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Transmission and drivetrainPart report

2011 BMW X5 SAV Transmission and drivetrain Problems

Complaints
7about this part
Share
29%of 24 total for the year
Median mileage
79,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2011 BMW X5 SAV, 29% of the 24 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 79,000 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.

“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

“I previously filed a complaint with you, but inadvertently said my car was mfg in march 2011, but it was actually mfg in march 2010. Bmw previously recalled vehicles mfg from april 4 to nov 30 2010. Due to continuing complaints, Bmw recalled the entire model year, but only added the new recall to the previous recall, so it goes from april 2010 to 2013. Mine was one of the first mfg in 2010 and has the same issue but was not recalled. Can you please extend the recall back one month to get the first cars produced that year? …”

NHTSA complaint #10983527, filed 2017-05, 90,000 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

“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 signature independent kirkland. Bmw of bellevue replaced air mass filter and oil filler cap. A few weeks later the issue happening again during regular driving on the freeway. Bmw of bellevue diagnosed this as a vacuum hose leak. …”

NHTSA complaint #11080383, filed 2018-03, 74,500 miles

“At 84,500 miles, during front driveshaft recall service, the vehicle was diagnosed with a failed transfer case. Symptoms include vibration during acceleration, and turning.”

NHTSA complaint #10888691, filed 2016-07, 84,500 miles

Transmission and drivetrain: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
201318%
2012943%
2011729%
2010211%
2008210%
2007712%

Other parts of the 2011 BMW X5 SAV

Engine
10 complaints
Fuel system
7 complaints
Air bags
3 complaints
Other or unknown
3 complaints
Electrical system
2 complaints
Electronic stability control
2 complaints
Vehicle speed control
2 complaints
Engine cooling
1 complaints
Seats
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 31, 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