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EnginePart report

2011 BMW X5 SAV Engine Problems

Complaints
10about this part
Share
42%of 24 total for the year
Median mileage
82,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 10 complaints about the engine of the 2011 BMW X5 SAV, 42% of the 24 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 82,000 miles.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“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 was traveling on a main city road and my car went into reduced power mode.”

NHTSA complaint #11083702, filed 2018-04, 125,000 miles

“On saturday may 6th 2017. I was driving when I heard this noise to my untrained ear it seemed as if the noise was coming from my front tires? I pulled over got out to check my front tires/wheel's and there was nothing, I get back into my vehicle and start driving again after a few minutes the same noise could be heard again so once again I pulled over got out and checked my tires/wheels and undercarriage. …”

NHTSA complaint #10985577, filed 2017-05, 84,444 miles

“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.”

NHTSA complaint #11144153, filed 2018-10, 82,000 miles

“My vehicles purchased last year from Bmw local dealer {jackie cooper imports] is equipped with 8- or 12-cylinder, turbocharged engines .the circuit board for the electric auxiliary water pump overheated. This lead to a smoldering of the pump and an engine compartment . Bmw was supposed to notify owners, replace the auxiliary water pump, thermostat, and coolant reservoir free of charge. The two safety recalls related to this problem apparently did not include my vehicle. Ref NHTSA compaign recall #11v521000 and NHTSA compaign recall # 12v161000. …”

NHTSA complaint #10716078, filed 2015-05, 79,000 miles

“This complaint specifically addresses the recall listed below. Even though this recall was issued in april, no resolution has been available. The very thing the recall was trying to prevent, happened to me and my family. Report receipt date: apr 10, 2014 NHTSA campaign number: 14v176000 I was stranded friday, 09/19/14, along with my wife and dog by my new to me x5. Yes, it was the vanos recall bolts that failed. The car only made it a few hundred yards after the cel and engine malfunction lights came on. The car shook, sputtered, and died and would not restart. …”

NHTSA complaint #10638026, filed 2014-09, 47,100 miles

Related service bulletins

Engine: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2013431%
2012629%
20111042%
2010842%
2009316%
2008420%
2007610%

Other parts of the 2011 BMW X5 SAV

Fuel system
7 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
7 complaintsAir bags
3 complaintsOther or unknown
3 complaintsElectrical system
2 complaintsElectronic stability control
2 complaintsVehicle speed control
2 complaintsEngine cooling
1 complaintsSeats
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2011 BMW X5 SAV

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology