13 problems related to driveshaft have been reported for the 2011 BMW X5. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
Driveshaft failure.
Driveshaft feels like its failing ive read forums about airbags being a safety issue.
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.
On Saturday may 6th 2017. I was driving when I heard this noise to my untrained ear it seemed as if the noise was coming from my front tires? I pulled over got out to check my front tires/wheel's and there was nothing, I get back into my vehicle and start driving again after a few minutes the same noise could be heard again so once again I pulled over got out and checked my tires/wheels and undercarriage. As I am looking there is nothing hanging or loose, I get back into the vehicle and started to head towards my house I was only about 6 blocks away from home so I call my fianc�e and asked he to come outside (I wanted her to drive the vehicle just a little so that I could see if my wheels were doing anything strange, this would help me to better explain what I through was happing to my vehicles wheels/tires) as soon as I hang the phone up I slowed down to go over a speed hump at the time I did not notice but I had lost power in the vehicle as I tried to use my breaks the vehicle did nothing and I do mean nothing so now I am rolling straight and go through two stop signs hoping and praying that one hits me, due to the vehicle having no power. A message shows up on the screen saying �transmission malfunction� the malfunction maybe resolved by restarting. Contract nearest BMW center if necessary. Use emerg. Release to disengage park detention prior to towing or pushing vehicle. Now mine you this message only showed after the vehicle lost all power. As I am going through the second stop sign there is a slightl/small hill that I went up and the vehicle lost enough speed that I was able to smash the brakes real hard to stop the vehicle from moving. A car all most hit me in the rest because of this action, and now I am sitting on this slight hill holding my foot on the break. Once the vehicle was towed to a BMW dealership I was told about the driveshaft recall.
Driveshaft recall- when operating the vehicle low and high speed, vibrations can be felt throughout the car. When taken to the mechanic, there was some foreplay in the driveshaft and could have given out at any moment. Had the driveshaft gave out while the vehicle is in motion at higher speed, results could have been fatal. The issue has already been addressed by the NHTSA for the same model of later production dates. Main concern is why are the vehicles before the covered productions dates and models that have the same issues not being covered? parking brake malfunction- parking brake motor fails which causes the parking brakes to be locked. Driver and passengers were stranded. Based on independent research, this is a common issue with BMW vehicles. This should be addressed.
Noise and vibration coming from drive shaft when turning and driving straight ahead.
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.
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.
While traveling 70mph eb on interstate 10, biloxi, ms area, a sudden rumbling sound was heard coming from beneath the vehicle followed by a loud pop and severe banging and vibration. The vehicle immediately loss power and I was forced to maneuver through moderate high speed traffic in dangerous conditions to the side of the interstate. Once coming to a stop, further movement was not possible. The vehicle was towed approximately 50 miles to nearest BMW dealership in mobile, alabama where the issue was diagnosed as a snapped driveshaft. BMW was aware of the potentially deadly driveshaft issue as I had received a letter extending the driveshaft warranty 5 months prior. They chose not to issue a recall but instead only issued a limited extended warranty on the driveshaft. Experiencing this failure at highway speeds has shown me that this failure had fatal potential. My vehicle had been checked and pronounced fit by a local BMW dealership 6 days prior to this incident.
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.
U joint failure, driveshaft failure, hit oil pan and caused damage, then hit transmission and blew it out.
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.
Driveshaft ujoint failure. This appears to be a know issue. Dangerous situation while driving down the highway and driveshaft comes unattached.