There are 4 owner-reported suspension complaints for the 2011 BMW X5in NHTSA's database. These are unverified consumer reports and may not reflect confirmed defects.
DRIVESHAFT 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.......
DRIVESHAFT FEELS LIKE ITS FAILING IVE READ FORUMS ABOUT AIRBAGS BEING A SAFETY ISSUE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW X5. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, A LOUD NOISE WAS HEARD WITHOUT WARNING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO THE SHOULDER AND NOTICED THAT THE FRONT SHAFT OF THE VEHICLE WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000.
Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA. A high complaint count may reflect vehicle popularity, not defect severity. Data sourced from NHTSA public records.
Data synced from NHTSA on Apr 26, 2026