2012 Bmw 5 Series problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Power Train (3) · Visibility/Wiper (2) · Tires (2)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Bmw 5 Series model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (0)
No recalls on record for this model year (campaigns announced since 2010).
Service bulletins (47)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Engine 2025-03-27 · B110614 · Service Campaign
this bulletin outlines the customer care package program that has been designed exclusively for bmwvehicles with the n63 engine. vehicles with the n63 high performance engine are engineered with efficientdynamics that provides fueleconomy without compromising on its “class leading” power and perform
Visibility:power Window Devices And Controls 2024-01-16 · B510819 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
the basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.
Electrical System 2024-01-11 · B611305 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
the electrical system of bmw vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few years. this has led to increased demands being placed on the battery. this document covers important information for the dealer on how to handle ã¢ââdischarged batteryã¢ââ complaints.
Fuel System, Gasoline 2023-12-20 · B160623 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
engine will crank but not start. there is no communication with the integrated fuel module (tfe) whendiagnosing with ista. the following two fault codes will be stored in the dme: 032b43 - low fuel pressure system, electric fuel pump: pressure value too low cda594 - message (- 0x33e) missing, rec
Equipment 2023-11-22 · B653423 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
customers may state that the alarm system (dwa) is not active after locking their unoccupied vehicle. depending on the vehicleã¢ââs equipment and settings, no acoustic or optical confirmation (folding the mirrors/blinking confirmation) is noticeable. additionally, the red anti-theft alarm led in
Vehicle Speed Control 2023-10-19 · B660523 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
various functions of the camera-based driver assistance systems (adcam system) can lead to customer complaints.
Showing the 6 most recent of 47 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2019-07-14 · Engine · 72,000 mi“i was driving my car on a road when a warning light came on. i parked the car home, since i was close to home. the same week i took the car to a bmw specialist because there was a noise coming from the engine. after $467.00 spent on labor, just to tell me i need a new engine. this car has 72k miles. this is a car that i only drove on weekends and n…”
2019-02-12 · Engine · 40,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2012 bmw 5-series. the contact stated that the vehicle excessively overheated without warning. the contact constantly had to exercise caution in the event that the vehicle may have reduced engine power and was uncertain if the failure would result in a fire. bmw gallery of norwood (918 boston providence hwy, norwood, ma 02062…”
2018-03-19 · Unknown Or Other · 98,000 mi“i had an issue with the timing chain on this vehicle. i do believe this is a safety issue. car fails with very little warning while the car is being driven. it is not a question of maintenance but of a specific manufacturing fault. how would one know of a defect until something goes wrong. then the manufacturer doesn't take blame. manufacturer kn…”
2017-06-07 · Power Train“tl* takata recall. the contact owns a 2012 bmw 5-series. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign numbers: 17v020000 (air bags) and 17v138000 (power train). the part for the recall repair was unavailable. the contact spoke with the dealer, bmw of columbus, georgia, and was informed that parts were ordered for nhtsa campaign number: 17v02…”
2016-08-12 · Power Train · 58,700 mi“i was driving at about 65 mph on a highway uphill, engine completely stalled, no power, got a message "drive-train malfunction, no maximum output, drive moderately". i was surrounded by cars/semi trucks, very dangerous situation. managed to pull over on the should. could not restart car, got a message "automatic start/stop deactivated: engine will …”
2014-08-05 · Visibility/Wiper · 47,000 mi“my windshield wipers move on their own, they turn on and off as they please. brought the car in twice so far and bmw service cannot find the problem. *tr…”
2014-06-20 · Visibility/Wiper · 27,000 mi“my car was parked during a hail storm. during the storm, the back windshield shattered into a thousand pieces. thank god no one was in the vehicle at the time of the hail storm! it was my understanding that these windshields are made of safety glass, that is designed to absorb any impact, crack, and stay in 1 piece. however, quite the opposite h…”
2013-08-08 · Tires · 7,200 mi“bmw 550xi, normal driving, tire pressure indicator came on, car became unstable. parked vehicle and observed large bubble in front right tire sidewall had split, causing rapid deflation. no road hazards were involved, mechanic states that these tires get sidewall bubbles all the time. *tr…”
2013-06-19 · Tires · 11,000 mi“three tire bubbles, first at 11,000 miles, two more at 12,000. original tires on bmw 535xi sport. "goodyear eagle ls-2 runonflat" 245/40r19 bmw quickly replaced four tires with michelin, at prorated cost, so they know the problem. tires must be recalled for safety!!!!!!!!! *tr…”
2012-10-25 · Power Train · 10,300 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2012 bmw 550ix equipped with goodyear eagle p245/40/r19. the contact stated that while driving 45 mph an alert on his dashboard illuminated instructing him that the vehicle should not be driven more than 50 miles as the tire was going flat. thirty miles later the vehicle was stopped and the front driver side tire had develope…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.