10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
53,071 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2012 BMW X5 drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2012 BMW X5 Owner Comments (Page 2 of 3)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #39

Oct 092018

X5

  • 69,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Transmission randomly goes into park when back up or moving forward in idle. Car has also come out of park randomly, with car rolling slightly. Separately, had gasket has leak at 69000 miles.

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #38

May 042018

X5

  • 91,000 miles
I was driving my BMW X5 and out of nowhere an "engine malfunction warning light" came up accompanied by an engine overheating, I immediately pulled over and called a tow-truck who took my X5 to the nears BMW dealer. The technician stated it was the ivm and the charge air pipe that needed to be replaced, after spending $1,500 on the 2 items, I drove out of the dealer and less than a mile down the road, the same "engine malfunction and vehicle overheating light" came back up. Called the dealer and another tow-truck pick up my X5, then I requested to speak with the shop manager who informed me the problem with the X5 was never pertaining to the ivm or charge air pipe, as they miss overlooked the diagnosis which stated the dme was not working. They change the dme and another $2,000 was charged, after it was repair and I drove away, the same engine malfunction light and vehicle overheating light came up, called the deaelr and they told me that after changing the dme, the new diagnosis stated the watter pump needed to be replaced and this was the part that was creating the engine malfunction and overheated vehicle warning to come up. I ended up changing the water pump and other vehicle parts, that did not needed to be changed and now a recall for the water pump came out. On the meantime, I spent almost $4,000 on repairs when everything could have been done if they would have conducted the water pump recall. Who can reimburse me the amount of money paid? I sent the original dme to see if it was damage, and they came back stating it was not damage at all, therefore the problem was the water pump and not the dme, or ivm or charge air pipe. Please help!!!

- Windermere, FL, USA

problem #37

Mar 202018

X5

  • 62,210 miles
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.

- Englwood Cliffs, NJ, USA

problem #36

Oct 012016

X5

  • 50,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I have a 2012 BMW X5 with about 70K miles on it. About 12-18 months ago, I started noticing issues with shudder/shake when turning at low speeds. I mentioned it to BMW service but they told me that they don't see any issues. About 4-5 months back when I complained again, this time they told me that there is an issue. The issue is with the transfer case. They said it's a very expensive repair and told me the original parts+labor runs at over $7,000 but I can get a refurbished part at around $3,200. For a vehicle like BMW, I didn't expect it to have such major issues soon after the warranty ended. I did some research and I see so many individuals reporting the exact same issues with BMW X5 in that time range. I hope BMW will accept the problem and issue a safety recall for it so we, the customers, don't have to pay for such a major issue with the car. After this experience, I have decided not to buy anymore bmws and have been recommending the same to others.

- Verona, WI, USA

problem #35

Oct 182017

X5

  • 75,000 miles
At 75K miles my BMW X5 began shuttering while making sharp, slow turns. I thought it was the new tires we put on. Then the stuttering happened when coming to a stop, as well. Took it to the dealership where it has been serviced all along and they said the transfer case needs to be replaced. Really, at 75K miles. When I went online to research the item I found that the previous year model was a recall. Obviously, BMW did not fix the item on the 2012 that I own. A faulty transfer case in the X5 can cause loss of drive and this can cause serious injuries or death if the occupants are on a freeway or in an intersection etc where they are stuck. What would it take for someone to look at this issue and hold the manufacturers accountable.

- Darien, CT, USA

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problem #34

Oct 242017

X5

  • 40 miles
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 it was replaced. After that in the last 10 months we have experienced many strange movements in the rear and in turns. We called the dealership and spoke to a tech where they stated it was tires in the rear. We recently replaced the tires & it remained to be there where it was mild but there. During this time period we had many serious obstacles with cancer & family in pr devastated. We received a recall notice airbag, we called the dealer to replace it. While there we failed to mention it being in a rush & still only one of the two airbags still unavailable. After we left during the month we felt it more so, at that time I try to reach the service advisor & failed to reach her in several attempts. After driving this week it got seriously worse while my family little children in car, we pulled over called our local mechanic and he said bring it if possible or tow.so we did! at that time we never discussed we replaced any recall drive shaft (make note). The mechanic called us in shop said the shaft is broke and leaking grease has a lot of play in it, also do to that is directly related & cause to be a issue with transfer case!!!. we took a video of it and the mechanic & us called BMW na discussed it & they recommend to take to BMW under extended warranty. Upon arrival we provided the service tech a video of the discovery.6 hours later they claim the shaft is fine & video & inspection was not issue, &transfer case having issues. They said our bill 9000$.there is over 300 claims exact issue #17V138000see attached pic & compl

- Wellington, FL, USA

problem #33

Aug 292017

X5

  • 78,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Car was purchased used with about 50K miles. Repairs have been normal throughout. Car now has about 78K miles. Under the recall BMW replaced the driveshaft bc they apparently sheer in half under normal stress. Got the car back and noticed the transmission was slipping when accelerating. Brought the park ave BMW in NJ and complained that it just started happening after the recall was preformed. They diagnosed it was the transfer case that needs to be replaced $2750. I'm going to speak to manager and also contact BMW na considering online it seems like transfer cases are being replaced very frequently around 75K miles. The part seems to be a weak link that will need to be replaced at some point. Will update when I have more info.

- Hoboken, NJ, USA

problem #32

Mar 012016

X5

  • 8,000 miles
Takata recall have a recall from 3/16 for the driver's airbag. Have a recall from 3/17 for passenger airbag. BMW repeatedly states they have no parts. Received recall 4/17 for faulty universal joints. Driveshaft needs to be replaced. BMW states no parts available.

- Kennesaw, GA, USA

problem #31

Aug 102017

X5

  • miles
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 safety recall last July but still the vibration/shudders remains. Service advisor told me it could be the transfer case as it is most issues they received. Quoted me for $2650. Told him that my extended warranty expired 2016. The fact that the same exact problem was already reported to them early on and now I've been asked to pay for that long outstanding problem. Very disappointed. Went to two different dealer; tenafly under penske group where I bought the car even quoted me for $8000; reached out to BMW direct us recall service and willing to pay half so it'll end up still for $4000. BMW hackensack under park ave group quoted me for $2650 parts and labor excluding tax. Really very disappointed after spending/investing a lot of money to the car. Hope BMW issue a safety recall especially I've been seeing a lot and same problems with the transfer case in X5. Just look online and you'll see a many complaints. I'm sure BMW sees how many transfer cases they been replacing under the warranty or they probably won't even bother their overhead expense especially it's being paid off buy other consumer/owner who ends up paying the cost out of warranty, considering they don't have a fix or standard prices. Pretty sure if I go to other dealer, they'll quote me differently.

- Bergenfield, NJ, USA

problem #30

Aug 072017

X5

  • miles
Front drive train recall. Have called BMW multiple times to arrange repair. Eventually got an appointment but we're then told no part available. No clear indication of when the part will become available. Very frustrating and we're nervous about driving a potentially unsafe vehicle.

- Skillman, NJ, USA

problem #29

Apr 032017

X5

  • 63,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2012 BMW X5. The contact felt a moderate, abnormal vibration from the front end of the vehicle. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 17V138000 (power train); however, the parts to do the repair were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The co's BMW dealer was contacted and confirmed that the parts were not available for the recall remedy. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and was not able to confirm when the parts were to become available. The failure mileage was approximately 63,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

- Fort Collins, CO, USA

problem #28

Apr 222017

X5 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 72,727 miles
Takata recall. The contact owns a 2012 BMW X5. The contact stated that the passenger air bag warning light remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken twice to auto hermana BMW dealer, located on calle acuarela #106, carretera 20 klm 4.0, guaynabo, pr 00969, where it was rejected to be serviced under the recall remedy due to the part not available for the repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16V071000 (air bags), 17V020000 (air bags) and 17V138000 (power train) however, the part needed for the repair was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 72,727. VIN tool confirms part not available and part distribution disconnect. Updated 09/06/17

- Carolina, PR, USA

problem #27

Mar 012016

X5

  • 48,000 miles
Takata recall: I received my letter notifying me of the recall March 2016. The date for replacement has been pushed out from by the end of 2016 to March 2017 and when I called in May 2017 I was advised that my passenger airbag also has been recalled. The current replacement time is now September for the drivers side and December for the passenger side. I am concerned about the safety of my vehicle when the replacement continues to be extended.

- Camino, CA, USA

problem #26

Feb 052016

X5 6-cyl

  • miles
Takata recall. The contact owns a 2012 BMW X5. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 17V020000 (air bags), 16V071000 (air bags), and 17V138000 (power train). The parts were not available within a reasonable time frame to schedule the recall repair. The dealer (coast BMW of san luis obispo, ca, 805-254-4258) indicated that the parts needed to be ordered, but that the contact would need to wait to receive a second letter from the manufacturer. The contact received conflicting information from the dealer and had no eta of when the remedy and parts would become available. In addition, there was a noise heard from the area of the drive train associated with the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was not available. VIN tool confirms parts not available. Parts distribution disconnect. Updated 09/06/17

- Paso Robles, CA, USA

problem #25

May 152017

X5

  • 47,000 miles
Transfer case slips while turning at low speed in parking lot or on city road

- Joplin, MO, USA

problem #24

Feb 012016

X5

  • miles
Takata recall. The contact owns a 2012 BMW X5. The contact stated that the recall notices for NHTSA campaign number: 16V071000 (air bags) was received in February of 2016 and NHTSA campaign number: 17V138000 (power train) was received in March of 2017. After contacting the dealer (hassel motors BMW in freeport, NY) on multiple occasions, the contact was informed that the parts needed for the recall remedy were still not available and no estimated time for receiving the parts could be provided. The manufacturer had not been notified. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

- Lorth Woodmere, NY, USA

problem #23

Jun 292017

X5

  • 119,000 miles
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 with loc tite. I replaced it and met every specification that NHTSA required. Basically it only require more torque and loc tite. This time it snapped in my drive way thank goodness. This is a serious traffic safety situation, I've read multiple forums where people have had work done at dealership and the bolt is snapping 3 days later. Obviously BMW did not fix the problem.

- Wichita Falls, TX, USA

problem #22

Apr 012017

X5 6-cyl

  • 123,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 BMW X5. The contact stated that NHTSA campaign number: 17V138000 (power train) and NHTSA campaign number: 16V071000 (air bags) had exceeded a reasonable time for the repair. The contact received recall notification in April of 2017 and the sterling BMW dealer located at 21710 auto world circle sterling, va 20166, phone number: 571-933-8222 advised that parts are not available for repair. The manufacturer also advised that parts were unavailable for repair. The approximate failure mileage was 123,000. Parts distribution disconnect. Updated 11/07/17

- Gainesville, VA, USA

problem #21

Feb 052016

X5

  • miles
Takata recall. The contact owns a 2012 BMW X5. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 16V071000 and 17V138000 (air bags, power train). The parts to do the repair were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer (BMW of sterling located 21710 auto world cir, sterling, va 20166; (571) 933-8222) where it was confirmed that the parts were not available for the recall remedy. The manufacturer was not contacted. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

- Burke, VA, USA

problem #20

Jun 012016

X5

  • miles
The recalls of the air bags has been for over a year and still there is not replacement for it, the recall campaign no.17V-138:front drive shaft does not have a replacement either. Both of them may cause other problem including the safety of myself and family. We need BMW to take action and takes this serious and get a solution for this problems now.

- Copperas Cove, TX, USA

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