2011 BMW X5 electrical problems

Filed Jul 21, 2025 · Electrical · MA

The comfort access door handle, got so hot it started to melt the plastic exterior handle and produce a lot of smoke would have caught fire if i didn't turn off car and disconnect electrical signal to the cas handle

Filed May 27, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · 132,000 miles · AL

The contact owns a 2011 BMW X5. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was towed to an unknown dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer informed the contact that the VIN was not under recall. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 132,000.

Filed Oct 18, 2023 · Airbags, Electrical · CA

To Whom It May Concern. Please help me on this. I purchased a BMW x5 that needed recalls installed at the BMW dealer. I purchased the vehicle, performed routine preventative maintenance, new tires, new brakes, full detail, shampooed the interior, and full wash, etc. When I took my BMW to the dealer, the BMW dealer installed the recalled items, but did not install or replace the defective FRM footwell module that controls the electric windows, signals, headlights, emergency flashers, and all the interior lights. Per BMW service manager, this FRM is defective from the factory because the FRM does not have a relay or fuse disconnect that protects the FRM from current surges or spikes. The manner and area that this FRM was mounted into the BMW x5 chassis makes this FRM electronic module highly susceptible to being damaged or become defective due to no fault of the vehicle driver or owner. Shame on BMW for not standing behind the quality of their vehicles. I have spent a considerable amount of money, close to one thousand dollars on the diagnosis and repair of footwell module FRM on my 2011 BMW x5 vehicle. Please intervene on my behalf, hundreds of other BMW x5 owners have also been fraudulently sold defective parts and vehicles. BMW knows this is a major safety issue, yet BMW will not issue a recall until the federal safety agency, NTSB, or another government entity forces BMW to do the right thing. Shameful. Please intervene on our behalf. Respectfully, [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Dec 28, 2022 · Electrical · NJ

Foot wells or FRM module failed when installing a new battery. Now my windows and turning signals does not work after service when it was working before I took it to BMW of Bloomfield.

Filed Sep 9, 2022 · Electrical, Engine · OK

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.

Filed Mar 9, 2021 · Electrical · NY

My vehicle was parked on the streets during a very hard raining day. After that even I went to move my car 2 day later . The car was cranking but never went on . I troubleshoot the car and I realized that the cabin filter were full of water. Below the cabin filter my 2011 bmw x5 has a integrated supply module that supply electricity to the spark plug for my surprise that modules burn because of the water .

Filed Feb 26, 2021 · Electrical, Lights · 95,000 miles · NC

The following took place in june 2020. I still own the vehicle. I've garage kept my SUV, however recently I moved to city for work and been parking my x5 outside. It had been raining pretty hard in the last few days and I was driving w/ my 4-year-old in back when suddenly the dashboard warning lights and various messages on the entertainment screen started flashing. The warnings took me off guard and some of the messages that my engine may stall in the middle of traffic made me panic, especially with my kid in the back. I pulled over and started taking pictures messages. I researched and found the water from the sunroof leaks into the left side of the trunk where the electronics and audio equipment are located. (now I know it leaked on both side'as leith bmw technician found water on the right side too with electric wires submerged). I found about half a gallon of water accumulated. I took water out using a water bottle I cut in the middle and tried to dry off affected electronics. When I restarted the vehicle, the chimes are gone and so is the sound. The radio stations and navigation works, but there is absolutely no sound coming out. Also, the trunk lift gate does not automatically open anymore making it very hard to operate and the engine light won't go away. I contacted bmw and explained the situation and they told me to take my vehicle to bmw authorized dealer and pay out of pocket for it. That cost around $400. I kept receipt. All their communication was verbal as to not leave email trail. The only solid rejection letter I received is when they replied to my bbb complaint. So far I have contacted bmw directly who rejected my claims, bbb of new jersey (where bmw is located) who contacted bmw directly and bmw sent a rejection letter, consumer reports, cpsp.gov who directed me to the federal safety agency. Thank you for your help.

Filed Oct 29, 2020 · Airbags, Electrical · 11,111 miles · GA

Upon driving the airbag light came on and said it was not recognized seat belt indicator came on also send a photo

Filed Oct 31, 2019 · Airbags, Electrical · 64,000 miles · TX

The passenger seat weight occupancy sensor intermittently works. I am concerned if it is not working properly, the airbag may not deploy properly. Also, the seat belt warning light chimes even though the seat is not occupied.

Filed Sep 30, 2019 · Electrical, Engine · 82,000 miles · WY · fire

Upon starting my car at a friend's house, I heard a brief electrical buzzing noise that then stopped. It sounded like the radiator fan, but the fan wasn't moving. I drove my car approximately 15 miles home and parked it. About 2.5 hours later, from inside my home, I heard the sound of what seemed to be a small explosion. I looked outside and my car's engine compartment was engulfed in flames. It had parked, unused with the motor off for more than two hours on a cool day with temperatures in the 40s with no warning indicators lights or messages. I later learned bmw had issued a recall for electrical fires, however, I never receiveda recall notice. Press reports note that more than 90 such fires have been reported to your agency, and I can still find no documentation on your website of this problem.