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BMW X5 Diesel SAVModel year report

2011 BMW X5 Diesel SAV Problems

Complaints
44filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
89,500miles, 35 complaints with mileage
Recalls
2campaigns on record
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2011 BMW X5 Diesel SAV (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error

NHTSA recorded 44 consumer complaints for the 2011 BMW X5 Diesel SAV. The part named most often is engine, with 18 complaints (41% of the total), followed by air bags (10) and fuel system (9). 35 of the complaints include a mileage, and 14% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 89,500 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 2 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 19 technical service bulletins for this model year. Engine complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part.

Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Suspension (1), Tires (1).

Example complaints

Engine: “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 busy expressway. After she pullled over and called me, I drove to the place where she parked the car and used a code reader to found some error code 47c4 , but after restarted car, car seemed ok. …”

NHTSA complaint #11219793, filed 2019-06, 76,400 miles

Air bags: “Takata airbag recall after receiving notification in the mail regarding the takata airbag recall for our 2011 Bmw x5 diesel, we have repeatedly and unsuccessfully tried to schedule a repair for our vehicle at our local service center (Bmw of seattle). We were informed we were not a priority and might never get the problem fixed due to our priority level.”

NHTSA complaint #11019798, filed 2017-08, 70,000 miles

Fuel system: “I have a 2011 Bmw x5 335d with a little over 73k miles. Just recently my check engine light came on and after a trip to the shop the techs said it was due to a faulty def (diesel exhaust fluid) sensor. Unfortunately this part is ~$930 and is on a national back order. I asked if the part is a manufacture recall, but it's not. I'm mind boggled because I had the EGR replaced twice under manufacture recall free of charge, but this def sensor isn't. How can this be?.?.? …”

NHTSA complaint #10736179, filed 2015-07, 73,000 miles

Other or unknown: “Airbag recall over 18months-Bmw says can't get parts . May shoot shards if deployed. Driveshaft recall -Bmw says can't get parts. If fails, front wheels don't work. Crack in EGR cooler. Deadly exhaust in passenger cabin-repaired 5/8/17. Recall alternator bolt -replaced and replacement broke! Car lost all power and steering in traffic on mountain road at night.”

NHTSA complaint #10984353, filed 2017-05, 50,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

14% of the 35 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 70,000 and 110,000 miles.

3%0–109%10–253%25–5017%50–7531%75–10031%100–1506%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (35 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 89,500 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

2011201220132014201520162017132018132019
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2011 BMW X5 Diesel SAV → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 19 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 19 bulletins →

Other model years of the BMW X5 Diesel SAV

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20114489,5002——Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years)Stable

All BMW X5 Diesel SAV model years

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2011 BMW X5 Diesel SAV have?

NHTSA recorded 44 consumer complaints for the 2011 BMW X5 Diesel SAV as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2011 BMW X5 Diesel SAV is reported most often?

Engine is named most often, in 18 complaints (41% of the total), followed by air bags with 10.

Has the 2011 BMW X5 Diesel SAV been recalled?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

At what mileage are problems with the 2011 BMW X5 Diesel SAV reported?

Among the 35 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 89,500 miles and the middle half falls between 70,000 and 110,000 miles; 14% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.