Page 5 of 6 · complaints 201–250 of 263

2011 BMW X5 complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2011 record →

Engine
Filed Feb 13, 201666,000 milesNJ

PREVIOUS VANOS RECALL CAMPAING FIX IS NOT WORKING. AFTER ONE YEARS REPLACEMENT BOLTS ARE LOOSE AND LOUD ENGINE KNOCKING IS BACK. IF CONTINUE DRIVING BOLTS WILL BE SHEARED AND BREAK TIMING CHAIN CAUSING ENGINE TO SUDDENLY LOOSE POWER AND SHUT DOWN WITH NO PREVIOUS WARNING. WHEN ENGINE RPM REACHES THE 2000 MARK ENGINE STARTS TO LOOSE POWER AND HESITATES DUE TO THE BAD VANOS BOLTS. BMW IS REFUSING TO REPAIR THE VANOS UNIT AND REPLACE THE BOLTS UNDER WARRANTY.

Engine2 injured
Filed Feb 10, 201675,000 milesTX

MARGINING ONTO FREEWAY ACCELERATED CAR SUDDENLY LOST POWER WENT INTO NEUTRAL AND BRAKES WENT HARD ENGINE MALFUNCTION LIGHTS ON THE DASH BUILD DATE DEC 2010 FALLS INTO VANOS REPAIR FIXED ONCE ALREADY AND HAS MADE THE VEHICLE INOPERABLE BMW CORPORATE IS CLAIMING NOT AT FAULT WHEN HUNDREDS OF CASES HAVE BEEN REPORTED ONLINE EVERY VEHICLE MADE FROM FEB 2010-DEC 2010 IS A TICKING BOMB

EngineFire
Filed Jan 28, 201669,716 milesAR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE WAS OVERHEATING CAUSING SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WATER PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE COOLING PRESSURE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V521000 (ENGINE, ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,716.

Engine
Filed Jan 25, 201659,100 milesTX

ENGINE MALFUNCTION REDUCED POWER OUTPUT. DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY MY BMW X5 SUDDENLY STARTED MISFIRING AND HEARD NOISE FROM THE ENGINE. AFTER COUPLE OF MISFIRES IT HAVE ENINGE MALFUNCTION REDUCED POWER OUTPUT WARNING. HAD A VANOS BOLT REPLACED AS PART OF RECALL BUT THIS IS HAPPENING MORE OFTEN. I THINK THERE IS SERIOUS ISSUE WITH BMW ENINGE. CAN ANYONE HELP.

Engine
Filed Jan 12, 201660,000 milesTX

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN AFTER THE ENGINE AND BATTERY WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE HOWEVER THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACTS RESIDENCE AND WAS EXAMINED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE IDLER PULLEY BOLT HAD FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V550000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING , STEERING) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

Engine
Filed Dec 14, 201545,000 milesCA

ELECTRIC WATER PUMP FAILED AT ONLY 40K-50K MILES. ENGINE OVERHEATED AND RISKY FOR SAFE DRIVING. I CHECKED ONLINE FOR ANY RELATED RECALL AND FIND THE FOLLOWING, WHICH IS THE SAME PROBLEM FOR MY VEHICLE. BUT IT WAS NOT COVERED BY THE RECALL. THIS RECALL SHOULD COVER MORE VEHICLES. ELECTRIC AUXILIARY WATER PUMP REPORT RECEIPT DATE: OCT 20, 2011 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V521000 COMPONENT(S): ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Engine
Filed Nov 9, 201525 milesTX

I RECEIVED A NOISE FROM THE ENGINE AND STARTED AN ALERT ON DASHBOARD ENGINE MALFUNCTION REDUCED POWER DRIVE SAFELY TO THE BMW DEALER. BMW DEALER LOOKED AT THE VEHICLE AND SUGGESTED TO CHANGE ENGINE OIL, SOLENOIDS, BELT TENSIONER AND DEFLECTION PULLY, HOWEVER THE ENGINE SOUND DID NOT GO OFF. NOW THEY ASKING ME TO CHANGE THE ENGINE AND TURBO. THE ONLY SERVICE DID EARLIER WAS THE VANOS GEAR BOLT RECALL. DEALER AND BMW NA SAYS IT'S BECAUSE OF AFTERMARKET OIL FILTER. I THINK AFTERMARKET OIL FILTER DAMAGING THE ENGINE IS IRRELEVANT. I THINK THERE IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM IS GETTING HIDDEN BY BMW. CAN ANYONE PLEASE HELP.

