10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 4
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
54,223 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 2 of 5)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #73

Nov 052019

X5

  • miles

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

It is making a horrible crying noice and it's vibrates. The water pump was already taken care of but still once again problems

- Lebanon, PA, USA

problem #72

Oct 252019

X5

  • 73,000 miles
Egr cooler issue/leak and spring detachment.

- Frisco, CO, USA

problem #71

Sep 212019

X5

  • 105 miles
I purchased my BMW last year it had 89,000 miles on it I went to get a oil change and 2 weeks later I was driving on the highway and the car just went from 65 miles to 40 miles the big engine light can on and now I cant go over 50 miles so incantvgetbin the high way can someone plz tell.what yo do I need some answers

- Phila, PA, USA

problem #70

Sep 012019

X5

  • miles

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

Egr valve is faulty causing emissions issues and can lead to overheating. Recalls have been performed on 2009 - 2011 models and 2013 models and newer but not on the 2012 with the same issue.

- Denver, CO, USA

problem #69

Dec 102018

X5

  • 82,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 BMW X5. While operating the vehicle, the battery sensor indicator illuminated and the engine misfired. The battery was replaced along with the ignition coil. Later, while driving the vehicle, the oil and engine indicators illuminated. It was discovered that the engine oil levels were very low and oil had to be continuously added to the engine. The vehicle continued to experience battery failures and the message on and battery high drainage comfort access feature malfunctioned. The vehicle was taken to BMW of bridgewater (655 us-202, bridgewater township, NJ 08807) where it was diagnosed that the overhead roof module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 82,000. The VIN was unknown.

- North Burnswick, NJ, USA

problem #68

Jul 262019

X5

  • 49,000 miles
BMW X5 M 2012 E70 engine failure (S63). Milage on the vehicle at the time of failure was 49,000 miles. The vehicle stopped functioning while in the middle of driving at on a busy roadway & could have lead to a serious accident or death. BMW of North America refused to help in any way. Engine repair from the BMW dealership was quoted at $38,000.

- Lombard, IL, USA

problem #67

Jul 272019

X5

  • 80,500 miles

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

I had the idler pulley bolt recall service (recall notice # 18V-336) completed by the local BMW dealer on March 30, 2019. While driving on July 27, I heard a soft "clunk", then the A/C & power steering quickly failed and I received the "charging malfunction" message. I proceeded to make my way out of traffic to a strip center ahead of me, and received a "low coolant" message at that time. I stopped the car, and over the course of the next 4 hours (while waiting for roadside assistance) the majority of the coolant, mixed with what I believed to be oil, drained out all over the parking lot. I had the car towed to an independent BMW mechanic, and July 30, 2019, he informed me that the bolt that had been replaced under the recall had snapped off completely. As he explained to me, the serpentine belt was shredded as a result, and the coolant hoses were ripped loose and sucked into the vehicle's harmonic balancer. He also stated it appears the serpentine belt wrapped itself around one of the turbo oil feed lines when it broke and ripped it in half. His immediate recommendation was to tow it to the dealer that performed the recall service, where it now sits as of this morning, July 31, 2019.

- Atlanta, GA, USA

problem #66

Jun 072019

X5

  • 69,000 miles
Had to replace water pump at 58,000 miles. Car is spewing exhaust, and acceleration and steering are not functioning properly, likely due to ujoint and/or worn control arm, which I noticed were recalled for other models, but listed as a recall for my car/VIN. Need to reseal crankcase jointing surfaces. Car has 8 recalls listed on kbb, but BMW only has record of 5 recalls. I do not have records of repairs that were done on car before purchase in Nov. Of 2014. Car currently has 69,000 miles and is driving horribly

- Rancho Santa Fe, CA, USA

problem #65

Apr 102019

X5

  • miles
I purchased the vehicle 2/27/19 by 4/10/19, twice the engine caused the truck to slow down and turn off and forced itself in park. This happen while I was driving in the middle lane in traffic on a busy street. The engine started knocking so I towed the vehicle to the mechanic and the mechanic found metal flakes in the oil the engine was blown.

