2012 BMW X5 SAV Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 2about this part
- Share
- 10%of 21 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 66,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 2 complaints about the electrical system of the 2012 BMW X5 SAV, 10% of the 21 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 66,500 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
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.
“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #11002447, filed 2017-06, 119,000 miles“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10643518, filed 2014-10, 14,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11031570Apr 23, 2026While performing a 12-Volt battery jump start, disconnect, or replacement, Vehicle test, and/or Programming procedure- the BMW Footwell Module (FRM) may become unresponsive.
- 10249437Jan 16, 2024The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.
- 10249027Jan 11, 2024The 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…
- 10049679Nov 1, 2012Bmw: if bsd communication is disrupted, oil level sensor data is no longer received by dme. Bsd communication fault(s), after repairs are shortly set, requires removal of…
Electrical system: other model years
Other parts of the 2012 BMW X5 SAV
9 complaintsEngine
6 complaintsAir bags
3 complaintsFuel system
3 complaintsSteering
3 complaintsBrakes
1 complaintsElectronic stability control
1 complaintsVehicle speed control
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2012 BMW X5 SAV
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 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