2012 Bmw X5 SAV: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
21 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
54,250 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2012 model year. Data snapshot: . 16 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train is the most frequently named component, appearing in 9 of 21 complaints (42.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 4 | 19.0% |
| Steering behavior | 4 | 19.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 14.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 4.8% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 4.8% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 4.8% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Power Train | 9 |
| Engine | 6 |
| Air Bags | 3 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 3 |
| Steering | 3 |
| Electrical System | 2 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 1 |
| Service Brakes | 1 |
Power Train: 9; Engine: 6; Air Bags: 3; Fuel/Propulsion System: 3; Steering: 3; Electrical System: 2; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 1; Service Brakes: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 3 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 8 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 3; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 8; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (8). 5 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2014 | 3 |
| 2015 | 3 |
| 2016 | 4 |
| 2017 | 8 |
| 2018 | 2 |
| 2019 | 1 |
2014: 3; 2015: 3; 2016: 4; 2017: 8; 2018: 2; 2019: 1
Pattern summary
Power Train leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 3 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10628580 · 2014-08-26 (August 26, 2014)
AFTER REPLACEMENT OF BRAKES ON MY 2012 BMW X5, UPON RETURN, I STARTED TO FEEL A VIBRATION WHILE TURNING IN THE PARKING LOT. AFTER TWO VISITS TO THE DEALERSHIP, I WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSFER CASE BOX (ASSOCIATED WITH THE TRANSMISSION) HAS FAILED. THIS OCCURS 5000MILES AFTER THE WARRANTY ON THE TRANSMISSION AND ENGINE EXPIRE. I HAVE DONE A GOOGLE SEARCH ON THIS PART ON X5 MODELS, AND OTHERS HAVE REPORTED SIMILAR EXPERIENCES. THIS INCLUDES REPORTS OF FAULTY PARTS INSTALLED AT THE MANUFACTURE. BMW HAS AGREED TO COVER 60% OF THE REPAIR BILL.…
Owner-reported narrative. 55,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10628580 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10643518 · 2014-10-09 (October 9, 2014)
I AM A CERTIFIED FIRE INVESTIGATOR WITH VIRGINIA FARM BUREAU, I RECEIVED THIS LOSS 08/14/14. INSURED STATED THAT ON 08/13/14 HE WAS IN HIS HOUSE AND HEARD THE CAR ALARM TO THIS BMW (DIESEL) SAV X5 GOING OFF. HE LOOKED OUTSIDE AND SAW THE LIGHTS FLASHING AND THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS GOING. NO ONE WAS IN THE VEHICLE. HE WENT OUTSIDE AND SAW SMOKE AND FIRE IN THE DASH AREA, PASSENGER SIDE. HE CALLED 911 AND THE FIRE WAS QUICKLY EXTINGUISHED, BUT CAUSED MAJOR FIRE DAMAGE TO THE DASH AREA. BMW REPRESENTATIVE AND AN ENGINEER HIRED BY OUR COMPANY (…
Owner-reported narrative. 14,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10643518 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10659874 · 2014-11-20 (November 20, 2014)
PURCHASED NEW 2012 X 5 IN AUGUST 2011. IN JULY 2014 CAR VIBRATED ON TURNS IN STEERING COLUMN AND THOUGHT IS WAS THE NEW TIRES, THEY SAID IT WAS THE CIRCUMFERENCE ON ONE OF THE TIRES, INSTALLED NEW SET. STILL THE VIBRATION OCCURRED....TURNS OUT IS TRANSFER CASE AND $6200.00. THEY COVERED ALL BUT 1300.00 OF MINE AT THE DEALER LEVEL. FRIEND BOUGHT SAME VEHICLE IN OCTOBER 2011 SAME DEALER AND I EXPLAINED PROBLEM TO HER AND SHE HAD THE SAME SYMPTOMS AND ALMOST IDENTICAL MILEAGE. HER TRANSFER CASE ALSO BAD THE SAME MONTH MINE WAS. SHE HAD TO FIGHT…
Owner-reported narrative. 74,900 miles reported. Look up ODI 10659874 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10703741 · 2015-04-04 (April 4, 2015)
WHILE IDLING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT, A ROARING NOISE ALL OF A SUDDEN STARTED UNDERNEATH THE CAR. AS I STARTED MOVING, THE NOISE SEEMED TO FOLLOW THE ENGINE ACCELERATION AND GOT LOUDER. THE STEERING WHEEL STARTED GETTING HARDER TO MANIPULATE AND THE NOISE GOT LOUDER AT EACH STEER. I WAS IN A DIFFERENT STATE, ABOUT 40 MILES FROM MY HOUSE. BY THE TIME I GOT TO MY HOUSE, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO MANEUVER. I PARKED THE CAR TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER THE NEXT MORNING. THAT MORNING, WHEN I STARTED THE CAR FOR THE DEALER, THE NOIS…
Owner-reported narrative. 30,296 miles reported. Look up ODI 10703741 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10724806 · 2015-06-11 (June 11, 2015)
TRIED TO COMPLETE A 3-POINT TURN INTO A PARKING SPACE WHEN PLACING VEHICLE FROM REVERSE INTO DRIVE, THE VEHICLE UNASSISTED IT ACCELERATION AND WOULD NOT BRAKE NOR STEER; THUS CAUSING MYSELF TO CRASH HEAD ON INTO A CONCRETE BARRIER.
