10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 1 / 1
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 1 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 67,356 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
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. The on coming traffic came very close and I somehow avoided a T-bone Collison. My cars dashboard produces warning signs occasionally when the actuator does not engage. This is a big problem as the 4x4 system stops working and puts the car in RWD mode. In winters this could be dangerous to people driving as it happens without the driver's attention. I have attached reports from NHTSA for the same issue on other BMW models where a recall was issued. I request NHTSA to issue a recall on 2011 BMW X5 xdrive 35i as the same issue persists.
- Chandler, AZ, USA
As I was slowing down to make a turn, the vehicle went into neutral and shut off. I immediately turned it back on and put it in drive and the same thing occurred moments later. I start it again and drove away enough to safely park. I let the car rest in the off position for 30 minutes and it drove fine. There were no warning lights and the vehicle is well maintained with scheduled services. I contacted the nearest reputable mechanic and explained the situation. I drove it there. They found no faulty codes when they plugged in the computer and the battery has no issues. The vehicle drives fine now, but this is very concerning especially since this took place in local traffic.
- Uniondale, NY, USA
The SUVs drive belt has come loose and was ingested through the front crankshaft seal, causing engine issues such as oil starvation leading to engine damage and unknown check engine codes. The SUV has been confirmed to have belt fragments inside the engine. I have video documentation.
- North Las Vegas, NV, USA
Under normal driving conditions on city roads the universal joint literally shattered. There is no aftermarket upgrades and no unlicensed work done the vehicle. I had just got it back from the dealership and they checked over it and it checked out good. This is outlandish I don-??t understand why my vehicle is not within the recall.
- Colorado Springs , CO, USA
While driving home from work, the engine light came on and reduced speed on I95 interstate 95south in Chicago. I have spend over $18,000 on engine issue and high consumption of oil is also a major issue. There is a severe engine issue that may lead to an auto accident while driving. Once the engine reduce power it's very difficult to pull the truck over to safety. The whole X5 5.0I needs to be recalled.
- Chicago, IL, USA
Transfer case: Slipping and hesitation in motion/driving and acceleration. Also popping and slipping in front end near front wheels... looked up online troubleshooting and found problems with 2011 model design
- Tulsa, OK, USA
The contact owns a 2011 BMW X5. The contact stated while driving 35 mph, he heard a grinding noise coming from center of vehicle. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA campaign number: 17V138000 (power train) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 171,171.
- Douglasville, GA, USA
Vehicle is having issue with front driveshaft universal joints. Shaking, and loss of power while driving on highway, transmission malfunction light comes on. Vehicle is not stationary at any time this problem occurs. Took vehicle to nearest mechanic, who is ase certified and BMW. Said that vehicle needs front drive shaft. Explained that there is recall 17V-138 on my vehicle. Recommended contacting local BMW service for replacement. Technician states that driveshaft is failing at same area as recall explains. When contacting tom hesser BMW of scranton, pa, was told vehicle had service action performed in 2015 (prior to si B26 02 17) under previous owner at around 57,000 miles. Extended warranty covers 10 years or 120,000 miles. Vehicle has 137,000. Asked if vehicle could be covered under BMW customer goodwill. Was denied for not being a regular customer. Filed a formal complaint with BMW North America. Defective part was replaced with defective part which has only lasted 60,000 miles and now endangers more accidents as vehicle driveshaft could catastrophically fail at any point. Recall has not addressed issue of safety and reliability.
- South Abington Twp., PA, USA
Driveshaft feels like its failing ive read forums about airbags being a safety issue
- Modesto, CA, USA
Driveshaft failure
- Marietta, GA, USA
Vehicle shudders and hesitates when making a hard left of right turn from a full stop. (ie. Turning right on red or pulling out of a place of business onto an active highway.) I read about 30 other complaints about the same issue - all pointing a faulty "transfer case". my vehicle 2011 bwm X5 35I has 76,000 miles. I do see a power train recall for the 2011 X5's but mine (for some unknown reason is not included and it is a 2011 (recall 17V138000) my mechanic said it was the transfer case and will cost $3,000 to repair.
- Land O Lakes, FL, USA
The contact owns a 2011 BMW X5. While driving 40 mph, the contact heard an abnormal rumbling and banging noise. The emergency power down pull over message was displayed. There was oil emerging from the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to BMW of Wyoming valley (1470 highway 315, wilkes-barre, pa 18702, (570) 338-6955) where it was diagnosed that there was a transmission explosion. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The contact stated that the failure was similar to NHTSA campaign number: 17V138000 (power train). The failure mileage was approximately 120,000. The VIN was invalid.
- Scranton, PA, USA
Front wheels of the vehicle shudder badly when turning at slow rates of speed. Online research shows this to be a common issue with the transfer case needing to be replaced.
- Valencia, CA, USA
This vehicle has numerous complaints about the vanos system. As I was driving on the highway with full traffic, my engine failed at 70 mph causing to me almost get killed in traffic as I fought my way the the shoulder. The car would not start, I took the car to the dealer and it seems that the vanos bolt backed out of the camshaft and caused catastrophic damage to the engine. I went to my warranty and they would not cover the damage due to it being the bolt that backed out. As they do not cover bolts. Now I am paying for a car that I cant drive and is currently sitting at BMW of mt. Laurel in New Jersey with an 18K bill. This can happen to alot of people in these vehicles. That vanos unit is dangerous and should be recalled again with the correct bolts reinforced.
- Philadelphia, PA, USA
During hard acceleration of the car while getting on the free way ramp, the car went into limp mode. The engine performance was degraded and I had to pull on the side of the road to restart the car. The car was taken to BMW of bellevue next week after initial diagnosis of a dme internal fault by a signature independent kirkland. BMW of bellevue replaced air mass filter and oil filler cap. A few weeks later the issue happening again during regular driving on the freeway. BMW of bellevue diagnosed this as a vacuum hose leak. A few weeks later the car went into limp mode again while getting on the freeway, BMW of bellevue diagnosed this as a high pressure fuel sensor short, BMW of North America opened a puma case, but did not recommend replacing the dme yet. Right after picking up the car I hit the issue again where the car went into limp mode while accelerating on the freeway ramp. BMW of bellevue worked with BMW of na to replace the dme which is covered under warranty. Before handing the car back the service advisor did a test and was able to still reproduce the car going into limp mode getting on the freeway, diagnosis is still not known. It has been 3 months today since the issue first happened and the car has been out of use for more than a month and there is still no conclusion on the root cause.
- Redmond, WA, USA
The contact owns a 2011 BMW X5. While operating the vehicle, the temperature gauge indicated that the engine had overheated. Upon inspection, it was discovered that hot water had leaked from the engine area. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer (united BMW, 11458 alpharetta hwy, roswell ga) where it was diagnosed that the water pump and thermostat had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but while leaving the dealer, the vehicle began to violently shake and rattle. The vehicle was towed back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the drive shaft and transfer case failed. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was not notified of the failures. The failure mileage was 86,000.
- Canton, GA, USA
The contact owns a 2011 BMW X5. While driving 35 mph, the contact smelled a burning odor from the air conditioning vents, and the vehicle stalled and could not be restarted. There were no warning indicators illuminated before the failure. The vehicle was towed to the dealer (BMW of tulsa, 9702 S memorial dr, tulsa, ok 74133), but the cause of the failure could not be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the manufacturer was willing to pay half for a replacement engine. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified and confirmed with the contact that they would pay half of the cost for a replacement engine. The manufacturer opened a case. The failure mileage was 69,000.
- Tulsa, OK, USA
I notice when turning a vibration or shudder coming from the front of the vehicle. Doing some online research, including the NHTSA site, I find that this is a common problem for X5S. The apparent fix for this is to replace the transfer case, a several thousand dollar repair. I bought this for my wife but I would not have her drive it because between the transfer case and the driveshaft, both known issues, I am concerned for her safety. My vehicle only has 69,000 miles on it, there is no way it should have these kind of problems barring a very poor design.
- Spring, TX, USA
The contact owns a 2011 BMW X5. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA campaign numbers: 16V071000 (air bags) and 17vv138000 (power train); however, the parts to do the repair were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer (global imports BMW in atlanta, Georgia) was contacted and confirmed that the parts were not available for the recall remedy. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and was not able to confirm when the parts were to become available. The VIN was invalid. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
- Acworth, GA, USA
- Wheeling, WV, USA