2011 Bmw X5 DIESEL SAV problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
44 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
89,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2011 model year. Data snapshot: . 35 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 18 of 44 complaints (40.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 7 | 15.9% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 4.5% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 2.3% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 2.3% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 2.3% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine | 18 |
| Air Bags | 10 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 9 |
| Power Train | 5 |
| Unknown Or Other | 5 |
| Steering | 3 |
| Electrical System | 2 |
| Structure:Body | 2 |
Engine: 18; Air Bags: 10; Fuel/Propulsion System: 9; Power Train: 5; Unknown Or Other: 5; Steering: 3; Electrical System: 2; Structure:Body: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 4 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 6 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 11 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 11 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 4; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 6; 75,000 to 99,999: 11; 100,000 to 149,999: 11; 150,000 and above: 2
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (11). 9 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2016 | 4 |
| 2017 | 13 |
| 2018 | 13 |
| 2019 | 6 |
2011: 1; 2012: 2; 2013: 2; 2014: 1; 2015: 2; 2016: 4; 2017: 13; 2018: 13; 2019: 6
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 7 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 2 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10487961 · 2012-12-11 (December 11, 2012)
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 IT. THEY ALSO NEVER CALLED FOR HELP. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 23,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10487961 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10984353 · 2017-05-08 (May 8, 2017)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. 50,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10984353 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11151426 · 2018-11-14 (November 14, 2018)
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON A LOCAL ROAD AT 40 MPH IN A STRAIGHT LINE, THERE WAS A LOUD, VERY SHORT LIVED NOISE IN THE ENGINE AND I IMMEDIATELY LOST POWER STEERING. MY SERPENTINE BELT FAILED AND I LIMPED HOME WITHOUT POWER STEERING, BATTERY CHARGING, ETC.... UPON INSPECTION BY MY LOCAL MECHANIC (NOT A BMW SERVICE CENTER), THE REASON FOR THE SERPENTINE BELT SYSTEM FAILING WAS THE ALTERNATOR IDLER PULLEY BOLT HAD FAILED IN THE BLOCK. HE HAD TO TAKE OUT THE CONDENSER, RADIATOR, ETC. IN ORDER TO DRILL THE BOLT OUT. THE BOLT SHEARED INSIDE…
Owner-reported narrative. 1 miles reported. Look up ODI 11151426 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11165142 · 2019-01-08 (January 8, 2019)
SUNROOF DRAIN LINE TWISTING CAUSES WATER TO BACK-UP INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT AND CAUSE ELECTRICAL FAULTS AS CONFIRMED BY FORMER BMW FRANCHISEE MECHANIC AND AS NOTED WIDELY THROUGHOUT BWM OWNER FORUMS. THIS KNOWN ISSUE FOR MODEL HAS NO REPAIR OPTION OTHER THAN CUTTING INTO A PILLAR TO REPLACE DEFECTIVE (SELF KINKING) LINE. VEHICLE STATIONARY IN THE RAIN AT TIME OF HARMFUL WATER INTRUSION. FAULT CODES OCCURRED AT IGNITION. FLOORBOARDS FILLED WITH WATER. MILDEW OCCURRED IN CARPETS. EXTENSION TO WARRANTY WARRANTED (LIKE DEFECTIVE NOX SENSORS)…
Owner-reported narrative. 110,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11165142 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10995867 · 2017-06-19 (June 19, 2017)
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 ENGINE JUST REVS REALLY HIGH. I TRY TO PULL OVER TO SAFETY OR TO THE SIDE SO I HAVE TO COAST IT. PRETTY UNSAFE WHEN YOUR WITH FAMILY AND THE LOCAL HIGHWAY HAS A LOT OF TRAFFIC AND SEMI TRUCKS. THIS SHOULD BE CONSIDERED A RECALL WI…
Owner-reported narrative. 63,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10995867 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10548260 · 2013-10-17 (October 17, 2013)
TL* 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 THAT THE PROBLEM WAS COMING FROM THE EXHAUST TEMPERATURE CONTROL AND THE LOW PRESSURE REGULATING VALVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 98,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10548260 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10561030 · 2014-01-22 (January 22, 2014)
THE CAR IN PARK WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ON -- PARKED ON A HILL WILL ROLL DOWN THE HILL WHILE COMPLETELY POWERED OFF. THIS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES WHILE ON EVEN THE SMALLEST AMOUNT OF SLUSH ( NOT ICE.) I CAN ATTACH A VIDEO OF THE PROBLEM HAPPENING IF NEED BE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 44,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10561030 at NHTSA ↗