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Bmw

2011 Bmw X5 DIESEL SAV

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Avoid This Year

Quick Summary

The 2011 Bmw X5 DIESEL SAV has 59 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.0x the segment average of 59. The most common issue is engine problems (31% of all complaints), specifically: tl* the contact owns a 2011 bmw x5 diesel. the contact stated that while driving approximately 55 mph, the engine malfunction reduced power warning message displayed intermittently as the vehicle stalled. in addition, the vehicle was over-consuming exhaust fluid. the vehicle was taken to a dealer w. There are 2 recalls issued for this model year.

1 crash report 2 injuries

59

Total Complaints

2

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

1.0x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

ENGINE

18 complaints
31%
  • • TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW X5 DIESEL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE ENGINE MALFUNCTION REDUCED POWER WARNING MESSAGE DISPLAYED INTERMITTENTLY AS THE VEHICLE STALLED. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WAS OVER-CONSUMING EXHAUST FLUID. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER W
  • • THIS CAR HAS BEEN TAKEN IN 3 TIMES NOW FOR THE SAME ISSUES. ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND SMELL OF EXHAUST IN CABIN. THIS SMELL STARTED AT AROUND 30,000 MILES, BUT AT THAT TIME IT WAS MINOR, AND WOULD GO AWAY QUICKLY. EXHAUST FILTER CLEANED AT COST OF $400. NEXT DAY THE ENGINE LIGHT AND EXHAUST SMELL
  • • I HAVE A 2011 BMW X5 335D WITH A LITTLE OVER 73K MILES. JUST RECENTLY MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND AFTER A TRIP TO THE SHOP THE TECHS SAID IT WAS DUE TO A FAULTY DEF (DIESEL EXHAUST FLUID) SENSOR. UNFORTUNATELY THIS PART IS ~$930 AND IS ON A NATIONAL BACK ORDER. I ASKED IF THE PART IS A MANUFAC
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW X5 DIESEL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE ENGINE MALFUNCTION REDUCED POWER WARNING MESSAGE DISPLAYED INTERMITTENTLY AS THE VEHICLE STALLED. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WAS OVER-CONSUMING EXHAUST FLUID. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER W”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2011 Bmw X5 DIESEL SAV

Based on 49 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 90K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 60-100K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage
0-30K
5
30-60K
4
60-100K
20
100-150K
17
150-200K
3
200K+
0

ENGINE

In line with typicalmedian 95K mi · 17 reports
0-30K
0
30-60K
0
60-100K
10
100-150K
6
150-200K
1
200K+
0

OTHER

In line with typicalmedian 72K mi · 5 reports
0-30K
0
30-60K
1
60-100K
3
100-150K
1
150-200K
0
200K+
0

FUEL SYSTEM

Later than typicalmedian 146K mi · 7 reports
0-30K
0
30-60K
0
60-100K
1
100-150K
4
150-200K
2
200K+
0

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (2)

POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT17/05/2016

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 7, 2010, to November 20, 2010, and 2011 X6 Active Hybrid vehicles manufactured April 15, 2010, to November 17, 2010. The affected vehicles have a front driveshaft universal joint that may not seal out water and debris from getting in and damaging the joint, which could lead to its failure.

Risk: If the front universal joint fails, the front wheels would not be driven, affecting vehicle traction. Additionally, continued driving of the vehicle with a broken front universal joint may damage other components. Either condition may increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: 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.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2011 Bmw X5 DIESEL SAV

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.
Full coverage / year
$1,821
Full coverage / month
$152
Liability only / year
$710
vs US avg
+9%
How this estimate is calculated
US base full-coverage premium$1674
× state (US)1.00x
× vehicle class (sedan-luxury)1.28x
× theft risk1.00x
× safety rating1.00x
× vehicle age0.85x
= Full coverage estimate$1821

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Bmw X5 DIESEL SAV Service Intervals

Oil change
10K mi / 12 mo
Tire rotation
10K mi
Brake fluid
24 months
Transmission fluid
60K mi
Engine coolant
100K mi
Spark plugs
60K mi
Cabin air filter
15K mi
Engine air filter
30K mi
Differential (AWD/4WD)
60K mi

Condition-Based Service (CBS) tells you exactly when service is due. Transmission fluid was labeled 'lifetime' but many owners service at 60K-100K.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Bmw New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)
4 yr / 50K mi
Powertrain
4 yr / 50K mi
Hybrid/EV battery
8 yr / 100K mi
Corrosion (rust perforation)
12 yr / unlimited mi
Roadside assistance
4 yr / unlimited mi

Corrosion is unlimited miles for 12 years

These are the terms for a new Bmw. If you're buying a used 2011 X5 DIESEL SAV, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Bmw dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

ENGINE(~50K mi)
$500
AIR BAGS(~50K mi)
$500
FUEL SYSTEM(~50K mi)
$500
TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)
$500
OTHER(~50K mi)
$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 59 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

  • ☐
    ENGINE: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW X5 DIESEL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE ENGINE MALFUNCTION REDUCED POWER WARNING MESSAGE DISPLAYED INTERMITTENTLY AS THE VEHICLE STALLED. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WAS OVER-CONSUMING EXHAUST FLUID. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER W

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ☐
    AIR BAGS: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW X5 DIESEL SAV. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS) AND 16V364000 (AIR BAGS). THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. T

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ☐
    FUEL SYSTEM: I HAVE A 2011 BMW X5 335D WITH A LITTLE OVER 73K MILES. JUST RECENTLY MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND AFTER A TRIP TO THE SHOP THE TECHS SAID IT WAS DUE TO A FAULTY DEF (DIESEL EXHAUST FLUID) SENSOR. UNFORTUNATELY THIS PART IS ~$930 AND IS ON A NATIONAL BACK ORDER. I ASKED IF THE PART IS A MANUFAC

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ☐
    TRANSMISSION: AIRBAG RECALL OVER 18MONTHS-BMW SAYS "CAN'T GET PARTS". "MAY SHOOT SHARDS IF DEPLOYED. DRIVESHAFT RECALL -BMW SAYS CAN'T GET PARTS. "IF FAILS, FRONT WHEELS DON'T WORK. CRACK IN EGR COOLER. DEADLY EXHAUST IN PASSENGER CABIN-REPAIRED 5/8/17. RECALL ALTERNATOR BOLT -REPLACED AND REPLACEMENT BROKE! CA

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ☐
    RECALLS: Verify all 2 recalls have been completed — free at any Bmw dealer
  • ☐
    General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)

Bmw X5 DIESEL SAV — Year Comparison

How does 2011 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.

2011
59Avoid This Year
Full years-to-avoid analysis →

NHTSA Safety Rating

No NHTSA safety rating available

At a Glance

Complaints
59
Recalls
2
Fire reports
0
Crash reports
1
Injury reports
2
Segment avg
59

Check a Specific VIN

See recalls for YOUR 2011 Bmw X5 DIESEL SAV

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