YearToAvoid

2011 BMW X5 Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Avoid

Complaint Index

80/100

#4 most-complained of 16 X5 years

The 2011 BMW X5 ranks 4th worst out of 16 model years, with a Complaint Index of 80, 287 complaints, 17 recalls, and 4 do-not-drive airbag/engine recalls. NHTSA data mark it as an Avoid year relative to other X5 model years.

Complaints
287
Recalls
17
incl. Do Not Drive
Crashes / fires
5 / 15
Injuries / deaths
4 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
17.5
15 city / 21.5 hwy

Top 2011 BMW X5 problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Engine130 (45%)
  2. Airbags70 (24%)
  3. Transmission & Powertrain65 (23%)
  4. Fuel System50 (17%)
  5. Electrical System25 (9%)
  6. Other24 (8%)
  7. Steering18 (6%)
  8. Brakes12 (4%)
  9. Suspension, Wheels & Tires8 (3%)
  10. Structure & Body6 (2%)

What owners report

  • Owners report engine overheating with coolant leaks and smoke coming from the engine compartment, sometimes accompanied by fire.
  • Some describe the brake pedal sinking to the floor while the vehicle continued to accelerate at low speed, leading to a curb strike.
  • Drivers of the xDrive35d diesel reported sudden loss of power steering, in one case resulting in a low-speed crash and injury.
  • Fuel system failures include a fuel pump fire while parked in a garage and a diesel fuel heater failure that caused overheating and smoke under the hood.
  • Electrical issues include smoke and flames coming from a door speaker area shortly after starting the vehicle.
  • Owners report the front airbag failing to deploy properly or not fully inflating during a crash.
2011 BMW X5 complaints: complaints filed per quarter382010 Q32013 Q12015 Q22017 Q12018 Q42020 Q32022 Q32025 Q1
416 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2010 Q3 to 2026 Q2; peak 2017 Q1 (38).

2011 BMW X5 recalls

17 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 23V707000Oct 20, 2023Engine157,796 vehicles

    Engine and engine cooling:engine

    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, and Z4 sDrive30i vehicles. The aluminum bolts that secure the housing for the variable camshaft timing adjustment (VANOS) unit can loosen over time and possibly break.

    Risk: Loose or broken VANOS unit bolts can result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

    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. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

  2. NHTSA 20V017000Jan 15, 2020Airbags59,965 vehicles

    Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module

    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, 335i xDrive and M3 Coupes, 2006-2011 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive and M3, 2009-2011 335D, 2006-2012 325xi, 328i, 328xi and 328i xDrive, 2010-2011 X6 ActiveHybrid, 2007-2013 328i, 335i, 335is, M3 Coupes, X5 30si, X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 48i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5 M, 2009-2013 X5 xDrive35d and 2008-2014 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6M vehicles equipped with non-desiccated driver frontal air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) that were used as interim remedy parts for previous Takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.

    Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

    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. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

  3. NHTSA 20V016000Jan 15, 2020Airbags4,007 vehiclesDo Not Drive

    Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module

    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 vehicles equipped with non-desiccated, passenger frontal air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSPI-2) propellant that were used as interim remedy parts for previous Takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.

    Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

    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. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

See all 17 recalls for the 2011 BMW X5 →

2011 BMW X5 fuel economy and fuel cost

City
15 MPG
Highway
21.5 MPG
Combined
17.5 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$4,650
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Premium
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2011 compared with other X5 years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2010Good3314319 !17
2011Avoid8028717 !17.5
2012Avoid8729214 !17.5
2013Caution601627 !17.5

All BMW X5 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2011 BMW X5 reliable?
NHTSA data show the 2011 X5 has a Complaint Index of 80, the 4th worst of 16 model years covered, with 287 owner complaints logged.
What are the biggest problems with the 2011 BMW X5?
Engine issues make up 45% of complaints (130 complaints, median mileage 72,000), followed by airbags at 24% and transmission/powertrain at 23%.
Does the 2011 BMW X5 have any do-not-drive recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 4 do-not-drive recalls for the 2011 X5, including two separate airbag inflator recalls (campaigns 19V017000 and 20V016000).
How does the 2011 X5 compare to other model years?
With a Complaint Index of 80, the 2011 X5 ranks worse than most other years; 2016, 2017, and 2018 are rated Best with indexes of 0, 13, and 7 respectively.
How many recalls does the 2011 BMW X5 have?
NHTSA lists 17 recalls for the 2011 BMW X5, 4 of which are do-not-drive recalls covering airbags and engine components.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.