2011 BMW X5 Power Train Problems
58 complaints about Power Train
High Severity Issue
This component has been associated with crashes, fires, or deaths.
This Problem Across All Years
All Power Train Complaints (58)
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. April 18, 2018 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V248000 Electric Auxiliary Water Pump Failure October 30, 2017 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V683000 PCV Heater may Short Circuit March 2, 2017 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V138000 Front Driveshaft Universal Joint may Fail May 17, 2016 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V311000 Front Driveshaft Universal Joint may Fail. When I call BMW, they say there are no recalls outstanding on my vehicle and this NHTSA states there are recalls, but does not associate my VIN with the recalls, so say there are no recalls outstanding. The most prominent recent issue was that when my BMW dealership diagnosed a check engine light in my vehicle, they wanted to replace a SCR DEF active tank for $3,000, but it turned out that BMW had an almost 100% failure rate for the same part and issued an extended warranty for this part under their technical bulletin SI B01 23 16. They denied replacing the parts under the warranty stating that it was limited to 10 years/120,000 miles. I had only 101,600 miles on my car, but they stated the 10 year limited out the warranty from the in-service date. However, my car had many emission system related issues including just a few years previous.
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 system are : 005219, 005F3A, 006EC4 Code 005F3A signifies that the Transfer case actuator is not engaging properly. This problem put me at risk when taking a U-turn as the gears did not engage properly and my car did not accelerate on time. The on coming traffic came very close and I somehow avoided a T-bone Collison. My cars dashboard produces warning signs occasionally when the actuator does not engage. This is a big problem as the 4x4 system stops working and puts the car in RWD mode. In winters this could be dangerous to people driving as it happens without the driver's attention. I have attached reports from NHTSA for the same issue on other BMW models where a recall was issued. I request NHTSA to issue a recall on 2011 BMW X5 xdrive 35i as the same issue persists.
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 fine. There were no warning lights and the vehicle is well maintained with scheduled services. I contacted the nearest reputable mechanic and explained the situation. I drove it there. They found no faulty codes when they plugged in the computer and the battery has no issues. The vehicle drives fine now, but this is very concerning especially since this took place in local traffic.
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.
Under normal driving conditions on city roads the universal joint literally shattered. There is no aftermarket upgrades and no unlicensed work done the vehicle. I had just got it back from the dealership and they checked over it and it checked out good. This is outlandish I don’t understand why my vehicle is not within the recall.
WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK, THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND REDUCED SPEED ON I95 INTERSTATE 95SOUTH IN CHICAGO. I HAVE SPEND OVER $18,000 ON ENGINE ISSUE AND HIGH CONSUMPTION OF OIL IS ALSO A MAJOR ISSUE. THERE IS A SEVERE ENGINE ISSUE THAT MAY LEAD TO AN AUTO ACCIDENT WHILE DRIVING. ONCE THE ENGINE REDUCE POWER IT'S VERY DIFFICULT TO PULL THE TRUCK OVER TO SAFETY. THE WHOLE X5 5.0I NEEDS TO BE RECALLED.
Mileage: 76,000
TRANSFER CASE: SLIPPING AND HESITATION IN MOTION/DRIVING AND ACCELERATION. ALSO POPPING AND SLIPPING IN FRONT END NEAR FRONT WHEELS... LOOKED UP ONLINE TROUBLESHOOTING AND FOUND PROBLEMS WITH 2011 MODEL DESIGN
Mileage: 80,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, HE HEARD A GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM CENTER OF VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V138000 (POWER TRAIN) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 171,171.
Mileage: 171,171
VEHICLE IS HAVING ISSUE WITH FRONT DRIVESHAFT UNIVERSAL JOINTS. SHAKING, AND LOSS OF POWER WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY, TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTION LIGHT COMES ON. VEHICLE IS NOT STATIONARY AT ANY TIME THIS PROBLEM OCCURS. TOOK VEHICLE TO NEAREST MECHANIC, WHO IS ASE CERTIFIED AND BMW . SAID THAT VEHICLE NEEDS FRONT DRIVE SHAFT. EXPLAINED THAT THERE IS RECALL 17V-138 ON MY VEHICLE. RECOMMENDED CONTACTING LOCAL BMW SERVICE FOR REPLACEMENT. TECHNICIAN STATES THAT DRIVESHAFT IS FAILING AT SAME AREA AS RECALL EXPLAINS. WHEN CONTACTING TOM HESSER BMW OF SCRANTON, PA, WAS TOLD VEHICLE HAD SERVICE ACTION PERFORMED IN 2015 (PRIOR TO SI B26 02 17) UNDER PREVIOUS OWNER AT AROUND 57,000 MILES. EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERS 10 YEARS OR 120,000 MILES. VEHICLE HAS 137,000. ASKED IF VEHICLE COULD BE COVERED UNDER BMW CUSTOMER GOODWILL. WAS DENIED FOR NOT BEING A REGULAR CUSTOMER. FILED A FORMAL COMPLAINT WITH BMW NORTH AMERICA. DEFECTIVE PART WAS REPLACED WITH DEFECTIVE PART WHICH HAS ONLY LASTED 60,000 MILES AND NOW ENDANGERS MORE ACCIDENTS AS VEHICLE DRIVESHAFT COULD CATASTROPHICALLY FAIL AT ANY POINT. RECALL HAS NOT ADDRESSED ISSUE OF SAFETY AND RELIABILITY.
Mileage: 137,000
DRIVESHAFT FEELS LIKE ITS FAILING IVE READ FORUMS ABOUT AIRBAGS BEING A SAFETY ISSUE
DRIVESHAFT FAILURE
Mileage: 88,700
VEHICLE SHUDDERS AND HESITATES WHEN MAKING A HARD LEFT OF RIGHT TURN FROM A FULL STOP. (IE. TURNING RIGHT ON RED OR PULLING OUT OF A PLACE OF BUSINESS ONTO AN ACTIVE HIGHWAY.) I READ ABOUT 30 OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE - ALL POINTING A FAULTY "TRANSFER CASE". MY VEHICLE 2011 BWM X5 35I HAS 76,000 MILES. I DO SEE A POWER TRAIN RECALL FOR THE 2011 X5'S BUT MINE (FOR SOME UNKNOWN REASON IS NOT INCLUDED AND IT IS A 2011 (RECALL 17V138000) MY MECHANIC SAID IT WAS THE TRANSFER CASE AND WILL COST $3,000 TO REPAIR.
