Page 6 of 6 · complaints 251–263 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 Jan 3, 201322,000 milesNY

SATURDAY DECEMBER 29, 2012 I GET INTO MY 2011 X5 AS I PULLED OUT FROM MY DRIVEWAY THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS CAME ON WITH A MESSAGE " ENGINE MALFUNCTION REDUCE POWER". LIFE QUALITY GAVE ME A HARD TIME TO BEGIN WITH TO GET THE CAR IN CLAIMING THEY WERE BOOKED WITH APPOINTMENTS. AFTER CALLING CUSTOMER RELATIONS AT HEADQUARTERS, I GET A CALL FROM THE SERVICE MANAGER TO BRING IN THE CAR. I HAD ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE TOW THE CAR, WHEN THE CAR ARRIVE TO THE DEALER MY CAR ADVISOR CALLS ASKING QUESTIONS LIKE, WAS THE VEHICLE INVOLVE IN CRASH, DID HIT A POT HOLE, BASICALLY LOOKING FOR ALL TYPE OF EXCUSES. I WOULD LIKE TO FILE A COMPLAINT AND ASK THAT THESE MODELS BE REVIEWED SINCE IT APPEARS TO HAVE MANY OTHER CUSTOMERS WITH SIMILAR PROBLEMS. *TR

Power Train
Filed Oct 17, 201230,932 milesIN

WHEN DROVE IT ON A LOCAL STREET, THE CAR SUDDENLY MADE VERY LOUD NOISE WITHOUT ANY SIGN. AFTER CAR TOWED TO BMW DEALER, THE ENGINEER FOUND THE REASON AS DESCRIBABLE AS: FLYWHEEL BOLTS ARE INCORRECT AND NOT HOLDING THE FLYWHEEL TIGHTLY IN PLACE.

Fuel System, GasolineFire
Filed Feb 10, 2012FL

VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE ON 02/06/12 AT 0300 WHILE PARKED IN GARAGE. ACCORDING TO MIAMI'S FIRE DEPARTMENT THIS WAS NOT DEEMED ARSON/VANDALISM, NO EVIDENCE OF FORCED ENTRY OR ACCELERATE WAS NOTED. A RECALL FOR HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR SUCH MODEL. *TR

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Feb 2, 20126,000 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW X5. THE CONTACT OBSERVED EXCESSIVE RUST AND CORROSION WITHIN THE FUEL TANK, EXHAUST SYSTEM AND THE ATTACHING COMPONENTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE OWNER WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR EXPENSES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT SMOKE EMITTED FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND STOPPED. THE CONTACT EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS A SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT OF OIL LOSS IN THE RESERVOIR. THE CONTACT THEN ADDED MORE OIL ACCORDINGLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO REFUSED TO MEASURE THE OIL MANUALLY PER THE CONSUMERS REQUEST, THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND REIMBURSED THE CONSUMER FOR TWO DAYS OF MOTEL, FOOD AND TOWING COSTS. UNABLE TO LOCATE A FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,000. UPDATED 3/11/13 *CN BMW OFFERED TO BUY THE VEHICLE BACK, BUT LATER CHANGED THEIR MIND. THE CASE WENT TO COURT, AND THE JUDGE RULED THE OFFER WAS NOT BINDING. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD RUN HOT, AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT GO INTO GEAR.

Power Train
Filed Dec 26, 2011610 milesAZ

ON NOVEMBER 28, 2011, TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTION WARNING CAME ON AND VEHICLE COULD NOT BE SHIFTED INTO GEAR. AFTER 30 MINUTES, FAULT WENT AWAY AND VEHICLE WAS MOVED TO HOME ADDRESS. ON DECEMBER 14TH THE SAME FAULT APPEARED AND THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE SENT TO THE BMW DEALERSHIP. IT TOOK BMW 8 DAYS TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION 'MECHATRONIC' UNIT. ON DECEMBER 22, THE XDRIVE SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED AND THE VEHICLE WILL BE RETURNED TO THE BMW DEALERSHIP. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Dec 7, 201117,800 milesVA

ENGINE STALLED WHILE DRIVING. WARNING LAMPS INDICATED REDUCED POWER. SEVERAL OCCURRENCES WERE AT SPEED ON THE INTERSTATE. CAR WOULD RESTART AFTER SITTING FOR SEVERAL HOURS. CAR WAS LEFT WITH BMW FOR SERVICE. HOWEVER, BMW SAID THEY COULD NOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND DID NOT PERFORM ANY REPAIRS THE FIRST TIME. CAR AGAIN DIED WHILE DRIVING AT SPEED ON HIGHWAY SEVERAL WEEKS LATER. BMW STATED THAT THERE WAS LOSS OF ENGINE COMPRESSION. THEN, STATED THAT FUEL INJECTORS WERE FAULTY. THEN, CLAIMED THAT IT WAS DUE TO "BAD GAS" AND/OR SUGAR IN THE GAS TANK. *TR

Structure › Body
Filed Oct 15, 20115,000 milesPA

VEHICLE HAS "M SPORTS" OPTION, WITH WIDE TIRES AND FLARED FENDER EDGES. FRONT TIRES KICK UP SALT & OTHER ROAD DEBRIS ONTO THE REAR FENDER FLARES & REAR DOORS DAMAGING BODY PAINT. FRONT FENDER SKIRTS WOULD PREVENT DAMAGE. BMW AREA REP. REFUSED TO VIEW DAMAGE. THE COMPANY REFUSES TO REPAIR DAMAGE THEIR DEFECTIVE PRODUCT CAUSED. THE BMW DEALER BODY SHOP QUOTED $4,500 TO REPAIR PAINT DAMAGE. DEALER AGREES IT IS A BMW PROBLEM. BMW REFUSES PAY FOR FENDER SKIRTS THEY TOLD ME I SHOULD HAVE. AFTER MONTHS OF DISCUSSION WITH THEIR REPRESENTATIVE AT BMW U.S. HEADQUARTERS, BMW AGREED IN WRITING TO PAY ME $500 TO COVER MY INSURANCE DEDUCTIBLE AND THE APPROX. $176 TO COVER MY COST FOR THE FENDER SKIRTS. I ACCEPTED THAT WRITTEN OFFER EVEN THOUGH I KNEW THEY OWE MORE THAN THAT. NOW THEY REFUSE TO PAY ME ANYTHING CLAIMING I MUST GET THE DAMAGE REPAIRED BEFORE THEY PAY. WE NEVER HAD ANY DISCUSSION OR AGREEMENT LIKE THAT. *TR

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Aug 18, 20111,300 milesNC

2012 BMW X5. UPON ENGINE START UP WHEN COLD, THE ENGINE SURGES EXCESSIVELY. IF THE TRANSMISSION IS ENGAGED DURING THE SURGING (FLUCTUATING RPM) THE VEHICLE LURCHES FORWARD/REVERSE CAUSING A DANGEROUS SITUATION AND POTENTIAL ACCIDENT. *KB

