2011 BMW X5 Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 8about this part
- Share
- 3%of 263 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 54,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 8 complaints about the brakes of the 2011 BMW X5, 3% of the 263 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 54,500 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
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.
“While driving my engine suddenly shut off along with power steering and power brakes. It started again and I took it to a Bmw dealer that said I needed a $325 software update. I asked if that meant my engine would shut off while driving should by software ever go out of date. They said yes, it happens but not on all software updates. They also said software update come out about every 3 to 4 months meaning my engine could be shut off again at any time. I felt I had no choice but to pay the money so my car would run again. …”
NHTSA complaint #10524158, filed 2013-07, 59,000 miles“Driving the X5 on dash display appeared the warning for parking brakes malfunction. 9the vehicle was in motion on city street). From that time the parking brake is not working anymore, the dash message stays on and I have the error on display. This is a manufacturing problem for the electric parking brakes, many people experienced the same problem. This is safety problem for nor=t be able to safe park/stop the car on sloped roads/parkings.”
NHTSA complaint #11382835, filed 2020-12, 80,000 miles“Transfer case actuators plastic gear(s) might be worn out due to bad quality of the material used. On some of the BMW X5 models there was a problem with the differentials and a recall was issued to fix those. But some how some cars with particular VINs went missing in that. Codes thrown by my system are : 005219, 005F3A, 006EC4 Code 005F3A signifies that the Transfer case actuator is not engaging properly. This problem put me at risk when taking a U-turn as the gears did not engage properly and my car did not accelerate on time. …”
NHTSA complaint #11555719, filed 2023-11“2011 Bmw X5 35i xdrive - my drive shaft broke (violent banging noise from the front of the car) while I was going 65 miles per hour on the freeway causing me to swerve to the left lane back over to the right lane. Super lucky that I barely missed hitting the cars next to me! I had hardly any control of the vehicle and the engine was still running while I coasted over to the side of the road / ditch. I lost almost 7 quarts of oil on the side of the road. My engine has a hole in it from the drive shaft. I did not receive a recall notice in the mail. …”
NHTSA complaint #10965742, filed 2017-03“The contact owns a 2011 Bmw X5. The contact stated that the parking brake failed. The contact was unable to perform a manual reset of the parking brake. The contact stated that parking brake malfunction ' do not drive ' go to the nearest dealer messages were displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer were made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 90,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11331749, filed 2020-06, 90,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10146823Sep 1, 2016"PARKING BRAKE DOES NOT WORK. Parking brake (EMF) sporadically or permanently fails to engage. Check Control Message (CCM) ""Parking brake failed"" is displayed.
- 10147008Aug 1, 2016"REPAIRING TRANSFER CASE ACTUATOR (VTG SERVO-MOTOR). The Anti-lock Brakes (ABS), Brakes and Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) warnings are on and there may also be a ""Drivetrain…
- 10151262Apr 1, 2016Squeaking Brakes on the Front Axle for the E70 and E71. A squeaking noise can be heard from the front axle during braking. Front axle brake system
- 10059089Aug 1, 2015Bmw - brake booster vacuum might reduce if temperature gets below 14 degrees
Brakes: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 7% |
| 2025 | 30 | 48% |
| 2024 | 90 | 62% |
| 2023 | 3 | 9% |
| 2022 | 6 | 8% |
| 2021 | 6 | 5% |
| 2020 | 6 | 5% |
| 2019 | 13 | 7% |
| 2018 | 3 | 4% |
| 2017 | 8 | 11% |
| 2016 | 2 | 3% |
| 2015 | 3 | 2% |
| 2014 | 4 | 4% |
| 2013 | 7 | 5% |
| 2012 | 4 | 1% |
| 2011 | 8 | 3% |
| 2010 | 3 | 2% |
| 2009 | 10 | 7% |
| 2008 | 16 | 7% |
| 2007 | 13 | 18% |
| 2006 | 29 | 17% |
| 2005 | 15 | 18% |
| 2004 | 2 | 3% |
| 2003 | 3 | 3% |
| 2002 | 6 | 6% |
| 2001 | 11 | 7% |
| 2000 | 3 | 10% |
Other parts of the 2011 BMW X5
110 complaintsAir bags
67 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
58 complaintsFuel system
43 complaintsOther or unknown
20 complaintsElectrical system
19 complaintsSteering
18 complaintsEngine cooling
10 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 30, 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