Mileage: 76,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW X5. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL RUMBLING AND BANGING NOISE. THE EMERGENCY POWER DOWN PULL OVER MESSAGE WAS DISPLAYED. THERE WAS OIL EMERGING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO BMW OF WYOMING VALLEY (1470 HIGHWAY 315, WILKES-BARRE, PA 18702, (570) 338-6955) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS A TRANSMISSION EXPLOSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS SIMILAR TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V138000 (POWER TRAIN). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 120,000. THE VIN WAS INVALID.
Mileage: 120,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SHOOK HARD WHENEVER THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED AT ANY SPEED. THERE WAS ALSO A SLIGHT VIBRATION IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO BMW GLOBAL IMPORTS (500 INTERSTATE N PKWY, ATLANTA, GA 30339, (800) 294-1853) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT A NEW TRANSFER CASE NEEDED TO BE INSTALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 116,000.
Mileage: 116,000
FRONT WHEELS OF THE VEHICLE SHUDDER BADLY WHEN TURNING AT SLOW RATES OF SPEED. ONLINE RESEARCH SHOWS THIS TO BE A COMMON ISSUE WITH THE TRANSFER CASE NEEDING TO BE REPLACED.
Mileage: 90,000
THIS VEHICLE HAS NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE VANOS SYSTEM. AS I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WITH FULL TRAFFIC, MY ENGINE FAILED AT 70 MPH CAUSING TO ME ALMOST GET KILLED IN TRAFFIC AS I FOUGHT MY WAY THE THE SHOULDER. THE CAR WOULD NOT START, I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND IT SEEMS THAT THE VANOS BOLT BACKED OUT OF THE CAMSHAFT AND CAUSED CATASTROPHIC DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE. I WENT TO MY WARRANTY AND THEY WOULD NOT COVER THE DAMAGE DUE TO IT BEING THE BOLT THAT BACKED OUT. AS THEY DO NOT COVER BOLTS. NOW I AM PAYING FOR A CAR THAT I CANT DRIVE AND IS CURRENTLY SITTING AT BMW OF MT. LAUREL IN NEW JERSEY WITH AN 18K BILL. THIS CAN HAPPEN TO ALOT OF PEOPLE IN THESE VEHICLES. THAT VANOS UNIT IS DANGEROUS AND SHOULD BE RECALLED AGAIN WITH THE CORRECT BOLTS REINFORCED.
Mileage: 69,187
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW X5. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE INDICATED THAT THE ENGINE HAD OVERHEATED. UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT HOT WATER HAD LEAKED FROM THE ENGINE AREA. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE LOCAL DEALER (UNITED BMW, 11458 ALPHARETTA HWY, ROSWELL GA) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WATER PUMP AND THERMOSTAT HAD FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT WHILE LEAVING THE DEALER, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO VIOLENTLY SHAKE AND RATTLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DRIVE SHAFT AND TRANSFER CASE FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000.
Mileage: 86,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW X5. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT SMELLED A BURNING ODOR FROM THE AIR CONDITIONING VENTS, AND THE VEHICLE STALLED AND COULD NOT BE RESTARTED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED BEFORE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER (BMW OF TULSA, 9702 S MEMORIAL DR, TULSA, OK 74133), BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE MANUFACTURER WAS WILLING TO PAY HALF FOR A REPLACEMENT ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND CONFIRMED WITH THE CONTACT THAT THEY WOULD PAY HALF OF THE COST FOR A REPLACEMENT ENGINE. THE MANUFACTURER OPENED A CASE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,000.
Mileage: 69,000
I NOTICE WHEN TURNING A VIBRATION OR SHUDDER COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. DOING SOME ONLINE RESEARCH, INCLUDING THE NHTSA SITE, I FIND THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR X5S. THE APPARENT FIX FOR THIS IS TO REPLACE THE TRANSFER CASE, A SEVERAL THOUSAND DOLLAR REPAIR. I BOUGHT THIS FOR MY WIFE BUT I WOULD NOT HAVE HER DRIVE IT BECAUSE BETWEEN THE TRANSFER CASE AND THE DRIVESHAFT, BOTH KNOWN ISSUES, I AM CONCERNED FOR HER SAFETY. MY VEHICLE ONLY HAS 69,000 MILES ON IT, THERE IS NO WAY IT SHOULD HAVE THESE KIND OF PROBLEMS BARRING A VERY POOR DESIGN.
Mileage: 69,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW X5. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS) AND 17VV138000 (POWER TRAIN); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER (GLOBAL IMPORTS BMW IN ATLANTA, GEORGIA) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW X5. WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A RED LIGHT, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND THE ABS AND FOUR WHEEL TRACTION WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. ALSO, "TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTION" DISPLAYED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND HAD TO BE MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE AND LOOKED UNDERNEATH, AND NOTICED OIL ALL OVER THE ROAD. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED A U-SHAPED PIECE STICKING OUT OF THE UNDER CARRIAGE SHIELD. THE CONTACT ENGAGED THE ELECTRONIC PARKING BRAKE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS ON AN INCLINE AND CALLED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE. WHEN THE TOW TRUCK ARRIVED, THE MECHANIC COULD NOT DISENGAGE THE ELECTRONIC PARKING BRAKE AND HAD TO CUT THE CABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO BMW OF ARLINGTON IN ARLINGTON, TEXAS WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION, FRONT DRIVE SHAFT, AND ELECTRONIC PARKING BRAKE FAILED. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE DRIVE SHAFT AND TRANSMISSION WERE GOING TO BE REPAIRED PER AN UNKNOWN RECALL, BUT THE ELECTRONIC PARKING BRAKE WAS NOT GOING TO BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.
