA, TN 38018, PHONE: (901) 365-2584) WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 16V746000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE), AS WELL AS, THE RECALLS FOR THE AIR BAGS AND ENGINE (NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS UNKNOWN). THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA TO FILE A COMPLAINT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE 190,000.
THE CAR IS PUTTING OUT WHITE SMOKE. IT SEEMS AS THOUGH OIL IS ENTERING THE COMBUSTION CHAMBER AND BURNING OUT OF THE EXHAUST. THE OIL IS EITHER BURNING OR LEAKING INTO THE FUEL SYSTEM. THERE IS A SIGNIFICANT DECREASE IN FUEL CONSUMPTION AND THE ACCELERATION IS AFFECTED. AS I WAS DRIVING THERE WAS A WARNING THAT THE ENGINE HAS GOTTEN TOO HOT TO DRIVE AND TO PULL OVER IMMEDIATELY AND I HAD IT TOWED TO A GARAGE. THERE WERE NO TEMPERATURE WARNING LIGHTS OR COOLANT WARNING LIGHTS AND COOLANT LEVEL WAS FINE. BMW DOES NOT HAVE A TEMPERATURE GAUGE TO KNOW IF YOUR CAR IS GETTING HOT. STUPID DESIGN.
I AM HAVING AN EXHAUST LEAK INTO MY CABIN. I ALREADY REPLACED THE EGR COOLER AND IT WENT AWAY, BUT NOW THE SMELL IS BACK.
THE VEHICLE LOSES POWER AND SUDDENLY INCREASE IT WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE IT ALSO JERKS STEERING FEELS LOOSE LEAKING OIL FROM THE ENGINE. COMPUTER ON THE DASH READS TO ADD A QUART THIS IS HAPPENING EVERY OTHER DAY SINCE I GOT IT BACK FROM THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE IS BACK AT THE DEALERSHIP AND ADVISORS TELL ME THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE OIL ALL LIES. THEY DISMANTLED MY ENTIRE ENGINE THE VEHICLE NEVER DROVE THE SAME AGAIN PLUS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS FLICKERING. PLEASE HELP!!!!!!! VEHICLE SHUT DOWN ON ME WHILE I WAS IN THE HIGHWAY DRIVING SLOWING I PULLED OUT OF THE HIGHWAY INTO AND EXIT AND FROM THERE I HAD IT TOW TO BMW AFTER THEY SO CALLED FIXED IT AGAIN
DROVE MY VEHICLE IN TO THE BMW DEALER FOR COOLANT LEAK/WATER PUMP SERVICE AND OIL CHANGE. THE NEXT DAY THEY INFORM ME THE CAR STALLED DURING A STANDARD TEST DRIVE AFTER THE SERVICE WAS PERFORMED. THE WERE UNABLE TO SPECIFY WHAT CAUSED THE ENGINE TO STALL AND DID NOT RELEASE DIAGNOSTICS TO ME BUT TOLD ME THAT A NEW ENGINE WAS NEEDED. NY STATE DEPT OF VEHICLE FORWARDED A REPORT STATING VANOS FAULTS. THERE ARE CURRENTLY BMW RECALLS FOR ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ELECTRIC AUXILIARY WATER PUMP FAILURE, AND AN UNSPECIFIED RECALL FOR VANOS BOLTS UNIT THAT LOOSEN OR BREAK OVER TIME CAUSING THE ENGINE TO HAVE REDUCED POWER OR STALL. MY VIN NUMBER IS NOT UNDER THESE RECALLS BUT SHOULD BE.
I GOT AN ENGINE MALFUNCTION WARNING LIGHT ON MY 2011 BMW X5. I BROUGHT IT TO A MECHANIC WHO TOLD ME THE ISSUE IS THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP. THERE IS A RECALL FOR OTHER BMWS ALTHOUGH MINE IS NOT ON THE LIST. THE MECHANIC INDICATED THIS IS AN ONGOING ISSUE FOR MY BMW AND SHOULD BE COVERED BY A RECALL.
I HAVE AN 2011 X5 DIESEL. I GOT ENGINE LIGHT ON BECAUSE OF PASSIVE TANK PROBLEM. I LOVE THE CAR BUT THIS CAR HAS SO MANY SES LIGHTS AFTER I GOT IT. I FIXED ACTIVE TANK OUT OF MY OWN POCKET BEFORE THEY HAD EXTEND WARRANTY FOR ACTIVE TANK. ITS LIGHTS ON AGAIN AND THIS TIME UNDER COVERED. BUT AFTER COUPLE OF MONTH THE PASSIVE TANK GOT PROBLEM. I CALLED BMW BUT THEY SAID IT'S NOT COVERED. IT'S $3000 AGAIN. I TALKED TO DEALER, DEALER SAID IT WILL NOT EFFECT MY DRIVE BECAUSE IT'S A BACK UP TANK (ONLY BE USED IF ACTIVE TANK BROKE) BUT IT WON'T PASS EMISSION TEST. I AM REALLY FRUSTRATED WITH THIS SES LIGHT ON AND I DID LOTS OF RESEARCH ABOUT PASSIVE TANK. LOTS OF PEOPLE HAD SAME PROBLEM AND SOME GOT COVERED BY BMW. I TRIED TO COMMUNICATE WITH BMW ABOUT THE SCR TANK. PASSIVE TANK IS THE SAME COMPONENT AS ACTIVE TANK AND IT'S BACK UP TANK. YOU ALREADY KNOW THESE TANKS HAVE PROBLEM WHY COVER ONLY ONE AND LET COSTUMER PAY THE OTHER ONE. AND WHY SOME COVERED SOME DON'T? THIS IS REALLY NOT FAIR AND I CAN'T PASS EMISSION TEST WITHOUT FIXING THIS ENGINE LIGHT ON. IT'S ALSO REALLY BOTHER'S ME (ENGINE LIGHT ON) WHEN I DRIVE MY CAR EVERY DAY WITH MY KIDS AND DON'T KNOW IT THERE IS ANY OTHER PROBLEM EXCEPT PASSIVE TANK. PLEASE HELP ME ON ANYWAY YOU CAN. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME!
MY CAR HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP SINCE 12/19/2017. MY CAR WAS IN THE SHOP FOR THE FUEL PUMP RECALL AND CHANGE OF SPARK PLUGS. A YEAR LATER IT WENT BACK INTO THE SHOP FOR REPLACING A FUEL INJECTOR ALONG WITH SPARK PLUGS. 2 MONTHS LATER ITS BACK IN THE BMW SHOP FOR FUEL PRESSURE PUMP & TURBO HOSE. MY CAR IS CONSTANTLY IN THE SHOP AND I AM PAYING FOR EVERYTHING.
HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP FAILURE ON N55 ENGINE. 10/10 MANUFACTURE DATE USED THE EXACT HPFP AS THE ONE THAT BMW EXTENDED THE WARRANTY ON THE N54 ENGINE. WHEN YOU PULL OUT IN FRONT OF TRAFFIC THE ENGINE GOES INTO LIMP MODE AND NO ACCELERATION CAUSING A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. ALSO IT CAN JUST DIE LEAVING YOU STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE.
VANOS BOLTS, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ENGINE STALL, COOLANT FUEL PUMP
I WAS TOLD I HAVE ISSUES WITH THE NOX SENSOR AND SCR CATALYST. I HAVE ALSO BEEN PREOVUSLY TOLD THAT THE ENTIRE DIESEL EMISSIONS SYSTEM WAS FAULTY AND IT WOULD COST ME $6000 TO REPAIR. BECAUSE I HAVE 155K MILES ON THE CAR NOTHING FALLS UNDER WARRANTY. BMW IS ALSO UNSURE THAT THE OXYGEN SENSOR IS REALLY THE PROBLEM SO IT WILL COST ME $1000 TO REPLACE THAT AND HOPE IT WORKS. THE ISSUE NOW IS MY CAR IS GIVING ME A MESSAGE "INCORRECT DIESEL FLUID" EVEN THOUGH THERE IS CORRECT FLUID IN (SINCE THE DEALER IS THE ONLY ONE WHO HAS EVER PUT ANY IN THERE) AND IS AT THE FULL LEVEL. THE SENSOR IS NOW SAYING I ONLY HAVE 60 MILES TO DRIVE IT BEFORE IT WON'T START AGAIN. WHAT I AM MOST DISTURBED ABOUT IS THAT THERE IS INFORMATION THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS EXACT ISSUE BUT BECAUSE I CAN'T FIND A RECALL NUMBER THEY WILL NOT HONOR IT AND WILL NOT FIX MY CAR. HTTP://WWW.AUTONEWS.COM/ARTICLE/20120504/RETAIL05/120509927/BMW-WILL-RECALL-DIESEL-MODELS-TO-FIX-EMISSIONS-GLITCH I HAVE BEEN WITH BMW FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS AND MY FAMILY HAS PURCHASED QUITE A FEW. AS A RESULT OF THIS, I HAVE NOW HAD TO PURCHASE ANOTHER CAR (A NISSAN) AND HAD TO TAKE AN UBER TO THE LOT TO PICK IT UP SINCE MY CAR MAY NOT EVEN MAKE IT TO THE LOT AND BACK.
DRIVING DOWN STREET STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP ,CAR SHUT DOWN,HAD IT TOWED TO BMW,THEY SAID ENGINE,POWERTRAIN FAILED,WARRANTY PEOPLE REFUSE TO PAY TO HAVE FIXED
OVER ONE YEAR THERE ARE 3 RECALL INCOMPLETE WITH MY CAR: 1. FEB 05, 2016 NHTSA RECALL NUMBER16V071, DRIVER'S FRONT AIR BAG 2. MAY 13,2016 NHTSA RECALL NUMBER16V311 FRONT DRIVESHAFT 3. OCT 13,2016 NHTSA RECALL NUMBER16V746 IN-TANK FUEL PUMP
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW X5. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS) AND 16V746000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIRS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AT 540-342-3733 AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW X5. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V176000(ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING), 16V071000 (AIR BAGS), 16V364000 (AIR BAGS), AND 16V746000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIRS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE RICK HENDRICKS BMW DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V364000 (AIR BAGS). PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V176000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC), 16V071000 (AIR BAGS), AND 16V746000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE).
