NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2011 BMW X5. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW X5. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH AND ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE, "ENGINE MALFUNCTION REDUCE POWER" APPEARED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE VEHICLE LOST ACCELERATION. THE CONTACT DROVE INTO A PARKING LOT AND TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART AND WHITE SMOKE EMERGED FROM THE TAIL PIPES. THE VEHICLE FINALLY RESTARTED AND WAS DRIVEN HOME. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO BMW OF TEMPLE (6006 S GENERAL DRIVE, TEMPLE, TX 76502), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,900.
ME AND MY KIDS WERE DRIVING OUR 2011 BMW X5, WE WENT TO A FULL STOP ON THE FREEWAY, A SEMI WAS DRIVING TOO FAST BEHIND US, THE SEMI WAS ON ITS WAY TO CRUSHING ME AND MY THREE DAUGHTERS IN THE CAR. WE TRIED TO MOVE OUT OF ITS WAY AND CRASHED IN THE CAR INFRONT OF US AS THERE WAS NO PLACE TO GO. THE ONE SECOND DECISION WAS THE TOUGHEST DECISION I HAD TO TAKE IN MY LIFE, EITHER THE SEMI IS GOING TO KILL US ALL I I CAN CRASH IN THE CAR FRONT OF US TO AVOID DEATH, WE WERE RELYING ON THE AIRBAG TO SAVE OUR LIFE, THE AIRBAG DIDN'T DEPLOY, ACCIDENT OCCURRED ON JULY 17TH. THANKFULLY THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY OR WE WOULD'VE BEEN ALL DEAD FROM THE DEFECTIVE BMW AIRBAG, YESTERDAY (JULY 31ST) WE RECEIVED A LETTER FROM THE DMV THAT WE NEED TO CONTACT BMW TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE AIRBAG. WHAT IF THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED THAT DAY? HOW MUCH IS A HUMAN LIFE WORTH? WE PURCHASED A BMW TO PROTECT US DURING AN ACCIDENT AND WE FEEL CHEATED. WE WOULD'VE ALL LOST OUR LIVES. THE CAR HAS BEEN TOWED AND SITTING IN OUR DEIVEWAY. IT'S INOPERABLE AND THE AIRBAG HASN'T DEPLOYED. WE ARE SCARED TO EVEN GO INSIDE THE CAR TO GRAB OUR THINGS BECAUSE WE DON'T WANT THE AIRBAG TO DEPLOY. SOMEONE NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS. IMMEDIATELY. MY DAUGHTERS ARE SCARED TO RIDE INSIDE A CAR, AND I'M SCARED TO DRIVE AGAIN. THERE HAS BEEN 24 REPORTED DEATHS FROM TAKATA, WE COULD'VE BEEN NUMBER 29.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW X5. APPROXIMATELY TEN MINUTES AFTER THE CONTACT PARKED THE VEHICLE IN THE GARAGE, THE FIRE ALARM ACTIVATED. AFTER RETURNING TO THE GARAGE, THE CONTACT NOTICED FLAMES AND SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT USED A FIRE EXTINGUISHER TO EXTINGUISH THE FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO THE SCENE AND A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.
