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2011 BMW X5 Diesel SAV Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 44 complaints with NHTSA about the 2011 BMW X5 Diesel SAV, most often about the engine (41% of complaints, typically around 95,000 miles). It is the most complained-about X5 Diesel SAV model year since 2000 and has 2 recalls.
Most common 2011 BMW X5 Diesel SAV problems
Engine
18 complaints · 41%Half of these problems showed up before 95,000 miles.
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…
The contact owns a 2011 BMW x5 diesel. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 MPH, the engine malfunction reduced power warning message displayed intermittently as the vehicle stalled. In addition, the vehicle was over-consuming exhaust fluid. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the mechanic stated…
Air bags
10 complaints · 23%Takata recall have been waiting 8 months with no information from BMW or dealer when repair will be scheduled. Car value not calculable for trade or sale until no longer under recall. Should be monetary compensation for delay of sale transaction.
Airbag recall over 18months-BMW says "can't get parts". "may shoot shards if deployed. Driveshaft recall -BMW says can't get parts. "if fails, front wheels don't work. Crack in EGR cooler. Deadly exhaust in passenger cabin-repaired 5/8/17. Recall alternator bolt -replaced and replacement broke! Car lost all power and…
Fuel system
9 complaints · 21%Half of these problems showed up before 146,000 miles.
Recently purchased 2011 BMW x5d. Vehicle had 147, 068 miles. After driving at highway speed for less than 100 miles from the purchase point, cel came on. The seller was notified only to tell me that a sensor reading needed to be checked and the vehicle was fine to continue to drive. A week later a certified BMW…
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.
Transmission
5 complaints · 11%Airbag recall over 18months-BMW says "can't get parts". "may shoot shards if deployed. Driveshaft recall -BMW says can't get parts. "if fails, front wheels don't work. Crack in EGR cooler. Deadly exhaust in passenger cabin-repaired 5/8/17. Recall alternator bolt -replaced and replacement broke! Car lost all power and…
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…
Other or unspecified
5 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 71,500 miles.
The vehicle emission system is clogging up due to the diesel emissions set up in the BMW diesel engines. Where most car manufacturers emission warrenties are 80-85kmi BMW is 70kmi. Even though there are numerous complaints BMW is not doing anything unless your willing to pay $$$$$$. The #1 problem is the EGR…
Transmission problem I have a 2011 BMW x5 xdrive35d and I have experienced for the third time that when I'm on a local highway when I accelerate to go a little faster my transmission goes into a failure mode to where I have no gears, and when I get that message I try to accelerate to pull over to the side safely the…
Steering
3 complaints · 7%When making a right hand turn the steering wheel locked and the steering wheel could not be turned, I crashed into a tree, sustaining minor injuries. Please note the BMW assist did not work properly either! It turned on but I was placed on hold leaving the assist on hold permanently and could not turn it off or reset…
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…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2011 BMW X5 Diesel SAV recalls
Transmission: driveshaft
Risk: If the front universal joint fails, the front wheels would not be driven, affecting vehicle traction. Additionally, continued driving of the vehicle with a broken front universal joint may damage other components. Either condition may increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Bmw will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front driveshaft, free of charge. The recall began on july 8, 2016. Owners may contact bmw customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Full defect summary
Bmw of north america, llc (bmw) is recalling certain model year 2011 x5 xdrive 35i, xdrive50i, x5 m, x6 xdrive35i, x6 xdrive50i, and x6 m vehicles manufactured april 5, 2010, to november 20, 2010, 2011 x5 xdrive35d diesel vehicles manufactured april 7, 2010, to november 20, 2010, and 2011 x6 active hybrid vehicles manufactured april 15, 2010, to november 17, 2010. The affected vehicles have a front driveshaft universal joint that may not seal out water and debris from getting in and damaging the joint, which could lead to its failure.
Engine: diesel
Risk: If the belt tensioner fails, there could be a sudden loss of power steering assistance, if power steering assist is lost, manual steering capability is still retained and could increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the engine belt tensioner free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin during august 2011. Owners may contact bmw customer relations and services at 1-800-525-7417, or via email at [email protected].
Full defect summary
Bmw is recalling certain model year 2011, x5 diesel sports activity vehicles (sav) manufactured from march 31, 2011, through may 19, 2011. Due to a component manufacturing error at the supplier, the welds in the belt tensioner could have incipient cracks. Over time, this could lead a malfunction of the belt tensioner.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Idler pulley bolt failure
Summary
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 fact
Questions about the 2011 BMW X5 Diesel SAV
- What are the most common problems with the 2011 BMW X5 Diesel SAV?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (18 complaints, typically around 95,000 miles); air bags (10 complaints); fuel system (9 complaints, typically around 146,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2011 BMW X5 Diesel SAV have?
- 2 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from May 17, 2016 (transmission). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2011 a bad year for the BMW X5 Diesel SAV?
- It is the most complained-about X5 Diesel SAV model year since 2000, with 44 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.
Other BMW X5 Diesel SAV years
- 2011