The Used Car Index

2012 BMW X5 M problems

NHTSA lists 3 complaints for the 2012 BMW X5 M, 0 of them mention a crash and 0 mention a fire. 0 complaints mention an injury, with 0 injuries and 0 deaths reported.

Data build 2026-10-08.

NHTSA lists this vehicle as BMW X5 M.

At a glance

Complaints
3
With crash
0
With fire
0
With injury (complaints)
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
0
Recalls
1
Do not drive recalls
0
Park outside recalls
0
Recall potential units (maximum)
47,806
Investigations
0
Open investigations
0
Manufacturer communications
167

Complaints per 100k sold unavailable. No sales source is available for this record.

Where the complaints are

Top systems
SystemComplaintsShare of this vehicle's complaints
ENGINE266.7%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM133.3%
Top subsystems
SystemSubsystemComplaints

One complaint can name several systems, so shares can add to more than 100 percent.

Model-generated complaint tags

These labels are model-generated, not NHTSA data.

Failure modes
LabelCountShare of taggedMean confidence
mechanical failure266.7%0.83
noise or comfort133.3%0.24
Severities
LabelCountShare of taggedMean confidence
moderate266.7%0.64
low133.3%0.40

Model: typesafe/jev-1.13-20260917; schema version: tag-v1. 3 tagged complaints of 3 complaints (100.0%).

Confidence is the model's own probability for the label it chose (0 to 1), not accuracy.

Model-generated labels on tagged complaints only. Model years 2013 and newer are tagged in full; 2012 in part (see tagged_share); earlier model years have no tags. NHTSA's own flags remain separate in the complaints block.

Recalls

See new recalls and investigations this week.

1 recalls.

18V248000

Date: 2018-04-18. Systems: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING.

Defect: 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 Convertible, John Cooper Works (JCW) Convertible, Cooper S Countryman, Cooper S Countryman ALL4, Cooper S, JCW, Cooper S Clubman, JCW Clubman, Cooper S R (excerpt)

Consequence: If the circuit board were to overheat, it can increase the risk of a fire. (excerpt)

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. Owners will be notified of the recall beginning June 11, 2018, and will receive a second notification when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact BMW customer service (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

Investigations

0 investigations; 0 open.

Manufacturer communications

167 manufacturer communications.

Communications by system
SystemCount
EQUIPMENT51
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM40
ENGINE34
POWER TRAIN17
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING16
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE14
VISIBILITY9
EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY8

10249437

Date: 2024-01-16. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, VISIBILITY.

The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.

10249027

Date: 2024-01-11. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few years. This has led to increased demands being placed on the battery. This document covers important information for the dealer on how to handle A A?A A A A discharged batteryA A?A A A A compl

10211851

Date: 2022-03-01. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ENGINE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING.

This bulletin outlines the procedure for checking the engine timing chains for wear, and should be completed in conjunction with SI B11 06 14, "N63 Customer Care Package." The N63CCP and N63 Engine Check the Timing Chain are NOT mandatory Technical Campaigns or Recalls. They should be completed only

10200481

Date: 2021-05-01. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: AIR BAGS, EQUIPMENT, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE.

SURFACE RUST ON NEW AIR BAG INFLATORS: The technician finds that the new air bag inflator (aka: gas generator) may have surface rust on the metalhousing .

10186215

Date: 2020-12-01. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: EQUIPMENT, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE.

INCORRECT TORQUE SPECIFICATION FOR THE HIGH-PRESSURE PUMP IN ISTA: The current version of ISTA states the incorrect tightening torque for the High-Pressure pump M6 mounting bolts to the cylinder head cover. The correct tightening torque is only 12 Nm for the M6 bolts.

10179812

Date: 2020-08-01. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: SUSPENSION.

CRACKING NOISES FROM THE FRONTAXLE AREA WHILE TURNING THE WHEELS, WHEN STATION: Cracking noises are heard from the front axle area while maneuvering at low speeds (e.g., parking lot maneuvers) or when turning the steering wheel while stationary.

10175267

Date: 2020-04-01. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN.

Power Reduction FC2A82 Intake VANOS and/or FC2 A87 Exhaust VANOS Camshaft Fault: The "Service Engine Soon" (MIL) lamp is illuminated and engine power reduction is perceived. This situation can occur after driving for some time with the engine at full operating temperature. If the ignition is cycled

10162403

Date: 2019-07-10. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: EQUIPMENT, STRUCTURE.

Rear Bumper Trim Warped / Distorted. The center of the rear bumper trim is warped upward and may interfere with opening of the tailgate. No outside damage or customer influence can be detected. The center securing tabs of the bumper trim cover have been dislodged or broken off from the carrier.

10162425

Date: 2019-07-10. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: EQUIPMENT, STRUCTURE.

Creaking Noises from the B-Pillar Trim. The lower half of the B-pillar trim can make a creaking noise when driving. CAUSE: The two upper openings for the securing tabs on the bottom half of the B-pillar are too small to allow the two barbs of the upper trim to interlock.

10163026

Date: 2019-06-01. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ENGINE, EQUIPMENT.

N63 ENGINE: OIL CONSUMPTION CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR PROCEDURES. While engine oil consumption may create a customer inconvenience in the short term it should not cause any drivability problems that would prevent normal day-to-day operational use of the vehicle.

Notes on this record

  • Complaints from the API and bulk file are merged and deduplicated by ODI number; the API alone misses records.
  • System and subsystem counts are numbers of distinct complaints, recalls or communications that name them. One record can name several systems, so shares across systems can add to more than 100 percent; a single share never exceeds 100 percent.
  • Recalls are counted once per campaign, investigations once per action and manufacturer communications once per NHTSA id, even when NHTSA lists several model names for the same record.
  • A sales denominator is a calendar-year proxy, not the population of vehicles still in use. Rates are copied from verified pipeline output.

Other names NHTSA uses

None listed.

Matched NHTSA models

Matched labels and complaints
NHTSA model labelComplaints
X5 M3

Same model, other years

All model years | All BMW models

Other BMW models, 2012

Sources

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