NHTSA (USA)High Risk
At a glance
What can fail
The aluminum bolts securing the variable camshaft timing adjustment housing can loosen and break over time, potentially causing the unit to fail.
This page covers 17 recalls and 263 owner complaints for the 2011 BMW X5.
Engine complaints dominate what owners report for the 2011 BMW X5, with airbags and the powertrain rounding out the top concerns. On the engine side, owners frequently describe sudden stalls while driving, no-start conditions, and low fuel pressure at startup. VANOS bolt failures come up as a recurring mechanical complaint, with owners reporting sheared bolts ending up in the oil pan. A subset of diesel owners describe EGR cooler failures that allow exhaust fumes and carbon monoxide to enter the cabin through the HVAC system, particularly noticeable during cold starts. Airbag complaints rank second by volume, though the reported symptoms vary. On the powertrain side, owners report drivetrain hesitation and loss of power. A handful of electrical complaints describe comfort access door handles overheating to the point of melting and producing smoke.
263
Total Complaints
5
Crash-Related
15
Fire-Related
3
With Injuries
By System
The 2011 BMW X5 has 17 recalls, the most serious being defective airbag inflators on both the driver and passenger sides that can explode and send metal fragments into the cabin, causing serious injury or death.
Multiple recalls address this Takata-style inflator issue across various configurations and registration regions, but they all describe the same core danger. There are also two fire risks: the positive crankcase ventilation valve heater can short circuit and ignite surrounding components even when the vehicle is parked, and a circuit board in the turbocharger system on certain higher-output trims can overheat and catch fire. A fuel pump wiring connector can also melt and cause a fuel leak, and the fuel pump itself may stop working entirely, stalling the engine.
On the drivetrain side, water and debris can work into the front driveshaft universal joint, wearing it down until the front wheels lose drive power and traction suffers. Engine recalls cover two separate issues: bolts in the variable valve timing unit can loosen or break and stall the engine, and on diesel models, a broken idler pulley bolt or a failed belt tensioner can cause sudden loss of power steering. Two label recalls round out the list, both involving tire information placards that list incorrect wheel or tire sizes.
At a glance
What can fail
The aluminum bolts securing the variable camshaft timing adjustment housing can loosen and break over time, potentially causing the unit to fail.
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Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
What the fix does
Dealers will replace all four VANOS bolts at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The driver frontal air bag inflator may explode due to chemical breakdown after prolonged exposure to humidity, heat, and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Replace the driver air bag inflator. On X5 and X6 models, only the inflator is replaced. Repair is free.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator may explode due to propellant breakdown after prolonged exposure to heat and humidity.
What the fix does
BMW dealers will replace the passenger front air bag inflator at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator may explode during deployment due to propellant breakdown from long-term heat and humidity exposure.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger front air bag module at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The bolt on the engine idler pulley may loosen and break over time.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the idler pulley bolt with an improved part at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The electric auxiliary water pump may fail, causing the circuit board to overheat.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the electric auxiliary water pump at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator may explode during deployment due to propellant breakdown from long-term exposure to humidity and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger front air bag module at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The heater inside the positive crankcase ventilation valve may short circuit, potentially causing it to malfunction.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the PCV valve heater at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Water and debris can enter the front driveshaft's universal joint, causing excessive wear that may lead to joint failure.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the front driveshaft at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front passenger air bag inflator may rupture during a crash due to propellant breakdown from long-term exposure to high heat and humidity.
What the fix does
BMW will replace the front passenger air bag inflator or module at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The fuel pump inside the tank may have wire contacts that aren't crimped tightly enough, potentially causing electrical connection problems.
What the fix does
The fuel pump module will be replaced with a properly assembled unit at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator may rupture during a crash due to propellant degradation from prolonged exposure to high humidity and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator or air bag module at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front driveshaft universal joint may not seal properly, allowing water and debris to enter and damage the joint, potentially causing it to fail.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the front driveshaft at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front driveshaft universal joint seals may be defective, allowing water and dirt to enter and cause wear and corrosion. This creates vibration and could eventually lead to joint failure, damaging other parts and making the vehicle unable to operate.
What the fix does
The dealer will replace the front driveshaft.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The engine belt tensioner may have been made incorrectly and could fail, causing loss of power steering.
What the fix does
The dealer will replace the belt tensioner.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The tire label lists incorrect wheel size (19-inch instead of 20-inch) and wrong tire pressure for your vehicle's actual wheels.
What the fix does
BMW will provide a corrected label. You can apply it yourself or have a BMW dealer install it for free.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The tire information label on some vehicles with 20-inch wheels incorrectly states the vehicle has 19-inch wheels and tires.
What the fix does
BMW will provide replacement labels with the correct tire size information.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