THE VEHICLE LOSES POWER AND SUDDENLY INCREASE IT WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE IT ALSO JERKS STEERING FEELS LOOSE LEAKING OIL FROM THE ENGINE. COMPUTER ON THE DASH READS TO ADD A QUART THIS IS HAPPENING EVERY OTHER DAY SINCE I GOT IT BACK FROM THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE IS BACK AT THE DEALERSHIP AND ADVISORS TELL ME THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE OIL ALL LIES. THEY DISMANTLED MY ENTIRE ENGINE THE VEHICLE NEVER DROVE THE SAME AGAIN PLUS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS FLICKERING. PLEASE HELP!!!!!!! VEHICLE SHUT DOWN ON ME WHILE I WAS IN THE HIGHWAY DRIVING SLOWING I PULLED OUT OF THE HIGHWAY INTO AND EXIT AND FROM THERE I HAD IT TOW TO BMW AFTER THEY SO CALLED FIXED IT AGAIN
I HAVE AN 2011 X5 DIESEL. I GOT ENGINE LIGHT ON BECAUSE OF PASSIVE TANK PROBLEM. I LOVE THE CAR BUT THIS CAR HAS SO MANY SES LIGHTS AFTER I GOT IT. I FIXED ACTIVE TANK OUT OF MY OWN POCKET BEFORE THEY HAD EXTEND WARRANTY FOR ACTIVE TANK. ITS LIGHTS ON AGAIN AND THIS TIME UNDER COVERED. BUT AFTER COUPLE OF MONTH THE PASSIVE TANK GOT PROBLEM. I CALLED BMW BUT THEY SAID IT'S NOT COVERED. IT'S $3000 AGAIN. I TALKED TO DEALER, DEALER SAID IT WILL NOT EFFECT MY DRIVE BECAUSE IT'S A BACK UP TANK (ONLY BE USED IF ACTIVE TANK BROKE) BUT IT WON'T PASS EMISSION TEST. I AM REALLY FRUSTRATED WITH THIS SES LIGHT ON AND I DID LOTS OF RESEARCH ABOUT PASSIVE TANK. LOTS OF PEOPLE HAD SAME PROBLEM AND SOME GOT COVERED BY BMW. I TRIED TO COMMUNICATE WITH BMW ABOUT THE SCR TANK. PASSIVE TANK IS THE SAME COMPONENT AS ACTIVE TANK AND IT'S BACK UP TANK. YOU ALREADY KNOW THESE TANKS HAVE PROBLEM WHY COVER ONLY ONE AND LET COSTUMER PAY THE OTHER ONE. AND WHY SOME COVERED SOME DON'T? THIS IS REALLY NOT FAIR AND I CAN'T PASS EMISSION TEST WITHOUT FIXING THIS ENGINE LIGHT ON. IT'S ALSO REALLY BOTHER'S ME (ENGINE LIGHT ON) WHEN I DRIVE MY CAR EVERY DAY WITH MY KIDS AND DON'T KNOW IT THERE IS ANY OTHER PROBLEM EXCEPT PASSIVE TANK. PLEASE HELP ME ON ANYWAY YOU CAN. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME!
MY WIFE WAS DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY WITH SPEED LIMIT OF 50 MILES / PER HOUR. SUDDENLY THE CAR SHOWED "ENGINE MALFUCTION - POWER REDUCED" AND SHE COULDN'T KEEP THE SPEED AND CAR STARTING LOSING SPEED AND DROPPED TO 10 MILES / HOUR, SHE HAD TO PULL OFF THE ROAD TO AVOID THE DANGER OF BEING HIT BY OTHER CARS ON THE BUSY EXPRESSWAY. AFTER SHE PULLLED OVER AND CALLED ME, I DROVE TO THE PLACE WHERE SHE PARKED THE CAR AND USED A CODE READER TO FOUND SOME ERROR CODE "47C4", BUT AFTER RESTARTED CAR, CAR SEEMED OK. I DROPPED THE CAR AT BMW MOUNTAIN VIEW DEALER AND THEY FOUND THE "LOW PRESSURE EGR" WAS BAD AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED WITH A COST OF $1800. WE FEEL THIS IS VERY DANGER TO HAPPEN TO ANY CAR BECAUSE SUCH AN FAILURE IT'S NOT SAFE TO US AND ALSO TO OTHER DRIVERS. THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED!
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER (BMW 6655 COLISEUM BLVD, ALEXANDRIA, LA 71303 (318) 445-6678) TO BE SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V017000 (AIR BAGS). AFTER THE RECALL REMEDY WAS PERFORMED, THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BACK TO THE CONTACTS RESIDENCE HOWEVER THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED ALONG WITH A NOTE FROM THE DEALER INDICATING THAT THE ENGINE WAS AT A 50% CAPACITY AND THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE RETURNED AT THE DEALER. THE CONTACT CALLED THE SAME DEALER WHEN IT WAS INFORMED THAT THE DRIVE SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED UNDER AN EXTENDED WARRANTY BUT AFTER CALLING ON A LATER TIME THE DEALER THEN INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COST OF REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THEY WOULD INVESTIGATE THE ISSUE HOWEVER THEN DECLINED TO COVER ANY REPAIR COSTS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,000.
