This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
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.
Well last year at this exact same time the front drive shaft broke causing a domino effect of damages the front drive shaft snapped and smashed the transmission pan and dented the exhaust pipe. Service adviser at dealer was not wanting to repair the damages under recall program acted like they have never heard of this issue or the recall in effect. After I presented all my findings they contacted BMW na and they agreed to replace the transmission, exhaust and the drive shaft at no additional cost to me. However I did end up paying over $4K for other oil leaks etc. Now the vehicle is back at the dealers with popping noise very hard jerking. This happens when the vehicle is in motion they now claim that the transfer case is bad and it'll cost $2700 (for the part alone) and labor to replace this to fix the issue. I looked up on line and there are several people having the same issue and BMW is not doing anything about this. Surely the front drive shaft and the transmission are connected to the transfer case. So if the drive shaft has caused the transmission to go out once then that malfunction must have damaged the transfer case also or if the install was not done correctly this could have damaged the transfer case. Which I believe BMW should address under the recall for front drive shaft. Why is no one taking any action on this matter. A faulty transfer case in the X5 can cause loss of drive and this can cause serious injuries or death if the occupants are on a freeway or in an intersection etc where they are stuck. What would it take for someone to look at this issue and hold the manufacturers accountable for such defective and poor quality products.premium dollar for these cars demands premium service and customer care. Currently my car sits in the shop with a repair estimate of almost $9K to replace turbo hoses and transfer case.
Takata recall. The contact owns a 2011 BMW X5. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 16V071000 (air bags) and 17V138000 (power train). The parts to do the repairs were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer (habberstad BMW of bay shore located at 600 sunrise hwy, bay shore, NY 11706; (800) 841-6950) was contacted and confirmed that the parts were not available for the recall remedy. The manufacturer was not contacted. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
It appears that the BMW X5 35I has this issue with the transfer case on a huge number of the vehicles. While there is a recall on some VIN #'s I feel that it is imperative to extend it to all of them. My X5 has an extended warranty on the front drive shaft but unfortunately it has expired because of mileage. This is a very dangerous safety issue. There may not be enough notice when it goes out to pull off the road safely. When it happens it can certainly cause injury and possibly death. Does BMW or the national safety administration really want to take a chance ? I think not only my VIN # needs to be included but all BMW 2011-2012 X5 should be included. BMW has been made aware that this is a defect and needs to do the right thing.
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.
- Winnetka, CA, USA
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Takata recall. The contact owns a 2011 BMW X5. The contact stated that the recall notice for NHTSA campaign numbers: 16V071000 (air bags) was received in February of 2016 and 17V138000 (power train) was received in March of 2017. After contacting the dealer and the manufacturer on multiple occasions, the contact was informed that the parts needed for the recall remedy were still not available and no estimated time for receiving the parts could be provided. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
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 fiance 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.
The contact owns a 2011 BMW X5. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 16V071000 (air bags) and 17V138000 (power train). The part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
I previously filed a complaint with you, but inadvertently said my car was mfg in March 2011, but it was actually mfg in March 2010. BMW previously recalled vehicles mfg from April 4 to Nov 30 2010. Due to continuing complaints, BMW recalled the entire model year, but only added the new recall to the previous recall, so it goes from April 2010 to 2013. Mine was one of the first mfg in 2010 and has the same issue but was not recalled. Can you please extend the recall back one month to get the first cars produced that year? mine is about the only one left out of the recall and has already failed and is in the shop but BMW denies the claim.
Takata recall. The contact owns a 2011 BMW X5. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 16V071000 (air bags) and 17V138000 (power train); however the parts for the recall repairs were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The contact had not experienced a failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issues. Parts distribution disconnect. Updated 06/21/17 the consumer stated the power train was repaired. Updated 08/30/2017
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.