Power Train
Filed Oct 13, 201574,000 milesNY

I WAS DRIVING ON A PARKWAY IN NY WHEN I HEARD A TERRIBLE CRUNCHING METAL NOISE AND I IMMEDIATELY HAD TO PULL OVER. THERE WAS NO SHOULDER EXCEPT FOR A SMALL GRASS AREA WHICH WAS VERY DANGEROUS ON THIS PARTICULAR PARKWAY (SAW MILL PKWY SOUTHBOUND). I STAYED INSIDE THE VEHICLE AND CALLED FOR HELP. POLICE ARRIVED IN ABOUT 30 MINUTES AND HAD TO COME BLOCK OFF TWO LANES IN ORDER FOR THE TOW TRUCK TO SAFELY PULL US OUT OF THE AREA. AFTER THE CAR WAS TOWED, I POSTED ON FORUMS ASKING FOR HELP AND RECEIVED A DOCUMENT STATING THAT BMW HAD ISSUED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY, NOT A RECALL ON THIS PARTICULAR PART. THE PART THAT FAILED WAS THE FRONT DRIVE-SHAFT. APPARENTLY MANY OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS PART FAIL ON THE ROAD CAUSING AN SIMILARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION YET THE PART HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED. BMW PAID FOR THE REPAIR AND MY EXPENSES, BUT I FELT AS IF I WAS IN DANGER WHEN THE PART FAILED AND ALL OTHERS WITH THIS DEFECTIVE PART SHOULD HAVE IT REPLACED PRIOR TO FAILURE VIA A RECALL NOT AN EXTENDED WARRANTY. I HAVE ATTACHED PICTURES OF MY FAILURE AS WELL AS THE DOCUMENT FROM BMW.

Fuel/Propulsion SystemCrash
Filed Sep 25, 201553,500 milesTX

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

Unknown or Other
Filed Sep 14, 201540,000 milesNY

THIS CAR ONLY HAS A LITTLE OVER 40K MILES. WAS DRIVING LONG DISTANCE ON FREEWAY AND SLOWLY I NOTICE STRANGE NOISE COMING FROM THE WHEEL WELL AREA FROM INSIDE THE CAR. I JACKED THE CAR UP AND DO A SPIN AND TURN OUT IT IS THE BEARING MAKING NOISE. CAN'T BELIEVE THIS FAILS AT SUCH A LOW MILEAGE. WILL THIS AFFECT THE DRIVESHAFT OR ANYTHING SAFETY OF THE CAR AT HIGH SPEED. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF BMW HAS A RECALL FOR THIS. THANKS

Engine
Filed Sep 8, 201565,000 milesFL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW X5. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, AN ABNORMAL LOUD NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE VEHICLE AND AN UNKNOWN WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.

Steering
Filed Aug 11, 2015SC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V332000 (ENGINE, ENGINE COOLING). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Jul 26, 201536,000 milesNY

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.

Engine
Filed Jul 12, 201579,800 milesTX

DRIVING FROM HIGHWAY SPEED TO EXIT THEN AROUND 20MPH, ENGINE JUST STOPPED, WENT INTO NEUTRAL, STEERING LOCKED, CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS. DEPRESSED BRAKE AND WAS ABLE TO RESTART CAR. IT HAPPENED 2 MORE TIMES WITHIN THE NEXT 2 HOURS. WILL BE GETTING TO DEALER OR BMW SHOP.

Engine
Filed Jul 7, 201570,000 milesNY

I WAS DRIVING AT THE HALLWAY AT 65 MPH AND THE POWER TO THE CAR SHUT OFF. I ALMOST CRASHED INTO OTHER CARS, WHEN THE ENGINE REDUCE POWER LIGHT CAME ON. I PULLED OVER AND WAITED 10 MINUTES TO START THE CAR. I WENT BACK HOME AND IT HAPPENED AGAIN .....UPDATED 09/28/15 *BF THE WENT TO THE SHOP FOUR TIMES, AND NO ONE WAS ABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. UPDATED 10/08/15*JB

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Jun 23, 201555,000 milesCT

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.

Steering
Filed Jun 16, 201563,000 milesTX

TRAVELING SOUTH ON INSIDE LANE OF 121 NEAR GRAPEVINE, MY X5 SUDDENLY MADE A REALLY LOUD NOISES FROM THE FRONT LEFT SIDE, STARTED LOSING POWER, LIQUID WAS SPEWING BEHIND ME AND SMOKE COMING OUT FROM UNDERNEATH. I PULLED OVER AND SAW OIL GUSHING FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY 2011 X5. I HAD MY 8 MONTH OLD INFANT AND MY WIFE IN THE CAR, HAD TO RUSH THEM OUT OF THE INFANT SEAT TO ENSURE CAR DOES NOT CATCH ON FIRE. SPEND 2 HOURS WAITING FOR TOW AND IN THE END IT ENDED UP BEING AN FRONT DRIVESHAFT BREAKING PUNCTURING AN OIL PAN AND CUTTING FEW HOSES AND LINES. THERE IS AN ACTIVE RECALL ON THAT BMW FOR THAT EXACT ISSUE...UPDATED 07/30/15 *BF UPDATED 10/23/2017*CN

Engine
Filed May 5, 201540,375 milesNY

MY WIFE AND A TODDLER WERE DRIVING HOME GETTING OFF THE BRIDGE AND ABOUT TO GET ON THE ON RAMP TO HIGHWAY IN NYC (BQE). ALL THE SUDDEN THE CAR OVERHEATED AND WENT INTO LIMP MODE. LUCKILY THERE WERE NO CAR BEHIND HER OTHERWISE WOULD BE REAR ENDED. SHE WAS ABLE TO PULL TO THE RIGHT FROM THE LEFT LANE AND GOT ONTO LOCAL STREET TO WAIT FOR IT TO COOL DOWN. THIS CAR HAD MANY CLOSE CALLS FOR SERIOUS OR FATAL ACCIDENT. THIS CAR ONLY HAS A LITTLE OK 40K MILES. THIS IS TOO EARLY FOR A WATER PUMP TO FAIL. THIS CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THE COST OF FIX WILL BE OVER $1000. THE WORST IS MY WIFE USES THIS CAR FOR WORK AND DRIVE THE KID TO SCHOOL. CAN BMWNA BE CONTACTED AND PUT THIS FAILURE INTO RECALL. THANKS *TR

Engine
Filed Apr 13, 201574,000 milesMI

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

Engine
Filed Apr 8, 201548,000 milesOK

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE WATER PUMP FRACTURED. THE CONTACT HEARD THE FAN RUNNING EXTREMELY HIGH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE WATER PUMP, THE COOLING SYSTEM AND THE THERMOSTAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 12V161000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000.

Visibility/Wiper
Filed Mar 25, 201534,200 milesTX

IN LATE DECEMBER 2014, THE RIGHT HEADLIGHT WASHER NOZZLE AND COVER FELL OFF SOME TIME DURING USE (VEHICLE SPEED IS UNKNOWN; 45 MPH IS A GUESS). THE VEHICLE DID NOT HAVE ANY SNOW OR ICE ON IT. IN EARLY MARCH OF 2015, BOTH HEADLIGHT WASHER NOZZLES AND COVERS FELL OFF WITHIN A WEEK OF EACH OTHER, BOTH TIMES WITH NO SNOW OR ICE ON THE VEHICLE (THE VEHICLE IS PARKED IN A GARAGE AT BOTH HOME AND WORK). THE RIGHT NOZZLE/COVER ASSEMBLY WAS HANGING LOOSELY, AND WAS SALVAGED. IN JANUARY 2015, BMW WOULD NOT PAY FOR REPAIRS UNDER WARRANTY, CLAIMING THE PARTS WERE "EXTERIOR TRIM," RATHER THAN SAFETY FEATURES, AND THEREFORE NOT COVERED. AFTER THE SECOND INCIDENT INVOLVING BOTH WASHERS, BMW WOULD NOT ALLOW THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE CENTER TO DEACTIVATE THE HEADLIGHT WASHERS (TO PREVENT FUTURE INCIDENCES), CLAIMING THE PARTS ARE "SAFETY FEATURES." IT SEEMS BMW CHANGES THE DESIGNATION OF THE PARTS BASED ON WHAT WILL COST THEM MONEY. THE WASHERS ARE OBVIOUSLY SAFETY FEATURES, AND ARE INCLUDED AS PART OF THE VEHICLE'S OPTIONAL "COLD WEATHER PACKAGE," INTENDED TO KEEP THE HEADLIGHTS CLEAR OF DEBRIS LIKE ROAD GRIME AND ICE. THE PARTS ARE ALSO OBVIOUSLY DEFECTIVE, AS THEY KEEP COMING OFF UNDER NORMAL USE WELL WITHIN THEIR EXPECTED LIFESPAN, AND INITIAL RESEARCH HAS SHOWN THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH BMW VEHICLES THAT HAVE HEADLIGHT WASHERS. *TR

Power Train
Filed Mar 19, 201563,000 milesSC

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

Steering
Filed Feb 25, 201574,450 milesWA

IT FEEL LIKE THE CAR WAS VIBRATING WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY I TOOK THE EXIT SO I CAN PULL OVER AND IT STARTED MAKING CLANKING SOUND UNDER THE DRIVER SEAT...WHEN CHECKED UNDER THE CAR DRIVE SHAFT IS MISSING SCREW AS IT CAME OFF AND HITTING THE GROUND AND CAR IS NOT DRIVEABLE...NOT SURE WHAT CAUSES IT. IT COULD'VE KILLED US IF I DIDN'T EXIT AS THE HIGHWAY WAS VERY BUSY AND I AM GLAD I PULLED OVER. READING ON INTERNET HONG KONG AND EUROPE HAVE RECALL ON THIS BUT I DIDN'T SEE ANY RECALLS FOR THIS US...UPDATED 06/01/16 *BF UPDATED 9/26/2017*CN

