2011 BMW X5 Reliability
The 2011 BMW X5 has 332 owner complaints and 17 recall campaigns on file with NHTSA, most often about engine and air bags. Compared with other X5 model years, it rates as a year to avoid: its complaint rate runs well above the X5's typical year.
By CarWhere Research · Updated 2026-11-04 · Source: NHTSA
332
NHTSA owner complaints
17
Recall campaigns
6
Complaints citing a crash
15
Complaints citing a fire
2011 BMW X5 complaints by component
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2011 model year, filed between 2010 and 2026. A complaint can name more than one component.
| Component | Complaints | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 138 | 42% |
| Air bags | 80 | 24% |
| Powertrain / transmission | 70 | 21% |
| Fuel / propulsion system | 52 | 16% |
| Unknown or other | 28 | 8% |
| Electrical system | 23 | 7% |
| Steering | 21 | 6% |
| Engine & cooling | 11 | 3% |
2011 BMW X5 recalls
17 recall campaigns on NHTSA record for the 2011 model year, by the date NHTSA received the manufacturer's report. Recall repairs are free at a dealer.
| NHTSA campaign | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10V233000 | Jun 2, 2010 | Equipment — other / labels | 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 vehicle safety standard no. 110, "tire selection and rims." the… |
| 11V521000 | Oct 20, 2011 | Engine & cooling — engine / other fuel types / turbo/supercharger | 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 equipped with 8- or 12-cylinder, turbocharged, engines because… |
| 12V550000 | Nov 27, 2012 | Steering — hydraulic power assist system | BMW is recalling certain model year 2009-2012 X5 xDrive 35d SAV diesel vehicles manufactured September 1, 2008, through November 15, 2012. The engine belt idler pulley bolt could loosen and break over time. |
| 14V176000 | Apr 10, 2014 | Engine & cooling — engine | BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 128i Coupe, 128i Convertible, 328i Sedan, 328i xDrive Sedan, 328i Coupe, 328i Convertible, 328i Sports Wagon and Z4 sDrive 30i, 2011-2012 135i Coupe, 135i Convertible, 335i Sedan, X5… |
| 16V071000 | Feb 5, 2016 | Air bags — frontal / driver side / inflator module | BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2008-2013 128i and 135i coupes and convertibles and 1 Series M coupes, 2006-2011 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive Sedans, 2009-2011 335d sedans,… |
| 16V311000 | May 17, 2016 | Powertrain / transmission — driveline / driveshaft | 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,… |
| 16V364000 | May 25, 2016 | Air bags — frontal / passenger side / inflator module | 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 X6…NHTSA park-it advisory: do not drive until repaired. |
| 16V746000 | Oct 17, 2016 | Fuel system — delivery / fuel pump | 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 Gran… |
| 17V138000 | Mar 2, 2017 | Powertrain / transmission — driveline / driveshaft | 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. Water and debris may enter the front… |
| 17V683000 | Oct 30, 2017 | Engine & cooling — exhaust system / emission control / crankcase (pcv) | 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. The heater for the positive… |
| 18V030000 | Jan 9, 2018 | Air bags — frontal / passenger side / inflator module | 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 Alabama,…NHTSA park-it advisory: do not drive until repaired. |
| 18V248000 | Apr 18, 2018 | Engine & cooling — engine / gasoline / turbo/supercharger | 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 Convertible,… |
| 18V336000 | May 23, 2018 | Engine & cooling — engine | 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. |
| 19V017000 | Jan 15, 2019 | Air bags — frontal / passenger side / inflator module | 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 ActiveHybrid…NHTSA park-it advisory: do not drive until repaired. |
| 20V017000 | Jan 15, 2020 | 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… |
| 20V016000 | Jan 16, 2020 | 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…NHTSA park-it advisory: do not drive until repaired. |
| 23V707000 | Oct 20, 2023 | 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… |
How the 2011 compares with nearby X5 years
Verdicts come from CarWhere's year-by-year X5 analysis where it covers the year, otherwise from the years shown here.
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Most-reported area | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 161 | 12 | Air bags | Caution |
| 2010 | 149 | 14 | Engine | Caution |
| 2011 (this page) | 332 | 17 | Engine | Avoid |
| 2012 | 295 | 14 | Engine | Avoid |
| 2013 | 162 | 6 | Air bags | Caution |
Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA and are not adjusted for how many of each year were sold, so they compare years of the same model rather than different models.
What to check on a used 2011 BMW X5
- Engine: cold-start it yourself, listen for ticking or knocking, check for oil leaks and oil consumption, and ask for oil-change records.
- Air bags: make sure the air bag warning light goes out after start-up and that any air bag recall was completed on this VIN.
- Transmission: test-drive from cold through every gear, feel for slipping, harsh or delayed shifts and shudder, and ask whether the fluid has been serviced.
- Fuel system: smell for fuel around the car, watch for hesitation or stalling, and check for a lit check-engine light.
- Recalls: confirm each of the 17 campaigns above was completed on this VIN; open recalls are repaired free at a dealer.
- History: run the VIN for salvage, theft and odometer records, and have an independent mechanic inspect the car before you pay.
Check this exact car
Any 2011 BMW X5 can be better or worse than its model year. The CarWhere Used Car Report checks one VIN for salvage records, salvage-auction records (with damage photos when the auction published them), stolen-vehicle records, the odometer trail and its listing and price history since 2015. Free preview first; the full report is $12.99, one time.
2011 BMW X5 reliability FAQ
Is the 2011 BMW X5 reliable?
The 2011 BMW X5 has 332 owner complaints and 17 recall campaigns on file with NHTSA, most often about engine and air bags. Compared with other X5 model years, it rates as a year to avoid: its complaint rate runs well above the X5's typical year.
What are the most common 2011 BMW X5 problems?
The most-reported problem areas in NHTSA owner complaints for the 2011 BMW X5 are engine (138), air bags (80), powertrain / transmission (70), fuel / propulsion system (52). One complaint can name more than one component.
Does the 2011 BMW X5 have recalls?
NHTSA lists 17 recall campaigns for the 2011 BMW X5, including 10V233000 (equipment — other / labels) and 11V521000 (engine & cooling — engine / other fuel types / turbo/supercharger). Recall repairs are free at a dealer, and whether one was done is tracked by VIN.
How does the 2011 BMW X5 compare with the 2010 and 2012 models?
By NHTSA records, the 2010 has 149 complaints and 14 recalls (caution); the 2012 has 295 complaints and 14 recalls (avoid). The 2011 has 332 complaints and 17 recalls.
How do I check a specific used 2011 BMW X5?
Run its VIN. The CarWhere Used Car Report checks one VIN for salvage records, salvage-auction records (with damage photos when the auction published them), stolen-vehicle records, the odometer trail and its listing and price history since 2015, with a free preview first and the full report at $12.99, one time. Pair it with an independent pre-purchase inspection.
More BMW X5 research
Other BMW X5 model years:
Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation owner complaints (all body-style listings for the 2011 X5, de-duplicated by complaint number) and NHTSA recall campaigns, retrieved 2026-11-04.