2012 BMW X5 Engine Problems

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

NHTSA ID

11735154

Incident

Apr 28, 2026

Front passenger side occupancy seat sensor is bad and computer detected an air bag malfunction. Timing chain broke without warning.

NHTSA ID

11680551

Incident

Feb 20, 2023

The contact owns a 2012 BMW X5. The contact stated that when the vehicle was parked, the contact noticed coolant leaking on the ground underneath the vehicle. The contact stated that the low coolant warning light was illuminated. The contact refilled the coolant reservoir. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with coolant pump failure. The contact was informed that the coolant pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); however, the VIN was not associated with the recall. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 98,744.

NHTSA ID

11671552

Incident

Jul 4, 2025

Mileage

98,744 mi

Water entering into the vehicle, causing vehicle to reduce power in traffic, due to traction control issues.. Not able to drive vehicle when it’s raining., along with other issues, pls see first report..

NHTSA ID

11665571

Incident

Feb 10, 2025

The contact owns a 2012 BMW X5. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the contact noticed coolant leaking from the lower end of the engine compartment with the check engine warning light illuminated. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for further assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 115,000.

NHTSA ID

11648196

Incident

Mar 13, 2025

Mileage

115,000 mi

To my understanding BMW agreed to honor the N63 Customer Care Package voluntarily regardless of mileage or age of the engine as referred to BMW bulletins SIB[XXX], [XXX], and [XXX]. My local dealer did not know anything about the [XXX] and when I called BMW USA I was told that they not honor the package any more even though the bulletin says they will take care of it regardless of engine mileage or age. To my understanding that should have been a recall but BMW negotiated to call it Customer Care Package as an initiative to police itself instead of having a mandated action by a recall. My local BMW dealer is in Temple Texas. Please advice me on how to proceed to service my engine as promised for free based on these bulletins. Thank you. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11571114

Incident

Feb 2, 2024

Vehical randomly shuts off, it all safety systems warning lamps come on l, like ABS, Airbag, and traction control. Found wiring harness laying in a pool of water in the rear right cargo compartment. Rain water leaking from sunroof collected in compartment. The harness contains wires for the the vehicles CAN buss systems the water causes corrosion in the harness, which causes all sorts of problems that could happen at any time like the vehicle shutting off or the airbag or abs warning light coming on.

NHTSA ID

11566753

Incident

Nov 15, 2023

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.

NHTSA ID

11481182

Incident

Aug 19, 2022

Mileage

139,000 mi

EGR LEAKING I WENT TO DEALER IRVINE BMW CA , ALSO I WENT TO MIDAS TO CHECK MY CHECK ENGIN LIGHT MIDAS SAID REPAIR SHOULDE BE COVERD BY MANFATURE. SO I TAKE MY CAR TO IRVINE BMW , THEY SAID THERE IS NO RECAL BUT I CALLED DEALR THEY SAID DEAL HAVE TO COVEER ITS RECAL SO I WENT HERE SEE NO RECAL SO I NEED ANSWER, WHOS RIGHT OR WRONG ITS SAFTEY ISSUE ENGIN SUDDNEY GO DOWN SLOW WHEN SIGN COME FOR ENGIN MALFUNCTION. AND SUDENELY PICKUP POWER, DEFECT CODE 0011150300PLZ HELP JASWINDER KAUR

NHTSA ID

11476229

Incident

Jul 12, 2022

2012 BMW X5. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO ILLUMINATED CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED AN ENGINE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE, AT THE HOME OF THE CONSUMER. THE HOME WAS DAMAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL 21V907000. THE VEHICLE HAD VARIOUS ENGINE ISSURE PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE FAILURES INCLUDED A FLUID, ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, AND THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A BURNING SMELL. THE ENFINE FAILURES WERE DUE TO FAULTY NOX SENSORS, OIL FILTER GASKET AND FILTER CAP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, FAULTY SCR ACTIVE TANK, DEFECTIVE DOOR HANDLE CAUSING LOW VOLTAGE, GLOW PLUG FAILURE, AND FAULTY METERING UNIT.

NHTSA ID

11463458

Incident

May 5, 2022

The contact owns a 2012 BMW X5. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated temporarily. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring intermittently. Additionally, the contact stated that the hood warning light had been illuminated for approximately 2 months, even though the hood was securely closed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that no issues were found; however, the independent mechanic advised the contact that a hood sensor might have failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 113,951.

NHTSA ID

11456298

Incident

Jun 11, 2021

Mileage

113,951 mi

My BMW X5 is experiencing the exact safety issues that the NHTSA campaign number: 21V907000 was published for (September 12, 2012 - Jun 29, 2017). I was told that since my vehicle was manufactured on 08/2012 it was not eligible for the NHTSA dealer recall and repair. I was told that the vehicle was in risk of fire with the repair cost upwards of $5,000. This seems to be a much larger issue than the year groups NHTSA has selected.