PURCHACE CAR FROM DARCARS KIA WITH 50299 32,747,85 ON ABOUT 12/08/2015.JULY 15TH CAR RUN HOT HOUSING UNIT HAD TO BE REPLACE COOLANT PUMP,ASA-BOLT,THERMOSTAT,COOLANT,EP BATTERY 92AH COST $ 2550.48. AT BMW OF SILVER SPRING 3211 AUTOMOBILE BLVD.SILVER SPRING,MD 20904. CAR WOULD NOT STARTER ON MAY 20TH 2017 HAD A CAR TOW TO BMW OF SILVER SPRING,MD THURSDAY NIGHT WAS TOLD MONDAY THAT TECH RAN DIAGONOSTICT SCAN AND FOUND FAULTS STORED FOR STATER TECH RECOMMENDEND REPLACING STARTER $1400 I DECLINE HAD TRUCK TOWED TO ROSSI'S AUTOMOTIVE 903 SELIM RD. SILVER SPRING,MD 20910 WHERE THE CAR IS NOW WAITING TO BE TOWED BACK TO BMW OF SILVER SPRING. BEEN WITHOUT MY VEHICLE SINCE MAY 20TH ,2017. HAD DRIVEN MY CAR A FULL YEAR .STILL PAYING GEICO AND NAVY FEDERAL CREDIT UNION $32,747.85
FROM A STOP: UPON DEPRESSING THE GAS PEDAL, THERE IS A DELAY IN THE REACTION OF THE CAR TO MOVE FORWARD. AS IT MOVES, IT LUNGES FORWARD BECAUSE OF THE ADDED GAS SUDDENLY PROPELLING THE CAR. AS A RESULT, YOU CAN EITHER MOVE FORWARD EXTREMELY SLOW FROM THE START OR JUMP FORWARD PULLING YOU BACK INTO THE SEAT. ON THE HIGHWAY: OCCASIONALLY, SUDDEN INCREASED SPEED, AS NEEDED FOR PASSING, IS DENIED AND THE CAR ACTUALLY TRAVELS AT A CONTINUED STEADY SPEED. IF YOU'VE EVER MOVED INTO AN AVAILABLE LANE TO DISCOVER A SPEEDING VEHICLE CLOSING ON YOU RAPIDLY, YOU'LL GET ONE HELL OF A SCARE WHEN YOUR CAR FAILS TO MOVE FASTER TO GET OUT OF THE WAY. BEEN THERE AND TURNED WHITE AS A GHOST. I HEARD ON THE RADIO IN MIAMI THAT THE NEED FOR THIS RECALL WAS KNOWN TO BMW BUT REPEATED REQUESTS TO BMW TO ADDRESS THIS RECALL HAVE GONE UNANSWERED EXCEPT THAT THE DEALERS DON'T HAVE NOTICE YET FROM BMW CORPORATE. NOTE: I BROUGHT THIS PROBLEM TO THE ATTENTION OF BMW DEALERS AND CORPORATE IN 2011 AND PERIODICALLY SINCE WITH NO HELP. TO MY KNOWLEDGE THEY NEVER MENTIONED IT ON ANY REPAIR ORDERS AND ONLY TOLD ME THAT THE CAR ADJUSTS TO THE MANNER IN WHICH INDIVIDUAL DRIVERS OPERATE THE CAR SO AS MY WIFE DROVE THE CAR PRIMARILY, I AS A SECONDARY DRIVER WOULD NEED TO ALLOW TIME FOR THE CAR TO ADJUST TO MY WAY OF DRIVING. IN 2015 MY WIFE BEGAN DRIVING A MASERATI FULL TIME AND I WAS RELEGATED TO THE X5. THE FAULTY ACCELERATION HAS NEVER CHANGED AND MY WIFE, SINCE 2015, HAS NOTICED THE ACCELERATION PROBLEM WHERE BEFORE SHE BECAME USED TO THE WAY THE CAR REACTED.
TAKATA RECALL.......NO REMEDY YET, I HAVE BEEN WAITING NOW CLOSE TO 2 YEARS. AFTER SPEAKING WITH 3 DIFFERENT DEALERS IN MY AREA, I'M TOLD THEY HAVE NO IDEA WHEN EITHER RECALL WILL BE FIXED BECAUSE THE MANUFACTURER HAS NO PARTS.....GAS SMELL IN VEHICLE WHEN DRIVING , FUEL PUMP RECALL, HOWEVER, NO TIMETABLE FOR FIXING.
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.
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own
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