Originally Posted by kctoothdr

I ended up with intimate knowledge of this recall in the last few weeks.

My 2011 X5 50i with 65K was part of the recall and was checked (and passed) in July 2014. Fast forward to November...my drive shaft failed on the highway and punched large holes in the oil pan and transmission housing. The engine block also suffered a crack so ended up with full replacement of engine and transmission.

I was at the dealership inspecting the carnage this morning and the SA told me that my drive shaft was actually of the newer design and so it was not expected to be problematic. He also said it was the first one that had passed the recall and then failed.

BMW is apparently switching manufacturers for the front drive shaft assembly and will likely end up expanding the scope of the part replacements.

SA took a bunch of pics I will post when I get my hands on them.