The issue started with exhaust fume in the cabin for 2-3 days. Followed by air leaking sound from the engine bay on low RPM. Vehicle went in and out of limp mode (getting "engine malfunctioned / reduced power" message) while driving which was very dangerous on highway or merging into traffic. Dealer found out that the egr cooler was cracked.
2011 BMW X5 Diesel Sav: sudden loss of power
8 of the 44 complaints about the 2011 BMW X5 Diesel Sav describe sudden loss of power.
- owner complaints
- 8
- of this car's complaints
- 18%
- typical mileage
- 95,000
- recalls
- 1
Is there a fix? There is 1 recall and 3 service bulletins for this area of the car. See below
What owners say
While driving the vehicle on a local road at 40 MPH in a straight line, there was a loud, very short lived noise in the engine and I immediately lost power steering. My serpentine belt failed and I limped home without power steering, battery charging, etc.... Upon inspection by my local mechanic (not a bmw service center), the reason for the serpentine belt system failing was the alternator idler pulley bolt had failed in the block. He had to take out the condenser, radiator, etc. In order to drill the bolt out. The bolt sheared inside the engine block and had to be drilled out. This is the bolt for which there was a past recall and my mechanic has been having difficulty getting a replacement bolt from bmw for 2 days now. I had not received any notice from bmw about this potentially serious defect and how the past recall had not effectively corrected the problem. I discovered the problem yesterday when I was searching bmw fora to see why bmw was asking my mechanic for details about the bolt when he was trying to order a replacement and still has not offered to ship the bolt to my mechanic.
1. "idler pulley bolt failed" - while driving on the freeway, the pulley bolt failed. When this happened, I lost power to the steering wheel and the message "charging malfunction" appeared. I opened the hood and pulled out the broken belts. The car had to be towed to the garage and it cost me roughly $900 to fix + the towing fee. 2. Car had rattle sounds. I had to have the "stabilizer bar/control arm/shock n strut assembly" replaced at 75,141 miles.......
Engine malfunction light reduced power to engine in the city while at light. Also you can hear a flapping sound coming from front of vehicle. Dealer reports after diagnostic that the exhaust cooler is cracked. Previously the car was serviced for metering valve leak which was under scr extended warranty and front drive shaft recall with bushing replacement with was covered under extended warranty.
Engine drive belt idler pulley bolt snapped while vehicle was idling. Lost power steering, water pump, and alternator due to drive belt being disconnected. This bolt was replaced as part of recall campaign #12v550. However, the recalled part has now failed, and there are many online reports of failures of the new recalled part. Part was replaced according to the dealer at 13,000 miles, and subsequent failure occurred at 77,000.
I received an engine malfunction reduced power warning on my vehicle. When this happens I loss power an cannot go over 20 MPH. I was on the highway when this happened .I took it to the dealer and found out that it was an egr and vacuum line problem. Doing a simple search on the web thousands of other x5 diesel owners are experiencing the same issue. I contacted bmw north america told them of the issue, after a week they got back to me and said the parts were not covered even though they get many complaints.
Airbag recall over 18months-bmw says "can't get parts". "may shoot shards if deployed. Driveshaft recall -bmw says can't get parts. "if fails, front wheels don't work. Crack in egr cooler. Deadly exhaust in passenger cabin-repaired 5/8/17. Recall alternator bolt -replaced and replacement broke! Car lost all power and steering in traffic on mountain road at night.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 bmw x5 diesel. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 MPH, the engine malfunction reduced power warning message displayed intermittently as the vehicle stalled. In addition, the vehicle was over-consuming exhaust fluid. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the mechanic stated that the problem was coming from the exhaust temperature control and the low pressure regulating valve. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 98,000.
Service bulletins that may apply
Related recalls
Engine and engine cooling: engine: diesel
- What is wrong
- Bmw is recalling certain model year 2011, x5 diesel sports activity vehicles (sav) manufactured from march 31, 2011, through may 19, 2011. Due to a component manufacturing error at the supplier, the welds in the belt tensioner could have incipient cracks. Over time, this could lead a malfunction of the belt tensioner.
- Risk
- If the belt tensioner fails, there could be a sudden loss of power steering assistance, if power steering assist is lost, manual steering capability is still retained and could increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the engine belt tensioner free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin during august 2011. Owners may contact bmw customer relations and services at 1‑800‑525‑7417, or via email at [email protected].
Recall number 11V332000 · Recall details
Questions about the 2011 BMW X5 Diesel Sav loss of power
Is sudden loss of power a common problem on the 2011 BMW X5 Diesel Sav?
8 of 44 owner complaints about the 2011 BMW X5 Diesel Sav (18%) mention sudden loss of power.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2011 BMW X5 Diesel Sav?
There is 1 recall and 3 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2011 BMW X5 Diesel Sav
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 2011 BMW X5 Diesel Sav?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history