2011 BMW X5 Power Train Problems
Owners have filed 58 complaints with NHTSA about power train problems on the 2011 BMW X5, 22% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 69,187 miles. The words owners use most often: “transfer case” (24% of reports).
- 58power train complaints
- 69,187median miles at failure
- 1mention a crash
- 1mention an injury
- 2related recalls
- 24%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Transfer case: mentioned in 14 of 58 complaints (24%)
- Front shaft: mentioned in 8 of 58 complaints (14%)
- Numbers air bags: mentioned in 6 of 58 complaints (10%)
At what mileage do power train problems happen?
Based on 45 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 58 complaints, 1 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 1 an injury.
BMW X5 power train complaints by model year
| Model year | Power Train complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 X5 | 4 | 15% | — |
| 2025 X5 | 7 | 11% | — |
| 2024 X5 | 16 | 11% | — |
| 2023 X5 | 8 | 24% | 50,900 |
| 2022 X5 | 25 | 35% | 24,000 |
| 2021 X5 | 30 | 28% | 11,000 |
| 2020 X5 | 17 | 15% | 70,000 |
| 2019 X5 | 19 | 10% | 432 |
| 2018 X5 | 10 | 14% | 11,000 |
| 2017 X5 | 10 | 13% | 13,000 |
| 2016 X5 | 13 | 18% | 92,000 |
| 2015 X5 | 14 | 9% | 66,000 |
| 2014 X5 | 12 | 12% | 65,233 |
| 2013 X5 | 36 | 24% | 67,000 |
| 2012 X5 | 53 | 20% | 69,000 |
| 2011 X5 | 58 | 22% | 69,187 |
| 2010 X5 | 6 | 5% | 38,500 |
| 2009 X5 | 10 | 7% | 93,000 |
| 2008 X5 | 16 | 7% | 30,065 |
| 2007 X5 | 2 | 3% | 111,100 |
| 2006 X5 | 7 | 4% | 74,000 |
| 2005 X5 | 9 | 11% | 56,000 |
| 2004 X5 | 11 | 17% | 56,580 |
| 2003 X5 | 16 | 16% | 103,840 |
| 2002 X5 | 6 | 6% | 85,000 |
| 2001 X5 | 15 | 9% | 95,500 |
| 2000 X5 | 7 | 24% | 67,000 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (2)
Power train:driveline:driveshaft
Problem: 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 driveshaft's universal joint, causing excessive wear and possibly resulting in the joint's failure.
Risk: If the front universal joint fails, the front wheels would not be driven, affecting vehicle traction. Additionally, continued driving of the vehicle with a broken front universal joint may damage other components. Either condition may increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front driveshaft, free of charge. The recall began on April 18, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Power train:driveline:driveshaft
Problem: 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, to November 20, 2010, and 2011 X6 Active Hybrid vehicles manufactured April 15, 2010, to November 17, 2010. The affected vehicles have a front driveshaft universal joint that may not seal out water and debris from getting in and damaging the joint, which could lead to its failure.
Risk: If the front universal joint fails, the front wheels would not be driven, affecting vehicle traction. Additionally, continued driving of the vehicle with a broken front universal joint may damage other components. Either condition may increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front driveshaft, free of charge. The recall began on July 8, 2016. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
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…
Transfer case actuators plastic gear(s) might be worn out due to bad quality of the material used. On some of the BMW X5 models there was a problem with the differentials and a recall was issued to fix those. But some how some cars with particular VINs went missing in that. Codes thrown by my…
As I was slowing down to make a turn, the vehicle went into neutral and shut off. I immediately turned it back on and put it in drive and the same thing occurred moments later. I start it again and drove away enough to safely park. I let the car rest in the off position for 30 minutes and it drove…
Frequently asked questions
Do all 2011 BMW X5s have power train problems?
No. NHTSA has 58 owner complaints about power train for the 2011 BMW X5 (22% of the 263 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the 2011 BMW X5 power train?
Yes: 2 safety recalls list power train. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
At what mileage do power train problems start?
The median reported mileage is 69,187 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.
What do owners say about power train problems on the 2011 BMW X5?
The most frequent phrase is “transfer case”, in 14 of 58 complaints, followed by “front shaft” (8).
Other 2011 BMW X5 problems
- Engine problems (110)
- Air Bags problems (67)
See all 2011 BMW X5 problems or power train problems across all X5 years.