Is the 2011 BMW X5 reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2011 BMW X5 is rated "significantly worse".

What are the most common problems with the 2011 BMW X5?

The most-reported component is engine, accounting for 42% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2011 BMW X5 have?

14 recalls on file for this model year.

2011 BMW X5

■ Significantly worse — known issue year

2011 BMW X5
BUILT 2026-10-10

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints: 263
Recalls: 14
Investigations: 1
Top problem: Engine

Complaints per year

2011: 263 complaints

View as data table

Year	Complaints
1999	0
2000	29
2001	160
2002	102
2003	99
2004	64
2005	82
2006	168
2007	71
2008	215
2009	138
2010	124
2011	263
2012	271
2013	149
2014	99
2015	152
2016	74
2017	75
2018	72
2019	189
2020	112
2021	107
2022	68
2023	33
2024	145
2025	62
2026	25

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Engine

42% · 110 reports

FIREINJURY

Show complaint excerpts

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 BMW X5. The contact heard an abnormal noise and noticed smoke coming through the vents inside the vehicle. The contact also smelled a strong burning odor.

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-09-18

Passport BMW told us that there was a recall on the engine of our X5 and asked if we had to add oil periodically; our answer was yes.

NHTSA ODI report, 2023-09-22

Air bags

27% · 70 reports

Most commonly citing occupant classification and front passenger.

CRASHFIREINJURY

Power train

22% · 58 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and transfer case (4-wheel drive).

CRASHFIREINJURY

Fuel/propulsion system

14% · 36 reports

CRASHFIRE

Electrical system

7% · 19 reports

FIRE

Show complaint excerpts

Tl* the contact owned a 2011 BMW X5. After parking the vehicle overnight, the contact discovered flames and smoke inside the cabin of the vehicle the following morning. The fire department was called to the scene and extinguished the flames.

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-05-29

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 BMW X5. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the tpm error light illuminated as the vehicle surged. In addition, smoke was seen coming from under the hood area.

NHTSA ODI report, 2013-07-18

Also filed under Tires

Safety timeline

14 recalls · 1 investigation · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

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2010-10-08Equipment10V233000 BMW is recalling certain model year 2011 X5 SAV and X6 SAV passenger vehicles manufactured from April 1 through May 8, 2010. The tire label does not conform to the requirements of federal motor…

Remedy: BMW will notify owners and provide correct labels free of charge. The owner will have the option to affix the label themselves or they may take their vehicle to a BMW dealer who will affix the…

Check if this car was fixed →
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2011Complaint volume 263 complaints filed for this model year.
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2011-12-19Engine and engine cooling11V521000 BMW is recalling certain model year 2011 5-Series, model year 2010-2011 5-Series Gran Turismo, model year 2009-2011 7-Series, model year 2010-2011 X5 SAV, and model year 2008-2011 X6 SAV vehicles…

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the auxiliary water pump free of charge. The safety recall began on December 19, 2011. Owners may contact BMW customer relations and services at…

Check if this car was fixed →
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2016-07-08Power train16V311000 BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2011 X5 xDrive 35i, xDrive50i, X5 M, X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i, and X6 M vehicles manufactured April 5, 2010, to November 20, 2010, 2011 X5 xDrive35d diesel vehicles manufactured April...

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front driveshaft, free of charge. The recall began on July 8, 2016. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Check if this car was fixed →
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2017-02-08Fuel system, gasoline16V746000 BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 BMW X5 3.0si, X5 4.8i, X5 M, X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive48i and X5 xDrive50i, 2008-2011 X6 x Drive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6 M, 2010-2011 X6 ActiveHybrid, 535i xDrive...

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. The recall began February 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Check if this car was fixed →
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2017-04-18Power train17V138000 BMW of North America, LLC, (BMW) is recalling certain 2011-2013 X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive50i, X5 M and X5 xDrive35d vehicles, 2011-2014 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6M vehicles, and 2011 x6 ActiveHybrid Vehicles.

