10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 4
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
53,082 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 engine problems

engine problem

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2012 BMW X5 Owner Comments (Page 1 of 5)

problem #95

Feb 022024

X5

  • miles

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

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 call it Customer Care Package as an initiative to police itself instead of having a mandated action by a recall. My local BMW dealer is in Temple Texas. Please advice me on how to proceed to service my engine as promised for free based on these bulletins. Thank you. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Killeen, TX, USA

problem #94

Nov 152023

X5

  • miles
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 abs warning light coming on.

- Roanoke, VA, USA

problem #93

Aug 192022

X5

  • 139,000 miles
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.

- Westport, MA, USA

problem #92

Jul 122022

X5

  • miles

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

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 jaswinder kaur

- Granada Hills, CA, USA

problem #91

May 052022

X5 6-cyl Diesel

  • miles
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 failures were due to faulty nox sensors, oil filter gasket and filter cap needed to be replaced, faulty scr active tank, defective door handle causing low voltage, glow plug failure, and faulty metering unit.

- Middlebury, CT, USA

problem #90

Jun 112021

X5

  • 113,951 miles
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 independent mechanic advised the contact that a hood sensor might have failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 113,951.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #89

Dec 022021

X5

  • miles

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

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.

- Lake Bluff, IL, USA

problem #88

Dec 242021

X5 8-cyl

  • miles
Ever since the rain starter my aux water pump don't work and brake light too. And it seems like something has been draining my battery because battery discharge comes up. And I think the idle idle pulley issue affects almost most of that year bmw X5 because my serpentine belt only installed 10,000 miles ago and already see threads being worn out. Unless that's how long they last. I had to bring the car back in multiple times to get it adjusted because kept making squealing noise. They blamed it on water pump and didn't change the thermostat. Water even leak into front passenger side where all the fuses were. When I connected the battery charger I could hear the pump all of sudden working and the radiator tank sputter water out. I don't want to bring it to dealership and get charged for things that they should fix with charging me but they tell me it's some other issue and have me pay for it. The way they act are worse than gangsters because if you get it fix elsewhere they say it's not covered by them them. And the driveshaft issue, even alot of the cars not in recall are affected and how are they to assume which car need replacing and which dont" I think the v8 engine is just too much power for the other parts to handle and they don't want to admit it. Because how many bmw X5 owners complain about these issue ?"

- Hacienda Heights, CA, USA

problem #87

Nov 032021

X5

  • miles
Egr cooler broken and leaking exhaust gas to cabin making all passengers drousy, a/c vents pulls outside air. Making it a lot worse egr will be replaced and save for warranty inspection etc.. My safety was affected sue to carbon monoxide emissions, others were affected due to the drowsiness effects of the exhaust making the drive drousy at the wheel. No reproductions know. Inspection by owner No inspection yet due to the need of vehicle had to replace asap to keep using part saved for inspection. Engine light due to glow plugs, non related to egr cooler, and brakes lights due to sensor not replace yet.

- North Las Vegas , NV, USA

problem #86

Sep 112021

X5

  • miles
My car is giving engine overheat warning when I am driving. I understand that this issue is with cooling system. Presently there is a open recall for this issue for the 2012 bmw x5. NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V248000. But my car is not covered under this recall.

- Monroe, NJ, USA

problem #85

Jul 182019

X5

  • miles

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

After accelerating normally on the highway the vehicle shut off completely, without warning, and put itself into neutral in the middle of a busy freeway. (No warning lights, no smoke or smell of any kind). The Car would not start despite multiple attempts using a jump start from the tow company. I could have been hit by another vehicle while stopped. The car was then towed to a BMW dealership where they determined an engine replacement was probably necessary because it appeared seized. (they could not turn the engine using a breaker bar with the belt off. ) No further investigation was done. The car was running: - castrol 5w-30, -regular oil & filter changes every 5,000 miles -was never modified -all the fuel injectors changed by the dealership under a recall 1 year before the vehicle died

- Lombard, IL, USA

problem #84

Jun 012021

X5 6-cyl Diesel

  • miles
The DPF exhaust emissions system failed. BMW dealership refused to replace only replaced a holding tank. That code was not shown. The x5 left shop with a engine light and emissions failure. Independent shop scanned car explained diesel dpf system has failed and is under warranty.. dealership refused to fix. Car runs sluggish, engine warning keeps coming on and take to service.... The egr cooler failed. The independent shop confirmed codes. Exhaust smell in cabin, reduced power, sluggish, and car goes into LIMP mode while I was driving on the freeway. The shut down of power caused me to almost crash into on coming lane of vehicles at highway speed. Engine light on and warning of engine failure and car stuck in limp mode. System says to take to dealer.. Please help as the dealer will not warranty or recall repair, even though I am under 100,000 miles and there are multiple recall and manufacturer extension warranty for these specific repairs. [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Seattle, WA, USA

problem #83

Feb 022021

X5

  • 125,900 miles
As I was driving the vehicle shut off while vehicle coming at a 40 mph to 50 mph speed limit.local police had to put out cones to make sure my vehicle wasn't going to cause an accident because my battery was drained fast mybe due to the problem

- Auburn, WA, USA

problem #82

Feb 132021

X5

  • 70,200 miles
Cel light came on. The decoded code is P2457. The egr module needs to be replaced as per the technician

- Rockville, MD, USA

problem #81

Jan 052021

X5 6-cyl Diesel

  • Automatic transmission
  • 63,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 BMW X5. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact coasted the vehicle to the shoulder of the road got out to look under the hood. The contact noticed that the fan belt was missing. The vehicle was towed to the dealer courtesy automotive center 2520 cohasset rd, chico, 95973, (530) 345-9444 where the tension belt was replaced. The contact mentioned NHTSA campaign number: 12V550000 (steering, engine, and engine cooling) as a possible solution to the failure however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified and informed the contact that the VIN was not under recall. The failure mileage was approximately 63,000. ## VIN failed ## 2012 BMW X5 ##

- Chico, CA, USA

problem #80

Aug 162018

X5 8-cyl

  • 79,500 miles
The engine stutters often (every drive), and once in a while produces thick white smoke for a second or two when accelerating. The engine also suffers from high oil consumption (I have to add a quart of engine oil every 200 miles). I've also had to replace the spark plugs twice in the last 3 years because they are fouled with oil and sooth and the engine misfires. Dealer is stating the issue is related to S63 engine valve stem seals, and recommending that these be replaced, but the work will cost $7000 and isn't covered under warranty! this is clearly a valve stem seal design defect or initial production/installation defect dealer also claims this is common on E70 models.

- Laval, AA, USA

problem #79

Sep 232020

X5

  • 60,000 miles
The idler pulley bolt broke for the third time. The car has approx 60 K miles, and the last replacement was done in May 2018, approx 15 K miles ago. Vehicle was moving and it lost the steering (steering hydraulics stopped working, making it very difficult to steer), battery indicator came on and the engine cooling fan set on high speed. The incident happened while driving, approx half the mile from the house. Was able to slowly pulled it in front of the house. Notified the dealer and waiting for them to come and pick it up, the car is not driveable. This incident, with the idler pulley bolt is the third time after their initial recall. BMW does not have a remedy for this.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #78

Jul 192020

X5

  • 120,000 miles
The contact owned a 2012 BMW X5. The contact stated that while he was asleep, he had awakened to a loud popping sound coming from outside. The contact looked outside and saw his vehicle was on fire right which was parked in an rv park right next to his camper. The contact immediately called the authorities who were able to extinguish the fire. The vehicle was destroyed as a result of the fire. A fire report was filed and no injuries were reported. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard and awaits an inspection. The contact stated that he had no safety related issues with the vehicle prior to the failure. The dealer nor the manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000. The VIN was unavailable.

- Luvvock, TX, USA

problem #77

May 272020

X5 8-cyl

  • 95,000 miles
Very well maintained and documented vehicle....engine seized at 95K miles. No codes or reason given. Vehicle has had $20-30K work done at a registered BMW dealer over the last 2 years. BMW=bring money with. I will never buy another BMW and if someone tried to give me one, I would run the other way. I've owned many cars and this is the absolute, worst purchase I've ever made. Cost to replace engine, $12K. Crooks in my opinion and do your research if you do not listen to this friendly warning. Oh and one more thing...after I spent $12K to replace engine, now they say the transfer case maybe compromised. Dare you look up what that costs to fix. I will not put one more dime into this vehicle. I am disgusted with their entire operation. The only positive is the wheels did not lock up when the engine seized, otherwise, I may not be able to file this complaint. All X5's should be recalled. Do not buy BMW!!!!!!!!!!!!

- Kalamazoo, MI, USA

problem #76

May 102018

X5 6-cyl

  • miles
There was a water pump recall for my BMW X5, I took my X5 due to an engine malfunction, the dealer didn't do the water pump recall, instead, they charge me for replacing the ivm and the charge air pipe stating that was the engine malfunction, after I paid approximately $2,500 they came back and told me the engine malfunction was due to the water pump, so they charged me an additional $1,380 for the water pump. I just checked the recalls on my vehicles and noticed there's a water pump recall, however, I had to purchase the water pump and other items not needed for the engine malfunction message related to the water pump. How can I submit a reimbursement for the amount amount paid when there was a recall and I pay from my pocket the amount of $3,880 related to the water pump. Also, the dealer did a drive shaft recall, however now the transfer case is not working, creating the front universal joint to fail after the driveshaft recall was done, the front wheels is affecting the vehicle traction. Water and debris may be entering the front driveshaft's universal joint and may cause excessive wear and possibly resulting in the joint's failure.

- Windermere, FL, USA

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