Recall 11V332 affects 923 2011 BMW X5 Diesel Sav vehicles for cracked engine belt tensioner welds. Repair is free at any franchised BMW dealer.
BMW is recalling 923 2011 X5 Diesel Sav vehicles because supplier manufacturing errors left incipient cracks in belt tensioner welds. If the tensioner fails, the driver can lose power steering assistance while manual steering remains, which increases crash risk; the BMW dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The belt tensioner on the 2011 BMW X5 Diesel Sav is part of the engine's accessory drive. Its job is to keep the drive belt tight enough to run the belt-driven engine accessories at the right speed. The tensioner uses welded metal sections to hold its position while the belt moves under load.
On the affected vehicles, a supplier manufacturing error left the belt tensioner welds with small cracks already started inside the part. As the engine runs, belt load and vibration place stress on those welds. Over time, the cracks can grow until the tensioner no longer holds the belt correctly, which means the accessory drive no longer works as designed.
There is no warning sign before failure. An owner is not expected to get a warning light or clear change in engine feel before the belt tensioner fails.
Who's affected?
| 2011 BMW X5 Diesel Sav | Diesel |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 923 |
Not every 2011 BMW X5 Diesel Sav is on the list. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific SUV is included.
What's the safety risk?
A failed belt tensioner can cause a sudden loss of power steering assistance. Manual steering remains, but steering effort rises and crash risk increases. If steering assist is lost or feels unusually heavy, slow down, stop in a safe place, and contact a BMW dealer. Repair will be free at any franchised BMW dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2011 BMW X5 Diesel Sav is included in this recall.
- Contact BMW customer relations at 1-800-525-7417 to confirm the current repair path before scheduling service.
- Ask a franchised BMW dealer about the free engine-belt-tensioner replacement that addresses the steering-assist loss risk.
- Bring the BMW owner notice if you have it. If not, reference recall number 11V332 when you call.
- Drive with care until the repair is complete, since loss of power steering assistance increases steering effort.
What happens at the repair
When the recall repair opens, a BMW technician replaces the engine belt tensioner covered by this campaign. The belt tensioner keeps proper tension on the engine belt, so the repair centers on removing the suspect tensioner and installing a replacement part. The dealer repair will be free once available, with parts and labor covered under the recall for affected owners.
Timeline
| June 23, 2011 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| August 10, 2011 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 11V332?
Recall 11V332 covers 923 2011 BMW X5 Diesel Sav vehicles with engine belt tensioner welds that have supplier manufacturing defects. In this recall, a failed belt tensioner affects power steering assist. BMW dealers replace the engine belt tensioner for free.
What should I do if my 2011 BMW X5 Diesel Sav is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 11V332. If it is, contact a franchised BMW dealer to schedule the engine belt tensioner replacement. Reference recall number 11V332 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. For recall 11V332, BMW dealers replace the engine belt tensioner free of charge at a franchised BMW dealer.
What is the safety risk in recall 11V332?
The safety risk is sudden loss of power steering assistance if the belt tensioner fails. In recall 11V332, manual steering remains available, but steering effort increases and crash risk rises. Have a BMW dealer replace the belt tensioner for free.
What if I bought my BMW X5 Diesel Sav used?
The free repair still applies. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to honor safety recalls regardless of ownership history. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific 2011 BMW X5 Diesel Sav is included, then call a franchised BMW dealer with recall number 11V332.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/11V332000 |
|---|---|
| BMW customer service | 1-800-525-7417 |
| NHTSA recall # | 11V332 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 11V332000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Defect / Noncompliance Notice (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 2, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →