2011 BMW X5 Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 19about this part
- Share
- 7%of 263 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 66,784miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 19 complaints about the electrical system of the 2011 BMW X5, 7% of the 263 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 66,784 miles. 4 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Fire occurred in the driver side door (top speaker) shortly after starting the engine and driving down the road. The vehicle had a strong odor and smoke was pouring out. I immediately pulled over and located the source of the smoke and saw a flame. I took a photo of the flame to document it. I shut off the radio and the flame and smoke dissipated.”
NHTSA complaint #11001801, filed 2017-06, 57,000 miles“My 2011 Bmw X5 3.0 sav was exhibiting rough starts on ignition and it stalled after a while and wouldn't start back up again. We had it towed to the dealership the first time and the vanos system was replaced( recall extended warranty). …”
NHTSA complaint #10954839, filed 2017-02, 120,000 miles“The following took place in june 2020. I still own the vehicle. I've garage kept my SUV, however recently I moved to city for work and been parking my X5 outside. It had been raining pretty hard in the last few days and I was driving w/ my 4-year-old in back when suddenly the dashboard warning lights and various messages on the entertainment screen started flashing. The warnings took me off guard and some of the messages that my engine may stall in the middle of traffic made me panic, especially with my kid in the back. I pulled over and started taking pictures messages. …”
NHTSA complaint #11398040, filed 2021-02, 95,000 miles“Upon starting my car at a friend's house, I heard a brief electrical buzzing noise that then stopped. It sounded like the radiator fan, but the fan wasn't moving. I drove my car approximately 15 miles home and parked it. About 2.5 hours later, from inside my home, I heard the sound of what seemed to be a small explosion. I looked outside and my car's engine compartment was engulfed in flames. It had parked, unused with the motor off for more than two hours on a cool day with temperatures in the 40s with no warning indicators lights or messages. …”
NHTSA complaint #11265230, filed 2019-09, 82,000 miles“Bmw X5 35i 2011 awd , I was on major deegan highway exiting at 230 st when the my Bmw X5 35i 2011 awd sudden stopped and my heart when too my feet . The panel read engine malfunction I was in a daze not knowing what happen to the Bmw X5 35i 2011 awd and why did it stop all of sudden !!! I started again at a very slow pace less than 10 MPH and trying to get out of the way of traffic on the exit on 230 street , I made it too the veterans affairs hospital at 8:30 or 9:00 am in the morning . …”
NHTSA complaint #10680093, filed 2015-01, 69,569 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11037510Sep 21, 2026While performing a 12-Volt battery jump start, disconnect, or replacement, Vehicle test, and/or Programmingprocedure- the BMW Footwell Module (FRM) may become unresponsive.
- 11032735May 6, 2026The Footwell Module (FRM) limited warranty for defects in materials and / or workmanship has been supplementarily increased to 15 years / 186,000 miles as determined from the…
- 11015849Mar 13, 2025The Footwell Module (FRM) limited warranty for defects in materials and / or workmanship has been supplementarily increased to 15 years / 186,000 miles as determined from the…
- 11014417Feb 20, 2025The Footwell Module (FRM) limited warranty for defects in materials and / or workmanship has been supplementarily increased to 15 years / 240,000 miles as determined from the…
- 10249437Jan 16, 2024The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.
- 10249027Jan 11, 2024The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few years. This has led to increased demands being placed on the battery…
- 10245422Nov 22, 2023Customers may state that the alarm system (DWA) is not active after locking their unoccupied vehicle. Depending on the vehicleâÂÂs equipment and settings, no acoustic or…
- 10225115Sep 1, 2022Customer is unable to power up or charge accessories through a plug adapter inserted in the front 12-volt power socket plug. Alternatively, it will only operate when constant…
- 10218384Jun 1, 2022Vehicle cannot be opened or closed using comfort access, engine start is not possible, and the vehicle may not start when placing the key against the steering column. Note…
- 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…
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 10 | 36% |
| 2025 | 8 | 13% |
| 2024 | 25 | 17% |
| 2023 | 8 | 24% |
| 2022 | 16 | 22% |
| 2021 | 38 | 35% |
| 2020 | 39 | 35% |
| 2019 | 72 | 37% |
| 2018 | 15 | 21% |
| 2017 | 17 | 23% |
| 2016 | 23 | 31% |
| 2015 | 13 | 9% |
| 2014 | 15 | 15% |
| 2013 | 21 | 14% |
| 2012 | 29 | 11% |
| 2011 | 19 | 7% |
| 2010 | 23 | 19% |
| 2009 | 16 | 12% |
| 2008 | 35 | 16% |
| 2007 | 9 | 13% |
| 2006 | 20 | 12% |
| 2005 | 15 | 18% |
| 2004 | 10 | 16% |
| 2003 | 17 | 17% |
| 2002 | 16 | 16% |
| 2001 | 24 | 15% |
| 2000 | 2 | 7% |
Other parts of the 2011 BMW X5
110 complaintsAir bags
67 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
58 complaintsFuel system
43 complaintsOther or unknown
20 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 27, 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