Power Train
Filed Feb 5, 201555,000 milesGA

DRIVESHAFT UJOINT FAILURE. THIS APPEARS TO BE A KNOW ISSUE. DANGEROUS SITUATION WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND DRIVESHAFT COMES UNATTACHED. *TR

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Jan 30, 201569,569 milesNY

BMW X5 35I 2011 AWD , I WAS ON MAJOR DEEGAN HIGHWAY EXITING AT 230 ST WHEN THE MY BMW X5 35I 2011 AWD SUDDEN STOPPED AND MY HEART WHEN TOO MY FEET . THE PANEL READ "ENGINE MALFUNCTION " I WAS IN A DAZE NOT KNOWING WHAT HAPPEN TO THE BMW X5 35I 2011 AWD AND WHY DID IT STOP ALL OF SUDDEN !!! I STARTED AGAIN AT A VERY SLOW PACE LESS THAN 10 MPH AND TRYING TO GET OUT OF THE WAY OF TRAFFIC ON THE EXIT ON 230 STREET , I MADE IT TOO THE VETERANS AFFAIRS HOSPITAL AT 8:30 OR 9:00 AM IN THE MORNING . I CALLED AAA TO TOW TO A SHOP THAN I WAS FOUND OUT THIS BMW X5 35I 2011 AWD HAD A RECALL SO I GOT IT TOW TOO PORTCHESTER BMW WHERE THE VEHICLE IS AT NOW AND DON'T WHEN I WILL GET BACK . IF THIS IS THE PROBLEM WITH THIS BMW X5 35I 2011 AWD THIS BMW X5 35I 2011 AWD SHOULD NEVER BE ON ANY US ROAD AT ALL ITS AN ACCIDENT READY TO HAPPEN VERY DANGEROUS ,VERY DANGEROUS FOR A BMW X5 35I 2011 AWD TO HAVE A SUDDEN STOP " ENGINE MALFUNCTION " SOME ONE IS GOING TOO DIE IN THIS BMW X5 35I 2011 ITS TOO DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AND RISK MY LIFE A US MARINE VETERAN . TAKE THIS BMW X5 35I 2011 OFF THE ROADS OF THE UNITED STATES BEFORE SOME WANT GETS KILLED !!!!!!! *TR

Engine
Filed Jan 15, 201559,600 milesTX

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY SUDDENLY CAR REGISTERED A FAULT SAYING "ENGINE PROBLEMS - REDUCED POWER" CAUSING ME TO SWERVE AND NEARLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT ... THE CAR DRASTICALLY REDUCED POWER AND I WAS ABLE TO LIMP HOME WITH REDUCED SPEED. *TR

Engine
Filed Dec 22, 201458,000 milesTX

WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY 121 SUDDENLY THE LIGHTS CAME ON AND I WAS WARNED THAT IF I DON'T PULL OVER AND REDUCE MY SPEED MY ENGINE WILL SUFFER DAMAGE. THIS CAUSED ME TO SWERVE AND TRY TO TAKE THE FIRST EXIT, WHICH LUCKILY WAS COMING UP. THERE WAS A LIQUID DISCHARGE UNDER THE CAR. WATER PUMP FAILED AND THERMOSTAT BURNED OUT ... DAMAGES OVER 1000 USD. THIS SEEMS TO BE A THEME WITH 3.0I VEHICLES OF THAT YEAR. BMW WOULD NOT REPAIR EVEN THOUGH HIGHER CYLINDER ENGINES ARE COVERED UNDER RECALL. *TR

Engine
Filed Nov 26, 201440,000 milesCT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE OVER HEATED WITHOUT WARNING AND WAS NOT ABLE TO BE DRIVEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR FURTHER INSPECTION AND DIAGNOSIS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V521000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.

Structure › BodyCrash
Filed Nov 19, 201452,500 milesNJ

I WAS RECENTLY IN AN ACCIDENT. I REAR ENDED SOMEONE AND THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY UNTIL AFTER THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED. I HAVE CHEST AND RIB PAIN. EVEN DEPLOYED THE AIR BAG WAS NOT FULLY INFLATED. *TR

Engine
Filed Nov 17, 201452,560 milesIL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW X5. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN AND THE ENGINE STALLED. THE CHECK ENGINE AND BRAKE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE IDLE PULLEY BAR AND BELT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,560.

