2011 BMW X5: engine failure

Filed Oct 18, 2023 · Engine · 107,000 miles · GA

The contact owns a 2011 BMW X5. The contact stated that while stopped at a stop sign, the vehicle unexpectedly turned off and independently shifted into neutral. The “Engine Failure - Reduced Power” message was displayed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the failure was due to a faulty variable valve timing system. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and determined that the VIN was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 107,000.

Filed Sep 22, 2023 · Engine · MD

Passport BMW told us that there was a recall on the engine of our X5 and asked if we had to add oil periodically; our answer was yes. We were told that the engine failed the oil consumption test performed by Passport BMW and the engine needed to be replaced. Passport then said that we had to pay for the replacement of the engine, $2,500. The engine has been replaced, however the engine still leaks oil and now also leaks antifreeze additionally, engine malfunction is displayed permanently on the dashboard.

Filed Dec 3, 2019 · Engine, Fuel system · 111,000 miles · NY

Drove my vehicle in to the bmw dealer for coolant leak/water pump service and oil change. The next day they inform me the car stalled during a standard test drive after the service was performed. The were unable to specify what caused the engine to stall and did not release diagnostics to me but told me that a new engine was needed. Ny state dept of vehicle forwarded a report stating vanos faults. There are currently bmw recalls for engine and engine cooling, electric auxiliary water pump failure, and an unspecified recall for vanos bolts unit that loosen or break over time causing the engine to have reduced power or stall. My VIN number is not under these recalls but should be.

Filed Nov 16, 2018 · Engine · 94,000 miles · OH

The vehicle engine was internally knocking which one dealership told me to keep driving it and bring it back at my appointment a week later and another dealership avidsed me not to drive the car as they were having a global issue with these engines and the engine could seize up... If I were on the highway or roadway and the engine seized up it could have caused a serious accident.

Filed Apr 18, 2018 · Engine, Transmission · 69,187 miles · PA

This vehicle has numerous complaints about the vanos system. As I was driving on the highway with full traffic, my engine failed at 70 MPH causing to me almost get killed in traffic as I fought my way the the shoulder. The car would not start, I took the car to the dealer and it seems that the vanos bolt backed out of the camshaft and caused catastrophic damage to the engine. I went to my warranty and they would not cover the damage due to it being the bolt that backed out. As they do not cover bolts. Now I am paying for a car that I cant drive and is currently sitting at bmw of mt. Laurel in new jersey with an 18k bill. This can happen to alot of people in these vehicles. That vanos unit is dangerous and should be recalled again with the correct bolts reinforced.

Filed Feb 16, 2017 · Engine · 77,000 miles · NY

January 13, 2017, I was driving my 2011 bmw x5, with approximately 77,000 miles, on a two-lane road and I accelerated to pass a truck. While going approximately 45 MPH my x5 unexpectedly and without any warning shifted into neutral. The engine would only rev when I pushed on the accelerator pedal. This was without any check engine light or noise indicating catastrophic mechanical failure. Thankfully, I had enough speed to complete my pass before the oncoming traffic reached me and we avoided a potentially disastrous collision. I coasted to the shoulder of the road hoping to be able to shift back into drive. Movement of the shifter did nothing and the engine continued to run at idle speed. When I tried to restart the x5, nothing would happen. All the lights on the dashboard were still working and there were no signs of any warning indicators. The towne bmw service representative told me that I would need a new engine at an estimated cost of $20,000. The vehicle had an estimated trade-in value $14,000! This outcome is after I properly maintained the vehicle for 6 years, having all oil changes done within the manufactures suggested service intervals. And spent over $6,000 with the service department. Most recent oil change was done at on november 15, 2016. I even had the oil filter housing gaskets replaced at a cost of $572 based on the technician's recommendation. It is unfathomable to me and other pro mechanics to understand what would have caused such a catastrophic failure. Dealer called feb. 9, 2017, almost one month after my trouble began, to explain that the #6 cam shaft bearing failed and seized onto the connecting rod. I asked what would cause such a failure and they said it was probably due to lack of oil or dirt in the oil. Neither could explain how this could happen with routine oil changes and most recent being only two months prior.

Filed Jan 27, 2017 · Airbags, Engine · 67,000 miles · NC

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.

Filed Nov 23, 2016 · Engine, Fuel system · 100,000 miles · NY · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 bmw x5. The contact stated that the engine failed and smoke emitted under the hood while driving. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic for inspection where it was diagnosed that the fuel diesel heather failed, causing the vehicle to overheat. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer stated that the vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 13v339000 (fuel system, diesel). The failure mileage was 100,000.

Filed Nov 2, 2016 · Engine, Transmission · 91,000 miles · PA

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.

Filed Mar 31, 2016 · Engine · 71,400 miles · NJ

Previous vanos recall campain / fix has not worked and has caused catastrophic engine failure. After one year from recall work the turbo failed resulting in loss of engine power. Upon replacing turbo dealer noticed metal shavings in oil. Less than one year later and multiple engine issues there is loud engine knocking. Dealer claims again there is metal shavings in then oil and the engine and turbo need to be replaced. Bmw na is refusing to cover work even though the vanos bolt issue is a well known and documented problem. These vanos bolts shear and drop into the timing chain causing metal shaving contamination to engine oil. Engine will eventuality loose power and shut down as metal works its way throughout the engine resulting in complete failure and necsitating replacement. Bmw na knows this is a problem and they are refusing to do anything about this serious safety issue.

Filed Feb 13, 2013 · Electrical, Engine · 16,000 miles · VA

Started the car and the engine light came on with "engine malfunction - reduced power" and drove a few hundred yards and then the car completely died. The 2011 bmw x5 35i premium just died - no power whatsoever. Because there was no power, the car could not be put into neutral to be put on a flatbed. The x5 had to be put on a crane and lifted onto a flatbed tow truck. Bought this vehicle in the u.s. And is u.s. Spec (car was in the u.s. For 2 years) - shipped the car to germany and this is where the incident happened (car been in germany just a few months). Bmw of munich said that there is a bolt that can break off - which it did - munich requested the local dealer to take the engine apart to see if that was the fault and they confirmed it was. Bmw is replacing our engine because of this fault. However, the recall as of now is only for the x5 diesels. The recall should be expanded. Had we been on the autobahn where there aren't many speed limit areas, this could have resulted in a fatal crash if someone going 100+MPH rammed behind us from our car dying of catastrophic failure. At 16,000 miles the vehicle should not need a new engine.