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/
The worst 2012 BMW X5 SAV problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Transmission9
- Engine6
- Airbags3
- Fuel system3
- Steering3
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Transmission9
- Engine6
- Airbags3
- Fuel system3
- Steering3
- Electrical2
- Acceleration1
- Brakes1
- Driver assistance1
Recalls 4
Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 16V071000 · Recall details
Engine and engine cooling: engine
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 14V176000 · Recall details
Steering: hydraulic power assist system
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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 [email protected].
Recall number 12V550000 · Recall details
Engine and engine cooling: engine: other fuel types: turbo/supercharger
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 12V161000 · Recall details
See all 4 recalls for the 2012 BMW X5 SAV
Defect investigations
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
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
Idler Pulley Bolt Failure
In a May 23, 2018 letter, BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) notified the federal safety agency of a safety defect that may result in the loss of power steering assist in certain model year (MY) 2009 through 2013 BMW X5 xDrive35d vehicles (Recall 18V‑336). The recall, which affects approximately 33,214 vehicles built from March 12, 2008 through June 27, 2013, corrects the remedy and expands the scope of a prior BMW recall (12V‑550) which addressed idle pulley bolt failure in approximately 29,800 MY 2009 through 2012 BMW X5 xDrive35d vehicles built from September 1, 2008 through November 15, 2012. BMW's analysis indicates that due to a number of contributing factors it is possible that the bolt's pre-stressing force could drop to an extent that it results in the bolt becoming loosened over time. A loosening of the bolt could cause additional bending stress on top of the bolt. As a result, the bolt could break. If this were to happen, then a sudden loss of power steering assist could occur.If there were a loss of power steering assist, manual steering capability would be retained, although the effort required to steer the vehicle would be greater, and therefore may increase the risk of crash.ODI's analysis of the complaints it has received from the public (VOQ's) and BMW complaint data submitted in response to the information request letter for RQ18-001 identified a total of 93 unique VIN reports alleging failure of the idler pulley bolt after recall 12V‑550 was completed on the vehicle, including 31 VOQ's and 72 BMW consumer complaints (5 complaints received by the federal safety agency and BMW, 3 unique VIN's submitted multiple complaints to BMW, and 1 unique VIN submitted multiple complaints to the federal safety agency).BMW is developing a new idler pulley fastening system as the remedy for 18V‑336.The remedy is planned to begin in February 2019.Based on BMW's safety recall, this recall query is closed.The 31 VOQ's referenced in this resume are: 10499780, 10559422, 10579534, 10655424, 10661614, 10702323, 10819617, 10903433, 10948014, 10984353, 11002447, 11010667, 11013643, 11041551, 11054759, 11054909, 11066063, 11083479, 11097562, 11098865, 11113332, 11128649, 11130277, 10552773, 10817406, 10937632, 10956710, 11032006, 11042259, 11063010, 11091513.
RQ18001
Technical service bulletins for the 2012 BMW X5 SAV 11
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- While performing a 12-Volt battery jump start, disconnect, or replacement, Vehicle test, and/or...
- The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.
- The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few...
- The engine?s intake charge-air duct limited warranty extension to 10 years/120,000 miles applies to...
- Shipping specific non-deployed vehicle safety devices to lighting resources, llc
- Bmw: on some vehicles, the high pressure fuel injector, CAN lead to an internal failure due to incorrect...
- Bmw: some vehicle engines may experience a delay in response to acceleration, after slowing down, due to...
- Bmw: warning lamps are illuminated for the dsc, ABS and brake and a possible warning in control display...
- Bmw: if bsd communication is disrupted, oil level sensor data is no longer received by dme
- Bmw: vehicles needs diagnosing for N63 misfire faults when service engine soon lamp is illuminated
What 2012 BMW X5 SAV owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
I am writing this letter to seek helps on my 2012 bmw x5 35d (VIN#: [xxx]). I have experienced diesel smell in the cabin in the last couple of months and I got engine check light came on last week. We checked the code it saying the egr cooler is bad and egr valve is not operating. I want to know is there any recall or campaign regarding this part. This is an environmental emission and human health related issue. I recall I saw this part has an extended warranty 10 years/120000 miles. I have been a loyal bmw owner since 2002 and I will continue to do so. But this diesel smell issue is concerning me since it's health related, especially we have two kids in the car every day. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
The agent of bmw of tenafly said there is serious safety issue need to fix, the problem they call it: faulty transfer case and emf unit faults for emf and transfer case connected battery charger. The system may stop working suddenly and cause the vehicle transfer power to wheels and roll over.
While driving my car for approximately 3 minutes engine seized without warning. I coasted on to the shoulder of the road and put it in neutral and tried to start it.... Nothing. Oil level was good . I had it towed to bmw dealer and they told me engine was locked up but couldn't tell me why. I just had recall work done about a month or two ago at the same bmw dealer. They mentioned an aftermarket oil filter but that dose not make any sense to me. Has the manufacturer extended warranty covering this ?
