2012 BMW X5 steering problems

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 15, 2024 · Steering · FL

It suddenly became very, very difficult and almost impossible to steer.

Filed Sep 5, 2023 · Steering, Transmission · 210,000 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2012 BMW X5. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, she heard a loud thumping sound underneath the vehicle. The contact then stated that the vehicle hesitated then decelerated at low speeds while the accelerator pedal was depressed. The contact stated that his wife was able to navigate the vehicle safely to the residence. The contact was unsure if any warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the front driveshaft failed and as a result the power steering hoses had ruptured and the front driveshaft and the power steering hoses needed to be replaced. The power steering hoses were replaced however, the front driveshaft had not yet been replaced. The contact referenced the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 17V138000 (Power Train). The manufacture was notified of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The contact was referred to the federal safety agency Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 210,000.

Filed Jan 29, 2023 · Steering · CA · fire

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Repair shop repaired the pulley because i couldn't steer the vehicle correctly. It would jerk me on the road. Vehicle is available for inspection but is already repaired by local shop. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? I could drive but couldn't steer intermittently. Scary!! i couldn't make a full turns and there was a rough spot in the steering sometimes. Eventually it locked up an couldn't leave parking spot. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes. But i already got it repaired. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? Not that i know of. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? No. I only smelled burning rubber or electrical components. Smoke from engine bay and screeching sounds. Worst part is it was intermittent which gives the driver a false sense of security to drive but almost crashed because down the road couldn't steer.

Filed Sep 23, 2020 · Electrical, Engine · 60,000 miles · TX

The idler pulley bolt broke for the third time. The car has approx 60 k miles, and the last replacement was done in may 2018, approx 15 k miles ago. Vehicle was moving and it lost the steering (steering hydraulics stopped working, making it very difficult to steer), battery indicator came on and the engine cooling fan set on high speed. The incident happened while driving, approx half the mile from the house. Was able to slowly pulled it in front of the house. Notified the dealer and waiting for them to come and pick it up, the car is not driveable. This incident, with the idler pulley bolt is the third time after their initial recall. Bmw does not have a remedy for this.

Filed Jul 12, 2019 · Engine, Steering · 69,000 miles · CA

Had to replace water pump at 58,000 miles. Car is spewing exhaust, and acceleration and steering are not functioning properly, likely due to ujoint and/or worn control arm, which I noticed were recalled for other models, but listed as a recall for my car/VIN. Need to reseal crankcase jointing surfaces. Car has 8 recalls listed on kbb, but bmw only has record of 5 recalls. I do not have records of repairs that were done on car before purchase in nov. Of 2014. Car currently has 69,000 miles and is driving horribly

Filed Feb 28, 2019 · Engine, Steering · 111,000 miles · NY

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 bmw x5. While driving 10-20 MPH, the contact heard an abnormal clunking noise. The contact looked under the hood and noticed that the belts were loose. In addition, the steering wheel was difficult to turn and the battery indicator was illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the idler pulley was fractured. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 111,000.

Filed Jan 16, 2018 · Engine, Steering · 5 miles · TX

Recall# 12v550000 bmw (800)5257417;refuse to fix problem

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 Dec 14, 2017 · Engine, Steering · 114,000 miles · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 bmw x5. The contact stated that the steering wheel bolt fractured and the steering wheel had to be turned with force. The contact drove home and discovered that the steering wheel bolt was fractured. The vehicle was towed to bmw of west houston (20822 katy freeway, katy, tx 77449, phone (855) 627-3055) where it was diagnosed that the steering wheel engine pulley bolt failed. The manufacturer stated that the federal safety agency campaign number: 12v550000 (steering, engine and engine cooling) was performed on the vehicle, but did not correct the failure and the steering wheel engine pulley bolt fractured. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 114,000.