THE VEHICLES OIL WAS CHANGE AT THE BMW MECHANIC. SHORTLY AFTER DRIVING AWAY, THE ENGINE STARTED TO MALFUNCTION. RETURNED VEHICLE AND THEY STATED THAT THE VANOS WERE DAMAGE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THIS WAS A PREVIOUS ISSUE FOR THE BMW VANOS SYSTEMS AND THERE DECISION WAS TO EXTEND THE WARRANTY ANOTHER 10 YEARS. I HAVE NOT RECEIVED SUCH LETTER STATING THIS AND THE BMW FACILITY WANTS TO CHARGE ME.
OIL WAS CHANGED AND SHORTLY AFTER THE ENGINE LOST POWER. THEN DISPLAYED AN ENGINE LIGHT. TOOK TO BMW AND STATED THE FAULT WAS FOR EXHAUST CAMSHAFT STUCK AND THIS ERROR WAS DUE TO THE TIMING/VANOS SYSTEM. THE CAMSHAFT SOLENOIDS HAD NO VISIBLE DAMAGE AND WHERE CLEANED. THEY STATED FURTHER RESEARCH NEEDED TO BE DONE WHICH WOULD BE OVER $1000+.
AFTER HAVING THE OIL CHANGED AND DRIVING FOR SEVERAL MILES, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. IT HAD A CODE WHICH WAS DIAGNOSED AS THE EXHAUST CAMSHAFT STUCK, THIS WAS AN ERROR DUE TO THE TIMING/VANOS SYSTEM. THERE WAS NO VISUAL DAMAGE TO THE CAMSHAFT SOLENOIDS BUT WERE CLEANED YET STILL HAVING ISSUES. ARE OTHER CONSUMERS HAVING THIS TYPE OF ISSUE?
AFTER RECEIVING AN OIL CHANGE, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON CODE 88624 WHICH CAUSED THE ENGINE TO LOOSE POWER. AFTER INSPECTION THE FAULT WAS FOR EXHAUST CAMSHAFT STUCK WHICH IS AN ERROR DUE TO THE TIMING/VANOS SYSTEM. NO VISIBLE DAMAGES WHERE FOUND TO THE CAMSHAFT SOLENOIDS THAT ARE ACCESSIBLE. PLEASE ADVISE IF THERE ARE ANY OTHER ISSUES WITH CONSUMERS FOR THESE PROBLEMS, THANK YOU!
AFTER HAVING THAT OIL CHANGE THE CHECK ENGINE WENT ON THE ENGINE POWER REDUCED TURNING THE WHOLE CAR OFF DURING DRIVING OVER 45 MILES. BMW FOUND ERROR CODE WHICH SHOWED EXHAUST CAMSHAFT STUCK, THIS IS AN ERROR DUE TO TIMING/VANES. AFTER CLEANING THE CAMSHAFT SOLENOID AND NO VISIBLE DAMAGE PRESENT THEY STATED FURTHER RESEARCH WOULD NEED TO BE CONDUCTED. COST WOULD BE OVER 1000.00. ARE OTHER CONSUMERS HAVING ISSUES WITH THE VANOS SYSTEM?
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TRIGGERED . TWO ISSUES: - THE DEALER DIAGNOSED A PROBLEM WITH THE SENSOR IN THE DIESEL-EXHAUST-FLUID PASSIVE TANK. THE SENSOR IS BUILT INTO THE TANK, SO THE ENTIRE TANK NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE IS NO LONGER UNDER THE ORIGINAL WARRANTY AND THERE IS NO WARRANTY EXTENSION ON THIS PART. - THE EGR COOLER, WHICH IS SPECIFIC TO DIESEL ENGINE POWERED BMWS HAS A CRACK. THIS COOLER IS NEEDED TO COOL THE TEMPERATURE OF THE AIR MOVING THROUGH THE EGR VALVE. THIS PART IS NOT CONSIDERED PART OF THE EMISSIONS SYSTEM, SO NOT COVERED. THERE IS NO WARRANTY EXTENSION EITHER ON THIS PART.
THE ISSUE STARTED WITH EXHAUST FUME IN THE CABIN FOR 2-3 DAYS. FOLLOWED BY AIR LEAKING SOUND FROM THE ENGINE BAY ON LOW RPM. VEHICLE WENT IN AND OUT OF LIMP MODE (GETTING "ENGINE MALFUNCTIONED / REDUCED POWER" MESSAGE) WHILE DRIVING WHICH WAS VERY DANGEROUS ON HIGHWAY OR MERGING INTO TRAFFIC. DEALER FOUND OUT THAT THE EGR COOLER WAS CRACKED.
BURNING SMELL INSIDE CAR CABIN. IMMEDIATE LOSS OF POWER DURING ACCELERATION. ENGINE STOPS ABRUPTLY COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND RESTART. TODAY IS THE SECOND TIME, THE FIRST TIME HAPPENED TWO WEEKS AGO
LEAKING EGR COOLER. DEALER STATED THAT IF ISSUE IS NOT REPAIRED A POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD EXISTS. A RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR VIN SPECIFIC VEHICLES BUT OTHERS WITH THE SAME ISSUE ARE NOT COVERED BY THE RECALL.
SUNROOF DRAIN LINE TWISTING CAUSES WATER TO BACK-UP INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT AND CAUSE ELECTRICAL FAULTS AS CONFIRMED BY FORMER BMW FRANCHISEE MECHANIC AND AS NOTED WIDELY THROUGHOUT BWM OWNER FORUMS. THIS KNOWN ISSUE FOR MODEL HAS NO REPAIR OPTION OTHER THAN CUTTING INTO A PILLAR TO REPLACE DEFECTIVE (SELF KINKING) LINE. VEHICLE STATIONARY IN THE RAIN AT TIME OF HARMFUL WATER INTRUSION. FAULT CODES OCCURRED AT IGNITION. FLOORBOARDS FILLED WITH WATER. MILDEW OCCURRED IN CARPETS. EXTENSION TO WARRANTY WARRANTED (LIKE DEFECTIVE NOX SENSORS).
2018 DEC 14 - DIESEL EXHAUST FUMES IN CABIN. MAG BMW DEALER FOUND FAULTY INTAKE MANIFOLD AND OIL TURBO LINE.
I AM HAVING AN EXHAUST LEAK INTO MY CABIN. I ALREADY REPLACED THE EGR COOLER AND IT WENT AWAY, BUT NOW THE SMELL IS BACK.
THE VEHICLE ENGINE WAS INTERNALLY KNOCKING WHICH ONE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME TO KEEP DRIVING IT AND BRING IT BACK AT MY APPOINTMENT A WEEK LATER AND ANOTHER DEALERSHIP AVIDSED ME NOT TO DRIVE THE CAR AS THEY WERE HAVING A GLOBAL ISSUE WITH THESE ENGINES AND THE ENGINE COULD SEIZE UP... IF I WERE ON THE HIGHWAY OR ROADWAY AND THE ENGINE SEIZED UP IT COULD HAVE CAUSED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT.
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON A LOCAL ROAD AT 40 MPH IN A STRAIGHT LINE, THERE WAS A LOUD, VERY SHORT LIVED NOISE IN THE ENGINE AND I IMMEDIATELY LOST POWER STEERING. MY SERPENTINE BELT FAILED AND I LIMPED HOME WITHOUT POWER STEERING, BATTERY CHARGING, ETC.... UPON INSPECTION BY MY LOCAL MECHANIC (NOT A BMW SERVICE CENTER), THE REASON FOR THE SERPENTINE BELT SYSTEM FAILING WAS THE ALTERNATOR IDLER PULLEY BOLT HAD FAILED IN THE BLOCK. HE HAD TO TAKE OUT THE CONDENSER, RADIATOR, ETC. IN ORDER TO DRILL THE BOLT OUT. THE BOLT SHEARED INSIDE THE ENGINE BLOCK AND HAD TO BE DRILLED OUT. THIS IS THE BOLT FOR WHICH THERE WAS A PAST RECALL AND MY MECHANIC HAS BEEN HAVING DIFFICULTY GETTING A REPLACEMENT BOLT FROM BMW FOR 2 DAYS NOW. I HAD NOT RECEIVED ANY NOTICE FROM BMW ABOUT THIS POTENTIALLY SERIOUS DEFECT AND HOW THE PAST RECALL HAD NOT EFFECTIVELY CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. I DISCOVERED THE PROBLEM YESTERDAY WHEN I WAS SEARCHING BMW FORA TO SEE WHY BMW WAS ASKING MY MECHANIC FOR DETAILS ABOUT THE BOLT WHEN HE WAS TRYING TO ORDER A REPLACEMENT AND STILL HAS NOT OFFERED TO SHIP THE BOLT TO MY MECHANIC.
I WAS TOLD I HAVE ISSUES WITH THE NOX SENSOR AND SCR CATALYST. I HAVE ALSO BEEN PREOVUSLY TOLD THAT THE ENTIRE DIESEL EMISSIONS SYSTEM WAS FAULTY AND IT WOULD COST ME $6000 TO REPAIR. BECAUSE I HAVE 155K MILES ON THE CAR NOTHING FALLS UNDER WARRANTY. BMW IS ALSO UNSURE THAT THE OXYGEN SENSOR IS REALLY THE PROBLEM SO IT WILL COST ME $1000 TO REPLACE THAT AND HOPE IT WORKS. THE ISSUE NOW IS MY CAR IS GIVING ME A MESSAGE "INCORRECT DIESEL FLUID" EVEN THOUGH THERE IS CORRECT FLUID IN (SINCE THE DEALER IS THE ONLY ONE WHO HAS EVER PUT ANY IN THERE) AND IS AT THE FULL LEVEL. THE SENSOR IS NOW SAYING I ONLY HAVE 60 MILES TO DRIVE IT BEFORE IT WON'T START AGAIN. WHAT I AM MOST DISTURBED ABOUT IS THAT THERE IS INFORMATION THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS EXACT ISSUE BUT BECAUSE I CAN'T FIND A RECALL NUMBER THEY WILL NOT HONOR IT AND WILL NOT FIX MY CAR. HTTP://WWW.AUTONEWS.COM/ARTICLE/20120504/RETAIL05/120509927/BMW-WILL-RECALL-DIESEL-MODELS-TO-FIX-EMISSIONS-GLITCH I HAVE BEEN WITH BMW FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS AND MY FAMILY HAS PURCHASED QUITE A FEW. AS A RESULT OF THIS, I HAVE NOW HAD TO PURCHASE ANOTHER CAR (A NISSAN) AND HAD TO TAKE AN UBER TO THE LOT TO PICK IT UP SINCE MY CAR MAY NOT EVEN MAKE IT TO THE LOT AND BACK.
'TAKATA RECALL' WHEN THE HEAT OR AC IS ON AIR FROM VENT START TO BURN MY EYES. WHENEVER I'M IN MY VEHICLE I LEAVE OUT FEELING SLEEPY. CABIN FILTER HAS BEEN CHANGED AS WELL AS OTHERS PROBLEM CONTINUES. ALSO THE LEATHER ON THE DASH BOARD IS PULLING AWAY FROM THE VENT. PLASTIC WOOD TRIM CRACKS OVER TIME LEAVING THE VEHICLE LOOKING CHEAPLY BUILT
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW X5. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V336000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) AND STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER (CENTURY BMW, 2934 LAURENCE ROAD, GREENVILLE, SC 29607) CONFIRMED THAT PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIRS. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE BELT IDLER PULLEY BOLT FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER (CENTURY BMW, 2934 LAURENCE ROAD, GREENVILLE, SC 29607) AND WAS AWAITING REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW X5. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE ENGINE SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO COAST TO AN OFF RAMP AND A PARKING LOT. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO THE ENGINE SHUTTING OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO BMW OF DARIEN (140 LEDGE RD, DARIEN, CT 06820, (203) 656-1804) FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW X5. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V336000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED BMW SEATTLE AT (206) 829-5004 (LOCATED AT 1002 AIRPORT WAY S, SEATTLE, WA 98134) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
DTC P20EE: FAULT FOR FUEL FILTER HEATER (REPLACE HEATER). SIMILAR RECALL TO 2009 DIESEL X5 FAULTY FUEL FILTER HEATER, WHICH COULD REMAIN ON AFTER ENGINE WAS SHUT OFF LEADING TO A POTENTIAL FIRE.