Mileage: 50,000
WELL LAST YEAR AT THIS EXACT SAME TIME THE FRONT DRIVE SHAFT BROKE CAUSING A DOMINO EFFECT OF DAMAGES THE FRONT DRIVE SHAFT SNAPPED AND SMASHED THE TRANSMISSION PAN AND DENTED THE EXHAUST PIPE. SERVICE ADVISER AT DEALER WAS NOT WANTING TO REPAIR THE DAMAGES UNDER RECALL PROGRAM ACTED LIKE THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THIS ISSUE OR THE RECALL IN EFFECT. AFTER I PRESENTED ALL MY FINDINGS THEY CONTACTED BMW NA AND THEY AGREED TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION ,EXHAUST AND THE DRIVE SHAFT AT NO ADDITIONAL COST TO ME. HOWEVER I DID END UP PAYING OVER $4K FOR OTHER OIL LEAKS ETC. NOW THE VEHICLE IS BACK AT THE DEALERS WITH POPPING NOISE VERY HARD JERKING. THIS HAPPENS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION THEY NOW CLAIM THAT THE TRANSFER CASE IS BAD AND IT'LL COST $2700 (FOR THE PART ALONE) AND LABOR TO REPLACE THIS TO FIX THE ISSUE. I LOOKED UP ON LINE AND THERE ARE SEVERAL PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE AND BMW IS NOT DOING ANYTHING ABOUT THIS. SURELY THE FRONT DRIVE SHAFT AND THE TRANSMISSION ARE CONNECTED TO THE TRANSFER CASE. SO IF THE DRIVE SHAFT HAS CAUSED THE TRANSMISSION TO GO OUT ONCE THEN THAT MALFUNCTION MUST HAVE DAMAGED THE TRANSFER CASE ALSO OR IF THE INSTALL WAS NOT DONE CORRECTLY THIS COULD HAVE DAMAGED THE TRANSFER CASE. WHICH I BELIEVE BMW SHOULD ADDRESS UNDER THE RECALL FOR FRONT DRIVE SHAFT. WHY IS NO ONE TAKING ANY ACTION ON THIS MATTER. A FAULTY TRANSFER CASE IN THE X5 CAN CAUSE LOSS OF DRIVE AND THIS CAN CAUSE SERIOUS INJURIES OR DEATH IF THE OCCUPANTS ARE ON A FREEWAY OR IN AN INTERSECTION ETC WHERE THEY ARE STUCK. WHAT WOULD IT TAKE FOR SOMEONE TO LOOK AT THIS ISSUE AND HOLD THE MANUFACTURERS ACCOUNTABLE FOR SUCH DEFECTIVE AND POOR QUALITY PRODUCTS.PREMIUM DOLLAR FOR THESE CARS DEMANDS PREMIUM SERVICE AND CUSTOMER CARE. CURRENTLY MY CAR SITS IN THE SHOP WITH A REPAIR ESTIMATE OF ALMOST $9K TO REPLACE TURBO HOSES AND TRANSFER CASE.
Mileage: 76,000
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW X5. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS) AND 17V138000 (POWER TRAIN). THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIRS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER (HABBERSTAD BMW OF BAY SHORE LOCATED AT 600 SUNRISE HWY, BAY SHORE, NY 11706; (800) 841-6950) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
IT APPEARS THAT THE BMW X5 35I HAS THIS ISSUE WITH THE TRANSFER CASE ON A HUGE NUMBER OF THE VEHICLES. WHILE THERE IS A RECALL ON SOME VIN #'S I FEEL THAT IT IS IMPERATIVE TO EXTEND IT TO ALL OF THEM. MY X5 HAS AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THE FRONT DRIVE SHAFT BUT UNFORTUNATELY IT HAS EXPIRED BECAUSE OF MILEAGE. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SAFETY ISSUE. THERE MAY NOT BE ENOUGH NOTICE WHEN IT GOES OUT TO PULL OFF THE ROAD SAFELY. WHEN IT HAPPENS IT CAN CERTAINLY CAUSE INJURY AND POSSIBLY DEATH. DOES BMW OR THE NATIONAL SAFETY ADMINISTRATION REALLY WANT TO TAKE A CHANCE ? I THINK NOT ONLY MY VIN # NEEDS TO BE INCLUDED BUT ALL BMW 2011-2012 X5 SHOULD BE INCLUDED. BMW HAS BEEN MADE AWARE THAT THIS IS A DEFECT AND NEEDS TO DO THE RIGHT THING.
Mileage: 130,000
THIS IN REGARD RECALL NUMBER 16V311000. THE DRIVESHAFT IS COMPROMISED. THE JOINTS ON THE SHAFT ARE ABRAISED AND THE CAR IS BECAMING DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AS THE CLANKING NOISE WILL GET LOUDER. POTENTIAL OF NOT BEING ABLE TO MOVE VEHICLE IF NOT FIXED. SYMPTOM: LOUD CLANKING NOISE WHEN TURNING.
Mileage: 76,000
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS) WAS RECEIVED IN FEBRUARY OF 2016 AND 17V138000 (POWER TRAIN) WAS RECEIVED IN MARCH OF 2017. AFTER CONTACTING THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED FOR THE RECALL REMEDY WERE STILL NOT AVAILABLE AND NO ESTIMATED TIME FOR RECEIVING THE PARTS COULD BE PROVIDED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW X5. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS) AND 17V138000 (POWER TRAIN). THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW X5. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS) AND 17V138000 (POWER TRAIN); HOWEVER THE PARTS FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUES. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. UPDATED 06/21/17*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE POWER TRAIN WAS REPAIRED. UPDATED 08/30/2017*JS
NOISE AND VIBRATION COMING FROM DRIVE SHAFT WHEN TURNING AND DRIVING STRAIGHT AHEAD.
Mileage: 110,500
2011 BMW X5 35I XDRIVE - MY DRIVE SHAFT BROKE (VIOLENT BANGING NOISE FROM THE FRONT OF THE CAR) WHILE I WAS GOING 65 MILES PER HOUR ON THE FREEWAY CAUSING ME TO SWERVE TO THE LEFT LANE BACK OVER TO THE RIGHT LANE. SUPER LUCKY THAT I BARELY MISSED HITTING THE CARS NEXT TO ME! I HAD HARDLY ANY CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND THE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING WHILE I COASTED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD / DITCH. I LOST ALMOST 7 QUARTS OF OIL ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. MY ENGINE HAS A HOLE IN IT FROM THE DRIVE SHAFT. I DID NOT RECEIVE A RECALL NOTICE IN THE MAIL. THE MANUFACTURE WILL BE REPLACING MY ENGINE AND SOME HOSES THAT WERE DESTROYED. THE DEALER SAID THIS WASN'T A RECALL, JUST AN EXTENDED WARRANTY SINCE WE HAVE APPROX. 70,000 MILES ON THE CAR. THE DEALER GAVE US A LOANER CAR TO USE UNTIL OUR CAR IS REPAIRED. MY CONCERN IS THAT OWNERS SHOULD BE NOTIFIED IMMEDIATELY! HAD I KNOWN, I WOULD OF HAD MY CAR INSPECTED... NOW I'M OUT $325 DOLLARS FOR TOWING EXPENSES, A CAR THAT MIGHT NOT EVER BE QUITE THE SAME, LIVE 1HR 20 MINUTES FROM THE DEALER, AND THE MEMORY OF THE DRAMATIC EVENT.
Mileage: 700,000
I AM REQUESTING AN EMERGENCY RECALL OF MY AUTOMOBILE. WHEN CROSSING THE GANDY BRIDGE OVER TAMPA BAY IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO, MY CAR EMITTED A VERY LOUD BANG AND A RAPID SERIES OF SHAKING AND EXTREMELY HARD KNOCKS. THE CAR LOST POWER, SMOKE BILLOWED OUT THE BACK AND I SAW A STREAM OF OIL IN THE MIRROR BEHIND ME. I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY PULL OUT OF THE TRAFFIC LANE. THE PROBLEM, I HAVE FOUND, WAS THAT THE FRONT DRIVE SHAFT FAILED DUE TO A MANUFACTURING DEFECT IN THE UNIVERSAL JOINT. WHEN IT FAILED, THE SPINNING PARTS CRACKED OPEN THE TRANSMISSION CASE, THE OIL PAN AND BROKE SEVERAL NEARBY PARTS. THE EVENT OCCURRED ON A LONG BRIDGE IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AND COULD HAVE RESULTED IN SERIOUS INJURY. THE FRONT END OF THE SPINNING DRIVE SHAFT BROKE LOOSE AND FELL DOWN, PARTS WERE EJECTED ONTO THE HIGHWAY, THE TRANSMISSION WAS CRACKED OPEN AND ALL TRANSMISSION OIL DISCHARGED ONTO THE BRIDGE. HAD THIS OCCURRED, FOR EXAMPLE, WHILE PASSING ANOTHER CAR ON A TWO LANE ROAD, THERE COULD HAVE BEEN A SERIOUS, PERHAPS FATAL ACCIDENT. THIS VEHICLE, FROM PRODUCTION DATES BEGINNING APRIL 5 2011, WAS OFFICIALLY RECALLED IN MAY 2016 FOR THIS EXACT ISSUE. MY CAR WAS MANUFACTURED IN MARCH, 2011, A COUPLE OF WEEKS BEFORE THE APPARENTLY ARBITRARY RECALL DATE OF APRIL 5. I NOW FIND THERE HAVE BEEN MANY SIMILAR FAILURES, WITH PHOTOS AND DESCRIPTIONS EXACTLY LIKE MINE. THE BMW RECALL NOTICE, WHICH I DID NOT RECEIVE BECAUSE MY VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED, STATES THAT A VIBRATION WILL BECOME NOTICEABLE, AND, IF IT FAILS, POWER TO THE FRONT WHEELS WILL BE INTERRUPTED, BUT THAT THE REAR WHEELS WILL CONTINUE TO WORK. THAT IS SIMPLY NOT TRUE. THE TRANSFER CASE HAD TO BE REPLACED IN MAY 2016. UPDATED 03/07/17.*JB
Mileage: 90,000
VERY DISAPPOINTING. MY PAMPERED BMW X5 2011 MILEAGE ONLY 38200. I WENT TO THE DEALER FOR DRIVESHAFT RECALL FIX. DEALER TOLD ME THAT IN MY BMW TRANSFER CASE HAS GONE BAD AND NEEDS REPLACEMENT SOON. COST IS $6000+. THEY ALSO TOLD ME THAT I SHOULD SELL IT IF I DON'T WANT TO GET THIS FIXED. BUT AFTER THAT RECALL FIX, I HEAR SOME WEIRD SOUND COMING WHENEVER I AM DRIVING. DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO? SPENT SO MUCH MONEY TO BUY THIS CAR AND NOW THIS? NOT READY TO SPEND THIS BIG AMOUNT BECAUSE OF POOR PART QUALITY BY BMW. CAR IS IN THE GARAGE NOW AND I AM SCARED TO DRIVE :-( *TR
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW X5. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS), 16V3110090 (POWER TRAIN), 16V364000 (AIR BAGS) AND 16V746000 (AIR BAGS, FUEL/PROPULSION). HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIRS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
DRIVING IN THE CITY, 20MPH. I FELT A SLIGHT BUT NOTICEABLE VIBRATION. I STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN, TURNED RIGHT, ACCELERATED TO 10MPH. AT THAT TIME THE FRONT U-JOINT BROKE CAUSING AN YET TO BE DETERMINED AMOUNT OF DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. HAD I BEEN TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, LIVES WOULD HAVE BEEN IN DANGER. THIS APPEARS TO BE A WELL KNOWN AND WELL REPORTED ISSUE WHICH THE BMW X5. I URGE THE NHTSA TO TAKE THE APPROPRIATE STEPS TO INVESTIGATE THE MANY SIMILAR COMPLAINTS FILE WITH YOU. *TR
Mileage: 66,500
MY VEHICLE HAS 80,886 MILES AND JUST HAD OIL CHANGED AT BMW DEALERSHIP, FIELDS BMW WINTER PARK FL. I REQUESTED A CHECK ON THE VEHICLE AS THERE HAS BEEN A GRINDING/VIBRATION NOISE ON TURNING LEFT AND RIGHT AT INTERSECTIONS OR MOVING FROM A PARKED POSITION. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THE TRANSFER CASE IS FAILING AND TO REPLACE IT WOULD BE $6,666.40. I AM SHOCKED TO HEAR THIS DIAGNOSIS FOR A VEHICLE THAT HAS LESS THAN 81,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. I AM REALLY CONCERNED ABOUT THE GEARBOX FAILING WHILE DRIVING AND THIS COULD BE A HIGH SAFETY HAZARD FOR MYSELF AND THE FAMILY. I CERTAINLY THINK THAT BMW GEARBOX SHOULD LAST LONGER, HOWEVER THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THE DEALER SAID I REALLY CANNOT AFFORD TO PAY ANOTHER ~$7000 AND WONDERED IF THIS IS A RECALL ISSUE?
Mileage: 80,886
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW X5. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE AND LOST POWER. THE ENGINE TEMPERATURE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR ROUTINE SERVICE AND THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THERE WAS A FAILURE WITH THE ENGINE FAN. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AND PRODUCED DIAGNOSTIC CODE 3792. THE CONTACT WAS UNSURE ABOUT WHAT PARTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS AWARE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V521000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING), BUT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000. UPDATED 01/04/17*LJ UPDATED 7/5/18*JB *TR
Mileage: 62,000
ON 21 OCT 16 AT APPROXIMATELY 3:10 PM, WHILE DRIVING ON ROUTE 30 IN HAMPSTEAD, MD AND APPROACHING A ROUNDABOUT AT 30 MILES PER HOUR, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT ANY WARNING LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD. LIGHTS WERE OPERABLE, BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART OR DISENGAGE OUT OF PARK TO MOVE THE VEHICLE FROM ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE BMW DEALERSHIP. IF THIS HAD HAPPENED JUST 30 MINUTES BEFORE, WE WOULD HAVE BEEN ON AN INTERSTATE 795 TRAVELING AT 60 MPH. THERE WAS NOT COLLISION. AT THE BMW DEALERSHIP, THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT STATED IT WAS THE STARTER. THE STARTER WAS REPLACED BUT THE VEHICLE STILL WOULD NOT START. THE SERVICE MANAGER STATED THAT THE 'ENGINE HAS SEIZED UP' AND THE COST WOULD BE $17,000 TO TAKE OUT THE ENGINE AND REPLACE THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS LESS THAN TWO MONTHS OUT OF AN EXTENDED WARRANTY. WE ARE CONTACTING BMW AS THE VEHICLE WAS TRADED BECAUSE OF THE PROHIBITED COST OF REPAIRS. THE SYMPTOMS DISPLAYED MATCH THE PART 573 SAFETY RECALL REPORT 16V-746. *TR
Mileage: 91,000
AFTER DRIVING FOR AN EXTENED PERIOD OF TIME, I PULLED OVER TO PLACE A NEW DESTINATION IN MY GPS. I NOTICED AS I WAS POSITIONING MY VEHICLE PERPENDICULAR TO THE ROAD, I FELT A SHUTTERING IN MY TRACTION. IT FELT LIKE A LOCKED DIFFERENTIAL 4X4. I PLACED MY NEW ADDRESS AND PROCEEDED TO TURN RIGHT ONTO THE ROADWAY WITH HEAVY TRAFFIC. I FELT A HUGE HESITATION IN MY ACCELERATION NEARLY CAUSING MY VEHICLE TO BE BROAD SIDED (T-BONED). AT THAT POINT, I HAD TO FLOOR THE VEHICLE, WHICH CAUSED ME TO SHOOT ACROSS THE ROAD INTO ON-COMING TRAFFIC. LUCKILY, THE VEHICLES WERE FAR ENOUGH TO AVOID A MAJOR ACCIDENT. MY WHOLE FAMILY COULD HAVE BEEN SEVERELY INJURED. I BROUGHT MY VEHICLE TO BMW TO HAVE IT DIAGNOSED. THEY FOUND A FAULTY TRANSFER CASE AS THEY WERE REPLACING MY FRONT DRIVE SHAFT UNDER A RECALL.
Mileage: 55,000
WE WERE DRIVING OUR 2011 BMW X5 ON INTERSTATE 405 IN BELLEVUE WASHINGTON, GOING NORTH BOUND WITH NORMAL THURSDAY AFTERNOON TRAFFIC WHEN WE FELT A VIBRATION COMING FROM UNDER THE CAR. WE WERE FORTUNATE TO PULL TO THE SHOULDER QUICKLY, AND WE HEARD A LOUD THUD. THIS WAS FOUND TO BE THE FRONT DRIVE SHAFT BREAKING OFF AT THE FORWARD UNIVERSAL JOINT. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN FOR ME AND OUR FAMILY. WE WERE LUCKY TO DRIVE ALONG THE SHOULDER HAVING THE REAR DRIVE SHAFT PROPEL THE CAR FORWARD SLOWLY TO THE EXIT, AND INTO A SERVICE STATION. THE DESTINATION WE HAD WAS OVER 100 MILES AWAY, SO WE WERE FORTUNATE THIS DID NOT HAPPEN AT HIGH SPEEDS ON THE TWO LANE STEVEN'S PASS HIGHWAY 2. PLEASE SEE THAT BMW MAKES THIS A RECALL ON THE BMW X5 MODELS MANUFACTURED DURING THE PERIOD OF 2011-2012. THE MANUFACTURER CURRENTLY HAS THIS ITEM AS A "WARRANTY" ONLY- SI B26 01 14. ALL DAMAGE COST WAS COVERED, WHICH INCLUDED REPLACEMENT OF THE TRANSFER CASE AND THE TRANSMISSION DUE TO CONTACT OR RESULTING EFFECTS. BMW HAS STATED THE PART HAS A WARRANTY FOR 10 YEARS OR 120,000MI. THE DRIVE SHAFT WAS INSPECTED ONLY 18,000 MILES PRIOR AND WAS NOT REPLACED BY BMW SERVICE. I DO NOT FEEL BMW HAS TAKEN ENOUGH CONSIDERATION TO THE SAFETY OF DRIVERS PLACED IN DANGEROUS SITUATIONS WHEN THE FRONT DRIVE SHAFT IS AT RISK OF FAILURE, DESPITE A REASONABLE INSPECTION INTERVAL OF THE PART. THERE IS NO REQUIREMENT INTERVAL FOR INSPECTING THE FRONT DRIVE SHAFT. PLEASE REQUIRE THAT BMW CHANGE THE X5 FRONT DRIVE SHAFT WARRANTY TO A RECALL FOR THE SAFETY OF ALL DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS. THANK YOU [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Mileage: 68,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING HOWEVER, A LARGE AMOUNT OF COOLANT LEAKED ONTO THE GROUND AND THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE OIL RESERVOIR MELTED ONTO THE ENGINE. THERE WAS NO FLAME VISIBLE. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT OUT OF THE PARK POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WATER PUMP WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V521000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,400.
