2012 BMW X5 Sav Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2012 BMW X5 Sav, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Powertrain (other)931.0%
- Engine620.7%
- Steering310.3%
- Fuel system310.3%
- Airbags310.3%
- Electrical26.9%
- Driver assistance26.9%
- Brakes13.4%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
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/
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 ?
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
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 NHTSA 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.
TRIED TO COMPLETE A 3-POINT TURN INTO A PARKING SPACE WHEN PLACING VEHICLE FROM REVERSE INTO DRIVE, THE VEHICLE UNASSISTED IT ACCELERATION AND WOULD NOT BRAKE NOR STEER; THUS CAUSING MYSELF TO CRASH HEAD ON INTO A CONCRETE BARRIER.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
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/
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). *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
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 NHTSA 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.
I AM A CERTIFIED FIRE INVESTIGATOR WITH VIRGINIA FARM BUREAU, I RECEIVED THIS LOSS 08/14/14. INSURED STATED THAT ON 08/13/14 HE WAS IN HIS HOUSE AND HEARD THE CAR ALARM TO THIS BMW (DIESEL) SAV X5 GOING OFF. HE LOOKED OUTSIDE AND SAW THE LIGHTS FLASHING AND THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS GOING. NO ONE WAS IN THE VEHICLE. HE WENT OUTSIDE AND SAW SMOKE AND FIRE IN THE DASH AREA, PASSENGER SIDE. HE CALLED 911 AND THE FIRE WAS QUICKLY EXTINGUISHED, BUT CAUSED MAJOR FIRE DAMAGE TO THE DASH AREA. BMW REPRESENTATIVE AND AN ENGINEER HIRED BY OUR COMPANY (FORCON INTERNATIONAL) CONDUCTED A JOINT INSPECTION. THE FIRE DAMAGE WAS AGAIN LOCALIZED TO THE PASSENGER SIDE DASH AREA. IT WAS DETERMINED THE FIRE WAS THE CAUSE OF SOME TYPE OF ELECTRICAL ISSUE. BMW DENIED IT WAS THEIR FAULT STATING THERE WAS TOO MUCH DAMAGE FOR THEM TO ACCEPT LIABILITY. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN SHRINK WRAPPED FOR FUTURE INSPECTION AND IS CURRENTLY BEING STORED IN A LOCKED FACILITY IN RICHMOND, VA. THE VEHICLE IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY, THERE WAS NOTHING ADDED ON TO THE VEHICLE BY THE OWNER, IT WAS ALL FACTORY INSTALLED. PICTURES ARE AVAILABLE AND THE OWNER WOULD BE MORE THAN WILLING TO SPEAK TO SOMEONE WITH NHTSA IF NECESSARY. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
TRIED TO COMPLETE A 3-POINT TURN INTO A PARKING SPACE WHEN PLACING VEHICLE FROM REVERSE INTO DRIVE, THE VEHICLE UNASSISTED IT ACCELERATION AND WOULD NOT BRAKE NOR STEER; THUS CAUSING MYSELF TO CRASH HEAD ON INTO A CONCRETE BARRIER.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
TRIED TO COMPLETE A 3-POINT TURN INTO A PARKING SPACE WHEN PLACING VEHICLE FROM REVERSE INTO DRIVE, THE VEHICLE UNASSISTED IT ACCELERATION AND WOULD NOT BRAKE NOR STEER; THUS CAUSING MYSELF TO CRASH HEAD ON INTO A CONCRETE BARRIER.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .