2011 Bmw X5 SAV problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
24 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
78,620 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2011 model year. Data snapshot: . 20 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 10 of 24 complaints (41.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel system concerns | 6 | 25.0% |
| Engine operation | 3 | 12.5% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 8.3% |
| Braking behavior | 2 | 8.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 8.3% |
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 | 10 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 7 |
| Power Train | 7 |
| Air Bags | 3 |
| Unknown Or Other | 3 |
| Electrical System | 2 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 2 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 2 |
Engine: 10; Fuel/Propulsion System: 7; Power Train: 7; Air Bags: 3; Unknown Or Other: 3; Electrical System: 2; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 2; Vehicle Speed Control: 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 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 6 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 9 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 6; 75,000 to 99,999: 9; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 0
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (9). 4 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 |
|---|---|
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2016 | 6 |
| 2017 | 9 |
| 2018 | 5 |
2013: 1; 2014: 1; 2015: 2; 2016: 6; 2017: 9; 2018: 5
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Fuel system concerns appears in 6 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 3 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 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 10505048 · 2013-03-30 (March 30, 2013)
ON DECEMBER 26, 2012, WHILE DRIVING NORTH AT A HIGH SPEED IN HEAVY TRAFFIC IN THE SECOND LANE ON A FOUR LANE SEGMENT OF HIGHWAY 11 KENOELEHUA HIGHWAY AT ITS MERGING JUNCTION WITH THE HIGHWAY 130 KEAAU BYPASS ROAD, AN ENGINE PARTIAL MALFUNCTION OCCURRED CAUSING DECELERATION AND A COMPLETE ENGINE SHUT DOWN ON THE ROAD SHOULDER. ON JANUARY 4, 2013, AFTER RETRIEVING THE VEHICLE FROM REPLACEMENT OF THE LOW PRESSURE FUEL PUMP PURSUANT TO THE DECEMBER 26, 2012 MALFUNCTION, WHILE DRIVING NORTH AT A HIGH SPEED IN HEAVY TRAFFIC ON HIGHWAY 19 QUEEN KAA…
Owner-reported narrative. 8,554 miles reported. Look up ODI 10505048 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10820472 · 2016-01-15 (January 15, 2016)
THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP ALONG WITH HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP SENSOR AND INJECTOR HAS FAILED, CAUSING THE ENGINE TO REDUCE POWER AND MAKING IT AN UNSAFE CONDITION TO DRIVE AT HIGHWAY SPEED.
Owner-reported narrative. 61,001 miles reported. Look up ODI 10820472 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10854756 · 2016-04-11 (April 11, 2016)
THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP FAILURE. UPON MERGING ON TO A HIGHWAY THE FOLLOWING SYMPTOMS OCCURRED: BACKFIRING, LOSS OF POWER, MISFIRES, AND REDUCED ENGINE PERFORMANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN NOMINAL FUEL PRESSURE IN THE FUEL RAIL. THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED AS PER BMW SERVICE DOCUMENTATION WHICH REQUIRED THE REPLACEMENT OF THE THROTTLE BODY GASKET, AND 2 ALUMINUM BOLTS SECURING WIRING HARNESS TO THE ENGINE BLOCK. THERE WERE NUMEROUS FAULT CODES PRESENT. ALL WERE CONSEQUENTIAL EXCEPT FOR "002C01 HI…
Owner-reported narrative. 73,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10854756 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11020569 · 2017-08-30 (August 30, 2017)