Mileage: 61,400
FRONT DRIVE SHAFT SNAPPED ON THE HIGHWAY ALMOST CAUSING ME TO CRASH AND WHEN IT SNAPPED DESTROYED THE THE TRANSFER CASE AND THE TRANSMISSION CAUSING 8K WORTH OF DAMAGE.
Mileage: 63,000
I WAS DRIVING ON A PARKWAY IN NY WHEN I HEARD A TERRIBLE CRUNCHING METAL NOISE AND I IMMEDIATELY HAD TO PULL OVER. THERE WAS NO SHOULDER EXCEPT FOR A SMALL GRASS AREA WHICH WAS VERY DANGEROUS ON THIS PARTICULAR PARKWAY (SAW MILL PKWY SOUTHBOUND). I STAYED INSIDE THE VEHICLE AND CALLED FOR HELP. POLICE ARRIVED IN ABOUT 30 MINUTES AND HAD TO COME BLOCK OFF TWO LANES IN ORDER FOR THE TOW TRUCK TO SAFELY PULL US OUT OF THE AREA. AFTER THE CAR WAS TOWED, I POSTED ON FORUMS ASKING FOR HELP AND RECEIVED A DOCUMENT STATING THAT BMW HAD ISSUED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY, NOT A RECALL ON THIS PARTICULAR PART. THE PART THAT FAILED WAS THE FRONT DRIVE-SHAFT. APPARENTLY MANY OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS PART FAIL ON THE ROAD CAUSING AN SIMILARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION YET THE PART HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED. BMW PAID FOR THE REPAIR AND MY EXPENSES, BUT I FELT AS IF I WAS IN DANGER WHEN THE PART FAILED AND ALL OTHERS WITH THIS DEFECTIVE PART SHOULD HAVE IT REPLACED PRIOR TO FAILURE VIA A RECALL NOT AN EXTENDED WARRANTY. I HAVE ATTACHED PICTURES OF MY FAILURE AS WELL AS THE DOCUMENT FROM BMW.
Mileage: 74,000
SEVERE ACCELERATION DELAY FROM A STOP PULLING OUT INTO TRAFFIC NEARLY CAUSED ME TO BE BROADSIDED. DURING THE FIRST 1/2 TO 1 SECOND AFTER DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR THERE IS LITTLE TO NO REACTION FROM THE VEHICLE. AFTER THIS PAUSE, WHICH IS WELL BEYOND WHAT COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT, THE VEHICLE SURGES UNCONTROLLABLY. I FOUND MYSELF SIDEWAYS ON A WET PAVED ROAD. MY NATURAL INCLINATION AFTER THE PAUSE WAS TO PRESS FOR MORE GAS, ANY OTHER REACTION WOULD HAVE LEFT ME SITTING IN THE MIDDLE OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THIS COMPLAINT IS WELL DOCUMENTED WHEN RESEARCHING BMW ACCELERATION LAG OR THROTTLE TIP IN ON THE INTERNET. IT IS INCREDIBLE THAT BMW WOULD BE ABLE TO ALLOW SUCH UNSAFE PROGRAMING OF THEIR VEHICLES. THIS IS SURE TO HAVE CAUSED ACCIDENTS. I WAS LUCKY, OTHERS MAY NOT BE.
Mileage: 55,000
TRAVELING SOUTH ON INSIDE LANE OF 121 NEAR GRAPEVINE, MY X5 SUDDENLY MADE A REALLY LOUD NOISES FROM THE FRONT LEFT SIDE, STARTED LOSING POWER, LIQUID WAS SPEWING BEHIND ME AND SMOKE COMING OUT FROM UNDERNEATH. I PULLED OVER AND SAW OIL GUSHING FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY 2011 X5. I HAD MY 8 MONTH OLD INFANT AND MY WIFE IN THE CAR, HAD TO RUSH THEM OUT OF THE INFANT SEAT TO ENSURE CAR DOES NOT CATCH ON FIRE. SPEND 2 HOURS WAITING FOR TOW AND IN THE END IT ENDED UP BEING AN FRONT DRIVESHAFT BREAKING PUNCTURING AN OIL PAN AND CUTTING FEW HOSES AND LINES. THERE IS AN ACTIVE RECALL ON THAT BMW FOR THAT EXACT ISSUE...UPDATED 07/30/15 *BF UPDATED 10/23/2017*CN
Mileage: 63,000
U JOINT FAILURE, DRIVESHAFT FAILURE, HIT OIL PAN AND CAUSED DAMAGE, THEN HIT TRANSMISSION AND BLEW IT OUT. *TR
Mileage: 63,000
IT FEEL LIKE THE CAR WAS VIBRATING WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY I TOOK THE EXIT SO I CAN PULL OVER AND IT STARTED MAKING CLANKING SOUND UNDER THE DRIVER SEAT...WHEN CHECKED UNDER THE CAR DRIVE SHAFT IS MISSING SCREW AS IT CAME OFF AND HITTING THE GROUND AND CAR IS NOT DRIVEABLE...NOT SURE WHAT CAUSES IT. IT COULD'VE KILLED US IF I DIDN'T EXIT AS THE HIGHWAY WAS VERY BUSY AND I AM GLAD I PULLED OVER. READING ON INTERNET HONG KONG AND EUROPE HAVE RECALL ON THIS BUT I DIDN'T SEE ANY RECALLS FOR THIS US...UPDATED 06/01/16 *BF UPDATED 9/26/2017*CN
Mileage: 74,450
DRIVESHAFT UJOINT FAILURE. THIS APPEARS TO BE A KNOW ISSUE. DANGEROUS SITUATION WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND DRIVESHAFT COMES UNATTACHED. *TR
Mileage: 55,000
ONE YEAR AGO, MADE A LEFT HAND TURN FROM COMPLETE STOP, ACCELERATING TO 40 MPH? MAYBE? WHEN I HEARD AN AWFUL CRUNCHING NOISE, I STOPPED AND SAW MY X5'S DRIVE SHIFT DROPPED DOWN SOME OIL CAME OUT. THE PROBLEM BECAUSE THE FRONT DRIVE SHIFTS U-JOINT FAILURES. *TR
Mileage: 60,000
