Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2011 BMW X5 Diesel SAV, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Engine18
- Air bags10
- Fuel/propulsion system9
- Power train5
- Unknown or other5
- Steering3
- Structure2
- Wheels2
- Electrical system2
- Service brakes1
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 2 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Recalls
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2011 X5 xDrive 35i, xDrive50i, X5 M, X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i, and X6 M vehicles manufactured April 5, 2010, to November 20, 2010, 2011 X5 xDrive35d diesel vehicles manufactured April 7, 2010, to November 20, 2010, and 2011 X6 Active Hybrid vehicles manufactured April 15, 2010, to November 17, 2010. The affected vehicles have a front driveshaft universal joint that may not seal out water and debris from getting in and damaging the joint, which could lead to its failure.
BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011, X5 DIESEL SPORTS ACTIVITY VEHICLES (SAV) MANUFACTURED FROM MARCH 31, 2011, THROUGH MAY 19, 2011. DUE TO A COMPONENT MANUFACTURING ERROR AT THE SUPPLIER, THE WELDS IN THE BELT TENSIONER COULD HAVE INCIPIENT CRACKS. OVER TIME, THIS COULD LEAD A MALFUNCTION OF THE BELT TENSIONER.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What BMW told its dealers about the 2011 BMW X5 Diesel SAV: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 10249437 | The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met. |
| 10249027 | The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few years. This has led to increased demands being placed on the battery. This document covers important information for the dealer on how to handle discharged battery complaints. |
| 10215024 | The engine?s intake charge-air duct limited warranty extension to 10 years/120,000 miles applies to ?eligible USspecification |
| 10145320 | CONNECTEDDRIVE/BMW ASSIST SYSTEM DIAGNOSIS INFORMATION: ConnectedDrive/BMW Assist features are partially or completely inoperative. |
| 10145306 | NAVIGATION SYSTEM: REPORTING MISSING OR INCORRECT ROAD MAP DATA: The route guidance is inaccurate and therefore irritating to the customer; or it is not possible to locate certain addresses, for instance: |
| 10143566 | DOOR CANNOT BE OPENED WITH COMFORT ACCESS: One or more doors are unable to be opened from the outside of the vehicle using the Comfort Access System. |
| 10143564 | NAVIGATION SYSTEM: REPORTING MISSING OR INCORRECT ROAD MAP DATA: The route guidance is inaccurate and therefore irritating to the customer; or it is not possible to locate certain addresses, for instance: |
| 10142945 | Bluetooth Connection Failures: There are various connectivity failures with the following devices: Apple iPhones: Samsung S6 and the S6 Edge. |
| 10142943 | Side View Camera Does Not Display Picture. |
| 10142929 | CRACKING NOISES FROM THE FRONT AXLE AREA WHILE TURNING THE WHEELS, WHEN STATIONARY OR PARKING: Cracking noises are heard from the front axle area while maneuvering at low speeds (e.g., parking lot maneuvers) or when turning the steering wheel while stationary. |
| 10138386 | CRACKING NOISES FROM THE FRONT AXLE AREA WHILE TURNING THE WHEELS, WHEN STATIONARY OR PARKING |
| 10138381 | INDIVIDUAL DRIVING CYCLES FOR OBD2 READINESS CODES (M57Y): One or more OBD readiness codes are not set to ready during a state emissions inspection, with a hand-held scan tool or during an ISTA/D diagnostic session. |
| 10136745 | ConnectedDrive/BMW Assist System Diagnosis Information |
| 10136718 | DIAGNOSING SELECTIVE CATALYST REDUCTION (SCR) EFFICIENCY FAULTS: The Service Engine Soon light is on. |
| 10136352 | BMW Maintenance Program: 12-Volt Battery Replacement Measure: This bulletin outlines a customer satisfaction measure that has been designed exclusively for the BMW vehicles listed above. |
| 10135021 | N63, N63TU, S63 and S63TU Engines: Oil Leak from the Rear: Customer complains that engine oil is leaking from the center of the vehicle. When verified, the engine oil residue can be seen leaking from between the engine and the transmission bell housing. |
| 10135019 | Engine Oil Quick Reference Chart and Drain Plug Torque: The current version of ISTA/D has an error in the engine oil capacity specification for all vehicles with the N63R engine and xDrive. |
| 10041408 | BMW: CHANGES HAVE BEEN MADE TO THE VEHICLES DISPLAY ELEMENTS OF THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR SYSTEM. *RM |
| 10041395 | BMW: THERE MAY BE MULTIPLE ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTIONS SUCH AS: HIGH-BEAM HEADLIGHT SWITCHES ON WHEN USING THE ONE-TOUCH DIRECTIONAL. TURN SIGNAL INDICATOR WORKS ONLY WHEN THE HIGH-BEAM HEADLIGHT IS ON. TURN SIGNAL INDICATOR CANNOT BE SWITCHED OFF. GLOVE COMPARTMENT BUTTON IS NOT WORKING. INTERIOR LIGHT DIMMING IS INOPERATIVE. HORN IS NOT WORKING. CENTRAL LOCKING FOR FUEL FILLER DOOR IS INOPERATIVE. *RM |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
Idler Pulley Bolt Failure
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation