repaired · 2026 Q1
Engine and engine cooling: engine
Risk. Loose or broken VANOS unit bolts can result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
2011 BMW X5Problems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 265 owner complaints about the 2011 BMW X5, most often about the engine. It is covered by 14 safety recalls, and for recall 23V-707 the manufacturer reports only 34% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through November 6, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: IFCAR, Public domain.
Complaints by system
Where the 2011 BMW X5 has problems
265 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
111Engine9 crash/fire/injury
67Air bags3 crash/fire/injury
58Power train2 crash/fire/injury
37Fuel/propulsion system4 crash/fire/injury
19Electrical system
18Steering
10Engine and engine cooling
8Fuel system, gasoline
7Vehicle speed control
3915 other systems6 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 111 | 9 |
| Air bags | 67 | 3 |
| Power train | 58 | 2 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 37 | 4 |
| Electrical system | 19 | 4 |
| Steering | 18 | 1 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 10 | 0 |
| Fuel system, gasoline | 8 | 1 |
| Vehicle speed control | 7 | 0 |
| 15 other systems | 39 | 6 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
14 recalls
2011 BMW X5 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.
repaired · 2021 Q2
Driver side: inflator module
Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
repaired · 2021 Q2
Passenger side: inflator module
Do not driveRisk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
repaired · 2020 Q2
Passenger side: inflator module
Do not driveRisk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Show 10 more recalls
repaired · 2020 Q2
Engine and engine cooling: engine
Risk. If the idler pulley bolt breaks, the vehicle may unexpectedly lose power-assisted steering, increasing the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2019 Q3
Engine and engine cooling: engine
Risk. If the circuit board were to overheat, it can increase the risk of a fire.
repaired · 2019 Q2
Passenger side: inflator module
Do not driveRisk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
repaired · 2019 Q3
Emission control: crankcase (pcv)
Risk. An electrical short can cause the parts within the PCV valve to melt, increasing the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is not in use.
repaired · 2018 Q3
Driveline: driveshaft
Risk. If the front universal joint fails, the front wheels would not be driven, affecting vehicle traction.
repaired · 2018 Q2
Delivery: fuel pump
Risk. The loose wires may cause the connector to melt, resulting in a fuel leak.
repaired · 2018 Q4
Passenger side: inflator module
Do not driveRisk. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
repaired · 2017 Q4
Driveline: driveshaft
Risk. If the front universal joint fails, the front wheels would not be driven, affecting vehicle traction.
no report yet
Other fuel types: turbo/supercharger
Risk. THIS COULD LEAD TO A SMOLDERING OF THE PUMP OR AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT OR VEHICLE FIRE.
no report yet
Other: labels
Risk. IMPROPER TIRE INFLATION CAN RESULT IN PREMATURE TIRE FAILURE OR REDUCED VEHICLE HANDLING PERFORMANCE, EITHER OF WHICH CAN INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
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.
Mileage at failure
When do engine problems start?
73kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 94 engine complaints. 76% were reported before 100,000 miles.
6under 30k miles71under 100k miles23100k miles or more
Owner-reported costs
What owners say repairs cost
Dollar amounts owners wrote in their complaints when describing a repair or a quote. These are not price estimates; a system is shown only when at least 8 owners mentioned a cost.
Engine
11 owners mentioned a cost$2,800median
Middle half: $2,245 – $4,500
If a problem is covered by a recall, the dealer fixes it for free. Some manufacturers also reimburse owners who paid for a repair before a recall was announced.
Best & worst years
2011 vs. every other X5 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 median. How we score
'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2011 BMW X5 safety ratings
2011 BMW X5 SUV 4WD in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
- Rollover: 4 stars (17.4% risk)
- Stability control: Standard
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
1 investigation
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2011 BMW X5, and the recalls they led to.
- Idler Pulley Bolt FailureLed to recall 18V-336
In owners' words
What X5 owners report
Recent engine complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
I am reporting a potential safety-related defect involving the N63 twin-turbocharged engine in my 2011 BMW X5 xDrive50i (VIN: [XXX]). My vehicle has developed serious engine-related problems involving the turbocharger system and an oil leak/sealing failure. Bob Smith BMW evaluated the vehicle and…
There's currently an open recall for a number of BMW engines involving aluminum bolts in the vanos assembly that shear, strip, and break off completely. The open recall is somehow excluding some vehicles with the same exact problem like my 2011 BMW X5 xdrive35i N55 E70 with the inline 6. Currently…
The contact owns a 2011 BMW X5. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was towed to an unknown dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer informed the contact that the VIN was not under recall. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA…
Own a 2011 X5?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.