Does the 2011 BMW X5 Diesel SAV have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2011 BMW X5 Diesel SAV, the most recent reported on May 17, 2016 (Power train: driveline, driveshaft). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What are the most common problems with the 2011 BMW X5 Diesel SAV?

Owners have filed 44 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is engine (18 complaints), followed by air bags (10).

How many 2011 BMW X5 Diesel SAV complaints mention a crash or fire?

1 of 44 complaints report a crash and 0 a fire; 2 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

2011 BMW X5 Diesel SAV recalls and problems

2 recalls and 44 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2011 BMW X5 Diesel SAV.

recalls

owner complaints

complaints mentioning a crash

mentioning a fire

Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.

2011 BMW X5 Diesel SAV recalls

Power train: driveline, driveshaft

NHTSA campaign 16V311000 · reported May 17, 2016 · BMW of North America, LLC · 21,493 vehicles potentially affected

The problem: 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.
The risk: If the front universal joint fails, the front wheels would not be driven, affecting vehicle traction. Additionally, continued driving of the vehicle with a broken front universal joint may damage other components. Either condition may increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front driveshaft, free of charge. The recall began on July 8, 2016. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Engine and engine cooling: engine, diesel

NHTSA campaign 11V332000 · reported June 23, 2011 · BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC · 923 vehicles potentially affected

The problem: 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.
The risk: If the belt tensioner fails, there could be a sudden loss of power steering assistance, if power steering assist is lost, manual steering capability is still retained and could increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the engine belt tensioner free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin during august 2011. Owners may contact bmw customer relations and services at 1-800-525-7417, or via email at [email protected].

Most reported problems

Areas named in owner complaints to NHTSA. One complaint can name several areas.

Engine18
Air bags10
Fuel/propulsion system9
Power train5
Unknown or other5
Steering3
Electrical system2
Structure2
Wheels2
Service brakes1

What owners report

Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.

Jun 13, 2019 · Engine · 76,400 miles
MY WIFE WAS DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY WITH SPEED LIMIT OF 50 MILES / PER HOUR. SUDDENLY THE CAR SHOWED "ENGINE MALFUCTION - POWER REDUCED" AND SHE COULDN'T KEEP THE SPEED AND CAR STARTING LOSING SPEED AND DROPPED TO 10 MILES / HOUR, SHE HAD TO PULL OFF THE ROAD TO AVOID THE DANGER OF BEING HIT BY OTHER CARS ON THE…

May 21, 2019 · Air bags · 107,300 miles
THE PASSENGER RESTRAINT LIGHT IS ON. DEALER REPORTS THERE IS A FAULT STORED FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT MAT. I UNDERSTAND THAT BMW HAS HAD RECALLS FOR THIS PROBLEM IN PREVIOUS MODEL YEARS.

Apr 3, 2019 · Engine · 89,500 miles
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TRIGGERED . TWO ISSUES: - THE DEALER DIAGNOSED A PROBLEM WITH THE SENSOR IN THE DIESEL-EXHAUST-FLUID PASSIVE TANK. THE SENSOR IS BUILT INTO THE TANK, SO THE ENTIRE TANK NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE IS NO LONGER UNDER THE ORIGINAL WARRANTY AND THERE IS NO WARRANTY EXTENSION ON THIS PART. - THE…

Apr 3, 2019 · Engine · 95,000 miles
THE ISSUE STARTED WITH EXHAUST FUME IN THE CABIN FOR 2-3 DAYS. FOLLOWED BY AIR LEAKING SOUND FROM THE ENGINE BAY ON LOW RPM. VEHICLE WENT IN AND OUT OF LIMP MODE (GETTING "ENGINE MALFUNCTIONED / REDUCED POWER" MESSAGE) WHILE DRIVING WHICH WAS VERY DANGEROUS ON HIGHWAY OR MERGING INTO TRAFFIC. DEALER FOUND OUT THAT THE…

Jan 22, 2019 · Fuel/propulsion system
LEAKING EGR COOLER. DEALER STATED THAT IF ISSUE IS NOT REPAIRED A POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD EXISTS. A RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR VIN SPECIFIC VEHICLES BUT OTHERS WITH THE SAME ISSUE ARE NOT COVERED BY THE RECALL.

X5 Diesel SAV model years compared

Year	Recalls	Complaints	Crashes	Fires
2011	2	44	1	0

All BMW X5 Diesel SAV years →

Questions

Does the 2011 BMW X5 Diesel SAV have any recalls?: Yes. NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2011 BMW X5 Diesel SAV, the most recent reported on May 17, 2016 (Power train: driveline, driveshaft). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2011 BMW X5 Diesel SAV?: Owners have filed 44 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is engine (18 complaints), followed by air bags (10).
How many 2011 BMW X5 Diesel SAV complaints mention a crash or fire?: 1 of 44 complaints report a crash and 0 a fire; 2 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received June 13, 2019.