2011 BMW X5 Engine Problems

NHTSA component category: ENGINE · data through 07/12/2026

110Engine complaints

41.8%Of all 263 complaints

#1Most-reported category

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

How engine ranks on this vehicle

ENGINE110 · 41.8%

AIR BAGS67 · 25.5%

POWER TRAIN55 · 20.9%

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM36 · 13.7%

Unspecified / other20 · 7.6%

Share of the 263 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2011 BMW X5 overview page.

What owners report

“THE VEHICLE CUT POWER OUTPUT FROM THE ENGINE AND WHEN RESTARTED WOULD SHUT OFF. THE DEALERSHIP DECLARED THAT THE CAR HAD INCURRED WATER INTRUSION INTO…”NHTSA complaint 10946199 — filed 01/18/2017

“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE FAILED AND SMOKE EMITTED UNDER THE HOOD WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS…”NHTSA complaint 10927609 — filed 11/23/2016

“ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM COOLANT PUMP SPEED OUTSIDE THE TOLERANCE RECALL (CODE: 3792) MY CAR WAS OVER HEATING, SO I TURNED OFF THE ENGINE ON THE…”NHTSA complaint 10927518 — filed 11/22/2016

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Engine complaints by year filed

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2011 BMW X5 have engine problems?

Engine is the most-reported problem area on the 2011 BMW X5: 110 of 263 complaints on file (41.8%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.

How many complaints does the 2011 BMW X5 have in total?

263 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Across all categories, 5 involved a crash, 15 involved a fire, 4 reported injuries, and none reported deaths.

What does NHTSA's engine category include?

NHTSA assigns each complaint to standard component categories; this page reports the ENGINE category exactly as NHTSA defines and records it.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.