The 2011 BMW X5 Diesel Sav has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 22,416 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 59 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the engine. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
POWER TRAIN16V3110002016-05-1721,493 affected
Defect
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…
Consequence
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.
Remedy
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 COOLING11V3320002011-06-23923 affected
Defect
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…
Consequence
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.
Remedy
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 CUSTOMERRELATIONS@BMWUSA.COM.
Complaints by component
ENGINE
18
1injuries
AIR BAGS
10
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
9
POWER TRAIN
5
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
5
STEERING
3
1crashes1injuries
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2
STRUCTURE:BODY
2
WHEELS
2
SERVICE BRAKES
1
Total complaints59
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“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…”
“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…”
“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…”
“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.…”
“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.”
“Sunroof drain line twisting causes water to back-up into the passenger compartment and cause electrical faults as confirmed by former bmw franchisee mechanic and as noted widely throughout bwm owner forums. This known issue for model has no repair option other than cutting into a pillar to replace…”
“2018 dec 14 - diesel exhaust fumes in cabin. Mag bmw dealer found faulty intake manifold and oil turbo line.”
“While driving the vehicle on a local road at 40 mph in a straight line, there was a loud, very short lived noise in the engine and I immediately lost power steering. My serpentine belt failed and I limped home without power steering, battery charging, etc.... Upon inspection by my local mechanic…”
Defect investigations
InvestigationRQ18001 Opened 2018-04-18 · closed 2018-12-01
Idler Pulley Bolt Failure
In a May 23, 2018 letter, BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) notified the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) of a safety defect that may result in the loss of power steering assist in certain model year (MY) 2009 through 2013 BMW X5 xDrive35d vehicles (Recall 18V-336). The recall, which affects…
InvestigationRQ18001 Opened 2018-04-18 · closed 2018-12-01
Idler Pulley Bolt Failure
In a May 23, 2018 letter, BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) notified the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) of a safety defect that may result in the loss of power steering assist in certain model year (MY) 2009 through 2013 BMW X5 xDrive35d vehicles (Recall 18V-336). The recall, which affects…
InvestigationRQ18001 Opened 2018-04-18 · closed 2018-12-01
Idler Pulley Bolt Failure
In a May 23, 2018 letter, BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) notified the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) of a safety defect that may result in the loss of power steering assist in certain model year (MY) 2009 through 2013 BMW X5 xDrive35d vehicles (Recall 18V-336). The recall, which affects…
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2011 BMW X5 Diesel Sav as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.