2011 BMW X5 engine problems

Related recalls

• Recall 23V707000Oct 20, 2023157,796 vehicles
  ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

  BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2010-2012 1 Series Coupe, 1 Series Convertible, 3 Series Sedan, 3 Series Convertible, 2010-2011 3 Series Sportswagon, 3 Series Coupe, 5 Series Sedan, X3 xDrive 28i, X3 xDrive 30i, X5 xDrive30i, and Z4 sDrive30i vehicles. The aluminum bolts that secure the housing for the variable camshaft timing adjustment (VANOS) unit can loosen over time and possibly break.

  Risk: Loose or broken VANOS unit bolts can result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

  Remedy: Dealers will replace the four VANOS bolts, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk are expected to be mailed December 18, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed June 19, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

• Recall 18V336000May 23, 201833,214 vehicles
  ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

  BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2009-2013 X5 xDrive 35d diesel vehicles. The engine idler pulley bolt may loosen over time and break.

  Risk: If the idler pulley bolt breaks, the vehicle may unexpectedly lose power-assisted steering, increasing the risk of a crash.

  Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the idler pulley bolt with an improved part, free of charge. The recall began March 11, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

• Recall 18V248000Apr 18, 201847,806 vehicles
  ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER

  BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2011-2012 BMW 550i, 550i xDrive, 550i Gran Turismo, 550i Gran Turismo xDrive, 750i, 750Li, 750i xDrive, 750Li xDrive, 760Li, X5 xDrive50i, X5 M, X6 xDrive50i, X6 M, ActiveHybrid7, MINI Cooper S Convertible, John Cooper Works (JCW) Convertible, Cooper S Countryman, Cooper S Countryman ALL4, Cooper S, JCW, Cooper S Clubman, JCW Clubman, Cooper S Roadster, JCW Roadster, Cooper S Coupe, JCW Coupe and Rolls-Royce Ghost, 2011 BMW X6 Hybrid and 2012 BMW 650i Coupe, 650i xDrive Coupe, 650i Convertible and 650i xDrive Convertible vehicles. The electric auxiliary water pump may fail and cause the circuit board to overheat.

  Risk: If the circuit board were to overheat, it can increase the risk of a fire.

  Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the electric auxiliary water pump, free of charge. Depending on the model, there are currently limited parts available, however not all parts are available at this time. Owners will be notified of the recall beginning June 11, 2018, and will receive a second notification when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact BMW customer service at BMW 1-800-525-7417, MINI at 1-866-825-1525, or Rolls-Royce at 1-877-877-3735. Note: BMW recommends that owners park their vehicle outdoors until the recall remedy has been performed.

• Recall 17V683000Oct 30, 2017740,561 vehicles
  ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CRANKCASE (PCV)

  BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2011 128i and 2007-2011 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 525i, 525xi, 528i, 528xi, 530i, 530xi, X3 3.0si, X3 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive30i, Z4 3.0i, Z4 3.0si and Z4 sDrive30i vehicles. The heater for the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve may short circuit.

  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.

  Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the PCV valve heater, free of charge. Interim letters were mailed on November 27, 2017. Owners will receive a second notification by the end of October 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

• Recall 11V521000Oct 20, 201132,084 vehicles
  ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OTHER FUEL TYPES:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER

  Bmw is recalling certain model year 2011 5-series, model year 2010-2011 5-series gran turismo, model year 2009-2011 7-series, model year 2010-2011 x5 sav, and model year 2008-2011 x6 sav vehicles equipped with 8- or 12-cylinder, turbocharged, engines because the circuit board for the electric auxiliary water pump can overheat.

  Risk: This could lead to a smoldering of the pump or an engine compartment or vehicle fire.

  Remedy: Bmw will notify owners, and dealers will replace the auxiliary water pump free of charge. The safety recall began on december 19, 2011. Owners may contact bmw customer relations and services at 1-800-525-7417.

What owners say

1. Filed May 9, 2026TXEngine

   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 my vanos bolts are already sheared off and sitting in my oil pan. My vehicle started misfiring and acting strange while I was traveling at 75mph, luckily I made it into a gas…

   NHTSA complaint #11736796 · source
2. Filed May 27, 2025132,000 miALTowedElectrical SystemEngine

   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 Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 132,000.

   NHTSA complaint #11663129 · source
3. Filed Feb 12, 2025NYEngine

   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

   NHTSA complaint #11642373 · source
4. Filed Jan 24, 2024WVEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionTransmission & Drivetrain

   I own a 2011 BMW x5. The NHTSA shows 15 recalls for my vehicle type; however, NHTSA must be relying upon BMW for the VIN numbers as: 1.) my vehicle doesn't show up for recalls; 2.) I have never been contacted by BMW for many of those recalls - in fact, I have not received a letter from BMW in many many years, and among the 15 recalls above, I have never received any notification of for at least October 20, 2023 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 23V707000 Camshaft Timing Bolts May…

   NHTSA complaint #11567475 · source
5. Filed Jan 15, 2024WVEngine

   After BMW replaced my battery on 1/11/24, a check engine light immediately appeared. It said that the Scr Active Tank needed to be replaced and it would cost upwards of $3,000. I immediately found a NHTSA bulletin that informed that this particular part had been on recall, but had a 10 year/120k mile limitation. My car only had 101k miles, but BMW denied my recall work on goodwill because they say it was well past 10 years of my in-service date. The warranty, however, should…

   NHTSA complaint #11565609 · source
6. Filed Oct 18, 2023107,000 miGAEngine

   The contact owns a 2011 BMW X5. The contact stated that while stopped at a stop sign, the vehicle unexpectedly turned off and independently shifted into neutral. The “Engine Failure - Reduced Power” message was displayed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the failure was due to a faulty variable valve timing system. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and determined…

   NHTSA complaint #11550652 · source
7. Filed Sep 22, 2023MDEngine

   Passport BMW told us that there was a recall on the engine of our X5 and asked if we had to add oil periodically; our answer was yes. We were told that the engine failed the oil consumption test performed by Passport BMW and the engine needed to be replaced. Passport then said that we had to pay for the replacement of the engine, $2,500. The engine has been replaced, however the engine still leaks oil and now also leaks antifreeze additionally, engine malfunction is…

   NHTSA complaint #11545979 · source
8. Filed Sep 9, 2022OKElectrical SystemEngineSteering

   I was driving to work one morning On the highway, when I suddenly heard a loud sharp noise from the engine bay that followed with the engine and battery lights turning blinking on my display with sudden loss of steering. I panicked but quickly put my vehicle into neutral with my hazard lights on and slowly hit my brakes till I came to a complete stop on the highway. I got my vehicle towed back and upon further inspection saw that the idler pulley bolt snapped completely off.…

   NHTSA complaint #11483747 · source
9. Filed Jun 24, 2022ILFireEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

   Our car get on fire from begin low on oil, we stopped on the side and went on another car to get oil at the gas station and Suddenly star on fire and our entire car truck burned. Luckily we were able to get out off the car on time.

   NHTSA complaint #11470883 · source
10. Filed Jun 20, 2022NYEngineAcceleration & Cruise ControlTransmission & Drivetrain

    As I was slowing down to make a turn, the vehicle went into neutral and shut off. I immediately turned it back on and put it in drive and the same thing occurred moments later. I start it again and drove away enough to safely park. I let the car rest in the off position for 30 minutes and it drove fine. There were no warning lights and the vehicle is well maintained with scheduled services. I contacted the nearest reputable mechanic and explained the situation. I drove it…

    NHTSA complaint #11470015 · source
11. Filed Feb 10, 2022MNEngine

    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 [phone removed] B110518 Recall: Electronic Auxiliary Coolant Pump , updated in 2018, my vehicle isn't listed as affected, however I believe it should be.

    NHTSA complaint #11451349 · source
12. Filed Feb 1, 2022NVEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionTransmission & Drivetrain

    The SUVs drive belt has come loose and was ingested through the front crankshaft seal, causing engine issues such as oil starvation leading to engine damage and unknown check engine codes. The SUV has been confirmed to have belt fragments inside the engine. I have video documentation.

    NHTSA complaint #11449821 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology