RecallRepo

2011 BMW X5 Sav Recalls

Recalls on record Updated July 2026

The 2011 BMW X5 Sav has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 1,025,937 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 38 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the engine. Last updated July 5, 2026.

Recall campaigns

AIR BAGS 16V071000 2016-02-05 840,000 affected
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,…

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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 14V176000 2014-04-10 156,137 affected
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…

Consequence

If the bolts loosen or break the engine may have reduced power or stall. An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy

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…

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 12V550000 2012-11-27 29,800 affected
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.

Consequence

If the engine belt idler pulley bolt breaks, the vehicle may unexpectedly lose power-assisted steering, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

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.

Complaints by component

ENGINE
10
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
7
POWER TRAIN
7
AIR BAGS
3
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
3
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
2
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
1
SEATS
1
Total complaints38

What owners report

Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.

“Engine clicks when accelerating or deceleration”

ENGINE · reported 2018-10-30

“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…”

ENGINE · reported 2018-03-28

“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.”

ENGINE · reported 2018-02-28

“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…”

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) · reported 2017-12-16

“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…”

ENGINE · reported 2017-12-16

“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…”

POWER TRAIN · reported 2017-12-16

“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…”

UNKNOWN OR OTHER · reported 2017-10-26

“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…”

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM · reported 2017-09-18

Defect investigations

Investigation EA21002 Opened 2021-09-17 · open

Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant…

Investigation EA21002 Opened 2021-09-17 · open

Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant…

Investigation RQ18001 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…

Investigation RQ18001 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…

Investigation RQ18001 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…

Sources & methodology

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 Sav as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.