2011 BMW X5 problems
Owners have filed 395 complaints about the 2011 BMW X5 with NHTSA. Engine accounts for 27.8% of them — the clear leader, ahead of air bags at 17.7%.
Complaints395
Crashes9
Fires23
Injuries6
Deaths0
What owners report breaking
Engine 27.8% · 110
Air bags 17.7% · 70
Power train 14.7% · 58
Fuel/propulsion system 9.1% · 36
Unknown or other 5.1% · 20
Electrical system 4.8% · 19
Steering 4.6% · 18
Engine and engine cooling 2.5% · 10
Severity
Of those complaints, 9 describe a crash, 23 describe a fire and 6 report an injury.
Reading the numbers
Across the 22 model years of the BMW X5 in this data, 2011 draws the most complaints of any of them.
Filings have fallen off, 12 in the last three years against 43 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 69,569 miles.
In owners' own words
my vehicle has symptoms of the auxiliary water pump for turbocharger going bad. Th epump is noisy, and smells very hot/burnt. There was a recall in 2011-2012 that was done on my car for this part, however it appears the same issues are currently arising. Under the 0011730400 B110518 Recall: Electronic Auxiliary Coolant Pump , updated in 2018, my vehicle isn't listed as affected, however I believe it should be. Engine
The contact owns a 2011 BMW X5. On several occasions, while driving and idling, the contact heard an abnormal noise coming from the engine. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the engine belt tensioner needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 65,000. Engine · reported at 65,000 miles
EGR failure where the diesel emissions come into the cabin via the hvac system Dealer said the EGR cooler needs to be replaced. This is a know problem and recall on the 2012 and 2013. This makes the fumes to the driver when first driving the car in the morning dangerous as carbon monoxide and diesel exhaust enter the car. My friend has an exact similar problem and this issue is known on all the BMW boards Engine
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…