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2011 BMW X5 Diesel Sav

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

About this comparison →
44Owner complaints

Model-year median: 44

2Recall campaigns

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1Investigations

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
44
2011
Compare all X5 Diesel Sav years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Engine
18Air Bags
10Fuel/propulsion System
9Power Train
5Unknown Or Other
5
All reported categories
Steering
3Electrical System
2Structure
2Wheels
2Service Brakes
1Suspension
1Tires
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

35 reports with mileage · 9 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine. Review the 18 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

1 crash reports0 fire reports2 injury reports

Power Train complaints

5 reports
Clear category filter
76,400 miles · Jun 13, 2019
EnginePower Train

MY WIFE WAS DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY WITH SPEED LIMIT OF 50 MILES / PER HOUR. SUDDENLY THE CAR SHOWED "ENGINE MALFUCTION - POWER REDUCED" AND SHE COULDN'T KEEP THE SPEED AND CAR STARTING LOSING SPEED AND DROPPED TO 10 MILES / HOUR, SHE HAD TO PULL OFF THE ROAD TO AVOID THE DANGER OF BEING HIT BY OTHER CARS ON THE BUSY EXPRESSWA…

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MY WIFE WAS DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY WITH SPEED LIMIT OF 50 MILES / PER HOUR. SUDDENLY THE CAR SHOWED "ENGINE MALFUCTION - POWER REDUCED" AND SHE COULDN'T KEEP THE SPEED AND CAR STARTING LOSING SPEED AND DROPPED TO 10 MILES / HOUR, SHE HAD TO PULL OFF THE ROAD TO AVOID THE DANGER OF BEING HIT BY OTHER CARS ON THE BUSY EXPRESSWAY. AFTER SHE PULLLED OVER AND CALLED ME, I DROVE TO THE PLACE WHERE SHE PARKED THE CAR AND USED A CODE READER TO FOUND SOME ERROR CODE "47C4", BUT AFTER RESTARTED CAR, CAR SEEMED OK. I DROPPED THE CAR AT BMW MOUNTAIN VIEW DEALER AND THEY FOUND THE "LOW PRESSURE EGR" WAS BAD AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED WITH A COST OF $1800. WE FEEL THIS IS VERY DANGER TO HAPPEN TO ANY CAR BECAUSE SUCH AN FAILURE IT'S NOT SAFE TO US AND ALSO TO OTHER DRIVERS. THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED!

NHTSA ODI #11219793

75,313 miles · Jul 30, 2018
Power TrainSuspension

1. "IDLER PULLEY BOLT FAILED" - WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, THE PULLEY BOLT FAILED. WHEN THIS HAPPENED, I LOST POWER TO THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE MESSAGE "CHARGING MALFUNCTION" APPEARED. I OPENED THE HOOD AND PULLED OUT THE BROKEN BELTS. THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE GARAGE AND IT COST ME ROUGHLY $900 TO FIX + THE TOWING …

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1. "IDLER PULLEY BOLT FAILED" - WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, THE PULLEY BOLT FAILED. WHEN THIS HAPPENED, I LOST POWER TO THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE MESSAGE "CHARGING MALFUNCTION" APPEARED. I OPENED THE HOOD AND PULLED OUT THE BROKEN BELTS. THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE GARAGE AND IT COST ME ROUGHLY $900 TO FIX + THE TOWING FEE. 2. CAR HAD RATTLE SOUNDS. I HAD TO HAVE THE "STABILIZER BAR/CONTROL ARM/SHOCK N STRUT ASSEMBLY" REPLACED AT 75,141 MILES.......

NHTSA ODI #11114599

120,000 miles · Apr 4, 2018
Electrical SystemPower TrainSteering

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 WAS ALRE…

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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 WAS ALREADY IMPLEMENTED. ATTACHED TO THIS SAFETY REPORT IS A DIAGRAM OF THE CRANKCASE PULLEY DESIGN. ITEM '2' IN THE ATTACHED DIAGRAM WAS THE PART REPLACED TO CORRECT THE ISSUE.DESPITE THIS 'FIX' I HAVE RECENTLY EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE LOSS OF STEERING AND ELECTRIC POWER AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, IN EXCESS OF 70 MPH, AS WELL AS THE ENGINE OPERATING AT OR ABOVE NORMAL RANGE. THIS OF COURSE IS DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE PRIMARY CRANKCASE PULLEY AFFECTS ALL OF THESE SYSTEMS INSTANTLY IF THIS ROTATING MASS COMES TO A HALT. INITIAL THOUGHTS AND INSPECTION ONE WOULD ASSUME A LOOSE, SLIPPING SERPENTINE BELT OR TENSIONER PULLEY BEING THE FAULT FOR THE INSTANT MULTIPLE SYSTEM FAILURES, HOWEVER FURTHER INSPECTION REVEALS A COMPLETE FAILURE OF THE 'VIBRATION' DAMPER PULLEY. THE TORQUE FROM THIS DIESEL ENGINE SHREDS THIS RUBBER PULLEY, COMPLETELY RIPPING IT OFF ITS METAL SLEEVE, DESPITE THE REINFORCEMENT OF THE HARDENED STEEL 'BOLT' REPLACEMENT. IN ALL MY DAYS OF OWNING A VEHICLE, I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF SUCH 'MAINTENANCE' REPAIR WORK OF REPLACING THE PRIMARY CRANKCASE PULLEY AS IT IS SEEN BY THE MANUFACTURER AS A 'WEAR AND TEAR' ITEM. IN MY EXPERIENCE, REPLACING THE CRANKCASE PULLEY WAS DELIBERATE TO GAIN AN EDGE AT THE DRAG STRIP, NOT FOR MY FAMILIES SAFETY.

NHTSA ODI #11083309

Mileage unknown · May 11, 2017
Air BagsPower Train

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW X5 DIESEL. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS). THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE …

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TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW X5 DIESEL. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS). THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. A DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT ALSO RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V138000 (POWER TRAIN); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. A DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ODI #10984827

50,000 miles · May 8, 2017
Air BagsPower TrainUnknown Or Other

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 STEERING …

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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 STEERING IN TRAFFIC ON MOUNTAIN ROAD AT NIGHT.

NHTSA ODI #10984353

Official recalls

2

16V311000 · Power Train:driveline:driveshaft

May 17, 2016

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

11V332000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:diesel

Jun 23, 2011

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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 CUSTOMERRELATIONS@BMWUSA.COM.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

RQ18001 · Idler Pulley Bolt Failure

Opened Apr 18, 2018 · Closed Dec 1, 2018

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering; Steering:hydraulic Power Assist System; Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:hose, Piping, And Connections

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.

Additional source detail variants (3)

Steering

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.

Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:hose, Piping, And Connections

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.

Steering:hydraulic Power Assist System

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.