The Lemon Index2011 BMW X5.
The 2011 BMW X5 is about average by owner complaints: 45 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 95, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about engine, it has 15 recalls, and it gets 14 to 22 mpg combined. The best BMW X5 year is 2010.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 331 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every BMW X5 year. 2011 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 55K to 94K miles on the car (228 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- engine complaints mostly came at 60K–100K miles
- airbags complaints mostly came at 52K–107K miles
- transmission & drivetrain complaints mostly came at 60K–84K miles
Recalls 15
- engine 2023
The aluminum bolts that secure the housing for the variable camshaft timing adjustment (VANOS) unit can loosen over time and possibly break.
- airbags 2020
These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and hig.
- airbags 2020
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Show all 15 recalls
- airbags 2019
These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment.
- engine 2018
The engine idler pulley bolt may loosen over time and break.
- engine 2018
If the circuit board were to overheat, it can increase the risk of a fire.
- airbags 2018
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- engine 2017
The heater for the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve may short circuit.
- transmission & drivetrain 2017
Water and debris may enter the front driveshaft's universal joint, causing excessive wear and possibly resulting in the joint's failure.
- fuel system, gasoline 2016
The affected vehicles have in-tank fuel pumps that may have insufficiently crimpe.
- airbags 2016
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- transmission & drivetrain 2016
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.
- engine 2011
BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 5-SERIES, MODEL YEAR 2010-2011 5-SERIES GRAN TURISMO, MODEL YEAR 2009-2011 7-SERIES, MODEL YEAR 2010-2011 X5 SAV, AND MODEL YEAR 2008-2011 X6 SAV VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 8- OR 12-C…
- engine 2011
BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011, X5 DIESEL SPORTS ACTIVITY VEHICLES (SAV) MANUFACTURED FROM MARCH 31, 2011, THROUGH MAY 19, 2011.
- equipment 2010
BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 X5 SAV AND X6 SAV PASSENGER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 1 THROUGH MAY 8, 2010.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems BMW told dealers about
BMW sent dealers 337 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- N63 turbocharger auxiliary water pump faults
- Oil separator-cold climate conditions
- Various vvt faults stored in dme memory
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- OpenDesiccated air bag inflator rupture2021
- ClosedIdler pulley bolt failure2018
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BMW X5 SUV 4WD | not rated | not rated | not rated | ★★★★☆ |
| BMW X5 Xdrive35D SUV 4WD | not rated | not rated | not rated | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $4200–5700 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 3.0L 6-cyl, 4.4L 8-cyl.
Quick answers
Is the 2011 BMW X5 reliable?
About average by government complaints. It drew about the average number of complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 95; 100 is average, lower is better). The best BMW X5 year by this measure is 2010.
What are the most common 2011 BMW X5 problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are engine (40%), transmission & drivetrain (24%) and engine (18%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2011 BMW X5 have?
15 safety recalls (latest: engine). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2011 BMW X5 get?
14 to 22 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2011 BMW X5 problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 55,000 and 94,000 miles. The middle report was at 73,000 miles, from 228 complaints.
Does the 2011 BMW X5 have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 24% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2011 BMW X5 cost in fuel a year?
About $4200 to $5700 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2011 BMW X5 have?
3.0L 6-cyl, 4.4L 8-cyl.
What BMW X5 year is better than the 2011?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2010, 2016 and 2015.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works