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #64

Jun 092019

X5

  • 114,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 BMW X5. While driving 35-40 mph, the vehicle started to overheat and the overheated warning indicator illuminated. The contact coasted the vehicle to the side of the road and waited until the vehicle cooled down. The vehicle was driven to BMW of Ontario (located at 1301 auto center dr, Ontario, ca 91761, (909) 402-3052) where it was diagnosed that the water pump was malfunctioning and leaking all over the circuit board. The vehicle was not repaired due to the repair fees. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 114,000.

- La Puente, CA, USA

problem #63

Mar 062019

X5

  • 90,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2012 BMW X5. While driving approximately 45 mph, the check engine and egr system indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to BMW of Kansas City (816-895-6228, located at 1200 w 104th St, Kansas City, mo 64114) where it was stated that there was no recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to NHTSA. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.

- Overland Park, KS, USA

problem #62

May 132019

X5

  • 63,000 miles
I have 2012 BMW X5 35D, transmission light came on, BMW dealer said the egr cooler needed to be replaced. Cost $1800 = too fix. BMW did a recall on the 2013 to 2017 models. My point is why wasn't the all 35D's included? all have the same erg cooler! BMW and NHTSA should revise this recall. Did it for nos sensors. Do the right thing, just makes sense.

- Sarasota, FL, USA

problem #61

Oct 082017

X5

  • 39,000 miles
On 2017 Oct 8th, in the middle of the highway, my car had a red message saying the engine was overheated and I need to turn off the car immediately. I pulled over to the side and turned off the engine to cool down for around 30 min. There were cars passing by in 80 miles right by us. It was terrifying. Felt like a car could crash into us any moment. I had to get off the highway and stop and turn off the engine every 5 min to come back home. 20 min drive almost took me 2 hours. I had my kids in the car with no ac. It was only a month after I put the car in service and paid $3086 for maintenance. I took it into BMW service and paid $2041 to get the water pump fixed. BMW service said that they cannot do anything until the car breakes down and have the message on. Which means all potential BMW could have a possibility of breaking down in the middle of the highway. The reason I'm filing this is that just last week I put the car into service and in the course of reasearching I came across the fact that BMW X5 water pump was recalled in 2018. I contacted BMW and they say my specific VIN was not affected. But it looks like as majority of the BMW and MINIwater pumps were recalled, they have a fundamental issue with the water pumps. It is hard to believe when my water pump actually broke at 37000 mileage it's not related a defect at all. Also as especially they cannot prevent this issue my case clearly shows how dangerous it is to have a water pump failure in the middle of the highway. Pls review my case and issue a recall.

- Champaign, IL, USA

problem #60

Jun 012018

X5

  • 128,000 miles
On 2018 the engine's idler pulley bolt fail. The vehicle lose the power and don't run. I have tried to fix the problem with BMW Agency on tucson Arizona, but they never can help with this problem. They always say the same 'we can't do nothing about it. I'm very fustrated because this is my only vehicle. Finally I visited another mechanic to fix my vehicle. I already spend money to fix the problem, and you company just give me excuses. I'm very upset with the service, very bad service. Sometimes the persone by phone tell me that he would see how he can help me, and he going to call me back and never happened. The last time one person of customer service her name amalia phone number +16614322897 tried to help me, but instead he told me that I owe you 150 dlls. I'm just try to keep the vehicle in good conditions for the safety of my family. And see if you going to help me to get some money back that I already spend of my pocket. Thank you !!

