2012 BMW X5 Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 92about this part
- Share
- 34%of 271 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 70,200miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 92 complaints about the engine of the 2012 BMW X5, 34% of the 271 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 70,200 miles. 4 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I have 2012 Bmw X5 35d, transmission light came on , Bmw dealer said the EGR cooler needed to be replaced. Cost $1800 = too fix. Bmw did a recall on the 2013 to 2017 models. My point is why wasn't the all 35d's included? All have the same erg cooler! Bmw and NHTSA should revise this recall. Did it for nos sensors. Do the right thing, just makes sense.”
NHTSA complaint #11208044, filed 2019-05, 63,000 miles“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 complaint #11481182, filed 2022-08, 139,000 miles“I purchased my Bmw last year it had 89,000 miles on it I went to get a oil change and 2 weeks later I was driving on the highway and the car just went from 65 miles to 40 miles the big engine light can on and now I cant go over 50 miles so incantvgetbin the high way can someone plz tell.what yo do I need some answers”
NHTSA complaint #11257271, filed 2019-09, 105 miles“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 complaint #11397432, filed 2021-02, 125,900 miles“One week ago, cooling fan made high speed noise. It kept went on and off. One week later, engine hot sign turned on while I'm driving on highway. I turned off the engine and turned on 20 minutes later. After I turned on, engine oil level shows up empty, 0. We changed engine oil when 45,000 miles and current is 50,000 miles.”
NHTSA complaint #10907701, filed 2016-09, 50,000 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…
- 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…
- 10178991Jul 1, 2020N63 CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT - BATTERY SERVICE BENEFIT - RETROFITS/ REPLACEMENTS: This Service Information bulletin applies to: Class vehicles in operation on the road (Applicable…
- 10167978Oct 1, 2019N63 ENGINE VEHICLES: CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT FOR ENGINE OILCONSUMPTION/BATTER. What's New: The short-term extension window of one (1) year/12,000 miles from date of the…
- 10167977Oct 1, 2019N63: OIL CONSUMPTION CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT DIAGNOSIS/REPAIRS (VERSION 12.0). What's New: Engine Timing Chain Guide Pre-Inspection (with Valve Stem Seal Repair) instruction…
- 10165276Aug 1, 2019While engine oil consumption may create a customer inconvenience in the short term it should not cause any drivability problems that would prevent normal day-to-day operational…
- 10163992Jul 1, 2019N63 CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT FOR OIL CONSUMPTION AND BATTERY DRAIN - OVERVIEW This Service Information Bulletin replaces SI B01 29 18 dated October 2018.
- 10163029Jun 1, 2019N55 ENGINE: FC 28A0 OR 101F01 THROTTLE VALVE OPENING ANGLE. The engine malfunction warning is illuminated and one of the following fault codes are stored in the DME shortly after…
- 10163026Jun 1, 2019N63 ENGINE: OIL CONSUMPTION CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR PROCEDURES. While engine oil consumption may create a customer inconvenience in the short term it should…
- 10149564Oct 1, 2018N63 AND N63T ENGINE: ENGINE OIL CONSUMPTION, ENGINE OIL TOP-UPS AND REFILL CAPACITY. Customers with one of the vehicles above may complain that the engine's oil consumption is…
Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 3 | 11% |
| 2025 | 3 | 5% |
| 2024 | 13 | 9% |
| 2023 | 5 | 15% |
| 2022 | 13 | 18% |
| 2021 | 25 | 23% |
| 2020 | 33 | 29% |
| 2019 | 52 | 27% |
| 2018 | 11 | 15% |
| 2017 | 12 | 16% |
| 2016 | 14 | 19% |
| 2015 | 42 | 28% |
| 2014 | 16 | 16% |
| 2013 | 45 | 30% |
| 2012 | 92 | 34% |
| 2011 | 110 | 42% |
| 2010 | 40 | 32% |
| 2009 | 30 | 22% |
| 2008 | 66 | 31% |
| 2007 | 9 | 13% |
| 2006 | 7 | 4% |
| 2005 | 12 | 15% |
| 2004 | 9 | 14% |
| 2003 | 11 | 11% |
| 2002 | 7 | 7% |
| 2001 | 7 | 4% |
| 2000 | 1 | 3% |
Other parts of the 2012 BMW X5
83 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
53 complaintsElectrical system
29 complaintsFuel system
29 complaintsSteering
20 complaintsOther or unknown
14 complaintsEngine cooling
12 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