2012 BMW X5 Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 12about this part
- Share
- 4%of 271 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 97,372miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 12 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2012 BMW X5, 4% of the 271 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 97,372 miles. 2 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
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 leased my 2012 Bmw X5 35i in may 2011. I was driving on the interstate with 2 toddlers at around 65 MPH, when the car suddenly lost power and the message displayed engine malfunction, reduced power . I pulled over on the shoulder, and tried to re-start the car, but it won't start. When it did start after multiple attempts, the car shook vigorously and then turned off. I initiated the sos call via the Bmw assist feature in the car. For some reason, the call failed multiple times, and the data could not be transferred. …”
NHTSA complaint #10432952, filed 2011-10, 8,200 miles“I tried to start up the car, it started, I drove a few feet, and then failed. I received a warning message saying that the engine malfunctioned. I was in the middle of the parking lot so I managed to get it to start again, it barely moved, and then failed again. One more time I was able to start it and get it into a parking space. I tried to start it up multiple times again but nothing happened. I called Bmw to have it towed.”
NHTSA complaint #10501047, filed 2013-03“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 complaint #11648196, filed 2025-03, 115,000 miles“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #11671552, filed 2025-07, 98,744 miles“The contact owns a 2012 Bmw X5. While driving 10-20 MPH, the contact heard an abnormal clunking noise. The contact looked under the hood and noticed that the belts were loose. In addition, the steering wheel was difficult to turn and the battery indicator was illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the idler pulley was fractured. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 111,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11183104, filed 2019-02, 111,000 milesRelated recalls
- 18V336000May 23, 2018BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2009-2013 X5 xDrive 35d diesel vehicles. The engine idler pulley bolt may loosen over time and break.Covers: BMW X5 2009–2013
- 18V248000Apr 18, 2018BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2011-2012 BMW 550i, 550i xDrive, 550i Gran Turismo, 550i Gran Turismo xDrive, 750i, 750Li, 750i xDrive…Covers: BMW X5 2010–2012, MINI Cooper S 2007–2012, JCW 2007–2012 +16 more
Related service bulletins
- 10247567Dec 20, 2023Engine will crank but not start. There is no communication with the integrated fuel module (TFE) whendiagnosing with ISTA. The following two fault codes will be stored in the…
- 10225107Sep 1, 2022Coolant is leaking from under the car which is equipped with the S63 engine. A low coolant warning might also be displayed (CC Message ID166).
- 10211851Mar 1, 2022This bulletin outlines the procedure for checking the engine timing chains for wear, and should be completed in conjunction with SI B11 06 14, "N63 Customer Care Package." The…
- 10199287May 1, 2021CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT: N54/N54T/N55 ELECTRIC ENGINE COOLANT PUMP . With the court's FINAL approval, BMW of North America, LLC (BMW NA) has entered a nationwide settlement with…
- 10198894May 1, 2021CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT: N54/N54T/N55 ELECTRIC ENGINE COOLANT PUMP . With the court's FINAL approval, BMW of North America, LLC (BMW NA) has entered a nationwide settlement with…
- 10162417Jul 9, 2019N63 Engine: Oil Consumption and/or Rough Running Complaints. The vehicle may consume engine oil above the permissible specification, and may run rough at times. White or blue…
- 10162396Jul 9, 2019N52T / N55 with 8HP45: Delay in Engine Response. A customer may complain of a delay in engine response after decelerating at low road speeds and then reaccelerating. This can…
- 10162395Jul 9, 2019N55 Engine: Various Faults Stored in DME Related to VANOS and Camshaft Position. A rattling noise can be heard from the engine compartment; the engine has a loss of power; and…
- 10145276Jul 1, 2018M57y front and rear exhaust nox sensors: limited
- 10138381Apr 1, 2018INDIVIDUAL DRIVING CYCLES FOR OBD2 READINESS CODES (M57Y): One or more OBD readiness codes are not set to ÒreadyÓ during a state emissions inspection, with a hand-held scan tool…
Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 2% |
| 2022 | 3 | 4% |
| 2021 | 7 | 6% |
| 2020 | 15 | 13% |
| 2019 | 12 | 6% |
| 2018 | 9 | 12% |
| 2017 | 4 | 5% |
| 2016 | 7 | 9% |
| 2015 | 9 | 6% |
| 2014 | 5 | 5% |
| 2013 | 6 | 4% |
| 2012 | 12 | 4% |
| 2011 | 10 | 4% |
| 2010 | 13 | 10% |
| 2009 | 6 | 4% |
| 2008 | 16 | 7% |
| 2007 | 3 | 4% |
| 2006 | 7 | 4% |
| 2005 | 5 | 6% |
| 2004 | 2 | 3% |
| 2003 | 24 | 24% |
| 2002 | 21 | 21% |
| 2001 | 31 | 19% |
Other parts of the 2012 BMW X5
92 complaintsAir bags
83 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
53 complaintsElectrical system
29 complaintsFuel system
29 complaintsSteering
20 complaintsOther or unknown
14 complaintsBody and structure
7 complaintsSuspension
6 complaintsBrakes
4 complaintsSeat belts
4 complaintsExterior lighting
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2012 BMW X5
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 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