Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2011 BMW X5 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2011 BMW X5. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was towed to an unknown dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer informed the contact that the VIN was not under recall. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 132,000.
To Whom It May Concern. Please help me on this. I purchased a BMW x5 that needed recalls installed at the BMW dealer. I purchased the vehicle, performed routine preventative maintenance, new tires, new brakes, full detail, shampooed the interior, and full wash, etc. When I took my BMW to the dealer, the BMW dealer installed the recalled items, but did not install or replace the defective FRM footwell module that controls the electric windows, signals, headlights, emergency flashers, and all the interior lights. Per BMW service manager, this FRM is defective from the factory because the FRM does not have a relay or fuse disconnect that protects the FRM from current surges or spikes. The manner and area that this FRM was mounted into the BMW x5 chassis makes this FRM electronic module highly susceptible to being damaged or become defective due to no fault of the vehicle driver or owner. …
I was driving to work one morning On the highway, when I suddenly heard a loud sharp noise from the engine bay that followed with the engine and battery lights turning blinking on my display with sudden loss of steering. I panicked but quickly put my vehicle into neutral with my hazard lights on and slowly hit my brakes till I came to a complete stop on the highway. I got my vehicle towed back and upon further inspection saw that the idler pulley bolt snapped completely off. I researched and saw that this bolt has been recalled twice already with the same issue. If this was during a heavy traffic situation it could have been far worse.
The comfort access door handle, got so hot it started to melt the plastic exterior handle and produce a lot of smoke would have caught fire if i didn't turn off car and disconnect electrical signal to the cas handle
Upon starting my car at a friend's house, I heard a brief electrical buzzing noise that then stopped. It sounded like the radiator fan, but the fan wasn't moving. I drove my car approximately 15 miles home and parked it. About 2.5 hours later, from inside my home, I heard the sound of what seemed to be a small explosion. I looked outside and my car's engine compartment was engulfed in flames. It had parked, unused with the motor off for more than two hours on a cool day with temperatures in the 40s with no warning indicators lights or messages. I later learned BMW had issued a recall for electrical fires, however, I never receiveda recall notice. Press reports note that more than 90 such fires have been reported to your agency, and I can still find no documentation on your website of this problem.
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.
Fire occurred in the driver side door (top speaker) shortly after starting the engine and driving down the road. The vehicle had a strong odor and smoke was pouring out. I immediately pulled over and located the source of the smoke and saw a flame. I took a photo of the flame to document it. I shut off the radio and the flame and smoke dissipated.
BMW X5 35i 2011 AWD , I was on major deegan highway exiting at 230 st when the my BMW X5 35i 2011 AWD sudden stopped and my heart when too my feet . The panel read "engine malfunction " I was in a daze not knowing what happen to the BMW X5 35i 2011 AWD and why did it stop all of sudden !!! I started again at a very slow pace less than 10 MPH and trying to get out of the way of traffic on the exit on 230 street , I made it too the veterans affairs hospital at 8:30 or 9:00 am in the morning . I called aaa to tow to a shop than I was found out this BMW X5 35i 2011 AWD had a recall so I got it tow too portchester BMW where the vehicle is at now and don't when I will get back . …
My 2011 BMW X5 3.0 sav was exhibiting rough starts on ignition and it stalled after a while and wouldn't start back up again. We had it towed to the dealership the first time and the vanos system was replaced( recall extended warranty). The next time it stalled and wouldn't start back up we were advised it was the starter so we had that replaced( $1163.36) along with the battery( $ 260) and then the driver side window wouldn't go down and the dash board lighting went out and the alarm wouldn't engage, the dealer advised us that it was a footwell module problem covered under extended warranty until 125,000 miles. All in all the car is rigged with problems. I have decided to look up all the NHTSA recalls and have them done before anything else breaksdown. …
My vehicles purchased last year from BMW local dealer {jackie cooper imports] is equipped with 8- or 12-cylinder, turbocharged engines .the circuit board for the electric auxiliary water pump overheated. This lead to a smoldering of the pump and an engine compartment . BMW was supposed to notify owners, replace the auxiliary water pump, thermostat, and coolant reservoir free of charge. The two safety recalls related to this problem apparently did not include my vehicle. Ref NHTSA compaign recall #11V521000 and NHTSA compaign recall # 12V161000. I have logged a complaint about this with the dealership, and their recall resolution department in vain. I am being charged for parts and labor which I belief should be free a snoted by the two recalls .
Electrical complaints in other X5 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2011 BMW X5?
NHTSA has 21 complaints about the electrical system of the 2011 BMW X5, 7% of the model year's 287 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2011 BMW X5 electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for the 2011 BMW X5, though it has 17 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2011 BMW X5 electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 78,000 miles, and 19% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 4 fires and 0 injuries to electrical system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.