Home · 2011 BMW X5 Xdrive35d · Complaints

What 263 owners told NHTSA about the 2011 BMW X5 Xdrive35d

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (263)Crash / fire / injury (21)Engine (110)Airbags (67)Transmission & drivetrain (58)Fuel system (43)Electrical system (19)Steering (18)Engine & cooling (10)Brakes (7)Speed control (7)Lights (6)

43 of 263 complaints match · Fuel system · clear filters · page 2 of 2

Feb 27, 2017AirbagsFuel system

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW X5. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS UNABLE TO SUPPLY THE PART TO THE DEALER AND THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED FOR OVER A YEAR. THE CONTACT WAS UNCERTAIN AS TO WHEN THE AIR BAG RECALL WOULD BE REPAIRED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF A MANUFACTURER RECALL CONCERNING THE FUEL SYSTEM. THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT WAS NOT EXPERIENCING A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ODI 10957207

Feb 9, 2017Fuel system

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, A FUEL ODOR EMITTED INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V746000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ODI 10950434

Feb 3, 2017Fuel system

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW X5. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V746000 (FUEL PUMP); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI 10949302

Jan 18, 2017Fuel system

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW X5. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V746000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT IN PRODUCTION. IN ADDITION, VEHICLE SPUTTERED THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE A REASONABLE TIME FRAME TO SUPPLY THE PART TO THE DEALER. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 05/31/17*LJ UPDATED 09/15/2017*JS

NHTSA ODI 10946240

Dec 29, 2016Fuel system

IN-TANK FUEL PUMP. BMW HAS NOT SCHEDULED A SERVICE APPOINTMENT TO RESOLVE ISSUE. RECALL CAMPAIGN NO. 16V-746 , THEY CLAIM NO PARTS ARE AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 10938606

Dec 19, 2016Transmission & drivetrainAirbagsFuel system

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW X5. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS), 16V3110090 (POWER TRAIN), 16V364000 (AIR BAGS) AND 16V746000 (AIR BAGS, FUEL/PROPULSION). HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIRS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 10936189

Nov 23, 2016EngineFuel systemFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE FAILED AND SMOKE EMITTED UNDER THE HOOD WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL DIESEL HEATHER FAILED, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO OVERHEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V339000 (FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA ODI 10927609

Apr 1, 2016Fuel system

MY 2011 X5 HAS AN EGR COOLER LEAK, WHICH IS LEAKING DIESEL EXHAUST UNDER THE HOOD ANDINTO THE CABIN OF THE CAR. THE ENGINE AND EGR COOLER IS COVERED IN BLACK SOOT AND THERE IS A STRONG DIESEL EXHAUST SMELL UNDER THE HOOD AND IN THE CABIN OF THE CAR. THE EGR COOLER IS LEAKING DIESEL EXHAUST CONSTANTLY WHILE THE CAR IS RUNNING. BMW SERVICE CENTER AND A THIRD PARTY SERVICE CENTER HAVE CONFIRMED THIS ISSUE AND SAID THAT THEY HAVE ENCOUNTERED MANY CASES WITH THE SAME ISSUE. THEY DO NOT KNOW WHY A RECALL HAS NOT BEEN ISSUED BECAUSE DIESEL EXHAUST CAN CAUSE CANCER AND POSES A SIGNIFICANT HEALTH RISK. BMW HAS RECALLED THE EGR VALVE BUT NOT THE EGR COOLER.

NHTSA ODI 10852971

Sep 25, 2015Fuel systemCrash

FOR THE PAST YEAR OR MORE, DRIVING ANY DISTANCE STARTED FITS OF YAWNING. ON OCCASION IT HAS BEEN DIFFICULT TO STAY AWAKE. ON JULY 27, 2015 I APPARENTLY BLACKED OUT IN VERY HEAVY TRAFFIC AND WOKE UP HAVING COLLIDED WITH THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. DIAGNOSED AS PRE-DIABETIC, I BELIEVED THIS WAS MY PROBLEM, AND UNRELATED TO MY VEHICLE. HOWEVER, MY CAR TOOK 31 DAYS TO REPAIR, AND WHILE DRIVING THE RENTAL CAR THIS YAWNING NEVER AGAIN OCCURRED. YESTERDAY (SEPTEMBER 24, 2015) IT HAPPENED AGAIN. NO COLLISION, BUT GREAT DIFFICULTY GETTING HOME, EVEN WITH THE DRIVER'S WINDOW OPEN FOR MAXIMUM FRESH AIR. I AM CONVINCED THAT THE VEHICLE IS LEAKING CARBON MONOXIDE INTO THE PASSENGER CABIN. IT'S GOING BACK TO THE DEALER TODAY

NHTSA ODI 10776551

Jul 26, 2015Fuel system

VEHICLE SHUT DOWN ON BUSY ROAD HAD IT TOWED TO WORK SHOP.MECHANIC SAID HPFP FUEL PUMP FAILURE COMMON PROBLEM .RALLYE BMW SAID NO WARRANTY REFUSE TO CHANGE IT.

NHTSA ODI 10743550

Jun 23, 2015Transmission & drivetrainSpeed controlFuel system

SEVERE ACCELERATION DELAY FROM A STOP PULLING OUT INTO TRAFFIC NEARLY CAUSED ME TO BE BROADSIDED. DURING THE FIRST 1/2 TO 1 SECOND AFTER DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR THERE IS LITTLE TO NO REACTION FROM THE VEHICLE. AFTER THIS PAUSE, WHICH IS WELL BEYOND WHAT COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT, THE VEHICLE SURGES UNCONTROLLABLY. I FOUND MYSELF SIDEWAYS ON A WET PAVED ROAD. MY NATURAL INCLINATION AFTER THE PAUSE WAS TO PRESS FOR MORE GAS, ANY OTHER REACTION WOULD HAVE LEFT ME SITTING IN THE MIDDLE OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THIS COMPLAINT IS WELL DOCUMENTED WHEN RESEARCHING BMW ACCELERATION LAG OR THROTTLE TIP IN ON THE INTERNET. IT IS INCREDIBLE THAT BMW WOULD BE ABLE TO ALLOW SUCH UNSAFE PROGRAMING OF THEIR VEHICLES. THIS IS SURE TO HAVE CAUSED ACCIDENTS. I WAS LUCKY, OTHERS MAY NOT BE.

NHTSA ODI 10726951

Apr 13, 2015Fuel systemEngine

I WAS ON MY WAY OUT OF TOWN ON INTERSTATE 94W, WHEN WITHOUT WARNING MY VEHICLE STARTED TO SLOW DOWN AND I COULD NOT ACCELERATE. A SENSOR DISPLAYED STATING THE VEHICLE WAS OVERHEATING AND TO DRIVE MODERATELY. I WAS IN THE FAST LANE AND HAD TO GET OVER AT A MOMENT'S NOTICE EVEN WITH THE VEHICLE SLOWING DOWN. THE SECOND OCCURRENCE WAS ON A BUSY STREET WITH A SPEED LIMIT OF 45 MPH, AND THE CAR OVERHEATED, AND STATED "ENGINE HOT" AND IT PROCEEDED TO SHUT DOWN. I COULD NOT ACCELERATE AND WAS ALMOST HIT FROM BEHIND BUT THE CAR SWITCHED TO ANOTHER LANE AT THE LAST MINUTE. THIS CAR PUT MY LIFE INTO DANGER 2 TIMES TO MANY. SOMETHING NEEDS TO HAPPEN BEFORE SOMEONE DIES. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10705307

Mar 19, 2015Transmission & drivetrainFuel system

U JOINT FAILURE, DRIVESHAFT FAILURE, HIT OIL PAN AND CAUSED DAMAGE, THEN HIT TRANSMISSION AND BLEW IT OUT. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10695519

Feb 10, 2012Fuel systemFire

VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE ON 02/06/12 AT 0300 WHILE PARKED IN GARAGE. ACCORDING TO MIAMI'S FIRE DEPARTMENT THIS WAS NOT DEEMED ARSON/VANDALISM, NO EVIDENCE OF FORCED ENTRY OR ACCELERATE WAS NOTED. A RECALL FOR HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR SUCH MODEL. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10447356

Feb 2, 2012Engine & coolingFuel systemTransmission & drivetrain

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW X5. THE CONTACT OBSERVED EXCESSIVE RUST AND CORROSION WITHIN THE FUEL TANK, EXHAUST SYSTEM AND THE ATTACHING COMPONENTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE OWNER WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR EXPENSES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT SMOKE EMITTED FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND STOPPED. THE CONTACT EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS A SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT OF OIL LOSS IN THE RESERVOIR. THE CONTACT THEN ADDED MORE OIL ACCORDINGLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO REFUSED TO MEASURE THE OIL MANUALLY PER THE CONSUMERS REQUEST, THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND REIMBURSED THE CONSUMER FOR TWO DAYS OF MOTEL, FOOD AND TOWING COSTS. UNABLE TO LOCATE A FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,000. UPDATED 3/11/13 *CN BMW OFFERED TO BUY THE VEHICLE BACK, BUT LATER CHANGED THEIR MIND. THE CASE WENT TO COURT, AND THE JUDGE RULED THE OFFER WAS NOT BINDING. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD RUN HOT, AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT GO INTO GEAR.

NHTSA ODI 10446315

Dec 7, 2011Engine & coolingFuel system

ENGINE STALLED WHILE DRIVING. WARNING LAMPS INDICATED REDUCED POWER. SEVERAL OCCURRENCES WERE AT SPEED ON THE INTERSTATE. CAR WOULD RESTART AFTER SITTING FOR SEVERAL HOURS. CAR WAS LEFT WITH BMW FOR SERVICE. HOWEVER, BMW SAID THEY COULD NOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND DID NOT PERFORM ANY REPAIRS THE FIRST TIME. CAR AGAIN DIED WHILE DRIVING AT SPEED ON HIGHWAY SEVERAL WEEKS LATER. BMW STATED THAT THERE WAS LOSS OF ENGINE COMPRESSION. THEN, STATED THAT FUEL INJECTORS WERE FAULTY. THEN, CLAIMED THAT IT WAS DUE TO "BAD GAS" AND/OR SUGAR IN THE GAS TANK. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10438826

Aug 18, 2011Engine & coolingFuel systemTransmission & drivetrainSpeed control

2012 BMW X5. UPON ENGINE START UP WHEN COLD, THE ENGINE SURGES EXCESSIVELY. IF THE TRANSMISSION IS ENGAGED DURING THE SURGING (FLUCTUATING RPM) THE VEHICLE LURCHES FORWARD/REVERSE CAUSING A DANGEROUS SITUATION AND POTENTIAL ACCIDENT. *KB

NHTSA ODI 10420072

May 19, 2011Engine & coolingFuel systemVisibility & wipersEquipment

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP. IN ADDITION, THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW WAS MAKING A LOUD NOISE BUT THE CONTACT WAS UNSURE OF THE DIAGNOSIS AND THE REPAIR. ALSO, WHEN FIRST STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE ENGINE WOULD ROAR ABNORMALLY LOUD. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THERE WAS NO AIR EMITTING FROM THE AIR CONDITIONER WHEN ACTIVATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 500 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 469. UPDATED 11/08/11*LJ UPDATED 11/14/11

NHTSA ODI 10402037

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Working with the data? Download all 263 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 28, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2011 BMW X5 Xdrive35d verdict →