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Aug 15, 20115,000 milesCA

I OWN A 2011 BMW X5 35I PREMIUM. I FIND IT INEXCUSABLE TO HAVE BRAKE DUST CONTINUALLY RUINING MY WHEELS, WHICH DEALER STATES THERE IS NO RESOLUTION. THIS CAR IS JERKY WHEN STARTING AND DRIVING AROUND TOWN. ALSO, CARS ENGINE ROARS LOUDLY UPON STARTING.....SOMETHING IS NOT RIGHT! VERY HARD RIDE, GIVES ME HEADACHES ON FREEWAYS NEEDING REPAIRS. I NEVER GET HEADACHES. BRAKE ASSIST COMES ON IN LEVEL AREAS OR CAR IS BEING HELD BACK FROM FULL ACCELERATION. MY EXHAUST SYSTEM IS COMPLETELY RUSTED, CAR IS ONLY 6 MO OLD. WARNING: BLACK DASH CAUSES DRIVERS FACE TO BURN IN HOT TEMPS. IN SUMMER. ON TRIP I HAD TO COVER MY DASH WITH WHITE PAPER TOWELS TO ALLEVIATE MY FACE BURNING WHILE DRIVING. LEATHER SEEMS INFERIOR AND INDENTS EASILY AND STAYS INDENTED. CAR DOES NOT GIVE OPTION ON HEATED SEATS OF USING BACK OR SEAT HEAT. ALSO DOES NOT HAVE COOLED SEATS. WHEN REQUESTING UPGRADE OF NAVIGATION FROM DEALER, THEY WANTED TO CHARGE ME $200. EVEN THO. I SHOULD HAVE A FREE UPGRADE, SINCE THE CAR CAME WITH 2010 VERSION! REAR TAILGATE DOESN'T ALWAYS OPEN WITH KEY FAUB. CARPET ROUND VELCROW FROM FLOOR CAME LOSE AND TORE LEATHER ON MY CONSOLE! WITH A BRAND NEW CAR, I DID NOT EXPECT SO MANY PROBLEMS! I AM LOOKING FOR A CAR WITHOUT PROBLEMS AND EXPECTED MY BMW TO BE JUST THAT. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED. I ALL READY HAD TO REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD. FIND USING CRUISE CONTROL BEHIND STEERING WHEEL VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE IT IS TOO LOW AND IF YOU LOOK DOWN AT YOUR KNEES TO PUT IT ON, YOU CAN'T SEE WHERE YOU ARE DRI

Service Brakes, HydraulicCrash
Filed Jul 28, 20118,783 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH ON A SLIGHT INCLINE, HE ATTEMPTED TO PARK. WHILE ENGAGING THE BRAKES, THE PEDAL DEPRESSED TO THE FLOOR AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. SUDDENLY, THE VEHICLE JUMPED A CURB AND CAME TO A STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO TWO DIFFERENT AUTHORIZED DEALERS FOR DIAGNOSIS, WHERE BOTH WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE OR DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. ALSO, AN ENGINEER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND PROVIDED NO RESOLUTIONS. THE VEHICLE HAD REMAINED AT THE DEALER FOR SIX WEEKS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,783.

Visibility
Filed May 19, 2011469 milesTX

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP. IN ADDITION, THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW WAS MAKING A LOUD NOISE BUT THE CONTACT WAS UNSURE OF THE DIAGNOSIS AND THE REPAIR. ALSO, WHEN FIRST STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE ENGINE WOULD ROAR ABNORMALLY LOUD. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THERE WAS NO AIR EMITTING FROM THE AIR CONDITIONER WHEN ACTIVATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 500 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 469. UPDATED 11/08/11*LJ UPDATED 11/14/11

Unknown or Other
Filed Oct 19, 2010VA

CAN I GET LISTING OF ANY OPEN RECALL CAMPAIGN ON 2011 BMW X5 35D MANUFACTURED ON SEPTEMBER 26, 2010. THANKS *TR

Interior Lighting
Filed Aug 13, 2010500 milesCA

THE OVERHEAD READING LIGHTS (4) IN MY BMW X5 DO NOT HAVE PROTECTIVE COVERS ON THEM AND THEY BECOME EXTREMELY HOT WHEN TURNED ON. MY 3 YEAR OLD SON TOUCHED THE LIGHT IN THE BACKSEAT RESULTING IN A BURN AND BLISTER ON HIS FINGER. I AM TOLD BY BMW THAT THIS IS THE DESIGN OF THESE LIGHTS AND THERE IS NO "FIX" TO PREVENT BURNS WHEN THIS EXPOSED LIGHT IS TOUCHED. *TR

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 →