- Tucson, AZ, USA

problem #59

Mar 102019

X5

  • miles
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 recall to european and asian models but not the us my car has only 51000 miles. Please see this link https://www.bmwblog.com/2018/08/14/South-Korea-bans-recalled-BMW-models-from-public-roads-until-issue-is-fixed/

- Edison, NJ, USA

problem #58

Feb 222019

X5

  • 95,300 miles
I find it down right unconscienable that BMW is allowed to have an open recall that may cuse a crash unresolved months after notification. On Thursday 2/22/19 while on my way to an event when the occurence materialized. I lost steering and engine function on a 2 plus mile winding commercial driveway. Through the grace of god I remained calm and forcibly and miraculously veer away from a ditch. Had I been on a highway which was a real possibility that day, a sudden slowing down would have been life ending. I am taking the time to make this complaint to hopefully prevent someone else that may not have the same outcome as I did. I was able to slowly make it to the parking lot while having roadside assistance summoned by my son, who I had surrendipitously diaed before I heard the "pop" under the car, which I initially thought was from running over a rock. Once the vehicle was at the dealership, ithe following day received a voicemail response to my inquiry that it was due to the July 2017 puley recall that does impact steering and may lead to a crash. Sad. Current remedy is an offer for a rental with rexpenses covered with no eta of the recalled part replacement. I must say I am extremely distrustful at this time of an adequate resolution, to the point of a trade in request. I have also asked for the manager to get back to me. Thanks.

- Liberty, NY, USA

problem #57

Feb 012017

X5

  • 117,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 BMW X5. While driving unknown speeds, the vehicle's computer system shut down and the check engine indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to automaster BMW (3328 shelburne rd, shelburne, vt 05482, (802) 985-8411) where it was diagnosed that the knock sensors, catalytic converter, and computer module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was contacted and did not assist. The failure mileage was 117,000.

- Essex, VT, USA

problem #56

Jan 042019

X5

  • 85,000 miles
"check engine" light came on while driving. I opened vehicle settings from the menu to determine what the light was for. All systems indicated ok. Nearest serviceman checked for codes: Code 4873, egr system. Online, egr recalls in us and europe, however my vehicle does not show up as part of any of them. Called BMW and they say I am on my own. I am concerned that I may have the same issue that involves the exhaust gas recirculation module with an integrated cooler. Per this link: Https://www.automotive-fleet.com/318701/BMW-recalls-models-for-egr-defect, I would like some research done to determine the risk I face. I feel like there is enough evidence of other models having this issue, that there may be more bmws at risk that have not yet been identified. Another link: Https://www.automotive-fleet.com/318701/BMW-recalls-models-for-egr-defect

- Minnetrista, MN, USA

problem #55

Nov 212018

X5

  • 89,000 miles
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. The fire department extinguished the fire. There were no injuries. The vehicle was destroyed and towed to an independent facility. A fire report was filed. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The cause of the failure was not determined. The approximate failure mileage was 89,000.

- East Brunswick, NJ, USA

problem #54

Aug 082018

X5

  • 131,000 miles
On August 7, 2018, I was traveling on interstate 95 in Maryland (North of baltimore) in route to New York state. During the highway drive, my BMW drastically reduced speed to 10 miles per hour and the check engine light came on and stayed on. I had to move my car to a safe place to avoid being hit by the other vehicles on the highway. I could not continue to drive my car. And, I was worried about my safety and was at risk due to the BMW car issue. I called aaa and my car was towed to passport BMW in suitland, Maryland for repair. On August 8th, passport evaluated my car and diagnosed the problem. I was informed by passport BMW that my car engine problem was due to a faulty fuel ignition system which had to be replaced. I approved this over $570 repair to my car. However, when I picked up the car, the engine light was still on. Again, I was concerned since my car was repaired by BMW yet the problem had not been fixed since the engine light was still on. I contacted the service advisor to inform him of the problem. He apologized and requested that I bring the car back in to passport BMW on the next day. The next day, I brought the car in to passport BMW, I was informed that the catalytic converter, an estimated $3388 repair, needed to be replaced. My car has been in for BMW service maintenance and recall repairs several time. My car was in for maintenance several times and was not accurately diagnosed or repaired. There is no indication that the repair diagnosed on August 8th fixed the problem that caused my car to stop running on the highway on August 7th. I paid for that repair in August and it did not fix the check engine problem and want to be reimbursed for this expense. I am concerned about the numerous repairs to my BMW despite the fact that my car has been serviced by the passport BMW service department.

- Upper Marlboro, MD, USA

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