DTC P21A8: FAULT FOR LEVEL SENSORS IN PASSIVE SCR TANK (REPLACE PASSIVE TANK AND EVALUATOR). SIMILAR TO PREVIOUS RECALL FAULT FOR THE ACTIVE SCR TANK.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE PAST 40 MPH AND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL GAUGES SUDDENLY STOPPED OPERATING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DISCOVERED THAT WATER DRAINED INTO THE REAR HATCH AREA AND DAMAGED SEVERAL ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS, INCLUDING THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE. THE BATTERY AND OTHER ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS WERE SUBMERGED IN WATER. THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE DRAINAGE TUBE HAD BECOME DAMAGED, CAUSING THE WATER TO DRAIN INTO THE HATCH AREA. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECENTLY OCCURRED TO THE PASSENGER SIDE DRAINAGE TUBE. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER (BMW OF RAMSEY, 985 NJ-17, RAMSEY, NJ 07446) WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000.
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.
HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP FAILURE ON N55 ENGINE. 10/10 MANUFACTURE DATE USED THE EXACT HPFP AS THE ONE THAT BMW EXTENDED THE WARRANTY ON THE N54 ENGINE. WHEN YOU PULL OUT IN FRONT OF TRAFFIC THE ENGINE GOES INTO LIMP MODE AND NO ACCELERATION CAUSING A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. ALSO IT CAN JUST DIE LEAVING YOU STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE.
IDLER PULLEY BOLT BROKE FOR SECOND TIME IN 5 MONTHS. IN FEBRUARY, FIRST OCCURRENCE, CAR WAS STATIONARY. CAR WAS REPAIRED UNDER RECALL BY LOCAL MECHANIC. SECOND OCCURRENCE ON JUNE 29, CAR WAS IN MOTION ENTERING A TRAFFIC ROTARY. BOLT AUDIBLY SNAPPED JUST PRIOR TO ENTERING ROTARY. ALL POWER STEERING WAS LOST. CAR WAS SAFELY NAVIGATED THROUGH ROTARY AND 1/4 MILE DOWN ROAD TO A SAFE PARKING SPOT. CAR REPAIRED AT DEALER WITH KNOWLEDGE THE REPLACEMENT BOLT WAS THE SAME FAULTY BOLT. NEW RECALL CURRENTLY UNDER DEVELOPMENT, BUT NO FIX AVAILABLE. THE BOLT THAT BROKE IN FEBRUARY 2018 WAS THE REPLACEMENT BOLT INSTALLED DURING THE ORIGINAL RECALL IN 2012. IT WAS REPLACED BEFORE IT FAILED. NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 12V550000 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 18V336000
WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY, THE ENGINE OVERHEATED, LOSS OF POWER, STOP DRIVING MESSAGE APPEARED ON DASHBOARD. CAR TOWED TO DEALERSHIP, DIAGNOSED ISSUE DUE TO WATER PUMP FAILURE.
1. "IDLER PULLEY BOLT FAILED" - WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, THE PULLEY BOLT FAILED. WHEN THIS HAPPENED, I LOST POWER TO THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE MESSAGE "CHARGING MALFUNCTION" APPEARED. I OPENED THE HOOD AND PULLED OUT THE BROKEN BELTS. THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE GARAGE AND IT COST ME ROUGHLY $900 TO FIX + THE TOWING FEE. 2. CAR HAD RATTLE SOUNDS. I HAD TO HAVE THE "STABILIZER BAR/CONTROL ARM/SHOCK N STRUT ASSEMBLY" REPLACED AT 75,141 MILES.......