My wife & I purchased this 2012x5 2 years ago,last year the vehicle was being driven off the driveway where there was a loud snap&ban. The car didn't move. We called a tow and had it brought to jupiter bmw fl .we found out that the drive shaft snapped. Mileage was 45-48k miles. We called bmw na it was a warranty recall part and the dealer stated it was replaced. After that in the last 10 months we have experienced many strange movements in the rear and in turns. We called the dealership and spoke to a tech where they stated it was tires in the rear. We recently replaced the tires & it remained to be there where it was mild but there. During this time period we had many serious obstacles with cancer & family in pr devastated. We received a recall notice airbag, we called the dealer to replace it. While there we failed to mention it being in a rush & still only one of the two airbags still unavailable. After we left during the month we felt it more so, at that time I try to reach the service advisor & failed to reach her in several attempts. After driving this week it got seriously worse while my family little children in car, we pulled over called our local mechanic and he said bring it if possible or tow.so we did! At that time we never discussed we replaced any recall drive shaft (make note). The mechanic called us in shop said the shaft is broke and leaking grease has a lot of play in it, also do to that is directly related & cause to be a issue with transfer case!!!. We took a video of it and the mechanic & us called bmw na discussed it & they recommend to take to bmw under extended warranty. Upon arrival we provided the service tech a video of the discovery .6 hours later they claim the shaft is fine & video & inspection was not issue, &transfer case having issues. They said our bill 9000$.there is over 300 claims exact issue #17v138000see attached pic & compl
Transfer case problem. Bought the car new, after the 2nd year felt vibration /shudders when making turns from a stop or low speed. Dealer replaced front brake rotors, changed front wheels. Still same issue end up changing 4 new tyres after a year. Up until 2016 changed again front and rear brake whole systems, front drive shaft replaced due to safety recall last july but still the vibration/shudders remains. Service advisor told me it could be the transfer case as it is most issues they received. Quoted me for $2650. Told him that my extended warranty expired 2016. The fact that the same exact problem was already reported to them early on and now I've been asked to pay for that long outstanding problem. Very disappointed. Went to two different dealer; tenafly under penske group where I bought the car even quoted me for $8000; reached out to bmw direct us recall service and willing to pay half so it'll end up still for $4000. Bmw hackensack under park ave group quoted me for $2650 parts and labor excluding tax. Really very disappointed after spending/investing a lot of money to the car. Hope bmw issue a safety recall especially I've been seeing a lot and same problems with the transfer case in x5. Just look online and you'll see a many complaints. I'm sure bmw sees how many transfer cases they been replacing under the warranty or they probably won't even bother their overhead expense especially it's being paid off buy other consumer/owner who ends up paying the cost out of warranty, considering they don't have a fix or standard prices. Pretty sure if I go to other dealer, they'll quote me differently.
My wife was driving my vehicle to get car wash. All of a sudden she lost power steering and the car battery warning came on. The idler pulley bolt snapped. Luckily my wife did not crash. She was driving 60mph and lost power steering. She is pregnant and had 2 kids in car. Now I've replaced this bolt again. I put purchased a new idler pulley bolt with loc tite. I replaced it and met every specification that the federal safety agency required. Basically it only require more torque and loc tite. This time it snapped in my drive way thank goodness. This is a serious traffic safety situation, I've read multiple forums where people have had work done at dealership and the bolt is snapping 3 days later. Obviously bmw did not fix the problem.
My fuel pump has been failing to create the correct amount of pressure in the fuel line, on and off, for several months, resulting in the vehicle suddenly operating at "reduced power" when driving. This then causes me a safety issue as I can no longer maintain proper speeds, especially when on the highway. It also causes me to have to restart the vehicle several times in a row as the vehicle often stalls out several times before finally achieving the proper pressure. My vehicle is model year 2012, which bmw states is outside of the current recall. It appears that my vehicle is having the issues outlined in the recall 16v‑746. My request here is to have the recall amended to include my make model and year of vehicle.
Takata recall - it has been over one year since my vehicle was identified under this recall and I live in a zone a which is the highest risk area. The local bmw dealer has not been able to give me any idea of when my car will be repaired. This is unacceptable as people have died from this defect and I am at risk every time I drive this vehicle.
The vehicle is an x5 diesel. Since purchasing the vehicle new both nox sensors (before and after catalytic) have failed. I searched the internet and found others who have had multiple nox sensor failures on other bmw diesel models. The second, most recent, nox failure happened to be immediately after the car was serviced (oil, def fluid, vehicle check) was performed. All service since new was performed by the bmw dealership. Bmw said the nox failure was not as a result of the service. Replacement of the nox sensor was $1,100. I can provide all service records from bmw if they are needed. Thank you for your assistance.
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Questions about the 2012 BMW X5 SAV
Is the 2012 BMW X5 SAV reliable?
Owners have filed 21 complaints about the 2012 BMW X5 SAV, close to a typical X5 SAV model year.
What is the 2012 BMW X5 SAV year score?
The 2012 BMW X5 SAV scores 69 out of 100 (average). The score compares it with the other model years of the BMW X5 SAV: 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 X5 SAV?
Transmission and drivetrain, with 9 complaints, typically around 62,210 miles. Next is engine (6).
How many recalls does the 2012 BMW X5 SAV have?
4 recalls, covering air bags, engine and engine cooling and steering.
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