DRIVE THE VEHICLE ON VACATION AND THE ENGINE WOULD STUDDER AND STALL ON THE HIGHWAY AND AN ERROR PROMPTED ON THE VEHICLE DASHBOARD THAT DISPLAYED "ENGINE MALFUNCTION" REDUCED POWER. OCCASIONALLY THE VEHICLE ENGINE WOULD CUT OFF WHILE ON THE ROAD AND NEEDED TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT IT HAS A HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP MALFUNCTION THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND ALTHOUGH THE VEHICLE IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL IT SHOWED THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS SOME PROBLEMATIC MODELS. THIS OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON BOTH LOCAL ROA…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11020569 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10638026 · 2014-09-22 (September 22, 2014)
THIS COMPLAINT SPECIFICALLY ADDRESSES THE RECALL LISTED BELOW. EVEN THOUGH THIS RECALL WAS ISSUED IN APRIL, NO RESOLUTION HAS BEEN AVAILABLE. THE VERY THING THE RECALL WAS TRYING TO PREVENT, HAPPENED TO ME AND MY FAMILY. REPORT RECEIPT DATE: APR 10, 2014 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V176000 I WAS STRANDED FRIDAY, 09/19/14, ALONG WITH MY WIFE AND DOG BY MY NEW TO ME X5. YES, IT WAS THE VANOS RECALL BOLTS THAT FAILED. THE CAR ONLY MADE IT A FEW HUNDRED YARDS AFTER THE CEL AND ENGINE MALFUNCTION LIGHTS CAME ON. THE CAR SHOOK, SPUTTERED, AND DIED…
Owner-reported narrative. 47,100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10638026 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10985577 · 2017-05-14 (May 14, 2017)
ON SATURDAY MAY 6TH 2017. I WAS DRIVING WHEN I HEARD THIS NOISE TO MY UNTRAINED EAR IT SEEMED AS IF THE NOISE WAS COMING FROM MY FRONT TIRES? I PULLED OVER GOT OUT TO CHECK MY FRONT TIRES/WHEEL'S AND THERE WAS NOTHING, I GET BACK INTO MY VEHICLE AND START DRIVING AGAIN AFTER A FEW MINUTES THE SAME NOISE COULD BE HEARD AGAIN SO ONCE AGAIN I PULLED OVER GOT OUT AND CHECKED MY TIRES/WHEELS AND UNDERCARRIAGE. AS I AM LOOKING THERE IS NOTHING HANGING OR LOOSE, I GET BACK INTO THE VEHICLE AND STARTED TO HEAD TOWARDS MY HOUSE I WAS ONLY ABOUT 6 BLOCKS…
Owner-reported narrative. 84,444 miles reported. Look up ODI 10985577 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10985509 · 2017-05-13 (May 13, 2017)
DRIVESHAFT RECALL- WHEN OPERATING THE VEHICLE LOW AND HIGH SPEED, VIBRATIONS CAN BE FELT THROUGHOUT THE CAR. WHEN TAKEN TO THE MECHANIC, THERE WAS SOME FOREPLAY IN THE DRIVESHAFT AND COULD HAVE GIVEN OUT AT ANY MOMENT. HAD THE DRIVESHAFT GAVE OUT WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION AT HIGHER SPEED, RESULTS COULD HAVE BEEN FATAL. THE ISSUE HAS ALREADY BEEN ADDRESSED BY THE NHTSA FOR THE SAME MODEL OF LATER PRODUCTION DATES. MAIN CONCERN IS WHY ARE THE VEHICLES BEFORE THE COVERED PRODUCTIONS DATES AND MODELS THAT HAVE THE SAME ISSUES NOT BEING COVERED…
Owner-reported narrative. 60,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10985509 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10972406 · 2017-04-14 (April 14, 2017)
CRYSTALLIZED DIESEL EXHAUST FLUID (DEF) CLOGGING SELECTIVE CATALYST REDUCTION (SCR) METERING VALVE. VALVE FAILURE. ADDITIONAL SUBSEQUENT DAMAGE TO DEF METERING LINE, NOX SENSOR, WIRING, CONNECTORS, ETC. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON. MULTIPLE CODES SET IN COMPUTER. SAME ISSUE WITH SAME SCR METERING UNIT PART # 18 30 7 807 206 (BOSCH OEM) AS ACKNOWLEDGED IN BMW TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN SI B 18 04 12 WHICH COVERS REPLACEMENT OF SELECTIVE CATALYST REDUCTION (SCR) METERING UNIT IN E90 SERIES VEHICLES WITH SAME M57Y DIESEL ENGINE AS MY VEHICLE. BMW HAS EX…
Owner-reported narrative. 103,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10972406 at NHTSA ↗