2012 BMW 5 Series Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 3about this part
- Share
- 30%of 10 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 58,700miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the engine of the 2012 BMW 5 Series, 30% of the 10 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 58,700 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I was driving my car on a road when a warning light came on. I parked the car home, since I was close to home. The same week I took the car to a Bmw specialist because there was a noise coming from the engine. After $467.00 spent on labor, just to tell me I need a new engine. This car has 72k miles. This is a car that I only drove on weekends and not every weekend. The car is now parked in my garage because to repair it it will cost me $11k. I have heard this complaint from several Bmw owners. The car still runs but the noise will no go away.”
NHTSA complaint #11231813, filed 2019-07, 72,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11016414Mar 27, 2025This bulletin outlines the Customer Care Package program that has been designed exclusively for BMWvehicles with the N63 engine. Vehicles with the N63 high performance engine are…
- 10058976Aug 1, 2015Faulty codes in the dme for the engine thermostat activates the service engine soon light.
- 10058975Jul 1, 2015When accelerating, in hot ambient temperatures, between 3,000 rpm and 5,000 rpm, causes judders or surges in vehicle, repeatedly, due to the electropneumatic pressure convertor.
- 10058467Apr 1, 2015Bmw: fuel gauge fails to show correct level of fuel when filling fuel tank but would update itself after driving awhile and illumination of engine malfunction lamp (mil) comes…
- 10057339Mar 1, 2015Bmw: electrical contacts for circuit heater in thermostat can develop moisture and corrosion causing service engine soon light to illuminate. *pe updated 9/25/15.
- 10057527Jan 1, 2015Bmw: selective catalyst reduction module (scr) has a stored fault, pressure build up is low, causing service engine soon light to illuminate. *
- 10057341Dec 1, 2014Bmw: malfunction warning light for engine is illuminated due to purge air system micro leakage and ventilation of fuel tank from contamination.
- 10057337Oct 1, 2014Bmw: due to debris entering oil passage of engine, it will knock and lose power, during cylinder head mating surfaces and cleaning of engine block after repair to engine.
- 10045283Oct 1, 2014Bmw: experiencing loss of engine power, service engine soon lamp is illuminated, a noise, like rattling, coming from engine compartment. *pe updated 10/31/12. *pe models 2010…
- 10054641Nov 1, 2013Bmw: an erroneous message, from oil level sensor, indicating oil service is due, after traveling a short distance. Model f15, f13, f12, f10, f07, f06, f02, f01. No years listed.
Engine: other model years
Other parts of the 2012 BMW 5 Series
3 complaintsTires
2 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
2 complaintsAir bags
1 complaintsOther or unknown
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2012 BMW 5 Series
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology