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2012 BMW 5 Series problems

The most common problem on the 2012 BMW 5 Series is engine and cooling. It has fewer complaints than a typical 5 Series model year.

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Year score
82/100
Owner complaints
10
Recalls
0
Service bulletins
47
Worst area
Engine
Fuel economy
17-26mpg

The worst 2012 BMW 5 Series problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

  • Engine
    3
  • Transmission
    3
  • Tires
    2
  • Visibility
    2
  • Airbags
    1

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Engine
    3
  • Transmission
    3
  • Tires
    2
  • Visibility
    2
  • Airbags
    1

Recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

Defect investigations

Loss of power assist brakingOpened September 6, 2013, closed October 25, 2013

In a letter dated September 26, 2013, BMW Group submitted a safety recall notice to the federal safety agency identifying a defect condition in the vacuum pump oil supply that may result in loss of power assist braking in 76,191 model year (MY) 2012 through 2014 BMW 3-Series, 5-Series, X1 SAV, X3 SAV, and Z4 vehicles equipped with 4-cylinder engines (the federal safety agency Recall 13V‑454).According to BMW, movement of the seal disk within the camshaft may result in blocking of the oil supply to the vacuum pump, resulting in improper pump operation and loss of power assist braking.On July 11, 2013, BMW initiated a change to the camshaft geometry that prevented the seal disk from blocking the oil port.BMW has not received any braking complaints related to loss of power assist after the design change was implemented in production.The owners of all affected vehicles will be contacted by mail and asked to take their vehicle to a BMW dealer who will install a locking ring into the camshaft to keep the seal disk in its proper location.BMW expects to begin dealer and owner notification in November 2013 and complete dealer and owner notification in December when the remedy is expected to be available.Based on the actions taken by BMW, this investigation is closed.

PE13030

Technical service bulletins for the 2012 BMW 5 Series 47

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 47 bulletins for the 2012 BMW 5 Series

2012 BMW 5 Series fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
2.0L 4‑cylAWD223226
3.0L 6‑cyl HybridRWD233026
3.0L 6‑cylAWD18-2127-3021-24
3.0L 6‑cylRWD192822
4.4L 8‑cylRWD152218
4.4L 8‑cylAWD1519-2017

What 2012 BMW 5 Series owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Jul 14, 2019 · Engine · 72,000 miles · NC

I was driving my car on a road when a warning light came on. I parked the car home, since I was close to home. The same week I took the car to a bmw specialist because there was a noise coming from the engine. After $467.00 spent on labor, just to tell me I need a new engine. This car has 72k miles. This is a car that I only drove on weekends and not every weekend. The car is now parked in my garage because to repair it it will cost me $11k. I have heard this complaint from several bmw owners. The car still runs but the noise will no go away.

Filed Feb 12, 2019 · Engine · 40,000 miles · MA

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 bmw 5-series. The contact stated that the vehicle excessively overheated without warning. The contact constantly had to exercise caution in the event that the vehicle may have reduced engine power and was uncertain if the failure would result in a fire. Bmw gallery of norwood (918 boston providence hwy, norwood, ma 02062, (888) 441-2338) was notified of the failure, but had not specified if the failure was related to any recall campaigns or technical service bulletins. The dealer stated that further diagnostic testing was required. The manufacturer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 40,000.

Filed Mar 19, 2018 · 98,000 miles · OH

I had an issue with the timing chain on this vehicle. I do believe this is a safety issue. Car fails with very little warning while the car is being driven. It is not a question of maintenance but of a specific manufacturing fault. How would one know of a defect until something goes wrong. Then the manufacturer doesn't take blame. Manufacturer knew about the problem but did not let owners know about the problem until something happens while driving. Bmw has since redesigned the engine but what about the existing cars with the issue?

Filed Jun 7, 2017 · Airbags, Transmission · GA

Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2012 bmw 5-series. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign numbers: 17v020000 (air bags) and 17v138000 (power train). The part for the recall repair was unavailable. The contact spoke with the dealer, bmw of columbus, georgia, and was informed that parts were ordered for the federal safety agency campaign number: 17v020000 (air bags); however, VIN tool confirms remedy not yet available for the recall. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Vin tool confirms parts not available and parts distribution disconnect.

