general problems of the 2011 BMW X5

16 problems related to steering have been reported for the 2011 BMW X5. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2011 BMW X5 based on all problems reported for the 2011 X5.

1 Steering problem

Failure Date: 11/17/2023

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.

2 Steering problem

Failure Date: 08/01/2023

The contact owns a 2011 BMW X5. The contact stated while driving 60 mph, the steering wheel became stiff. No warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to pull to the side of the road. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that the vehicle was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was unknown.

3 Steering problem

Failure Date: 09/04/2022

I was driving to work one morning on the highway, when I suddenly heard a loud sharp noise from the engine bay that followed with the engine and battery lights turning blinking on my display with sudden loss of steering. I panicked but quickly put my vehicle into neutral with my hazard lights on and slowly hit my brakes till I came to a complete stop on the highway. I got my vehicle towed back and upon further inspection saw that the idler pulley bolt snapped completely off. I researched and saw that this bolt has been recalled twice already with the same issue. If this was during a heavy traffic situation it could have been far worse.

4 Steering problem

Failure Date: 08/30/2022

Front drive shaft broke while driving and almost lost control.

5 Steering problem

Failure Date: 12/30/2019

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.

6 Steering problem

Failure Date: 05/01/2019

Tl-takata recall the contact owns a 2011 BMW X5. The contact stated that the vehicle was towed in for a takata air bag recall repair to the dealer walker BMW 6655 coliseum blvd, alexandria, la 71303 (318) 445-6678. When the vehicle was brought back it had a check engine light on and a note that it was at 50% capacity and needed to be returned to the dealer. The manufacturer stated that they would investigate when the contact called to complain . The dealer also stated the drive shaft needed to be replaced under an extended warranty. The dealer then said that they would charge to fix the drive shaft. The contact's main concern was that there were no issues with the engine or drive shaft before the vehicle was taken in for the air bag repair. The tow truck driver emailed the contact a written statement that the vehicle was working fine when it was dropped off to the dealer. The manufacturer stated that they would not cover the new repairs and backed the dealer for diagnosing these extra repair new issues. The failure mileage was 107,000. Tf.

7 Steering problem

Failure Date: 03/03/2018

Driving down street steering wheel locked up ,car shut down,had it towed to BMW,they said engine,powertrain failed,warranty people refuse to pay to have fixed.

8 Steering problem

Failure Date: 03/01/2017

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.

9 Steering problem

Failure Date: 01/24/2017

I purchased car 2011-sole owner dealer state replaces engine pulley bolt 2012? driving in dark and rain in mountains nc 1/24/17. All of a sudden lost ability to steer without a lot of force. Then got dash errors "charging malfunction", "engine overheating" transmission failure "no abs" "drive cautiously ""turn off engine". I could not turn steering wheel hard enough to get off road. Pulled barely to side and turned engine off. Completely stranded and scared to death. Same broken bolt to be replaced. This is lethal situation and I am stuck with a killer car. Cannot afford to dump it. This car has required towing several times for engine failure that was "repaired". But I don't know what was done. In prior separate incident I was driving along engine light came on car sputtered and stopped-required towing. And takata recall also still waiting for airbags shoot shards. BMW will not replace. They think it is not hot in nc. I call 104 degrees hot.

10 Steering problem

Failure Date: 08/04/2016

The contact owns a 2011 BMW X5. While driving approximately 7 mph, a loud noise was heard from the engine compartment and the steering wheel lost power without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed and replaced the belt bolt. The failure recurred after six months. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to a dealer. The dealer stated that a recall repair was already perfomed and could not be repeated. The vehicle was not repaired. The recall details were not provided. The failure mileage was approximately 56,000.

11 Steering problem

Failure Date: 08/10/2015

The contact owns a 2011 BMW X5. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 mph, the steering wheel was difficult to turn. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was not included in the NHTSA campaign number: 11v332000 (engine, engine cooling). The failure mileage was unknown.

12 Steering problem

Failure Date: 06/14/2015

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.

13 Steering problem

Failure Date: 02/24/2015

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.

14 Steering problem

Failure Date: 11/15/2014

The contact owns a 2011 BMW X5. While driving 55 mph, the steering wheel became difficult to turn and the engine stalled. The check engine and brake warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The technician diagnosed that the idle pulley bar and belt needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 52,560.

15 Steering problem

Failure Date: 06/16/2013

While driving my engine suddenly shut off along with power steering and power brakes. It started again and I took it to a BMW dealer that said I needed a $325 software update. I asked if that meant my engine would shut off while driving should by software ever go out of date. They said yes, it happens but not on all software updates. They also said software update come out about every 3 to 4 months meaning my engine could be shut off again at any time. I felt I had no choice but to pay the money so my car would run again. I am concerned now about driving at any higher rate of speed considering I could lose my steering and brakes anytime someone decides I need to update software that I was never informed was out of date.

16 Steering problem

Failure Date: 06/12/2012

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.


Other Steering related problems of the 2011 BMW X5


Safety Ratings of X5 Cars
Fuel Economy of X5 Vehicles
X5 Service Bulletins
X5 Safety Recalls
X5 Defect Investigations