{"source":"NHTSA vehicle owner complaint","officialApiUrl":"https://api.nhtsa.gov/complaints/odinumber?odinumber=11596211","retrievedAt":"2026-11-05T05:22:08.204Z","count":1,"results":[{"odiNumber":11596211,"manufacturer":"BMW of North America, LLC","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"12/07/2023","dateComplaintFiled":"06/24/2024","vin":"5YM13ET03R9","components":"POWER TRAIN","summary":"The bell housing of the car is currently emitting a whistling / rusty tricycle sound at low RPMS (1500-2200 rpms / 30 miles per hour or under).  I have had the car in for service.  During the last visit, BMW kept it for 30 days and only compared it to the sound of other cars.  In being able to duplicate the sound, they stated that the sound is normal.  BMW reached its conclusion without conducting any physical inspection of the bell housing and its related components to see why the parts are making the noise.  They have no idea as to why the car is generating the noise.  My shop foreman wrote the following to my advisor to share with me:  \"..I narrowed down the noise. Noise is possibly mechanical and coming from bell housing area.  Created Tsara case and provided information to BMW and video to see what are the next steps we are going to be taking. I would like to remove the transmission and inspect toque converter and flywheel but need there authorization.\"  But again, because BMW was able to duplicate the noise in other cars, they will not authorize any work to determine the true nature of the sound.  In doing so, they cannot, in my opinion, say whether this is a safety issue or not.  Imagine traveling at a high speed on the freeway and the power train fails!  My foreman remains committed to determining the root cause of the problem.  As this is the first year with the hybrid engine, BMW should be required to determine the true nature of the sound and determine if it is a safety concern.   A physical inspection of the components is a must!","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2024","productMake":"BMW","productModel":"X5","manufacturer":"BMW of North America, LLC"}]}]}