2011 BMW X5 Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 67about this part
- Share
- 25%of 263 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 72,500miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 67 complaints about the air bags of the 2011 BMW X5, 25% of the 263 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 72,500 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers. 5 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Takata recall.......no remedy yet, I have been waiting now close to 2 years. After speaking with 3 different dealers in my area, I'm told they have no idea when either recall will be fixed because the manufacturer has no parts.....gas smell in vehicle when driving , fuel pump recall, however, no timetable for fixing.”
NHTSA complaint #10966405, filed 2017-03, 79,000 miles“I am hearing a buzzing sound from the center of my steering wheel when I park my X5 and the sound seems to continue after I shut down the engine. My X5 has an airbag recall outstanding for almost a full year, but my dealer has offered neither replacement nor any explanation for the delay. The buzzing sound is new, and is intermittent in nature. My family is afraid to be in the car.”
NHTSA complaint #10939676, filed 2017-01, 72,000 miles“I was driving on the freeway and alll of a sudden I received an audible and visual warning stating that the passenger restraint system malfunctioned. At the time, there were no passengers in the vehicle. This seems to be an occurring issue with Bmw vehicles. I've had the same problem on two other vehicles.”
NHTSA complaint #11013652, filed 2017-08, 73,000 miles“One week after I purchaseed Bmw X5, the airbag light switched on my dashboard while I was driving on highway and igot a massage saying fault in passenger restraint system affecting airbag, belt tensioner or belt force limiter. Continue to wear seat belt. Please contact the nearest Bmw center. As my car has been affected by the recall, a Bmw dealer will fix the airbag problem free of charge. My Bmw doesn't have to have an existing warranty to be covered by a recall. …”
NHTSA complaint #11302404, filed 2020-01, 90,000 miles“Takata recall. We have a terrible track record with the two local dealers, as they do not do work that they say they do. They also make it very difficult to get cars into service and back again. I do not want to deal with them again. They have zero respect for the law, the car shows the audi auto accelerate problem when coming off the freeway and I parking lots. The car was delivered in a state where it could not be driven on the street legally, and they had the gall to demand that we sign a waiver which we did to do. They had to fix the legal issues the car had.”
NHTSA complaint #11190371, filed 2019-03, 2 milesRelated recalls
- 20V016000Jan 15, 2020DO NOT DRIVEBMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2009-2012 X5 xDrive35d, 2008-2012 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6 M, 2007-2012 X5 30si, X5 xDrive30i…Covers: BMW X5 2007–2012, X6 2008–2012, X6 Activehybrid SAC 2010–2011
- 19V017000Jan 14, 2019DO NOT DRIVEBMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2007-2013 X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5 M vehicles, 2008-2014 X6…Covers: BMW X5 2007–2013, X6 2008–2014
- 18V030000Jan 9, 2018DO NOT DRIVEBMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2007-2013 X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i, X5 M, 2009-2010 X5 xDrive35d vehicles…Covers: BMW X5 2007–2013, X6 2009–2013
- 16V364000May 25, 2016DO NOT DRIVEBMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5M vehicles, 2009-2011…Covers: BMW X5 2007–2011, X6 2008–2011, X6 Activehybrid SAC 2010–2011
- 20V017000Jan 15, 2020BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 128i and 135i Convertibles, 128i, 135i, and M Coupes, 2007-2010 X3 30si and X3 xDrive30i…Covers: BMW X5 2007–2013, 328I 2006–2013, 335I 2006–2013 +16 more
Related service bulletins
- 10218382Jun 1, 2022A check control message for the restraint system appears. In the Instrument cluster, the red air bag warning light lights up permanently. One of the following fault codes stored…
- 10200481May 1, 2021SURFACE RUST ON NEW AIR BAG INFLATORS: The technician finds that the new air bag inflator (aka: gas generator) may have surface rust on the metalhousing .
- 10160287Apr 1, 2019TAKATA AIR BAG RECALL-RELATED SHORT-TERM ALTERNATE TRANSPORTATION AND CONSEQUENTIAL REPAIRS This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI B01 31 18 dated October 2018.
- 10160244Apr 1, 2019TAKATA AIR BAG RECALL-RELATED SHORT-TERM ALTERNATE TRANSPORTATION AND CONSEQUENTIAL REPAIRS This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI B01 31 18 dated October 2018.
- 10153726Jan 1, 2019Takata class action settlement. Customer support program. Front driver side airbag modules.
- 10149558Oct 1, 2018For the above-referenced vehicles with passenger?s side airbag modules, BMW of North America, LLC (?BMW NA?) will provide a Customer Support Program as outlined in the Takata…
- 10149557Oct 1, 2018For the above-referenced vehicles with driver?s side airbag modules, BMW of North America, LLC (?BMW NA?) will provide a Customer Support Program as outlined in the Takata…
- 10154816Feb 1, 2018In an effort to improve the completion rate on Takata air bag recall affected vehicles; BMW NA has expanded the BMW Ultimate Rewards platform to include a new Recall Support…
- 10057707Feb 1, 2015Bmw:some bmw models may or may not display airbag warning light.
Air bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2 | 3% |
| 2024 | 3 | 2% |
| 2023 | 1 | 3% |
| 2022 | 1 | 1% |
| 2021 | 7 | 6% |
| 2020 | 6 | 5% |
| 2019 | 12 | 6% |
| 2018 | 4 | 5% |
| 2017 | 5 | 7% |
| 2016 | 5 | 7% |
| 2015 | 14 | 9% |
| 2014 | 6 | 6% |
| 2013 | 47 | 32% |
| 2012 | 83 | 31% |
| 2011 | 67 | 25% |
| 2010 | 35 | 28% |
| 2009 | 41 | 30% |
| 2008 | 65 | 30% |
| 2007 | 39 | 55% |
| 2006 | 83 | 49% |
| 2005 | 16 | 20% |
| 2004 | 6 | 9% |
| 2003 | 15 | 15% |
| 2002 | 19 | 19% |
| 2001 | 16 | 10% |
| 2000 | 1 | 3% |
Other parts of the 2011 BMW X5
110 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
58 complaintsFuel system
43 complaintsOther or unknown
20 complaintsElectrical system
19 complaintsSteering
18 complaintsEngine cooling
10 complaintsBrakes
8 complaintsVehicle speed control
7 complaintsExterior lighting
6 complaintsSeat belts
5 complaintsBody and structure
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2011 BMW X5
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