What Owners Report NHTSA ODI · 2,175,102 complaints · MY1998–2026

2012 BMW X5

Typical pattern

3.2% of complaints about the 2012 BMW X5 came in the first year, which is unremarkable for a 2012 vehicle — around the middle of the 201 model-years on record. The median complaint arrives at 6.1 yr in service. The most-reported system is engine (98 complaints), typically at 6.8 yr or about 69,500 miles.

Complaints
401
Median age at failure
6.1 yr
Median mileage
69,000 n=243
Crash / fire / tow
12.7% of reports
Safety recalls
10 4 do not drive

When each system is reported — middle 50% of complaints

System
0y2y4y6y8y10y12y14y
Engine
98 reports · 69,500 mi
6.8 yr
10.2%
Air bags
90 reports · 65,000 mi
4.9 yr
4.4%
Power train
63 reports · 69,000 mi
5.7 yr
12.7%
Electrical system
31 reports · 72,000 mi
7.3 yr
22.6%
Fuel / propulsion
27 reports · 75,140 mi
6.5 yr
7.4%
Steering
23 reports · 63,456 mi
5.9 yr
21.7%

Safety recalls — NHTSA campaigns

20V016000 2020-01-15 Do not drive
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2009-2012 X5 xDrive35d, 2008-2012 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6 M, 2007-2012 X5 30si, X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 48i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5 M and 2010-2011 X6 ActiveHybrid vehicles equipped with non-desiccated, passenger frontal air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSPI-2) propellant that were used as interim remedy parts for previous Takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and hig

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

19V017000 2019-01-14 Do not drive
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2007-2013 X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5 M vehicles, 2008-2014 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6 M vehicles, 2009-2013 X5 xDrive35d vehicles and 2010-2011 X6 ActiveHybrid vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-t

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

18V030000 2018-01-09 Do not drive
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2007-2013 X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i, X5 M, 2009-2010 X5 xDrive35d vehicles and 2009-2013 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i, and X6 M vehicles ever registered in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." BMW is also recalling certain 2007-2010 X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i, X5 M, X5 xDrive35d, X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDriv

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

17V020000 2017-01-10 Do not drive
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2012 X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i, X5 M, X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i, and X6 M vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, BMW is recalling certain 2009 X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i, and X5 M vehicles, 2008-2009 X6 xDrive 35i, X

An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

20V017000 2020-01-15
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 128i and 135i Convertibles, 128i, 135i, and M Coupes, 2007-2010 X3 30si and X3 xDrive30i, 2013-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i and X1 xDrive35i, 2007-2013 328i, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335is, 335i xDrive and M3 Coupes, 2006-2011 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive and M3, 2009-2011 335D, 2006-2012 325xi, 328i, 328xi and 328i xDrive, 2010-2011 X6 ActiveHybrid, 2007-2013 328i, 335i, 335is, M3 Coupes, X5 30si, X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 48i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5 M, 2009-2013 X5 xDr

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

18V336000 2018-05-23
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.

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

18V248000 2018-04-18
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 elect

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

17V138000 2017-03-02
Power train:driveline:driveshaft

BMW of North America, LLC, (BMW) is recalling certain 2011-2013 X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive50i, X5 M and X5 xDrive35d vehicles, 2011-2014 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6M vehicles, and 2011 x6 ActiveHybrid Vehicles. Water and debris may enter the front driveshaft's universal joint, causing excessive wear and possibly resulting in the joint's failure.

If the front universal joint fails, the front wheels would not be driven, affecting vehicle traction. Additionally, continued driving of the vehicle with a broken front universal joint may damage other components. Either condition may increase the risk of a crash.

12V267000 2012-06-13
Steering

BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 X5 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A DIESEL ENGINE AND 2013 X5 AND X6 VEHICLES. DUE TO A MACHINING ERROR OF THE STEERING GEAR SURFACE, POWER STEERING FLUID MAY LEAK.

LEAKING POWER STEERING FLUID CAN SPRAY ONTO HOT EXHAUST PARTS, INCREASING THE RISK OF AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE.

12V019000 2012-01-23
Power train:automatic transmission

BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 X5 XDRIVE 35I SPORTS ACTIVITY VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM DECEMBER 19, 2011, THROUGH DECEMBER 21, 2011. DUE TO A MANUFACTURING ERROR, ENGAGEMENT OF THE TRANSMISSION’S PARKING LOCK MAY NOT OCCUR EVEN IF THE “P” POSITION HAS BEEN SELECTED AND IS DISPLAYED.

IF THE DRIVER BELIEVES THAT THE TRANSMISSION IS IN PARK AND DOES NOT USE THE PARKING BRAKE, THE VEHICLE COULD ROLL AWAY AFTER EXITING THE VEHICLE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH OR INJURY.

In owners’ own words

Steering 61,000 mi 3.9 yr in service
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BMW X5. WHILE DRIVING AT 15 MPH, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE POWER STEERING BELT FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,000.
Steering mileage not reported 4.9 yr in service
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE, BRAKE LIGHT, AND TIRE PRESSURE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE OIL PAN GASKET AND POWER STEERING PUMP HAD LEAKED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT HAD THE SOFTWARE UPDATED; HOWEVER, THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND OIL PAN GASKET WERE NOT REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT PROVIDED.
Steering 60,000 mi 4.7 yr in service
SHUDDER OR VIBRATION FELT ON STEERING WITH FRONT WHEELS TURNED TO RIGHT OR LEFT. VIBRATION FELT WHEN MOVING FORWARD FROM A STOP POSITION OR BACKING UP WITH FRONT WHEELS TURN TO EITHER SIDE. I INITIALLY THOUGHT IT WAS THE TIRES BUT IT IS GETTING WORST EVEN WITH THE NEW TIRES. *TR
Power train 100 mi 4 mo in service
CAR SUFFERS FROM TERRIBLE HESITATION UPON ACCELERATION FROM A ROLLING STOP. DESCRIBED AS TIP-IN ON DISCUSSION WEBSITES. I NOTE MANY HAVE COMPLAINED OF THIS IN VARIOUS BMW MODELS AND BMW DOES NOT ADMIT THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM. IT IS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

Other X5 model years

202420222021202020192017201620152014201320122011201020092008200720062005200320022001

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