2012 BMW X5

■ Significantly worse — known issue year

2012 BMW X5
BUILT 2026-08-02

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

2012: 271 complaints

View as data table

Year	Complaints
1999	0
2000	29
2001	160
2002	102
2003	99
2004	64
2005	82
2006	167
2007	71
2008	215
2009	138
2010	122
2011	263
2012	271
2013	148
2014	98
2015	149
2016	70
2017	73
2018	67
2019	177
2020	97
2021	95
2022	56
2023	29
2024	141
2025	56
2026	10

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

ENGINE 34%

34% of complaints: engine — 92 distinct reports on file.

FIRE

Show complaint excerpts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 BMW X5. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE ENGINE MALFUNCTION AND REDUCE SPEED WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PULL THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROADWAY AND IT CAUGHT FIRE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20190102

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BMW X5. THE CONTACT WAS ALERTED TO AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE WHILE IT WAS PARKED AT HER HOME. UPON INSPECTION, THE CONTACT'S HUSBAND NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS FILLED WITH SMOKE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20180613

AIR BAGS 31%

31% of complaints: air bags — 83 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

We hit a deer while driving at 55 MPH. We were wearing seatbelts and not injured, it was a major frontal impact, the car is probably totalled.

NHTSA ODI report, 20231130

I WAS REAR ENDED ON THE INTERSTATE AND PUSHED INTO A TRUCK IN FRONT OF ME ,BUT MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY . I STRUCK MY HEAD ON THE STEERING WHEEL. THERE IS SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END OF THE CAR AND THE REAR END IS ALSO DAMAGED.

NHTSA ODI report, 20130917

POWER TRAIN 19%

19% of complaints: power train — 51 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

The contact owns a 2012 BMW X5. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, she heard a loud thumping sound underneath the vehicle.

NHTSA ODI report, 20230905

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 11%

11% of complaints: electrical system — 29 distinct reports on file.

FIRE

Show complaint excerpts

NHTSA ODI report, 20180613

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 9%

9% of complaints: fuel/propulsion system — 24 distinct reports on file.

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 2012 — complaint volume: 271

R 20120202 — power train

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 TRANSM

Remedy: BMW WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 2, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND SERVICES AT 1-8

Campaign 12V019000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20120720 — 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.

Remedy: BMW WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT, AND IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE STEERING GEAR FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 20, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND

Campaign 12V267000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20170418 — power train

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.

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front driveshaft, free of charge. The recall began on April 18, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Campaign 17V138000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20171228 — air bags

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,...

Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy is performed. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator or air bag module, free of charge. Interim letters were mailed March 2017.

Campaign 17V020000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20180309 — air bags

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...

Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy is performed. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger front air bag module, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin March 2018.

Campaign 18V030000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20180418 — RQ (closed 20181201)

Idler Pulley Bolt Failure

R 20180615 — engine and engine cooling

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...

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the electric auxiliary water pump, free of charge. Depending on the model, there are currently limited parts available, however not all parts are available at this time.

Campaign 18V248000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20190311 — engine and engine cooling

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.

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the idler pulley bolt with an improved part, free of charge. The recall began March 11, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Campaign 18V336000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20190314 — air bags

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...

Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy is performed. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall began March 14, 2019.

Campaign 19V017000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20200311 — air bags

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...

Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until this remedy is performed. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger front air bag, free of charge. The recall began March 11, 2020.

Campaign 20V016000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20200311 — air bags

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,...

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver air bag. On X5 and X6 vehicles, only the inflator will be replaced. All repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began March 11, 2020.

Campaign 20V017000 — check if this car was fixed