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front driveshaft, free of charge. The recall began on April 18, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Check if this car was fixed →
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2017-07-28Air bags16V364000 BMW 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 X5 xDrive35d vehicles, 2008-2011 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6 M vehicles, and 2010-2011...

Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until they have been repaired. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator or air bag module, free of charge. The recall began July 28, 2017.

Check if this car was fixed →
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2018-03-09Air bags18V030000 BMW 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 and 2009-2013 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i, and X6 M vehicles ever registered in the states of...

Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy is performed. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger front air bag module, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin March 2018.

Check if this car was fixed →
I
2018-04-18Recall queryClosed 2018-12-01 Idler Pulley Bolt Failure
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2018-06-15Engine and engine cooling18V248000 BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2011-2012 BMW 550i, 550i xDrive, 550i Gran Turismo, 550i Gran Turismo xDrive, 750i, 750Li, 750i xDrive, 750Li xDrive, 760Li, X5 xDrive50i, X5 M, X6 xDrive50i, X6 M, ActiveHybrid7, MINI Cooper S...

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the electric auxiliary water pump, free of charge. Depending on the model, there are currently limited parts available, however not all parts are available at this time.

Check if this car was fixed →
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2018-06-18Engine and engine cooling17V683000 BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2011 128i and 2007-2011 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 525i, 525xi, 528i, 528xi, 530i, 530xi, X3 3.0si, X3 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive30i, Z4 3.0i, Z4 3.0si and Z4 sDrive30i vehicles.

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the PCV valve heater, free of charge. Interim letters were mailed on November 27, 2017. Owners will receive a second notification by the end of October 2018.

Check if this car was fixed →
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2019-03-11Engine and engine cooling18V336000 BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2009-2013 X5 xDrive 35d diesel vehicles. The engine idler pulley bolt may loosen over time and break.

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the idler pulley bolt with an improved part, free of charge. The recall began March 11, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Check if this car was fixed →
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2019-03-14Air bags19V017000 BMW 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 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6 M vehicles, 2009-2013 X5 xDrive35d vehicles and 2010-2011 X6...

Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy is performed. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall began March 14, 2019.

Check if this car was fixed →
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2020-03-11Air bags20V016000 BMW 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, X5 xDrive35i, X5 48i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5 M and 2010-2011 X6 ActiveHybrid...

Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until this remedy is performed. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger front air bag, free of charge. The recall began March 11, 2020.

Check if this car was fixed →
R

2020-03-11Air bags20V017000 BMW 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, 2013-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i and X1 xDrive35i, 2007-2013 328i, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335is,...

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver air bag. On X5 and X6 vehicles, only the inflator will be replaced. All repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began March 11, 2020.

Check if this car was fixed →
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2024-06-19Engine and engine cooling23V707000 BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2010-2012 1 Series Coupe, 1 Series Convertible, 3 Series Sedan, 3 Series Convertible, 2010-2011 3 Series Sportswagon, 3 Series Coupe, 5 Series Sedan, X3 xDrive 28i, X3 xDrive 30i, X5 xDrive30i,...

Remedy: Dealers will replace the four VANOS bolts, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk are expected to be mailed December 18, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed June 19, 2024.

Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2011 BMW X5 — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

Engine: 110 reports on file for this year.
Air bags: 70 reports on file for this year.
Power train: 58 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

Recall 10V233000 · Equipment
Recall 11V521000 · Engine and engine cooling
Recall 16V311000 · Power train
Recall 16V746000 · Fuel system, gasoline
Recall 17V138000 · Power train
Recall 16V364000 · Air bags
Recall 18V030000 · Air bags
Recall 18V248000 · Engine and engine cooling
Recall 17V683000 · Engine and engine cooling
Recall 18V336000 · Engine and engine cooling
Recall 19V017000 · Air bags
Recall 20V016000 · Air bags
Recall 20V017000 · Air bags
Recall 23V707000 · Engine and engine cooling

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2011 BMW X5 reliable?: Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2011 BMW X5 is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 2011 BMW X5?: The most-reported component is engine, accounting for 42% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2011 BMW X5 have?: 14 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.