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2012 BMW 650I problems

The most common problem on the 2012 BMW 650I is engine and cooling, typically around 67,000 miles. It has 3.3 times the complaints of a typical 650I model year.

Typical year3.3x the typical complaints
Owner complaints
20
Recalls
2
Service bulletins
363
Worst area
Engine
Fuel economy
17-18mpg

The worst 2012 BMW 650I problems

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

  • Engine
    12
  • Seats
    3
  • Airbags
    2
  • Brakes
    2
  • Fuel system
    2

Problems by type

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

  • Engine
    12
  • Seats
    3
  • Airbags
    2
  • Brakes
    2
  • Fuel system
    2
  • Seat belts
    2
  • Body
    1
  • Electrical
    1
  • Wheels
    1

Recalls 2

Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: turbo/superchargerReported April 18, 2018 · 47,806 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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 Roadster, JCW Roadster, Cooper S Coupe, JCW Coupe and Rolls-Royce Ghost, 2011 BMW X6 Hybrid and 2012 BMW 650i Coupe, 650i xDrive Coupe, 650i Convertible and 650i xDrive Convertible vehicles. The electric auxiliary water pump may fail and cause the circuit board to overheat.
Risk
If the circuit board were to overheat, it can increase the risk of a fire.
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 at BMW 1‑800‑525‑7417, MINI at 1‑866‑825‑1525, or Rolls-Royce at 1‑877‑877‑3735. Note: BMW recommends that owners park their vehicle outdoors until the recall remedy has been performed.

Recall number 18V248000 · Recall details

Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pumpReported October 17, 2016 · 136,188 vehicles affected
What is wrong
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 BMW X5 3.0si, X5 4.8i, X5 M, X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive48i and X5 xDrive50i, 2008-2011 X6 x Drive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6 M, 2010-2011 X6 ActiveHybrid, 535i xDrive Gran Turismo, 535i Gran Turismo, 550i xDrive Gran Turismo and 550i Gran Turismo, 2011-2012 528i, 535i, 535i xDrive, 550i and 550i xDrive and 2012 535i ActiveHybrid, 640i Convertible, 650i Convertible, 650i xDrive Convertible, 650i Coupe and 650i Coupe xDrive vehicles. The affected vehicles have in-tank fuel pumps that may have insufficiently crimped wire contacts.
Risk
The loose wires may cause the connector to melt, resulting in a fuel leak. Additionally, the fuel pump may stop working, possibly causing an engine stall and increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. The recall began February 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1‑800‑525‑7417.

Recall number 16V746000 · Recall details

See all 2 recalls for the 2012 BMW 650I

Defect investigations

Desiccated Air Bag Inflator RuptureOpened September 17, 2021, still open

From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.

EA21002

Technical service bulletins for the 2012 BMW 650I 363

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

See all 363 bulletins for the 2012 BMW 650I

2012 BMW 650I fuel economy

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

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
4.4L 8‑cylRWD1522-2317-18
4.4L 8‑cylAWD1519-2017

What 2012 BMW 650I owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Jan 4, 2023 · Engine · IL

While at complete stop engine shut off with no warning lights on dash board. BMW dealer related they do not know what is wrong with engine.

Filed Oct 13, 2022 · Seat belts · 92,000 miles · SC

The contact owns a 2012 BMW 650 XI. The contact stated that both the front driver and front passenger seat belts would fail to retract upon disengagement. The contact stated that the seat belts would need to be pushed back manually into place by the occupants after use. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not under recall and was no longer covered under warranty. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the federal safety agency hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 92,000.

Filed Oct 20, 2020 · Engine · 30,000 miles · NY

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 bmw 650i. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, an abnormal odor appeared inside the cabin of the vehicle. The contact noticed black exhaust coming from the tailpipe. The contact that that the oil tube was refilled every 80 to 100 miles. The vehicle was taken to bmw of bayside (24721 northern blvd, douglaston, ny 11362) diagnosed, and it was determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. The vehicle then was taken to another dealer where a diagnostic test was still pending. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not under recall. The contact referenced the federal safety agency campaign number: 12v161000 (engine and engine cooling) as a possible solution to the failure however, the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000.