I am requesting an emergency recall of my automobile. When crossing the gandy bridge over tampa bay in rush hour traffic a couple of weeks ago, my car emitted a very loud bang and a rapid series of shaking and extremely hard knocks. The car lost power, smoke billowed out the back and I saw a stream of oil in the mirror behind me. I was able to safely pull out of the traffic lane. The problem, I have found, was that the front drive shaft failed due to a manufacturing defect in the universal joint. When it failed, the spinning parts cracked open the transmission case, the oil pan and broke several nearby parts. The event occurred on a long bridge in heavy traffic and could have resulted in serious injury. The front end of the spinning drive shaft broke loose and fell down, parts were ejected onto the highway, the transmission was cracked open and all transmission oil discharged onto the bridge. Had this occurred, for example, while passing another car on a two lane road, there could have been a serious, perhaps fatal accident. This vehicle, from production dates beginning April 5 2011, was officially recalled in May 2016 for this exact issue. My car was manufactured in March, 2011, a couple of weeks before the apparently arbitrary recall date of April 5. I now find there have been many similar failures, with photos and descriptions exactly like mine. The BMW recall notice, which I did not receive because my vehicle was not included, states that a vibration will become noticeable, and, if it fails, power to the front wheels will be interrupted, but that the rear wheels will continue to work. That is simply not true. The transfer case had to be replaced in May 2016. Updated 03/07/17.
Very disappointing. My pampered BMW X5 2011 mileage only 38200. I went to the dealer for driveshaft recall fix. Dealer told me that in my BMW transfer case has gone bad and needs replacement soon. Cost is $6000+. they also told me that I should sell it if I don't want to get this fixed. But after that recall fix, I hear some weird sound coming whenever I am driving. Don't know what to do" spent so much money to buy this car and now this" not ready to spend this big amount because of poor part quality by BMW. Car is in the garage now and I am scared to drive :-(
Takata recall. The contact owns a 2011 BMW X5. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 16V071000 (air bags), 16V3110090 (power train), 16V364000 (air bags) and 16V746000 (air bags, fuel/propulsion). However, the parts to do the repairs were not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Driving in the city, 20mph. I felt a slight but noticeable vibration. I stopped at a stop sign, turned right, accelerated to 10mph. At that time the front U-joint broke causing an yet to be determined amount of damage to the vehicle. Had I been traveling at highway speeds, lives would have been in danger. This appears to be a well known and well reported issue which the BMW X5. I urge the NHTSA to take the appropriate steps to investigate the many similar complaints file with you.
My vehicle has 80,886 miles and just had oil changed at BMW dealership, fields BMW winter park fl. I requested a check on the vehicle as there has been a grinding/vibration noise on turning left and right at intersections or moving from a parked position. The dealership said the transfer case is failing and to replace it would be $6,666.40. I am shocked to hear this diagnosis for a vehicle that has less than 81,000 miles on the odometer. I am really concerned about the gearbox failing while driving and this could be a high safety hazard for myself and the family. I certainly think that BMW gearbox should last longer, however the vehicle is out of warranty and the dealer said I really cannot afford to pay another ~$7000 and wondered if this is a recall issue?
The contact owns a 2011 BMW X5. While driving 60 mph, the accelerator pedal was depressed, but the vehicle failed to accelerate and lost power. The engine temperature warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for routine service and the technician stated that there was a failure with the engine fan. The vehicle was diagnosed and produced diagnostic code 3792. The contact was unsure about what parts needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was aware of NHTSA campaign number: 11V521000 (engine and engine cooling), but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 62,000. Updated 01/04/17 updated 7/5/18
On 21 Oct 16 at approximately 3:10 pm, while driving on route 30 in hampstead, md and approaching a roundabout at 30 miles per hour, the vehicle stalled without any warning lights on the dashboard. Lights were operable, but the vehicle would not restart or disengage out of park to move the vehicle from oncoming traffic. The vehicle was towed to the BMW dealership. If this had happened just 30 minutes before, we would have been on an interstate 795 traveling at 60 mph. There was not collision. At the BMW dealership, the service department stated it was the starter. The starter was replaced but the vehicle still would not start. The service manager stated that the 'engine has seized up' and the cost would be $17,000 to take out the engine and replace the engine. The vehicle was less than two months out of an extended warranty. We are contacting BMW as the vehicle was traded because of the prohibited cost of repairs. The symptoms displayed match the part 573 safety recall report 16V-746.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Grand Prairie, TX, USA