NHTSA ID

11451656

Incident

Dec 2, 2021

Ever since the rain starter my aux water pump don't work and brake light too. And it seems like something has been draining my battery because battery discharge comes up. And I think the idle idle pulley issue affects almost most of that year bmw X5 because my serpentine belt only installed 10,000 miles ago and already see threads being worn out. Unless that's how long they last. I had to bring the car back in multiple times to get it adjusted because kept making squealing noise. They blamed it on water pump and didn't change the thermostat. Water even leak into front passenger side where all the fuses were. When I connected the battery charger I could hear the pump all of sudden working and the radiator tank sputter water out. I don't want to bring it to dealership and get charged for things that they should fix with charging me but they tell me it's some other issue and have me pay for it. The way they act are worse than gangsters because if you get it fix elsewhere they say it's not covered by them them. And the driveshaft issue, even alot of the cars not in recall are affected and how are they to assume which car need replacing and which dont? I think the v8 engine is just too much power for the other parts to handle and they don't want to admit it. Because how many bmw X5 owners complain about these issue ??

NHTSA ID

11445639

Incident

Dec 24, 2021

Egr cooler broken and leaking exhaust gas to cabin making all passengers drousy, a/c vents pulls outside air. Making it a lot worse egr will be replaced and save for warranty inspection etc.. My safety was affected sue to carbon monoxide emissions, others were affected due to the drowsiness effects of the exhaust making the drive drousy at the wheel . No reproductions know. Inspection by owner No inspection yet due to the need of vehicle had to replace asap to keep using part saved for inspection. Engine light due to glow plugs, non related to egr cooler, and brakes lights due to sensor not replace yet.

NHTSA ID

11439583

Incident

Nov 3, 2021

My car is giving engine overheat warning when I am driving . I understand that this issue is with cooling system . Presently there is a open recall for this issue for the 2012 bmw x5. NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V248000 . But my car is not covered under this recall.

NHTSA ID

11434838

Incident

Sep 11, 2021

After accelerating normally on the highway the vehicle shut off completely, without warning, and put itself into neutral in the middle of a busy freeway. (No warning lights, no smoke or smell of any kind). The Car would not start despite multiple attempts using a jump start from the tow company. I could have been hit by another vehicle while stopped. The car was then towed to a BMW dealership where they determined an engine replacement was probably necessary because it appeared seized. (they could not turn the engine using a breaker bar with the belt off. ) No further investigation was done. The car was running: - castrol 5w-30, -regular oil & filter changes every 5,000 miles -was never modified -all the fuel injectors changed by the dealership under a recall 1 year before the vehicle died

NHTSA ID

11431900

Incident

Jul 18, 2019

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).

NHTSA ID

11419530

Incident

Jun 1, 2021

AS I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF WHILE VEHICLE COMING AT A 40 MPH TO 50 MPH SPEED LIMIT.LOCAL POLICE HAD TO PUT OUT CONES TO MAKE SURE MY VEHICLE WASN'T GOING TO CAUSE AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE MY BATTERY WAS DRAINED FAST MYBE DUE TO THE PROBLEM

NHTSA ID

11397432

Incident

Feb 2, 2021

Mileage

125,900 mi

CEL LIGHT CAME ON. THE DECODED CODE IS P2457. THE EGR MODULE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AS PER THE TECHNICIAN

NHTSA ID

11396203

Incident

Feb 13, 2021

Mileage

70,200 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD GOT OUT TO LOOK UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FAN BELT WAS MISSING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER COURTESY AUTOMOTIVE CENTER 2520 COHASSET RD, CHICO, 95973, (530) 345-9444 WHERE THE TENSION BELT WAS REPLACED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V550000 (STEERING, ENGINE, AND ENGINE COOLING) AS A POSSIBLE SOLUTION TO THE FAILURE HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT UNDER RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 63,000. ## VIN FAILED ## 2012 BMW X5 ## *LN*DT*JB*DT*JB

NHTSA ID

11388352

Incident

Jan 5, 2021

Mileage

63,000 mi

THE ENGINE STUTTERS OFTEN (EVERY DRIVE), AND ONCE IN A WHILE PRODUCES THICK WHITE SMOKE FOR A SECOND OR TWO WHEN ACCELERATING. THE ENGINE ALSO SUFFERS FROM HIGH OIL CONSUMPTION (I HAVE TO ADD A QUART OF ENGINE OIL EVERY 200 MILES). I'VE ALSO HAD TO REPLACE THE SPARK PLUGS TWICE IN THE LAST 3 YEARS BECAUSE THEY ARE FOULED WITH OIL AND SOOTH AND THE ENGINE MISFIRES. DEALER IS STATING THE ISSUE IS RELATED TO S63 ENGINE VALVE STEM SEALS, AND RECOMMENDING THAT THESE BE REPLACED, BUT THE WORK WILL COST $7000 AND ISN'T COVERED UNDER WARRANTY! THIS IS CLEARLY A VALVE STEM SEAL DESIGN DEFECT OR INITIAL PRODUCTION/INSTALLATION DEFECT DEALER ALSO CLAIMS THIS IS COMMON ON E70 MODELS.*DT*JB