Power Train
Filed Sep 17, 201460,000 milesNH

ONE YEAR AGO, MADE A LEFT HAND TURN FROM COMPLETE STOP, ACCELERATING TO 40 MPH? MAYBE? WHEN I HEARD AN AWFUL CRUNCHING NOISE, I STOPPED AND SAW MY X5'S DRIVE SHIFT DROPPED DOWN SOME OIL CAME OUT. THE PROBLEM BECAUSE THE FRONT DRIVE SHIFTS U-JOINT FAILURES. *TR

Engine
Filed Sep 8, 201478,000 milesCA

THE CAR WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AS "REDUCED POWER". TOOK THE CAR INTO CREVIER BMW IN SANTA ANA. THERE IS A RECALL ON THE VANOS SYSTEM FOR OUR CAR. WE HAVE HAD MULTIPLE PROBLEMS BEFORE THIS AS WELL. LAST JUNE, THE ENGINE OIL HOUSING UNIT WAS REPLACED. NOW THE PROBLEM POINTS TO THE VANOS ON THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST DONE AT THE DEALER. HOWEVER, THE DEALER AND BMW NORTH AMERICA WILL NOT ADDRESS THE ISSUES. BOTH KEEP TELLING US THAT THE "PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE" AND THAT THERE IS A RECALL ON THE VEHICLE BUT WILL LOOK INTO IT ONLY WHEN OR IF THE PARTS BECOME AVAILABLE. THUS, FOR THEM TO REPAIR THE ISSUES RIGHT NOW, WE WOULD NEED TO PAY. THIS SEEMS TO BE A SCAM AND CONVENIENCE ON THEIR PART NOT TO ADDRESS THE ISSUES. I WOULD ASK NHTSA TO PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS TYPE OF PRACTICE AND MAKE BMW RESPONSIBLE AND ACCOUNTABLE TO THEIR CUSTOMERS. THANK YOU. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Aug 21, 2014MD

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V176000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE DELAY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT DID NOT EXPERIENCE A FAILURE.

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Aug 19, 201450,500 milesNE

IN MARCH OF THIS YEAR MY X5 HAD THE INCREASED ENGINE NOISE, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMING ON, AND STALLED ON I-80 IN OMAHA. I GOT THE CAR PULLED OVER AND STARTED AGAIN. I THEN HAD HUSKER AUTO OF LINCOLN NE (BMW SHOP) LOOK AT IT. THIS HAS NOT HAPPENED AGAIN TO DATE. IN JUNE I GET A LETTER FROM BMW ABOUT THE SAFETY RECALL OF VANOS ASSEMBLY BOLTS. THE DESCRIPTION OF THE PROBLEM FIT MY SITUATION BACK IN MARCH. I TOOK THE LETTER TO HUSKER AUTO BUT THEY SAID I HAD TO WAIT FOR ANOTHER LETTER FROM BMW. I HAVE APPROACHED HUSKER AUTO TWICE MORE SINCE JUNE, WITH SAME STORY FROM THEM. MY QUESTION TO YOU, IS THERE ANYTHING YOUR ADMINISTRATION CAN DO ABOUT BMW NOT ACTING TIMELY ON THE X5 RECALL ISSUE? *TR

Engine
Filed Aug 5, 201471,000 milesVA

ONLY AFTER ABOUT 10 MINUTES OF DRIVING IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD, WE GOT A WARNING "ENGINE HOT, DRIVE MODERATELY" THEN A FEW MINUTES LATER, IT SAID TO ENGINE HOT, AND TO STOP THE CAR IMMEDIATELY. WE HAD TO PULL THE CAR OVER AND AFTER ENGINE COOLED A BIT, TAKE OUR 2011 X5 TO THE NEAREST SHOP IN AN EMERGENCY. THE SHOP MECHANIC HAD TO REPLACE THE WATER PUMP AND SAID THAT IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH BMW X5, EVEN THOUGH WE ONLY HAD 71,000 MILES. I LOOKED ONLINE AND THERE IS A RECALL AFFECTING WATER PUMPS FOR BMW X5 2011 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OTHER FUEL TYPES:TURBO-CHARGER RECALL NUMBER: 11V521000) BUT WHEN I CALLED BMW, IT SAID THAT MY PARTICULAR ENGINE IS NOT RECALLED. THE MECHANIC SAYS THIS IS UNUSUAL FOR SUCH A NEW CAR TO HAVE ENGINE OVERHEATING DUE TO WATER PUMP FAILURE, THIS SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED FOR SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

Engine
Filed Jul 18, 201465,000 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THERE WAS A MALFUNCTION IN THE ENGINE WITH THE TORQUE SCREW. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000. UPDATED 09/05/14*LJ UPDATED 12/4/2014 *JS

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Jun 10, 201471,000 milesWI

HI, I JUST PURCHASED THE ABOVE VEHICLE ON 5/13/14 AND ABOUT TWO WEEKS LATER MY CAR STARTED OVERHEATING. I KIND OF KNEW THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH WATER PUMP SO I STARTED DOING SOME RESEARCH ONLINE TO SEE IF BMW X5 WAS ANY RECALLS AND TO MY SURPRISE THEY RECALLED NUMEROUS X5'S DUE TO WATER PUMP. I ALSO CALLED THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE TO SEE IF THERE WAS A RECALL ON MY CAR AND UNFORTUNATELY I WAS TOLD THAT THERE ISN'T. I TOOK MY CAR TO INTERNATIONAL AUTOS ON 6/9/14 FOR A DIAGNOSTICS CHECK AND THEY HAVE CONFIRMED THAT WATER PUMP NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. I BELIEVE THAT MY CAR SHOULD BE UNDER RECALL AS WELL SINCE BMW SEEMS TO HAVE A LOT OF TROUBLE WITH THIS. *TR

