2011 BMW X5 Sav Recalls, Complaints & Specs

3 safety recalls list the 2011 BMW X5 Sav, and owners have filed 24 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.

safety recalls

owner complaints to NHTSA

14–22

MPG combined (EPA)

3 safety recalls for the 2011 BMW X5 Sav

Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.

Inflator module (air bags)

NHTSA 16V071000 Reported February 5, 2016 840,000 vehicles potentially affected BMW of North America, LLC

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2008-2013 128i and 135i coupes and convertibles and 1 Series M coupes, 2006-2011 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive Sedans, 2009-2011 335d sedans, 2006-2012 325xiT, 328i and 328xi sports wagons, 2007-2013 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive,…

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag module or inflator depending on the vehicle model, free of charge. The recall began March 9, 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service…
Engine (engine and engine cooling)

NHTSA 14V176000 Reported April 10, 2014 156,137 vehicles potentially affected BMW of North America, LLC

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 128i Coupe, 128i Convertible, 328i Sedan, 328i xDrive Sedan, 328i Coupe, 328i Convertible, 328i Sports Wagon and Z4 sDrive 30i, 2011-2012 135i Coupe, 135i Convertible, 335i Sedan, X5 xDrive 35i, and X6 xDrive 35i, 2011 335i xDrive Sedan, 335i Coupe, 335i…

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the four VANOS housing bolts for both VANOS units (intake and exhaust), free of charge. In addition, owners of approximately 170,172 model year 2010-2012 BMW vehicles…
Hydraulic power assist system (steering) and diesel (engine and engine cooling)

NHTSA 12V550000 Reported November 27, 2012 29,800 vehicles potentially affected BMW of North America, LLC

BMW is recalling certain model year 2009-2012 X5 xDrive 35d SAV diesel vehicles manufactured September 1, 2008, through November 15, 2012. The engine belt idler pulley bolt could loosen and break over time.

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace and tighten the idler pulley bolt. The recall began on January 15, 2013. Owners may call BMW at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.

24 owner complaints filed with NHTSA

Owners of the 2011 BMW X5 Sav have filed 24 complaints with NHTSA. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 75,885 miles. Complaints peaked in 2017 with 9 filed that year.

Most-reported components

Engine10
Fuel/propulsion system7
Power train7
Air bags3
Unknown or other3
Electrical system2
Electronic stability control (esc)2
Vehicle speed control2

What owners are reporting

“Engine clicks when accelerating or deceleration”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, October 30, 2018 · Engine

“The coolant lines needed completely replaced causing the engine to start barreling smoke after about 400-500 ft. Looked like it was on fire there was so much smoke. Got repaired at BMW of westlake in”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, October 30, 2018 · Engine

Fuel economy and specs

EPA ratings for the 2011 BMW X5 (X5 xDrive35d, X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive50i, X5 xDriveM). Ranges cover every tested configuration.

Combined	14–22 mpg
City / Highway	12–19 / 17–26
Fuel	Diesel, Premium
EPA class	Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Engine	6/8 cyl, 3/4.4 L
Transmission	Automatic (S6); Automatic (S8)

Compare BMW X5 Sav model years

Recall and complaint counts for every BMW X5 Sav model year in NHTSA's database.

Model year	Recalls	Complaints
2000 BMW X5 Sav	1	0
2001 BMW X5 Sav	1	0
2002 BMW X5 Sav	1	0
2003 BMW X5 Sav	1	1
2004 BMW X5 Sav	1	0
2006 BMW X5 Sav	0	27
2007 BMW X5 Sav	5	59
2008 BMW X5 Sav	3	20
2009 BMW X5 Sav	4	19
2010 BMW X5 Sav	5	19
2011 BMW X5 Sav	3	24
2012 BMW X5 Sav	4	21
2013 BMW X5 Sav	1	13

Checking a specific 2011 BMW X5 Sav

How do I know if my 2011 BMW X5 Sav has an open recall?

Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 3 campaigns currently list the 2011 BMW X5 Sav; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.

Is the recall repair free?

Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised BMW dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 12V550000).

What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?

A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.

Other BMW models

X53,154 complaints
328I2,578 complaints
X32,004 complaints
325I1,386 complaints
Z41,281 complaints
3 Series843 complaints
528I835 complaints
330I815 complaints

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.