2012 Bmw X5 Sav problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Power Train (8) · Engine (4) · Fuel/Propulsion System (3)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Bmw X5 Sav model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (4)
Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module 2016-02-05 · campaign 16V071000 · 840,000 vehicles
Defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2008-2013 128i and 135i coupes and convertibles and 1 Series M coupes, 2006-2011 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive Sedans, 2009-2011 335d sedans, 2006-2012 325xiT, 328i and 328xi sports wagons, 2007-2013 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive, 335is and M3 Coupes and Convertibles, 2013-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i and X1 xDrive35i SAVs, 2007-2010 X3 xDrive30i SAVs, 2007-2013
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag module or inflator depending on the vehicle model, free of charge. The recall began March 9, 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine 2014-04-10 · campaign 14V176000 · 156,137 vehicles
Defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 128i Coupe, 128i Convertible, 328i Sedan, 328i xDrive Sedan, 328i Coupe, 328i Convertible, 328i Sports Wagon and Z4 sDrive 30i, 2011-2012 135i Coupe, 135i Convertible, 335i Sedan, X5 xDrive 35i, and X6 xDrive 35i, 2011 335i xDrive Sedan, 335i Coupe, 335i Convertible, 528i Sedan, 535i Sedan, 535i xDrive Sedan, X3 xDrive 28i, and X3 xDrive 35i, 2010 X3 xDrive 30i, and X5 xDrive 30i, 2012 640i Coupe, and 640i Convertible and
Risk: If the bolts loosen or break the engine may have reduced power or stall. An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the four VANOS housing bolts for both VANOS units (intake and exhaust), free of charge. In addition, owners of approximately 170,172 model year 2010-2012 BMW vehicles equipped with inline 6 cylinder engines not covered by this recall, will receive an extended warranty to address this condition. The recall began on September 24, 2014. Owners may contact BMW at 1-800-525-7417.
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:diesel 2012-11-27 · campaign 12V550000 · 29,800 vehicles
Defect: BMW is recalling certain model year 2009-2012 X5 xDrive 35d SAV diesel vehicles manufactured September 1, 2008, through November 15, 2012. The engine belt idler pulley bolt could loosen and break over time.
Risk: If the engine belt idler pulley bolt breaks, the vehicle may unexpectedly lose power-assisted steering, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace and tighten the idler pulley bolt. The recall began on January 15, 2013. Owners may call BMW at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:other Fuel Types:turbo/Supercharger 2012-04-10 · campaign 12V161000 · 2,846 vehicles
Defect: BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 5-SERIES, 5-SERIES GRAN TURISMO, MODEL YEAR 2012 6-SERIES CONVERTIBLE, 7-SERIES, X5 SAV, AND X6 SAV VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 8- OR 12-CYLINDER, TURBOCHARGED, ENGINES BECAUSE THE CIRCUIT BOARD FOR THE ELECTRIC AUXILIARY WATER PUMP CAN OVERHEAT.
Risk: THIS COULD LEAD TO A SMOLDERING OF THE PUMP OR AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT OR VEHICLE FIRE.
Fix: BMW WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AUXILIARY WATER PUMP FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 30, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND SERVICES AT 1-800-525-7417.
Service bulletins (11)
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.
Electrical System 2026-04-23 · B611026 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
while performing a 12-volt battery jump start, disconnect, or replacement, vehicle test, and/or programming procedure- the bmw footwell module (frm) may become unresponsive. as a result, one or more of the following vehicle electric system-related issues may occur: headlights including the high beam
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.
Equipment 2017-06-01 · SIM010917 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
shipping specific non-deployed vehicle safety devices to lighting resources, llc. this service information bulletin provides information on shipping "specific" noin-deployed vehicle safety devices that are classified as dangerous goods (dg) to lighting resources, llc
Engine And Engine Cooling 2017-06-01 · SIM010717 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
the engine?s intake charge-air duct limited warranty extension to 10 years/120,000 miles applies to ?eligible usspecification
Service Brakes, Air:disc 2013-05-01 · SIB-34-06-12 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
bmw: warning lamps are illuminated for the dsc, abs and brake and a possible warning in control display for chassis control system failure. models 2012 f25, 30, 01, 02, 07, 10, 12, 13, e70, 71, 84. *pe
Showing the 6 most recent of 11 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2019-03-16 · Fuel/Propulsion System“experience glycol-leakage from the egr (exhaust-gas-recirculation) valve can occur. in combination with typical soot deposits and the high temperatures normally present in the egr module this might result in smoldering particles. this could lead to the melting of the intake manifold and in extremely rare cases result in a fire. bmw extended a recal…”
2018-07-24 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 1,000 mi“i am writing this letter to seek helps on my 2012 bmw x5 35d (vin#: [xxx]). i have experienced diesel smell in the cabin in the last couple of months and i got engine check light came on last week. we checked the code it saying the egr cooler is bad and egr valve is not operating. i want to know is there any recall or campaign regarding this part. …”
2018-03-30 · Power Train · 62,210 mi“the agent of bmw of tenafly said there is serious safety issue need to fix, the problem they call it: faulty transfer case and emf unit faults for emf and transfer case connected battery charger. the system may stop working suddenly and cause the vehicle transfer power to wheels and roll over.…”
2017-12-21 · Engine · 98,000 mi“while driving my car for approximately 3 minutes engine seized without warning. i coasted on to the shoulder of the road and put it in neutral and tried to start it.... nothing. oil level was good . i had it towed to bmw dealer and they told me engine was locked up but couldn't tell me why. i just had recall work done about a month or two ago at t…”
2017-10-26 · Power Train · 40 mi“my wife & i purchased this 2012x5 2 years ago,last year the vehicle was being driven off the driveway where there was a loud snap&ban. the car didn't move. we called a tow and had it brought to jupiter bmw fl .we found out that the drive shaft snapped. mileage was 45-48k miles. we called bmw na it was a warranty recall part and the dealer stated i…”
2017-08-10 · Power Train“transfer case problem. bought the car new, after the 2nd year felt vibration /shudders when making turns from a stop or low speed. dealer replaced front brake rotors, changed front wheels. still same issue end up changing 4 new tyres after a year. up until 2016 changed again front and rear brake whole systems, front drive shaft replaced due to safe…”
2017-06-30 · Steering · 119,000 mi“my wife was driving my vehicle to get car wash. all of a sudden she lost power steering and the car battery warning came on. the idler pulley bolt snapped. luckily my wife did not crash. she was driving 60mph and lost power steering. she is pregnant and had 2 kids in car. now i've replaced this bolt again. i put purchased a new idler pulley bolt w…”
2017-04-03 · Fuel/Propulsion System“my fuel pump has been failing to create the correct amount of pressure in the fuel line, on and off, for several months, resulting in the vehicle suddenly operating at "reduced power" when driving. this then causes me a safety issue as i can no longer maintain proper speeds, especially when on the highway. it also causes me to have to restart the v…”
2017-03-13 · Air Bags“takata recall - it has been over one year since my vehicle was identified under this recall and i live in a zone a which is the highest risk area. the local bmw dealer has not been able to give me any idea of when my car will be repaired. this is unacceptable as people have died from this defect and i am at risk every time i drive this vehicle.…”
2017-02-07 · Engine“the vehicle is an x5 diesel. since purchasing the vehicle new both nox sensors (before and after catalytic) have failed. i searched the internet and found others who have had multiple nox sensor failures on other bmw diesel models. the second, most recent, nox failure happened to be immediately after the car was serviced (oil, def fluid, vehicle…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.