Engine
Filed May 31, 201459,238 milesGA

OON FRIDAY, MAY 2, 2014 I WAS DOING ABOUT 75MPH ON THE EXPRESSWAY IN ATLANTA HEADING HOME FORM A MOVIE AT AROUND 1120PM AND IMMEDIATELY WITHOUT ANY WARNING OR A ENGINE LIGHT WITHIN MY 2011, BMW X5 BEGAN TO GO INTO SAFE MODE DECREASING MY SPEED FROM 75 TO 0 IN LESS THAN 60 SECONDS ' EVENTUALLY STALLING AND UNABLE TO RESTART. THE CAR TOOK OVER AND WENT INTO NEUTRAL BY ITSELF AND I WAS UNABLE TO ACCELERATE OR CONTROL THE SPEED ON MY OWN. ATLANTAS 285 EXPRESSWAYS HAS MULTIPLE LANES AND THOUGH TRAFFIC WAS NOT AS HEAVY AS IT GENERALLY IS DURING RUSH HOURS, I HAD TO FRANTICALLY NAVIGATE MYSELF OVER SIX LANES TO THE SHOULDER ROAD (AVOIDING THE MAIN LANE BY THE EXTERIOR WALL OUT OF FEAR OF SOMEONE HITTING ME FROM BEHIND). I BEGAN TO CRY UNCONTROLLABLY AND IMMEDIATELY HIT THE SOS OPTION WITHIN THE CAR AND EXPLAIN WHAT JUST OCCURRED TO THE REPRESENTATIVE ON THE PHONE. THE LADY WAS EXTREMELY PLEASANT AND DID HER BEST TO PUT ME AT EASE AND ASSURED ME ASSISTANCE WAS ON THE WAY. I THEN CALLED MY HUSBAND AND HAD HIM MEET ME THERE AS WELL. WITHIN AN HOUR A TOWING COMPANY HAD COME AND ASKED ME IF I WANTED THEM TO TAKE IT TO THE NEAREST BMW DEALERSHIP AND I STATED SURE THAT DEALERSHIP WAS NALLEY BMW. *TR

Power Train
Filed May 14, 201454,000 milesDE

MY BMW X5 2011 STARTED GIVING ME LIGHT WHILE I WAS DRIVING POWER REDUCED ENGINE MALFUNCTION AND IMMEDIATELY AFTER 10 MIN ENGINE STOPPED WHILE I WAS DRIVING CALLING BMW FOR IT BUT FORTUNATELY I WAS DRIVING AT 10-20 MILES AN HOUR VERY SLOW AND WAS ABLE TO PULL ON SIDE BUT IT WAS HORRIBLE EXPERIENCE WITH MY KIDS ,WIFE WHOLE FAMILY IN CAR ..........COULD HAVE BEEN TERRIBLE ......VERY SCARED NOW ....SPENDING BIG MONEY FOR BMW AND ONLY AFTER 54000MILES ....SUCH THING HAPPENING ..ITS TERRIBLE .I IMPORTED THIS VEHICLE TO CANADA SO DON'T HAVE OPTION BELOW FOR CANADA AND ZIP CODE BUT STILL WANT TO REPORT THIS SERIOUS PROBLEM .....VERY IMPORTANT. *TR

Power Train
Filed May 6, 201470,000 milesAZ

WHILE ACCELERATING TO ENTER THE HIGHWAY, A LOUD POP OCCURRED AT APPROX. 35MPH. THE POP WAS FOLLOWED BY A LOSS OF DRIVE TORQUE TO THE FRONT AXLE. I BEGAN TO IMMEDIATELY PULL OVER AND A SECOND LOUD POP WAS HEARD FOLLOWED BY THE SOUND OF METAL CRASHING TO THE GROUND. I EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE LOSS OF DRIVE TORQUE TO THE FRONT AXLE AND COASTED TO RELATIVE SAFETY ON THE ENTRANCE OF AN EXIT RAMP. UPON EXPECTING THE UNDERSIDE OF THE VEHICLE, I COULD SEE A SEPARATED FRONT DRIVESHAFT, MISSING UNIVERSAL JOINT AND THE TRANSFER CASE WAS TOUCHING THE GROUND AND THERE WAS A PUDDLE OF FLUID DIRECTLY UNDERNEATH THE CAR. THERE WAS A TRAIL OF FLUID ON THE EXIT RAMP LEADING TO WHERE I PULLED OVER INDICATING THAT THE FLUID WAS LEAKING AND EVENTUALLY DUMPED COMPLETELY WHEN I PULLED OVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE NEARED BMW DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE AND DIAGNOSIS. *TR

