2012 BMW X5 engine problems

Related recalls

• Recall 18V336000May 23, 201833,214 vehicles
  ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

  BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2009-2013 X5 xDrive 35d diesel vehicles. The engine idler pulley bolt may loosen over time and break.

  Risk: If the idler pulley bolt breaks, the vehicle may unexpectedly lose power-assisted steering, increasing the risk of a crash.

  Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the idler pulley bolt with an improved part, free of charge. The recall began March 11, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

• Recall 18V248000Apr 18, 201847,806 vehicles
  ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER

  BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2011-2012 BMW 550i, 550i xDrive, 550i Gran Turismo, 550i Gran Turismo xDrive, 750i, 750Li, 750i xDrive, 750Li xDrive, 760Li, X5 xDrive50i, X5 M, X6 xDrive50i, X6 M, ActiveHybrid7, MINI Cooper S Convertible, John Cooper Works (JCW) Convertible, Cooper S Countryman, Cooper S Countryman ALL4, Cooper S, JCW, Cooper S Clubman, JCW Clubman, Cooper S Roadster, JCW Roadster, Cooper S Coupe, JCW Coupe and Rolls-Royce Ghost, 2011 BMW X6 Hybrid and 2012 BMW 650i Coupe, 650i xDrive Coupe, 650i Convertible and 650i xDrive Convertible vehicles. The electric auxiliary water pump may fail and cause the circuit board to overheat.

  Risk: If the circuit board were to overheat, it can increase the risk of a fire.

  Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the electric auxiliary water pump, free of charge. Depending on the model, there are currently limited parts available, however not all parts are available at this time. Owners will be notified of the recall beginning June 11, 2018, and will receive a second notification when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact BMW customer service at BMW 1-800-525-7417, MINI at 1-866-825-1525, or Rolls-Royce at 1-877-877-3735. Note: BMW recommends that owners park their vehicle outdoors until the recall remedy has been performed.

What owners say

1. Filed May 1, 2026CAEngineOther / UnknownSteering

   Two nights ago I was at Domino’s Pizza. I put my car in reverse and the car died and the steering wheel locked up like the power steering was giving out I was able to start the car again, but still with no power steering assist and drove the car home about a mile away, but every time I slowed down or came to a stop sign or a stoplight, the car would die, and the battery light would flash on the dash and it would say charging malfunction once I got home we took a look at the…

   NHTSA complaint #11735154 · source
2. Filed Aug 14, 2025CAAirbagsEngineSeats & Seat Belts

   Front passenger side occupancy seat sensor is bad and computer detected an air bag malfunction. Timing chain broke without warning.

   NHTSA complaint #11680551 · source
3. Filed Jul 7, 202598,744 miOHElectrical SystemEngine

   The contact owns a 2012 BMW X5. The contact stated that when the vehicle was parked, the contact noticed coolant leaking on the ground underneath the vehicle. The contact stated that the low coolant warning light was illuminated. The contact refilled the coolant reservoir. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with coolant pump failure. The contact was informed that the coolant pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The…

   NHTSA complaint #11671552 · source
4. Filed Jun 8, 2025MDElectrical SystemEngineSuspension

   Water entering into the vehicle, causing vehicle to reduce power in traffic, due to traction control issues.. Not able to drive vehicle when it’s raining., along with other issues, pls see first report..

   NHTSA complaint #11665571 · source
5. Filed Mar 13, 2025115,000 miNCEngine

   The contact owns a 2012 BMW X5. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the contact noticed coolant leaking from the lower end of the engine compartment with the check engine warning light illuminated. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for further assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 115,000.

   NHTSA complaint #11648196 · source
6. Filed Feb 9, 2024TXEngine

   To my understanding BMW agreed to honor the N63 Customer Care Package voluntarily regardless of mileage or age of the engine as referred to BMW bulletins SIB[XXX], [XXX], and [XXX]. My local dealer did not know anything about the [XXX] and when I called BMW USA I was told that they not honor the package any more even though the bulletin says they will take care of it regardless of engine mileage or age. To my understanding that should have been a recall but BMW negotiated to…

   NHTSA complaint #11571114 · source
7. Filed Jan 21, 2024VAAirbagsElectrical SystemEngine

   Vehical randomly shuts off, it all safety systems warning lamps come on l, like ABS, Airbag, and traction control. Found wiring harness laying in a pool of water in the rear right cargo compartment. Rain water leaking from sunroof collected in compartment. The harness contains wires for the the vehicles CAN buss systems the water causes corrosion in the harness, which causes all sorts of problems that could happen at any time like the vehicle shutting off or the airbag or…

   NHTSA complaint #11566753 · source
8. Filed Aug 25, 2022139,000 miMAEngine

   Pulley bolts for power steering, water pump and I believe alternator broke and I lost power steering function which almost caused me to crash into another car and guard rail. I have seen many reports of this problem on social media with other X5 owners. Car has 139k in miles.

   NHTSA complaint #11481182 · source
9. Filed Jul 27, 2022CAEngine

   Egr leaking i went to dealer irvine bmw ca , also i went to midas to check my check engin light midas said repair shoulde be coverd by manfature. So i take my car to irvine bmw , they said there is no recal but i called dealr they said deal have to coveer its recal so i went here see no recal so i need answer, whos right or wrong its saftey issue engin suddney go down slow when sign come for engin malfunction. And sudenely pickup power, defect code 0011150300plz help…

   NHTSA complaint #11476229 · source
10. Filed May 5, 2022CTFireEngine

    2012 bmw x5. Consumer writes in regard to illuminated check engine light. The consumer stated the vehicle experienced an engine fire. The vehicle was parked in the garage, at the home of the consumer. The home was damaged. The vehicle was not included in recall 21v907000. The vehicle had various engine issure prior to the failure. The failures included a fluid, on multiple occasions the check engine light illuminated, and the vehicle experienced a burning smell. The enfine…

    NHTSA complaint #11463458 · source
11. Filed Mar 11, 2022113,951 miTXBody & StructureEngine

    The contact owns a 2012 BMW X5. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated temporarily. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring intermittently. Additionally, the contact stated that the hood warning light had been illuminated for approximately 2 months, even though the hood was securely closed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that no issues were found; however, the…

    NHTSA complaint #11456298 · source
12. Filed Feb 12, 2022ILEngine

    My BMW X5 is experiencing the exact safety issues that the NHTSA campaign number: 21V907000 was published for (September 12, 2012 - Jun 29, 2017). I was told that since my vehicle was manufactured on 08/2012 it was not eligible for the NHTSA dealer recall and repair. I was told that the vehicle was in risk of fire with the repair cost upwards of $5,000. This seems to be a much larger issue than the year groups NHTSA has selected.

    NHTSA complaint #11451656 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology