Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (fuel pump, injectors, fuel tank, hybrid and EV propulsion).
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).
Our car get on fire from begin low on oil, we stopped on the side and went on another car to get oil at the gas station and Suddenly star on fire and our entire car truck burned. Luckily we were able to get out off the car on time.
Was driving vehicle home from work and during the drive the engine without warning died while driving and vehicle put in neutral. Vehicle stopped in the middle of parkway on right lane, tried to restart vehicle multiple times and unsuccessful. Pulled codes and found that fuel pressure codes present and fuel pressure while cranking is 2.5-4 bar. Spec 600-800 bar while starting. Vehicle was towed to a safe place.
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.
I own a 2011 BMW x5. The NHTSA shows 15 recalls for my vehicle type; however, NHTSA must be relying upon BMW for the VIN numbers as: 1.) my vehicle doesn't show up for recalls; 2.) I have never been contacted by BMW for many of those recalls - in fact, I have not received a letter from BMW in many many years, and among the 15 recalls above, I have never received any notification of for at least October 20, 2023 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 23V707000 Camshaft Timing Bolts May Loosen Causing Stall Loose or broken VANOS unit bolts can result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 BMW X5. The contact stated the vehicle was emitting a burning odor coming from both inside and outside of the vehicle when driving. The contact stated that after stopping then attempting to accelerate the vehicle, the vehicle would hesitate. In addition, the vehicle jerked when turning or decelerating. On a separate occasion, the air bag warning light flashed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer (roadshow BMW, address: 405 n germantown pkwy #6207, cordova, tn 38018, phone: [phone]) who informed the contact that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign numbers: 16V746000 (fuel system, gasoline), as well as, the recalls for the air bags and engine (NHTSA campaign numbers unknown). The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who referred the contact to NHTSA to file a complaint. The approximate failure mileage 190,000.
For the past year or more, driving any distance started fits of yawning. On occasion it has been difficult to stay awake. On July 27, 2015 I apparently blacked out in very heavy traffic and woke up having collided with the vehicle in front of me. Diagnosed as pre-diabetic, I believed this was my problem, and unrelated to my vehicle. However, my car took 31 days to repair, and while driving the rental car this yawning never again occurred. Yesterday (September 24, 2015) it happened again. No collision, but great difficulty getting home, even with the driver's window open for maximum fresh air. I am convinced that the vehicle is leaking carbon monoxide into the passenger cabin. It's going back to the dealer today
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 BMW X5. The contact stated that the engine failed and smoke emitted under the hood while driving. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic for inspection where it was diagnosed that the fuel diesel heather failed, causing the vehicle to overheat. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer stated that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 13V339000 (fuel system, diesel). The failure mileage was 100,000.
From a stop: upon depressing the gas pedal, there is a delay in the reaction of the car to move forward. As it moves, it lunges forward because of the added gas suddenly propelling the car. As a result, you can either move forward extremely slow from the start or jump forward pulling you back into the seat. On the highway: occasionally, sudden increased speed, as needed for passing, is denied and the car actually travels at a continued steady speed. If you've ever moved into an available lane to discover a speeding vehicle closing on you rapidly, you'll get one hell of a scare when your car fails to move faster to get out of the way. Been there and turned white as a ghost. I heard on the radio in miami that the need for this recall was known to BMW but repeated requests to BMW to address this recall have gone unanswered except that the dealers don't have notice yet from BMW corporate. …
X5 xdrive 35i sav; while driving under normal street and highway conditions, vehicle speed and engine RPM have become unstable. This causes the vehicle to increase and decrease it's speed intermittently and without warning. The vehicle is not trustworthy as you May lose power, or unintentionally accelerate while trying to execute a driving maneuver, causing a dangerous condition. Check engine warning light illuminates. Vehicle was brought to BMW dealership (zt motors) for diagnostics. Service personnel stated that the high pressure fuel pump indicated a low fuel pressure at the inlet. This would tell me that the low pressure fuel pump is not delivering the correct fuel flow/pressure to the high pressure fuel pump. Ref NHTSA campaign # 16V746000 et al. Diagnostics also indicated the valvetronic motor shows it short circuiting. …
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. …
Related recalls
Fuel system, gasoline › 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 Turismo, 535i Gran Turismo, 550i xDrive Gran Turismo and 550i Gran Turismo,…
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. The recall began February 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Fuel System complaints in other X5 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are fuel system problems on the 2011 BMW X5?
NHTSA has 50 complaints about the fuel & propulsion system of the 2011 BMW X5, 17% of the model year's 287 complaints. The component named most often is delivery › fuel pump (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2011 BMW X5 fuel system problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 16V-746 (fuel pump, Oct 17, 2016). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2011 BMW X5 fuel system problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 74,000 miles, and 18% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 4 fires and 0 injuries to fuel & propulsion 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.