THE CAR WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AS "REDUCED POWER". TOOK THE CAR INTO CREVIER BMW IN SANTA ANA. THERE IS A RECALL ON THE VANOS SYSTEM FOR OUR CAR. WE HAVE HAD MULTIPLE PROBLEMS BEFORE THIS AS WELL. LAST JUNE, THE ENGINE OIL HOUSING UNIT WAS REPLACED. NOW THE PROBLEM POINTS TO THE VANOS ON THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST DONE AT THE DEALER. HOWEVER, THE DEALER AND BMW NORTH AMERICA WILL NOT ADDRESS THE ISSUES. BOTH KEEP TELLING US THAT THE "PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE" AND THAT THERE IS A RECALL ON THE VEHICLE BUT WILL LOOK INTO IT ONLY WHEN OR IF THE PARTS BECOME AVAILABLE. THUS, FOR THEM TO REPAIR THE ISSUES RIGHT NOW, WE WOULD NEED TO PAY. THIS SEEMS TO BE A SCAM AND CONVENIENCE ON THEIR PART NOT TO ADDRESS THE ISSUES. I WOULD ASK NHTSA TO PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS TYPE OF PRACTICE AND MAKE BMW RESPONSIBLE AND ACCOUNTABLE TO THEIR CUSTOMERS. THANK YOU. *TR
Mileage: 78,000
MY BMW X5 2011 STARTED GIVING ME LIGHT WHILE I WAS DRIVING POWER REDUCED ENGINE MALFUNCTION AND IMMEDIATELY AFTER 10 MIN ENGINE STOPPED WHILE I WAS DRIVING CALLING BMW FOR IT BUT FORTUNATELY I WAS DRIVING AT 10-20 MILES AN HOUR VERY SLOW AND WAS ABLE TO PULL ON SIDE BUT IT WAS HORRIBLE EXPERIENCE WITH MY KIDS ,WIFE WHOLE FAMILY IN CAR ..........COULD HAVE BEEN TERRIBLE ......VERY SCARED NOW ....SPENDING BIG MONEY FOR BMW AND ONLY AFTER 54000MILES ....SUCH THING HAPPENING ..ITS TERRIBLE .I IMPORTED THIS VEHICLE TO CANADA SO DON'T HAVE OPTION BELOW FOR CANADA AND ZIP CODE BUT STILL WANT TO REPORT THIS SERIOUS PROBLEM .....VERY IMPORTANT. *TR
Mileage: 54,000
WHILE ACCELERATING TO ENTER THE HIGHWAY, A LOUD POP OCCURRED AT APPROX. 35MPH. THE POP WAS FOLLOWED BY A LOSS OF DRIVE TORQUE TO THE FRONT AXLE. I BEGAN TO IMMEDIATELY PULL OVER AND A SECOND LOUD POP WAS HEARD FOLLOWED BY THE SOUND OF METAL CRASHING TO THE GROUND. I EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE LOSS OF DRIVE TORQUE TO THE FRONT AXLE AND COASTED TO RELATIVE SAFETY ON THE ENTRANCE OF AN EXIT RAMP. UPON EXPECTING THE UNDERSIDE OF THE VEHICLE, I COULD SEE A SEPARATED FRONT DRIVESHAFT, MISSING UNIVERSAL JOINT AND THE TRANSFER CASE WAS TOUCHING THE GROUND AND THERE WAS A PUDDLE OF FLUID DIRECTLY UNDERNEATH THE CAR. THERE WAS A TRAIL OF FLUID ON THE EXIT RAMP LEADING TO WHERE I PULLED OVER INDICATING THAT THE FLUID WAS LEAKING AND EVENTUALLY DUMPED COMPLETELY WHEN I PULLED OVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE NEARED BMW DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE AND DIAGNOSIS. *TR
Mileage: 70,000
MY 2011 X5 35I HAS AN ACCELERATION DELAY. BMW HAS RECOGNIZED IT AS AN ISSUE IN THE 535I MODELS, CALLING IT AN "ACCELERATION DELAY" AND HAVE ISSUED AN SIB SOFTWARE UPDATE TO REPAIR IT, BUT HAVE NOT DONE SO FOR THE X5 MODEL. I FEEL THIS ISSUE IS DANGEROUS AND A SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
Mileage: 24,000
OUR 2011 BMW X5D (DIESEL) STARTED HAVING STEERING ISSUES IN JUN OF 2012. MULTIPLE REPAIR ATTEMPTS HAVE BEEN UNSUCCESSFUL. LATER IT WAS INVOLVED IN A LOW SPEED CRASH, INJURING THE DRIVER IN DEC 2012 DUE TO A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THIS WAS JUST MONTHS BEFORE ISSUING A RECALL FOR THE IDENTICAL PROBLEM ALTHOUGH BMW IDENTIFIED PROBLEMS BEFORE THE INITIAL PROBLEM WAS NOTICED. THE VEHICLE STILL TO THIS DAY HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING, DIFFICULT LOW SPEED MANEUVERS AND UNUSUAL TIRE WEAR. WE DO HAVE A RECORDING OF A BMW OF NORTH AMERICA MASTER TECHNICIAN ADMITTING TO THE PROBLEM THAT BMW REFUSES TO CORRECT. IN FACT BMW REFUSES TO EVEN PERFORM WORK ON OUR VEHICLE EVEN THOUGH IT'S ADVERTISED AS "NO MAINTENANCE FOR 4YEARS/50,000 MILES" THIS IS AT ANY DEALERSHIP WE HAVE GONE TO DUE TO A NOTE IN THE DATABASE FROM BMW OF NORTH AMERICA. ALSO VEHICLE SERVICE HISTORY HAS BEEN FRAUDULENTLY ERASED FROM THEIR DATABASE AND BMW REFUSES TO FURTHER INVESTIGATE THE SAFETY OF THIS VEHICLE WHICH WAS PURCHASED NEW IN 2010 AND IS STILL UNDER FULL FACTORY WARRANTY. THEY INSIST THE VEHICLE IS SAFE TO DRIVE OFFICIALLY, WHILE UNOFFICIALLY ADMITTING THAT IT IS DANGEROUS. *TR
Mileage: 15,000
WHEN DROVE IT ON A LOCAL STREET, THE CAR SUDDENLY MADE VERY LOUD NOISE WITHOUT ANY SIGN. AFTER CAR TOWED TO BMW DEALER, THE ENGINEER FOUND THE REASON AS DESCRIBABLE AS: FLYWHEEL BOLTS ARE INCORRECT AND NOT HOLDING THE FLYWHEEL TIGHTLY IN PLACE.
Mileage: 30,932
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW X5. THE CONTACT OBSERVED EXCESSIVE RUST AND CORROSION WITHIN THE FUEL TANK, EXHAUST SYSTEM AND THE ATTACHING COMPONENTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE OWNER WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR EXPENSES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT SMOKE EMITTED FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND STOPPED. THE CONTACT EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS A SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT OF OIL LOSS IN THE RESERVOIR. THE CONTACT THEN ADDED MORE OIL ACCORDINGLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO REFUSED TO MEASURE THE OIL MANUALLY PER THE CONSUMERS REQUEST, THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND REIMBURSED THE CONSUMER FOR TWO DAYS OF MOTEL, FOOD AND TOWING COSTS. UNABLE TO LOCATE A FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,000. UPDATED 3/11/13 *CN BMW OFFERED TO BUY THE VEHICLE BACK, BUT LATER CHANGED THEIR MIND. THE CASE WENT TO COURT, AND THE JUDGE RULED THE OFFER WAS NOT BINDING. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD RUN HOT, AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT GO INTO GEAR.
Mileage: 6,000
ON NOVEMBER 28, 2011, TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTION WARNING CAME ON AND VEHICLE COULD NOT BE SHIFTED INTO GEAR. AFTER 30 MINUTES, FAULT WENT AWAY AND VEHICLE WAS MOVED TO HOME ADDRESS. ON DECEMBER 14TH THE SAME FAULT APPEARED AND THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE SENT TO THE BMW DEALERSHIP. IT TOOK BMW 8 DAYS TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION 'MECHATRONIC' UNIT. ON DECEMBER 22, THE XDRIVE SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED AND THE VEHICLE WILL BE RETURNED TO THE BMW DEALERSHIP. *TR
Mileage: 610
2012 BMW X5. UPON ENGINE START UP WHEN COLD, THE ENGINE SURGES EXCESSIVELY. IF THE TRANSMISSION IS ENGAGED DURING THE SURGING (FLUCTUATING RPM) THE VEHICLE LURCHES FORWARD/REVERSE CAUSING A DANGEROUS SITUATION AND POTENTIAL ACCIDENT. *KB
Mileage: 1,300
I OWN A 2011 BMW X5 35I PREMIUM. I FIND IT INEXCUSABLE TO HAVE BRAKE DUST CONTINUALLY RUINING MY WHEELS, WHICH DEALER STATES THERE IS NO RESOLUTION. THIS CAR IS JERKY WHEN STARTING AND DRIVING AROUND TOWN. ALSO, CARS ENGINE ROARS LOUDLY UPON STARTING.....SOMETHING IS NOT RIGHT! VERY HARD RIDE, GIVES ME HEADACHES ON FREEWAYS NEEDING REPAIRS. I NEVER GET HEADACHES. BRAKE ASSIST COMES ON IN LEVEL AREAS OR CAR IS BEING HELD BACK FROM FULL ACCELERATION. MY EXHAUST SYSTEM IS COMPLETELY RUSTED, CAR IS ONLY 6 MO OLD. WARNING: BLACK DASH CAUSES DRIVERS FACE TO BURN IN HOT TEMPS. IN SUMMER. ON TRIP I HAD TO COVER MY DASH WITH WHITE PAPER TOWELS TO ALLEVIATE MY FACE BURNING WHILE DRIVING. LEATHER SEEMS INFERIOR AND INDENTS EASILY AND STAYS INDENTED. CAR DOES NOT GIVE OPTION ON HEATED SEATS OF USING BACK OR SEAT HEAT. ALSO DOES NOT HAVE COOLED SEATS. WHEN REQUESTING UPGRADE OF NAVIGATION FROM DEALER, THEY WANTED TO CHARGE ME $200. EVEN THO. I SHOULD HAVE A FREE UPGRADE, SINCE THE CAR CAME WITH 2010 VERSION! REAR TAILGATE DOESN'T ALWAYS OPEN WITH KEY FAUB. CARPET ROUND VELCROW FROM FLOOR CAME LOSE AND TORE LEATHER ON MY CONSOLE! WITH A BRAND NEW CAR, I DID NOT EXPECT SO MANY PROBLEMS! I AM LOOKING FOR A CAR WITHOUT PROBLEMS AND EXPECTED MY BMW TO BE JUST THAT. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED. I ALL READY HAD TO REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD. FIND USING CRUISE CONTROL BEHIND STEERING WHEEL VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE IT IS TOO LOW AND IF YOU LOOK DOWN AT YOUR KNEES TO PUT IT ON, YOU CAN'T SEE WHERE YOU ARE DRIVING! MY MECHANIC ALSO TOLD ME THERE IS A CERTAIN WAY TO PUT ON THE EMERGENCY BRAKE SO THE BOLT INTO THE TRANSMISSION/ENGINE? DOESN'T BREAK OFF! THIS IS A CAR FOR A MECHANIC TO OWN. PLEASE ADVISE WHAT TO DO? IT SEEMS THE SMALL ENGINE IS NOT PAIRED CORRECTLY WITH THE TRANSMISSION AND THE TURBO, CAUSING JERKING WHEN ACCELERATING, AND FEELS LIKE THE BRAKE IS ON WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS AROUND TOWN. THIS CAR HAS ME VERY WORRIED!!! *TR
Mileage: 5,000