TAKATA RECALL: RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION. ERROR MESSAGE SAYS FAULT IN PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM AFFECTING THE THE AIRBAG, BELT TENSIONER OR BELT FORCE LIMITER. HAPPENED A FEW DAYS AFTER THE RECALL ON AIRBAGS AND DRIVE SHAFT WAS PERFORMED AT THE DEALERSHIP. THEY ONLY REPLACED THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAGS EVEN THIUGHNIT WAS ADVISED THAT PASSAENGER MIGHT BE AFFECTED. I WAS TOLD THAT FOR THIS PARTICULAR VIN PASSENGER SIDE WAS NOT AFFECTED. IF NOT THEN WHY AM I NOT GETTING THIS ERROR MESSAGE?? I FEEL HIGHLY UNSAFE TRAVELING IN THE VEHICLE WITH MY CHILDREN AS PASSENGER IN THE CAR NOW. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT THAT REPAIRS DO NOT FALL UNDER THE RECALL PURVIEW AND THEREFORE WILL REQUIRE A DIAGNOSTIC FEE TO FIGURE OUT WHAT ACTUALLY MAY BE THE ISSUE AND THEN I WILL HAVE TO PAY THE CAUSE TO FURTHER RECTIFY WHAT EVER MAY THE CAUSE. I HAVE NEVER BEEN IN A CRASH OR ACCIDENT IN THIS CAR THAT AFFECT ANY THING OF THIS SORT WITH CAR SO THIS IS HIGHLY DOSAPPOJNTING!!!
AUXILIARY WATER PUMP FAILED WHICH CAUSED ENGINE OVERHEATING. WHEN I CALLED BMW US AND MY LOCAL BMW DEALER - BMW OF ALEXANDRIA, VA I WAS DENIED FOR REPAIRS, DESPITE THERE WAS A RECALL FOR MY PARTICULAR CAR AND MODEL. ACCORDING TO MY CAR REPAIR HISTORY THAT RECALL WAS NEVER PERFORMED.
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. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW LOT AND DEEMED DESTROYED. THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER (JMK BMW IN SPRINGFIELD, NEW JERSEY) WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,000.
BELT TENTIONER HAD TO REPLACE. IT'S RECALLED ON THE DIESAL BMW X5 2011 BUT NOT THE GAS ONE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW X5. WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME HARD TO TURN. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP BOLT ON THE PULLEY FAILED, WHICH CAUSED THE STEERING WHEEL TO SEIZE AND THE ALTERNATOR BELT NOT TO FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V550000 (STEERING, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