Owner-reported narrative. 48,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10724806 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10762871 · 2015-09-10 (September 10, 2015)
THE UNIVERSAL JOINT ON THE FRONT DRIVE SHAFT SHEERED IN HALF WHILE DRIVING MY KIDS TO SCHOOL THIS MORNING. THERE WAS NO WARNING SIGNS OR NOTICEABLE VIBRATIONS BEFORE. TOWED VEHICLE TO SHOP & DISCOVERED THE PROBLEM. A QUICK GOOGLE SEARCH REVEALED THE FOLLOWING: BMW ISSUED A SERVICE BULLETIN TO "INSPECT" THE DRIVE SHAFT BACK IN MARCH OF 2015 NHTSA ID NUMBER: 10056722 / BMW SIB-26-01-14 AND IN AUGUST OF 2015 THEY ISSUED A VOLUNTARY WARRANTY EXTENSION, BMW SIB-01-15-15. I WILL SEND VEHICLE TO THE LOCAL BMW DEALERSHIP AND ASK FOR THE REPAIR TO HAPPE…
Owner-reported narrative. 53,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10762871 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10894598 · 2016-08-09 (August 9, 2016)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BMW X5 SAV. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, SMOKE APPEARED FROM THE TAIL PIPE AND THE ENGINE COOLANT WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE MOUNT AND COOLANT EXPANSION TANK NEEDED REPLACEMENT ALONG WITH THE TURBO CHARGER WATER PUMP. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE ENGINE WAS REBUILT BY THE DEALER PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 53,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10894598 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10914192 · 2016-10-06 (October 6, 2016)
PROBLEMS RELATING TO TRANSFER CASE. CAR VIBRATED ON TURNS IN STEERING COLUMN AND THE TURNING BOTH ON THE RIGHT SIDE AND THE LEFT SIDE IS VIBRATING A LOT.
Owner-reported narrative. 60,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10914192 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
4 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
12V161000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Other Fuel Types:Turbo/Supercharger
Reported: 2012-04-10 (April 10, 2012)
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.
Consequence: THIS COULD LEAD TO A SMOLDERING OF THE PUMP OR AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT OR VEHICLE FIRE.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗12V550000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Diesel | Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System
Reported: 2012-11-27 (November 27, 2012)
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.
Consequence: If the engine belt idler pulley bolt breaks, the vehicle may unexpectedly lose power-assisted steering, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗14V176000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
Reported: 2014-04-10 (April 10, 2014)
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 2010-2012 535i Gran Turismo vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the bolts that secure the housing for the variable camshaft timing adjustment (VANOS) unit can loosen over time and may possibly break.
Consequence: If the bolts loosen or break the engine may have reduced power or stall. An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗16V071000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module
Reported: 2016-02-05 (February 5, 2016)
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 X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5 M SAVs, 2009-2013 BMW X5 xDrive35d SAVs, 2008-2014 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i, and X6 M SACs, 2010-2011 BMW X6 xDrive50i SACs and 2008-2011 M3 Sedan vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