Problems · by component

2011 BMW X5 XDRIVE50I fuel/propulsion system problems

36 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2011 BMW X5 XDRIVE50I cite fuel/propulsion system, 14% of all 264 complaints for this model year.

Complaints
36
14% of all complaints
Crashes
1
Reported by owners
Fires
3
Reported by owners
Injuries
0
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the fuel/propulsion system

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 6, 2024Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11606925
“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…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 24, 2024Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11567475
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 24, 2022Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemFire reportedODI 11470883
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 1, 2022Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11449821
“VEHICLE'S ENGINE, BEING A DIESEL, REQUIRES NOX TRAP SYSTEM AND SCR SYSTEMS IN ORDER TO REDUCE HARMFUL EMISSIONS PER EPA STANDARDS. IN ORDER FOR THE SCR SYSTEM TO WORK PROPERLY, THE ENGINE MUST INJECT DEF (DIESEL-EXHAUST FLUID) INTO THE SCR SYSTEM. IN THE BMW X5 35D, THE DEF SYSTEM IS COMPRISED OF TWO TANKS: THE ACTIVE TANK AND THE PASSIVE TANK. A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS SYSTEM IS THE PRIMARY SENSOR OF THE PASSIVE TANK FAILING. THE SENSOR ITSELF FAILS, BUT THE ENTIRE TANK HAS TO BE REPLACED AS A RESULT OF THE SENSOR'S ISSUES, RESULTING IN SEVERAL THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS BEING SPENT DUE TO THE SENSOR ITSELF NOT BEING ABLE TO BE REPLACED IN THE ORIGINAL TANK. RECALL IS RECOMMENDED FOR BMW TO REPLACE THESE SENSORS AS THE FAILURE OF THESE SENSORS RESULTS IN THE SCR CATALYST SYSTEM FAILING TO OPERATE, WHICH IN TURN SIGNIFICANTLY DECREASES ENGINE PERFORMANCE, INCREASES EXHAUST EMISSIONS, AND RESULTS IN THE ENGINE NOT KNOWING THE CAPACITY ON WHICH TO OPERATE. THIS CAN BE DANGEROUS.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 10, 2021Unknown or other, Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11407424
“CABIN HAS ONE ODOR OF GASOLINE - ESPECIALLY NOTICEABLE ON INITIAL STARTING, WHEN STOPPED WITH THE ENGINE IDLING, AND UPON ACCELERATING FROM A COMPLETE STOP. I NOTICED THAT BMW HAS A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM, BUT MY VIN IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. I HAVE SPENT SEVERAL HUNDRED DOLLARS HAVIN A MECHANIC ISOLATE THE LEAK, BUT IT HAS NOT BEEN FOUND. PLEASE HELP!”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 31, 2020Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11352375

Showing 6 of 36 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Other 2011 X5 XDRIVE50I problem areas