ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER
2012 BMW 650I
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Overview
Our database contains 20 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2012 BMW 650I, most frequently naming the engine, brakes and seat belts categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 363 manufacturer communications are on file.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Complaint activity over time
When owners filed reports about this model year
View as table
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Oct 2014 | 1 | 1 |
| Aug 2015 | 1 | 2 |
| Dec 2015 | 1 | 3 |
| Apr 2016 | 1 | 4 |
| Sep 2016 | 1 | 5 |
| May 2017 | 1 | 6 |
| Jan 2018 | 1 | 7 |
| Jun 2018 | 1 | 8 |
| Jul 2018 | 1 | 9 |
| Mar 2019 | 1 | 10 |
| Apr 2019 | 1 | 11 |
| Jun 2019 | 2 | 13 |
| Jul 2019 | 2 | 15 |
| Feb 2020 | 1 | 16 |
| May 2020 | 1 | 17 |
| Oct 2020 | 1 | 18 |
| Oct 2022 | 1 | 19 |
| Jan 2023 | 1 | 20 |
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
- Engine1246.2%
- Brakes27.7%
- Seat belts27.7%
- Fuel system27.7%
- Interior & seats27.7%
- Airbags27.7%
- Other / unspecified13.8%
- Heating & air conditioning13.8%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Safety recalls
2 campaigns cover this model year
Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.
Check a VIN on NHTSA.govFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
Safety investigations
NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.
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 www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, 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 nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.
Recent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
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.
- NHTSA ID
- 11500126
- Incident
- Dec 5, 2022
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 NHTSA hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 92,000.
- NHTSA ID
- 11489137
- Incident
- Jul 1, 2022
- Mileage
- 92,000 mi
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 NHTSA 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.
- NHTSA ID
- 11365320
- Incident
- Mar 6, 2019
- Mileage
- 30,000 mi
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
- NHTSA ID
- 11324905
- Incident
- Jan 3, 2020
- Mileage
- 120,000 mi
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
- NHTSA ID
- 11310650
- Incident
- Jan 31, 2020
- Mileage
- 102,000 mi
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 NHTSA RECALL AND ASK A CONSUMER TO INDEMNIFY THEM. GLOBAL IMPORTS BMW.
- NHTSA ID
- 11229203
- Incident
- Jul 3, 2019
- Mileage
- 80,000 mi
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.
- NHTSA ID
- 11228955
- Incident
- Apr 30, 2019
- Mileage
- 137,857 mi
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?
- NHTSA ID
- 11220935
- Incident
- Jan 1, 2019
- Mileage
- 70,000 mi
Manufacturer communications
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few years. This has led to increased demands being placed on the battery. This document covers important information for the dealer on how to handle âÂÂdischarged batteryâ complaints.
WHEELS
The Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) warning light comes on while driving. The following DSC fault codes for the wheel speed sensors are stored: 480712 and/or 480715 and/or 480718 and/or 48071B They cannot be cleared, even though the wheel speed sensors work correctly and no problem can be found with the wiring harness.
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL
With the court's FINAL approval, BMW of North America, LLC (BMW NA) has entered into a nationwide settlement with the plaintiffs in the following class action: Isley, et al. v. Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft and BMW of North America, LLC. The Settlement Benefits are effective and available on and after February 9, 2022. Note: This bulletin is a notice of a Class Action Settlement Service Campaign benefits that are now available.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
After programming the head unit (HU-H2), activating the FSC (German word Freischaltcode) Enabling Codes repeatedly fails.
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL
With the court's FINAL approval, BMW of North America, LLC (BMW NA) has entered into a nationwide settlement with the plaintiffs in the following class action: Isley, et al. v. Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft and BMW of North America, LLC.
Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.
Compare model years
Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.