NHTSA ID

11377436

Incident

Aug 16, 2018

Mileage

79,500 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11360844

Incident

Sep 23, 2020

Mileage

60,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HE WAS ASLEEP, HE HAD AWAKENED TO A LOUD POPPING SOUND COMING FROM OUTSIDE. THE CONTACT LOOKED OUTSIDE AND SAW HIS VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE RIGHT WHICH WAS PARKED IN AN RV PARK RIGHT NEXT TO HIS CAMPER. THE CONTACT IMMEDIATELY CALLED THE AUTHORITIES WHO WERE ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AS A RESULT OF THE FIRE. A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW YARD AND AWAITS AN INSPECTION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE HAD NO SAFETY RELATED ISSUES WITH THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER HAD YET TO BE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 120,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

11340386

Incident

Jul 19, 2020

Mileage

120,000 mi

VERY WELL MAINTAINED AND DOCUMENTED VEHICLE....ENGINE SEIZED AT 95K MILES. NO CODES OR REASON GIVEN. VEHICLE HAS HAD $20-30K WORK DONE AT A REGISTERED BMW DEALER OVER THE LAST 2 YEARS. BMW=BRING MONEY WITH. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER BMW AND IF SOMEONE TRIED TO GIVE ME ONE, I WOULD RUN THE OTHER WAY. I'VE OWNED MANY CARS AND THIS IS THE ABSOLUTE, WORST PURCHASE I'VE EVER MADE. COST TO REPLACE ENGINE, $12K. CROOKS IN MY OPINION AND DO YOUR RESEARCH IF YOU DO NOT LISTEN TO THIS FRIENDLY WARNING. OH AND ONE MORE THING...AFTER I SPENT $12K TO REPLACE ENGINE, NOW THEY SAY THE TRANSFER CASE MAYBE COMPROMISED. DARE YOU LOOK UP WHAT THAT COSTS TO FIX. I WILL NOT PUT ONE MORE DIME INTO THIS VEHICLE. I AM DISGUSTED WITH THEIR ENTIRE OPERATION. THE ONLY POSITIVE IS THE WHEELS DID NOT LOCK UP WHEN THE ENGINE SEIZED, OTHERWISE, I MAY NOT BE ABLE TO FILE THIS COMPLAINT. ALL X5'S SHOULD BE RECALLED. DO NOT BUY BMW!!!!!!!!!!!! *TR

NHTSA ID

11329841

Incident

May 27, 2020

Mileage

95,000 mi

THERE WAS A WATER PUMP RECALL FOR MY BMW X5, I TOOK MY X5 DUE TO AN ENGINE MALFUNCTION, THE DEALER DIDN'T DO THE WATER PUMP RECALL, INSTEAD, THEY CHARGE ME FOR REPLACING THE IVM AND THE CHARGE AIR PIPE STATING THAT WAS THE ENGINE MALFUNCTION, AFTER I PAID APPROXIMATELY $2,500 THEY CAME BACK AND TOLD ME THE ENGINE MALFUNCTION WAS DUE TO THE WATER PUMP, SO THEY CHARGED ME AN ADDITIONAL $1,380 FOR THE WATER PUMP. I JUST CHECKED THE RECALLS ON MY VEHICLES AND NOTICED THERE'S A WATER PUMP RECALL, HOWEVER, I HAD TO PURCHASE THE WATER PUMP AND OTHER ITEMS NOT NEEDED FOR THE ENGINE MALFUNCTION MESSAGE RELATED TO THE WATER PUMP. HOW CAN I SUBMIT A REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE AMOUNT AMOUNT PAID WHEN THERE WAS A RECALL AND I PAY FROM MY POCKET THE AMOUNT OF $3,880.00 RELATED TO THE WATER PUMP. ALSO, THE DEALER DID A DRIVE SHAFT RECALL, HOWEVER NOW THE TRANSFER CASE IS NOT WORKING, CREATING THE FRONT UNIVERSAL JOINT TO FAIL AFTER THE DRIVESHAFT RECALL WAS DONE, THE FRONT WHEELS IS AFFECTING THE VEHICLE TRACTION. WATER AND DEBRIS MAY BE ENTERING THE FRONT DRIVESHAFT'S UNIVERSAL JOINT AND MAY CAUSE EXCESSIVE WEAR AND POSSIBLY RESULTING IN THE JOINT'S FAILURE. *TR

NHTSA ID

11328657

Incident

May 10, 2018