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2011 BMW X5 Diesel SAVProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 44 owner complaints about the 2011 BMW X5 Diesel SAV, most often about the engine. It is covered by 2 safety recalls, and for recall 16V-311 the manufacturer reports only 71% of affected cars repaired.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls2Lowest repair rate 71%Owner complaints443 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage95kEngine, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through June 13, 2019. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 2011 BMW X5 Diesel SAV has problems

44 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Engine181
Air bags100
Fuel/propulsion system90
Power train50
Steering31
Structure20
Electrical system20
Wheels20
Service brakes10
2 other systems20

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

2 recalls

2011 BMW X5 Diesel SAV recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

71%repaired · 2017 Q4

Driveline: driveshaft

Recall 16V-311 · May 17, 2016 · 21,493 vehicles · 15,183 repaired

Risk. If the front universal joint fails, the front wheels would not be driven, affecting vehicle traction.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Engine: diesel

Recall 11V-332 · Jun 23, 2011 · 923 vehicles

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…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with BMW.

Best & worst years

2011 vs. every other X5 Diesel SAV year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the X5 Diesel SAV median. How we score

'11
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
1 investigation

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2011 BMW X5 Diesel SAV, and the recalls they led to.

  1. Idler Pulley Bolt FailureRQ18001 · closed Dec 1, 2018
    Led to recall 18V-336
In owners' words

What X5 Diesel SAV owners report

Recent engine complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

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…
Complaint 11219793 · Jun 13, 2019 · 76,400 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.…
Complaint 11193664 · Apr 3, 2019 · 95,000 miles
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TRIGGERED. TWO ISSUES: - THE DEALER DIAGNOSED A PROBLEM WITH THE SENSOR IN THE DIESEL-EXHAUST-FLUID PASSIVE TANK. THE SENSOR IS BUILT INTO THE TANK, SO THE ENTIRE TANK NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE IS NO LONGER UNDER THE ORIGINAL WARRANTY AND THERE IS NO WARRANTY EXTENSION ON…
Complaint 11193515 · Apr 3, 2019 · 89,500 miles

Own a 2011 X5 Diesel SAV?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.