2012 BMW X5 Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 3about this part
- Share
- 1%of 271 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 89,250miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2012 BMW X5, 1% of the 271 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 89,250 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.
“My battery was weak and the time came to change it. I changed the battery, the car starts beautifully. However I have a light system and restraint system malfunctions. My internal lights do not work, my indicator lights do not work. I have been told that my frm needs to be replaced. After doing some research online I have learned that this is a common problem in the X5 series. The vehicle has less than 50,000 miles on it and I only drive it on the weekends. This is the second major malfunction this year. The water pump needed replacement in february. …”
NHTSA complaint #11141514, filed 2018-10, 48,500 miles“Right inner brake light assembly on hatchback is prone to water damage which resulted in corrosion of LED contacts resulting in failure of the assembly. Loss of function was evident as this taillight went entirely dark and required replacement”
NHTSA complaint #11397582, filed 2021-02, 130,000 miles“The rear reading lamps in the vehicle have no protective cover over the halogen bulbs and are located right next to the on/off switch making it far to easy for children in a moving vehicle to accidentally touch an extremely hot bulb. Their either needs to be a protective cover or the bulbs need to be replaced with some like an LED that generates far less heat.”
NHTSA complaint #10615181, filed 2014-07Related service bulletins
- 10057566Oct 1, 2014Bmw: some vehicles, with 552 option, are experiencing a malfunction of led headlight on one where it flickers on an doff during driving and the control check message is…
Exterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2 | 3% |
| 2024 | 1 | 1% |
| 2023 | 1 | 3% |
| 2021 | 1 | 1% |
| 2020 | 5 | 4% |
| 2019 | 5 | 3% |
| 2016 | 1 | 1% |
| 2015 | 3 | 2% |
| 2012 | 3 | 1% |
| 2011 | 6 | 2% |
| 2010 | 2 | 2% |
| 2009 | 5 | 4% |
| 2008 | 11 | 5% |
| 2007 | 2 | 3% |
| 2006 | 4 | 2% |
| 2005 | 5 | 6% |
| 2004 | 5 | 8% |
| 2003 | 6 | 6% |
| 2002 | 8 | 8% |
| 2001 | 9 | 6% |
| 2000 | 2 | 7% |
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 complaintsEngine cooling
12 complaintsBody and structure
7 complaintsSuspension
6 complaintsBrakes
4 complaintsSeat belts
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2012 BMW X5
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 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