Filed May 17, 2020 · Engine · 120,000 miles · GA

At approximately 120,000 miles my engine oil pump went out causing my car to stall while on the highway traveling at 70 miles per hour. The bmw dealership said to me that even though my car meets the miles specifications the engine oil has metal pieces in it therefore they will not cover a new warranty under their lemon law. Bmw new that this engine was a troubled engine from the first dat this car was built and now bmw is not standing behind thes vehicles

Filed Feb 21, 2020 · Engine · 102,000 miles · GA

While driving my car on highway 20 west my engine loss all power making my car slow completely down. I was in heavy traffic and I had to move over two lanes to get to the shoulder of the highway. Once my car stopped the car put its self in park and would not allow me to select any gear. Come to find out the turbo charger wen out in my car causing the car to act in this un safe manner. This is a reall safety issue that bmw has on these particular engines. This matter needs o be addressed with my car please

Filed Jul 3, 2019 · 80,000 miles · SC

I am trying to acquire it used from an authorized bmw dealership. There are outstanding recalls. Dealership wants me to hold them harmless. Yes. An authorized bmw dealership in atalanta will sell a car with defects and subject to an the federal safety agency recall and ask a consumer to indemnify them. Global imports bmw.

Filed Jul 2, 2019 · Engine · 137,857 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 bmw 650i. While driving various speeds, several components in the engine leaked, including the oil. Also, the check oil indicator illuminated and smoke appeared under the hood while the vehicle was in drive. The vehicle was taken to bmw of riverside (3060 adams st, riverside, ca 92504, (951) 373-5000) and bmw of murrieta (41430 auto mall pkwy, murrieta, ca 92562, (951) 200-5491). Both dealers informed the contact that all repairs would be her responsibility. The manufacturer was informed and provided the same information as the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 137,857.

Filed Jun 18, 2019 · Airbags, Engine · 70,000 miles · GA

A warning light for the passenger side front airbag is on. Bmw wants to charge me $1500 to replace the faulty airbag. How can it be damaged if it's never been used? How is this repair my responsibility? Additionally, this bmw burns oil. It seems to be a problem with all 8 cylinder models as they age. I have to add a quart of oil every 300 miles or so and the car blows black smoke via the exhaust. I've spent $1300 to repair it, but it didn't repair the issue. Now I'm being told it's a $10,000 repair. How is a problem that's systematic with so many 8 cylinder bmws my responsibility?

Filed Jun 10, 2019 · Electrical, Seats · 5 miles · NY · fire · 1 injury

While driving my passenger seat back burnt my wife's back and was smoking. I turned the seat cooling off and it stopped.

Filed Apr 16, 2019 · Airbags, Seats · CA

Receive a "passenger restraint system" failure. Bmw el cajon dealership diagnosed problem as passenger occupancy seat mat sensor. This is a very serious issue. The front passenger seat occupant detection mat determines if and how the passenger frontal air bag should deploy in a crash. This know bmw issue develops cracks and could lead to a system failure. If the electronic sensing mat in the front passenger seat fails, this will disable the front passenger air bag and the air bag will not deploy during a crash. The known bmw defective seat sensor is well documented200,000 bmws recalled in 2008, 77,000 in 2013, and 2,158 in 2017. I request you issue a recall for all 2012 bmw 650i's asap to prevent this ineffective safety system from causing property damage, injury or death.

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Questions about the 2012 BMW 650I

Is the 2012 BMW 650I reliable?

Owners have filed 20 complaints about the 2012 BMW 650I, 3.3 times a typical 650I model year.

What is the most common problem with the 2012 BMW 650I?

Engine and cooling, with 12 complaints, typically around 67,000 miles. Next is seats (3).

How many recalls does the 2012 BMW 650I have?

2 recalls, covering engine and engine cooling and fuel system, gasoline.

Was there a recall on the 2012 BMW 650I engine?

Yes, 1 recall: 18V248000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What gas mileage does the 2012 BMW 650I get?

Official estimates for the 2012 BMW 650I range from 17 to 18 mpg combined. The most efficient version (4.4L 8-cyl, RWD) gets 15 city and 22-23 highway.

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