2012 BMW X5: sudden loss of power

Filed May 1, 2026 · Engine, Steering · CA

Two nights ago I was at Domino’s Pizza. I put my car in reverse and the car died and the steering wheel locked up like the power steering was giving out I was able to start the car again, but still with no power steering assist and drove the car home about a mile away, but every time I slowed down or came to a stop sign or a stoplight, the car would die, and the battery light would flash on the dash and it would say charging malfunction once I got home we took a look at the engine and noticed that none of the belts were working at all and then I started to google what could possibly be the problem and a couple of different recalls came up recall number 12V550000 and that is engine and engine cooling engine diesel what the name of it is and the recall date is 1127 2012 and then the next one is 2012 BMW X5 diesel SUVs from the model year 2012 923 BMW X fives have been recalled because they have defective engine belt, tensioners and cracks that develop along the welds if the belt tensioner fails there could be a sudden loss of power steering assist that is sounds like exactly what happened to my car and then there’s another one recall number B121918 which is from September 2019 and it is called idler pulley bolt and come to find out that actually was a recall on my vehicle, but the previous owner is the one that had it repaired so I’m not sure if BMW is willing to repair it again but there’s not a lot of miles on this cards a 2012 I bought it with 95,000 miles on it and it currently only has 131,000 miles on it. I’m just hoping for some kind of resolution here this is the fifth Bmw that I bought in my lifetime and I for the most part I’ve had pretty good ultimate driving experience and good customer service and some good financing but I can’t see why just recall wouldn’t cover my vehicle. It’s currently in the shop. They’re doing a diagnostic on it and I will be getting that back later on today and I can report that back to you folks, hopefully it could be recalled. M

Filed Sep 12, 2022 · WY

BMW turns off driving down the road. Loss of power, power steering and brakes. Dangerous due to the fact that it is hard and sometimes impossible to pull over and get it to restart. When it happens on the freeway it is very dangerous because it is almost impossible to pull over. The SUV just quits working for no apparent reason. This has happened several times and not just one incident. Last time it happened was in the middle of an interstate in Denver CO with a child in the back seat. It happens at different speeds without warning.

Filed Aug 25, 2022 · Engine · 139,000 miles · MA

Pulley bolts for power steering, water pump and I believe alternator broke and I lost power steering function which almost caused me to crash into another car and guard rail. I have seen many reports of this problem on social media with other X5 owners. Car has 139k in miles.

Filed Jun 3, 2021 · Engine, Transmission · WA

The DPF exhaust emissions system failed. BMW dealership refused to replace only replaced a holding tank. That code was not shown. The x5 left shop with a engine light and emissions failure. Independent shop scanned car explained diesel dpf system has failed and is under warranty.. dealership refused to fix. Car runs sluggish, engine warning keeps coming on and take to service. ... The egr cooler failed. The independent shop confirmed codes. Exhaust smell in cabin, reduced power, sluggish, and car goes into LIMP mode while I was driving on the freeway. The shut down of power caused me to almost crash into on coming lane of vehicles at highway speed. Engine light on and warning of engine failure and car stuck in limp mode . System says to take to dealer. . Please help as the dealer will not warranty or recall repair, even though I am under 100,000 miles and there are multiple recall and manufacturer extension warranty for these specific repairs. [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

Filed Jun 11, 2019 · Transmission · 92,000 miles · NY

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 bmw x5. While driving approximately 40 MPH, the contact heard a clicking noise under the vehicle. The vehicle started to lose power, the transmission warning indicator illuminated, and an unknown fluid emerged from the transmission area. The vehicle was towed to an unknown independent mechanic who determined that the drive axle fractured and damaged the transfer case, which needed replacement. The vehicle was towed to bmw of manhattan (555 w 57th st, new york, ny 10019), but was not diagnosed unless it was paid for by the contact. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact also mentioned that the vehicle was included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 17v138000 (power train). The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 92,000.

Filed Mar 13, 2019 · Fuel system · 74,000 miles · TX

I was driving my car at 35 miles per hour suddenly the car lost power steering wheel locked so it was hard to keep control of the vehicle. I tried restarting the car but with no results. A policeman had to stay behind me all the time for over an hour until a towing truck came to tow the car. Bmw diagnoste the car before with a fuel rail regulator. So I went and replaced that component still the car did not want to start!?. So I towed it to bmw after 4 days of diagnostics that they said the diagnostics itself is $1900! They came to a conclusion that the fuel high pressure pump failed and contaminated the fuel system and broke the injectors and messed up the whole fuel system. Their estimate to replace the whole is over $11000! And to just replace the failed and clean up the fuel system it will cost me over $4000. The car is only $75000 how would a major failure happen to that component. There was no misfueling, they checked the diesel and they said it is not gas and it does not have water either. I have read where other people complaining from the same issue fuel high pressure pump failure. If I were on a highway and since the car did not give any notice or message I think I would have been in an accident since the car just shut down with no warning or sign.

Filed Dec 9, 2018 · Engine · 66,000 miles · WA

Recall campaign number 18v‑336 engine idler pulley bolt snapped while driving through twisting roads in the wet. Loss of power steering and loss of battery charge from the alternator also the belt runs the water pump so the engine started to over heat before I could get to a safe place to pull off the road.

Filed Nov 5, 2018 · Engine · 69,500 miles · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 bmw x5. While the vehicle was stationary, the engine idler pulley bolt fractured. The contact stated that the red battery malfunction indicator illuminated and the message "charging malfunction, battery is not recharging" displayed. The contact also stated that there was a sudden loss of power steering assist. The contact manually applied significant force to the steering wheel and was able to drive to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the engine pulley bolt fractured and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. Furthermore, the contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 18v336000 (engine and engine cooling); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and stated that there was no remedy for the recall. The contact was referred to the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 69,500. Vin tool confirms parts not available.

Filed Jan 4, 2018 · Engine, Fuel system · 76,000 miles · MD

I'm writing to you regarding my 2012 bmw x5m. On october 8, 2017 I was driving my car and suddenly the check engine light came up and almost immediately the car lost power and a very loud banging noise start coming up from the front of the car. I was in the middle of a busy intersection when this happened and the car could barely move. I pulled over as soon as I was out of the intersection and got the car towed to the nearest bmw authorize dealer - bmw of silver spring, md (3211 automobile blvd, silver spring, md 20904). After a few conversations with the dealer I was told that I have to replace the entire engine and that there will be no effort made to determine the reason for the engine failure. The car is a well maintained vehicle and I have records for all the maintenance work done. That includes oil changes done every 5,000- 7,000 miles. I told the dealer that I suspect the issue could be a faulty fuel injector. The symptoms I shared with the bmw dealer were rough starts, rough idle and fuel smell were present especially the day we towed the car in. The dealer refused to accept any of the shared information and denied my request for the fuel injectors to be checked although they are under extended warranty. As a result, I was given no choice but pay the cost of the entire engine replacement. The dealer refused to give me the old engine back because I wanted it inspected to check whether a faulty injector was the reason for the engine failure.

Filed Dec 15, 2017 · Engine, Steering · 79,300 miles · NM

While out of town, vehicle in motion on road, hear a clunk in the engine bay and many warning lights go off. Go to pull over and steering is very difficult to operate. Manage to pull out of traffic safely. The reduced mobility of vehicle due to loss of power steering could have easily caused a life threatening situation. Call tow truck. Garage states loss of power steering is due to loss of serpentine belt due to broken idler pulley bolt, even though a recall for this part exists and has been performed. Recall 12v5500000 engine idler pulley may break, was performed in 2013. This same recall should apply but bmw service states they will not service again as it has already been completed. Parts are on back order, takes over a week for bolt to arrive. Many documented cases of original recall repair failing a second time in as little as 5 months to as many as 3.5 years after initial recall service. Bmw refuses reimbursement for the cost of repair, $1153.00. A new recall should be issued.

Filed Aug 8, 2017 · Electrical, Steering · 63,456 miles · NC

On july 31st 2017, the bolt securing idler pulley and alternator sheared. Battery charge malfunction light came on followed by loss of power steering. Looking at my service record, I see that this same bolt was subject to a recall in january 2013 when car was at 12332 miles. The car is now at 63456. Also noted on bmw owners web site that many other owners of this e70 series design have had the same repeat problem. Bmw dealer in ct performed the latest repair and offered no explanation, except that their work is guaranteed for 2 years. Original recall performed by dealer in raleigh nc where car was purchased new has advised me to post this report and call bmwna. I am waiting to hear back from them, but first discussion was not good. They claimed that they did not have a record of this as a continuing problem and would not be able to give me any assurances that it would not happen again. I note that the part number of the new bolt just installed is the same as the old bolt installed in 2013. We were very lucky not to be involved in a serious accident and without some clear assurances that bmw understand how to fix this continuing problem I am very worried about driving the car. At the time of the bolt failure we were driving at about 20mph through the center of the town of stratford ct and just managed to pull off the road into a train station parking lot.

Filed Jan 12, 2017 · Fuel system · 81,000 miles · OR

Engine lose power at highway speed due to fuel pump!! It happened more than once on the highway and car won't go to the posted speed limit. Turn car off and restart again everything works fine for few days.