2018 MARCH - DIESEL EXHAUST FUMES IN CABIN. MAG BMW DEALER REPLACED INTAKE TURBO LINE, SECOND TIME.
DRIVING DOWN STREET STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP ,CAR SHUT DOWN,HAD IT TOWED TO BMW,THEY SAID ENGINE,POWERTRAIN FAILED,WARRANTY PEOPLE REFUSE TO PAY TO HAVE FIXED
PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 12V550000 A REPLACEMENT OF THE IDLER PULLEY BOLT RECALL WAS CONDUCTED DUE TO GRAVE PUBLIC SAFETY CONCERNS. I CONSULTED BOTH BMW OF NORTH AMERICA AND MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP ABOUT THIS REPAIR, AND OF COURSE I AM TOLD THE ONLY RECALL OUTSTANDING FOR MY VEHICLE IS RELATED TO AIRBAGS AND THIS FIX WAS ALREADY IMPLEMENTED. ATTACHED TO THIS SAFETY REPORT IS A DIAGRAM OF THE CRANKCASE PULLEY DESIGN. ITEM '2' IN THE ATTACHED DIAGRAM WAS THE PART REPLACED TO CORRECT THE ISSUE.DESPITE THIS 'FIX' I HAVE RECENTLY EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE LOSS OF STEERING AND ELECTRIC POWER AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, IN EXCESS OF 70 MPH, AS WELL AS THE ENGINE OPERATING AT OR ABOVE NORMAL RANGE. THIS OF COURSE IS DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE PRIMARY CRANKCASE PULLEY AFFECTS ALL OF THESE SYSTEMS INSTANTLY IF THIS ROTATING MASS COMES TO A HALT. INITIAL THOUGHTS AND INSPECTION ONE WOULD ASSUME A LOOSE, SLIPPING SERPENTINE BELT OR TENSIONER PULLEY BEING THE FAULT FOR THE INSTANT MULTIPLE SYSTEM FAILURES, HOWEVER FURTHER INSPECTION REVEALS A COMPLETE FAILURE OF THE 'VIBRATION' DAMPER PULLEY. THE TORQUE FROM THIS DIESEL ENGINE SHREDS THIS RUBBER PULLEY, COMPLETELY RIPPING IT OFF ITS METAL SLEEVE, DESPITE THE REINFORCEMENT OF THE HARDENED STEEL 'BOLT' REPLACEMENT. IN ALL MY DAYS OF OWNING A VEHICLE, I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF SUCH 'MAINTENANCE' REPAIR WORK OF REPLACING THE PRIMARY CRANKCASE PULLEY AS IT IS SEEN BY THE MANUFACTURER AS A 'WEAR AND TEAR' ITEM. IN MY EXPERIENCE, REPLACING THE CRANKCASE PULLEY WAS DELIBERATE TO GAIN AN EDGE AT THE DRAG STRIP, NOT FOR MY FAMILIES SAFETY.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW X5. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V336000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS LISTED IN THE RECALL. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NO SOLUTION FOR THE RECALL. THE DEALER (PARK AVENUE BMW, 530 HUYLER STREET SOUTH, HACKENSACK, NJ 07606, (877) 626-6518) CONFIRMED THAT THERE WAS NO SOLUTION. THE CONTACT'S REQUEST FOR A LOANER VEHICLE WAS DENIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000.
TL* 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.
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.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW X5. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WENT INTO LIMP MODE DUE TO A FAILURE WITH THE AUXILIARY WATER PUMP. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE ENGINE TO OVERHEAT AND PREVENTED THE VEHICLE FROM ACCELERATING PAST 35 MPH. THE DEALER (GERMAIN BMW OF NAPLES, 11286 TAMIAMI TRAIL N, NAPLES, FL 34110, (239) 302-3837) INITIALLY DIAGNOSED AND REPLACED THE RADIATOR, RESERVOIR TANK, RESERVOIR CAP, AND THERMOSTAT; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT AN UNKNOWN MANUFACTURER RECALL CAMPAIGN WAS ISSUED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXCLUDED AND THAT THE AUXILIARY WATER PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, WHICH WAS NOT CORRECTLY DIAGNOSED WHEN THE FAILURE FIRST OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TO BE REPAIRED BY THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
TL* 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.
REPLACING THE LEAKING TURBO OIL DRAIN BLOCK AND FAULTY VALVE SEALS WHICH CAUSES OIL TO DRAIN AND THE VEHICLE TO SMOKE AND BURN SO YOU HAVE TO ADD AT LEAST 1/2 QUART OF OIL WITHIN 2 WEEKS TIME WHILE DRIVING AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON
ENGINE MALFUNCTION LIGHT REDUCED POWER TO ENGINE IN THE CITY WHILE AT LIGHT. ALSO YOU CAN HEAR A FLAPPING SOUND COMING FROM FRONT OF VEHICLE. DEALER REPORTS AFTER DIAGNOSTIC THAT THE EXHAUST COOLER IS CRACKED. PREVIOUSLY THE CAR WAS SERVICED FOR METERING VALVE LEAK WHICH WAS UNDER SCR EXTENDED WARRANTY AND FRONT DRIVE SHAFT RECALL WITH BUSHING REPLACEMENT WITH WAS COVERED UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY.
DRIVESHAFT FEELS LIKE ITS FAILING IVE READ FORUMS ABOUT AIRBAGS BEING A SAFETY ISSUE
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026