Engine
Filed Apr 17, 201436,350 milesPA

VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER (MECHANICAL AND ELECTRICAL) WITHOUT WARNING. THIS OCCURRED WHILE CRUISING AT HIGHWAY SPEED, UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS. THE VEHICLE LOST POWER STEERING AND BRAKING BECAME SIGNIFICANTLY MORE DIFFICULT. AFTER DRIFTING SAFELY TO THE HIGHWAY SHOULDER THE VEHICLE REMAINED DISABLED AND COULD NOT STARTED. THE CAR EXHIBITED NO SIGNS THAT IT WOULD START AGAIN. INSTRUMENTATION DID NOT DISPLAY INFORMATION AND TOWING WAS NECESSARY. SEVERAL DAYS AFTER DELIVERY TO THE BMW SERVICE CENTER, TECHNICIANS ADVISED THEY HAD ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM. THE STATED CAUSE WAS VANOS BOLTS SHEARING OFF INTO THE ENGINE. HOWEVER, ON THE TEST DRIVE THE VEHICLE SUFFERED ANOTHER COMPLETE FAILURE, LEAVING IT DISABLED. 56 DAYS LATER A REMANUFACTURED ENGINE HAD REPLACED THE ORIGINAL DUE TO FAILED REPAIR ATTEMPTS. *TT

Steering
Filed Apr 14, 201430,000 milesVA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD SPORADICALLY BECOME DIFFICULT TO TURN. ADDITIONALLY, THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE WITHIN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE FAILURE WAS RECURRING. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ALSO ILLUMINATED WHENEVER THE CONTACT REVERSED FROM HIS DRIVEWAY. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE SHIFTED FROM PARK TO REVERSE OR DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TWICE TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE IDLE PULLEY BOLT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. THE AUTHORIZED DEALER REPLACED THE IDLER PULLEY BELT A THIRD TIME AND THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.

Engine
Filed Apr 6, 201439,000 milesIL

VANOS INTAKE AND EXHAUST UNITS NEED TO BE REPLACED, ALONG WITH SOME OTHER PARTS RELATED TO THIS. CAR HAS BEEN AT THE BMW CENTER FOR ALMOST 1 WEEK. WHILE I WAS DRIVING DOWN A BUSY ROAD, THE "ENGINE MALFUNCTION, REDUCED POWER" ERROR MESSAGE CAME ON. I ALSO NOTICED, THE CAR HAD TURNED OFF AND I HAD NOT CONTROL OVER THE POWER STEERING WHEEL OR BRAKES. MY MAIN CONCERN IS THIS HAPPENING AGAIN, LUCKILY I WAS NOT ON THE HIGHWAY AND HAD NO ONE IN FRONT OF ME, OTHERWISE IT COULD HAVE BEEN MUCH WORSE DUE TO NO POWER STEERING AVAILABILITY OR BRAKES. *TR

Engine
Filed Feb 28, 201424,000 milesIL

MY 2011 X5 35I HAS AN ACCELERATION DELAY. BMW HAS RECOGNIZED IT AS AN ISSUE IN THE 535I MODELS, CALLING IT AN "ACCELERATION DELAY" AND HAVE ISSUED AN SIB SOFTWARE UPDATE TO REPAIR IT, BUT HAVE NOT DONE SO FOR THE X5 MODEL. I FEEL THIS ISSUE IS DANGEROUS AND A SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

Wheels › Rim
Filed Jan 2, 201460,000 milesAR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS TIRE CONSTANTLY LOST AIR PRESSURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE RIM WAS CRACKED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000. . ..UPDATED 03-12-14 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE RIM HAD A STRESS FRACTURE/ UPDATED 04/01/14

SteeringCrash1 injured
Filed Sep 11, 201315,000 milesFL

OUR 2011 BMW X5D (DIESEL) STARTED HAVING STEERING ISSUES IN JUN OF 2012. MULTIPLE REPAIR ATTEMPTS HAVE BEEN UNSUCCESSFUL. LATER IT WAS INVOLVED IN A LOW SPEED CRASH, INJURING THE DRIVER IN DEC 2012 DUE TO A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THIS WAS JUST MONTHS BEFORE ISSUING A RECALL FOR THE IDENTICAL PROBLEM ALTHOUGH BMW IDENTIFIED PROBLEMS BEFORE THE INITIAL PROBLEM WAS NOTICED. THE VEHICLE STILL TO THIS DAY HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING, DIFFICULT LOW SPEED MANEUVERS AND UNUSUAL TIRE WEAR. WE DO HAVE A RECORDING OF A BMW OF NORTH AMERICA MASTER TECHNICIAN ADMITTING TO THE PROBLEM THAT BMW REFUSES TO CORRECT. IN FACT BMW REFUSES TO EVEN PERFORM WORK ON OUR VEHICLE EVEN THOUGH IT'S ADVERTISED AS "NO MAINTENANCE FOR 4YEARS/50,000 MILES" THIS IS AT ANY DEALERSHIP WE HAVE GONE TO DUE TO A NOTE IN THE DATABASE FROM BMW OF NORTH AMERICA. ALSO VEHICLE SERVICE HISTORY HAS BEEN FRAUDULENTLY ERASED FROM THEIR DATABASE AND BMW REFUSES TO FURTHER INVESTIGATE THE SAFETY OF THIS VEHICLE WHICH WAS PURCHASED NEW IN 2010 AND IS STILL UNDER FULL FACTORY WARRANTY. THEY INSIST THE VEHICLE IS SAFE TO DRIVE OFFICIALLY, WHILE UNOFFICIALLY ADMITTING THAT IT IS DANGEROUS. *TR

Electrical SystemFire
Filed Jul 18, 201318,000 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE TPM ERROR LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS THE VEHICLE SURGED. IN ADDITION, SMOKE WAS SEEN COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD AREA. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE IT WAS STATED THAT THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. *TR

Engine
Filed Jul 10, 201359,000 milesMO

WHILE DRIVING MY ENGINE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF ALONG WITH POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES. IT STARTED AGAIN AND I TOOK IT TO A BMW DEALER THAT SAID I NEEDED A $325 SOFTWARE UPDATE. I ASKED IF THAT MEANT MY ENGINE WOULD SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING SHOULD BY SOFTWARE EVER GO OUT OF DATE. THEY SAID YES, IT HAPPENS BUT NOT ON ALL SOFTWARE UPDATES. THEY ALSO SAID SOFTWARE UPDATE COME OUT ABOUT EVERY 3 TO 4 MONTHS MEANING MY ENGINE COULD BE SHUT OFF AGAIN AT ANY TIME. I FELT I HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO PAY THE MONEY SO MY CAR WOULD RUN AGAIN. I AM CONCERNED NOW ABOUT DRIVING AT ANY HIGHER RATE OF SPEED CONSIDERING I COULD LOSE MY STEERING AND BRAKES ANYTIME SOMEONE DECIDES I NEED TO UPDATE SOFTWARE THAT I WAS NEVER INFORMED WAS OUT OF DATE. *TR

Engine
Filed Feb 13, 201316,000 milesVA

STARTED THE CAR AND THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WITH "ENGINE MALFUNCTION - REDUCED POWER" AND DROVE A FEW HUNDRED YARDS AND THEN THE CAR COMPLETELY DIED. THE 2011 BMW X5 35I PREMIUM JUST DIED - NO POWER WHATSOEVER. BECAUSE THERE WAS NO POWER, THE CAR COULD NOT BE PUT INTO NEUTRAL TO BE PUT ON A FLATBED. THE X5 HAD TO BE PUT ON A CRANE AND LIFTED ONTO A FLATBED TOW TRUCK. BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE IN THE U.S. AND IS U.S. SPEC (CAR WAS IN THE U.S. FOR 2 YEARS) - SHIPPED THE CAR TO GERMANY AND THIS IS WHERE THE INCIDENT HAPPENED (CAR BEEN IN GERMANY JUST A FEW MONTHS). BMW OF MUNICH SAID THAT THERE IS A BOLT THAT CAN BREAK OFF - WHICH IT DID - MUNICH REQUESTED THE LOCAL DEALER TO TAKE THE ENGINE APART TO SEE IF THAT WAS THE FAULT AND THEY CONFIRMED IT WAS. BMW IS REPLACING OUR ENGINE BECAUSE OF THIS FAULT. HOWEVER, THE RECALL AS OF NOW IS ONLY FOR THE X5 DIESELS. THE RECALL SHOULD BE EXPANDED. HAD WE BEEN ON THE AUTOBAHN WHERE THERE AREN'T MANY SPEED LIMIT AREAS, THIS COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A FATAL CRASH IF SOMEONE GOING 100+MPH RAMMED BEHIND US FROM OUR CAR DYING OF CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. AT 16,000 MILES THE VEHICLE SHOULD NOT NEED A NEW ENGINE. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Jan 14, 201318,000 milesMI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, EXHAUST FUMES FROM THE ENGINE COULD BE SMELLED WHILE IN THE CABIN. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE POWER ASSIST ON THE BRAKES FAILED AND THAT BOTH FAILURES RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT IN ORDER TO REMEDY THE BRAKE FAILURE, A VALVE WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO REPLICATE THE EXHAUST FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 20,000.

Reading these

NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Full record for the 2011 BMW X5 → · Every X5 year → · How the figures are calculated →