2011 Bmw X5 Sav problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Power Train (6) · Fuel/Propulsion System (6) · Engine (3)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Bmw X5 Sav model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
20 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (3)
Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module 2016-02-05 · campaign 16V071000 · 840,000 vehicles
Defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2008-2013 128i and 135i coupes and convertibles and 1 Series M coupes, 2006-2011 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive Sedans, 2009-2011 335d sedans, 2006-2012 325xiT, 328i and 328xi sports wagons, 2007-2013 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive, 335is and M3 Coupes and Convertibles, 2013-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i and X1 xDrive35i SAVs, 2007-2010 X3 xDrive30i SAVs, 2007-2013
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag module or inflator depending on the vehicle model, free of charge. The recall began March 9, 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine 2014-04-10 · campaign 14V176000 · 156,137 vehicles
Defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 128i Coupe, 128i Convertible, 328i Sedan, 328i xDrive Sedan, 328i Coupe, 328i Convertible, 328i Sports Wagon and Z4 sDrive 30i, 2011-2012 135i Coupe, 135i Convertible, 335i Sedan, X5 xDrive 35i, and X6 xDrive 35i, 2011 335i xDrive Sedan, 335i Coupe, 335i Convertible, 528i Sedan, 535i Sedan, 535i xDrive Sedan, X3 xDrive 28i, and X3 xDrive 35i, 2010 X3 xDrive 30i, and X5 xDrive 30i, 2012 640i Coupe, and 640i Convertible and
Risk: If the bolts loosen or break the engine may have reduced power or stall. An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the four VANOS housing bolts for both VANOS units (intake and exhaust), free of charge. In addition, owners of approximately 170,172 model year 2010-2012 BMW vehicles equipped with inline 6 cylinder engines not covered by this recall, will receive an extended warranty to address this condition. The recall began on September 24, 2014. Owners may contact BMW at 1-800-525-7417.
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:diesel 2012-11-27 · campaign 12V550000 · 29,800 vehicles
Defect: BMW is recalling certain model year 2009-2012 X5 xDrive 35d SAV diesel vehicles manufactured September 1, 2008, through November 15, 2012. The engine belt idler pulley bolt could loosen and break over time.
Risk: If the engine belt idler pulley bolt breaks, the vehicle may unexpectedly lose power-assisted steering, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace and tighten the idler pulley bolt. The recall began on January 15, 2013. Owners may call BMW at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.
Service bulletins (8)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Electrical System 2026-04-23 · B611026 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
while performing a 12-volt battery jump start, disconnect, or replacement, vehicle test, and/or programming procedure- the bmw footwell module (frm) may become unresponsive. as a result, one or more of the following vehicle electric system-related issues may occur: headlights including the high beam
Electrical System 2024-01-16 · B510819 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
the basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.
Electrical System 2024-01-11 · B611305 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
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 ã¢ââdischarged batteryã¢ââ complaints.
Engine And Engine Cooling 2017-06-01 · SIM010717 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
the engine?s intake charge-air duct limited warranty extension to 10 years/120,000 miles applies to ?eligible usspecification
Service Brakes, Air:disc 2013-05-01 · SIB-34-06-12 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
bmw: warning lamps are illuminated for the dsc, abs and brake and a possible warning in control display for chassis control system failure. models 2012 f25, 30, 01, 02, 07, 10, 12, 13, e70, 71, 84. *pe
Engine 2013-05-01 · SIB-24-03-13 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
bmw: some vehicle engines may experience a delay in response to acceleration, after slowing down, due to an unfavorable software calibration. models f10, 25, 07, e70, 71. no model years listed. *pe
Showing the 6 most recent of 8 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2018-10-30 · Engine · 82,000 mi“the coolant lines needed completely replaced causing the engine to start barreling smoke after about 400-500 ft. looked like it was on fire there was so much smoke. got repaired at bmw of westlake in ohio. they told me there was nothing i could do to have prevented it.…”
2018-10-30 · Engine · 93,000 mi“engine clicks when accelerating or deceleration…”
2018-04-06 · Engine · 125,000 mi“i would like to report a vanos issue the camshaft bolts loosen and break and it could be catastrophic. my bolts loosened and i caught it in time but if i didn't know any better i could've had a complete engine failure. my code originally came up as camshaft sticking. when the problem originated i was traveling on a main city road and my car went …”
2018-03-20 · Power Train · 74,500 mi“during hard acceleration of the car while getting on the free way ramp, the car went into limp mode. the engine performance was degraded and i had to pull on the side of the road to restart the car. the car was taken to bmw of bellevue next week after initial diagnosis of a dme internal fault by a signature independent kirkland. bmw of bellevue rep…”
2018-02-01 · Unknown Or Other · 44,063 mi“the service adviser at the bmw dealership mentioned that the dmtl pump in my vehicle has failed. i found the below document regarding the dmtl pump. https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2012/sb-10051299-3508.pdf can you please check this and let me know of my options? thanks [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information…”
2017-10-02 · Vehicle Speed Control · 93,000 mi“x5 xdrive 35i sav; while driving under normal street and highway conditions, vehicle speed and engine rpm have become unstable. this causes the vehicle to increase and decrease it's speed intermittently and without warning. the vehicle is not trustworthy as you may lose power, or unintentionally accelerate while trying to execute a driving maneuver…”
2017-09-18 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 74,000 mi“my vehicle is having a recall regarding the in-tank fuel pump since october 2016 bmw of san diego has failed to provide a replacement part in a timely manner and bmw of el cajon has just provided the necessary part for my personal vehicle i have waited almost a year for a part to be provided for my vehicle. moreover, the car has been experiencing f…”
2017-08-30 · Fuel/Propulsion System“drive the vehicle on vacation and the engine would studder and stall on the highway and an error prompted on the vehicle dashboard that displayed "engine malfunction" reduced power. occasionally the vehicle engine would cut off while on the road and needed to be towed to the dealership. the dealer diagnosed that it has a high pressure fuel pump mal…”
2017-07-19 · Unknown Or Other · 95,000 mi“water pump i was driving down the highway when i got the signal to drive slow or moderate because the engine it's getting hot i pulled over turn off the car got outside to smoke a cigarette and i could smell something burning more like wire burning…”
2017-05-14 · Vehicle Speed Control · 84,444 mi“on saturday may 6th 2017. i was driving when i heard this noise to my untrained ear it seemed as if the noise was coming from my front tires? i pulled over got out to check my front tires/wheel's and there was nothing, i get back into my vehicle and start driving again after a few minutes the same noise could be heard again so once again i pulled o…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.