Filed Aug 12, 2016 · Engine, Transmission · 58,700 miles · VA

I was driving at about 65 MPH on a highway uphill, engine completely stalled, no power, got a message "drive-train malfunction, no maximum output, drive moderately". I was surrounded by cars/semi trucks, very dangerous situation. Managed to pull over on the should. Could not restart car, got a message "automatic start/stop deactivated: engine will not start automatically. Press the start/stop button to start the engine." about 30 mins after engine stalled, I finally restarted the car. Continued to drive on the highway for about 10 miles @ 60-65 MPH. At a local street, as I slowed down to approach a traffic light, engine stalled again, no power, car stopped in the middle of road, got the two same messages, could not start car. About 30 mins after engine stalled, I finally started the car.

Filed Aug 5, 2014 · Visibility · 47,000 miles · NY

My windshield wipers move on their own, they turn on and off as they please. Brought the car in twice so far and bmw service cannot find the problem.

Filed Jun 20, 2014 · Visibility · 27,000 miles · SC

My car was parked during a hail storm. During the storm, the back windshield shattered into a thousand pieces. Thank god no one was in the vehicle at the time of the hail storm! It was my understanding that these windshields are made of safety glass, that is designed to absorb any impact, crack, and stay in 1 piece. However, quite the opposite happened (I have pictures), where the entire back glass basically exploded and glass pieces went flying everywhere. There were even pieces of glass on the front floor board and dashboard. This must be a defect and could have been a potential life threatening event if anyone happened to be in the vehicle during this storm!

Filed Aug 8, 2013 · Tires · 7,200 miles · TX

Bmw 550xi, normal driving, tire pressure indicator came on, car became unstable. Parked vehicle and observed large bubble in front right tire sidewall had split, causing rapid deflation. No road hazards were involved, mechanic states that these tires get sidewall bubbles all the time.

Filed Jun 19, 2013 · Tires · 11,000 miles · WA

Three tire bubbles, first at 11,000 miles, two more at 12,000. Original tires on bmw 535xi sport. "goodyear eagle ls-2 runonflat" 245/40r19 bmw quickly replaced four tires with michelin, at prorated cost, so they know the problem. Tires must be recalled for safety!!!!!!!!!

Filed Oct 25, 2012 · Transmission · 10,300 miles · NJ

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 bmw 550ix equipped with goodyear eagle p245/40/r19. The contact stated that while driving 45 MPH an alert on his dashboard illuminated instructing him that the vehicle should not be driven more than 50 miles as the tire was going flat. Thirty miles later the vehicle was stopped and the front driver side tire had developed a bubble on the sidewall, which caused the tire to shred. The vehicle dealer was notified but offered no assistance. The manufacturer of the vehicle was notified but offered no assistance. The tires had not been replaced. Updated 12/14/12 *bf the consumer replaced all four tires with michelin tires. The consumer stated two of the original four tires developed bubbles on the sidewall. On two occasions, the drive train malfunctioned. The video screen flashed a message instructing the consumer to return the vehicle to the dealer. In the process, the vehicle lost a considerable amount of power output and shook violently when driven over 30 MPH. Updated 07/09/13

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Questions about the 2012 BMW 5 Series

Is the 2012 BMW 5 Series reliable?

Owners have filed 10 complaints about the 2012 BMW 5 Series, fewer than a typical 5 Series model year.

What is the 2012 BMW 5 Series year score?

The 2012 BMW 5 Series scores 82 out of 100 (good). The score compares it with the other model years of the BMW 5 Series: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.

What is the most common problem with the 2012 BMW 5 Series?

Engine and cooling, with 3 complaints. Next is transmission (3).

How many recalls does the 2012 BMW 5 Series have?

No recalls on record.

What gas mileage does the 2012 BMW 5 Series get?

Official estimates for the 2012 BMW 5 Series range from 17 to 26 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.0L 4-cyl, AWD) gets 22 city and 32 highway.

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