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BMW X5 SAVModel year report

2012 BMW X5 SAV Problems

Complaints
21filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
54,250miles, 16 complaints with mileage
Recalls
4campaigns on record
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2012 BMW X5 SAV (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error

NHTSA recorded 21 consumer complaints for the 2012 BMW X5 SAV. The part named most often is transmission and drivetrain, with 9 complaints (43% of the total), followed by engine (6) and air bags (3). 16 of the complaints include a mileage, and 31% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 54,250 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns and 10 technical service bulletins for this model year. Engine complaints overlap with 4 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Example complaints

Transmission and drivetrain: “Driveshaft failure. I was driving down the interstate on a straight and level section of the road. I heard a loud humming from the engine area so I slowed down and then I heard a loud pop and metal grinding and hitting under the car. My vehicle is out of warranty, so I had it towed to my independent mechanic that specializes in european vehicles. They said the driveshaft fell apart and as I was slowing down it was still spinning and banged around causing damage to my exhaust system and oil pan. …”

NHTSA complaint #10924069, filed 2016-11, 78,000 miles

Engine: “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 ?”

NHTSA complaint #11055988, filed 2017-12, 98,000 miles

Air bags: “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. …”

NHTSA complaint #11039973, filed 2017-10, 40 miles

Fuel system: “My fuel pump has been failing to create the correct amount of pressure in the fuel line, on and off, for several months, resulting in the vehicle suddenly operating at reduced power when driving. This then causes me a safety issue as I can no longer maintain proper speeds, especially when on the highway. It also causes me to have to restart the vehicle several times in a row as the vehicle often stalls out several times before finally achieving the proper pressure. My vehicle is model year 2012, which Bmw states is outside of the current recall. …”

NHTSA complaint #10970290, filed 2017-04

Mileage when problems were reported

31% of the 16 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 48,000 and 62,210 miles.

13%0–106%10–2513%25–5050%50–7513%75–1006%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (16 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 54,250 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

2014201520162017820182019
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2012 BMW X5 SAV → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 10 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

Other model years of the BMW X5 SAV

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20131345,0001———Not enough data
20122154,2504———Stable
20112478,6203———Stable
20101964,0005———Stable
20091980,0004———Rising
20082070,0493———Stable
20075967,0005——Not compared (before 2008)Stable
20062796,0000——Not compared (before 2008)Stable

All BMW X5 SAV model years

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2012 BMW X5 SAV have?

NHTSA recorded 21 consumer complaints for the 2012 BMW X5 SAV as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2012 BMW X5 SAV is reported most often?

Transmission and drivetrain is named most often, in 9 complaints (43% of the total), followed by engine with 6.

Has the 2012 BMW X5 SAV been recalled?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

At what mileage are problems with the 2012 BMW X5 SAV reported?

Among the 16 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 54,250 miles and the middle half falls between 48,000 and 62,210 miles; 31% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

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.

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.