2012 BMW X5 Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 53about this part
- Share
- 20%of 271 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 69,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 53 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2012 BMW X5, 20% of the 271 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 69,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers. 2 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Engine malfunction light and car overheating caused by water pump, there's no recall for my VIN but it seems this is an ongoing issue with Bmw X5 models... The Bmw did a recall on my X5 and after they finished the recall the transfer case stopped working properly, however, the transfer case was working perfectly before the recalled. The Bmw power train recall damage the transfer case”
NHTSA complaint #11366858, filed 2020-10, 91,000 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“Takata recall: I received my letter notifying me of the recall march 2016. The date for replacement has been pushed out from by the end of 2016 to march 2017 and when I called in may 2017 I was advised that my passenger airbag also has been recalled. The current replacement time is now september for the drivers side and december for the passenger side. I am concerned about the safety of my vehicle when the replacement continues to be extended.”
NHTSA complaint #11010303, filed 2017-07, 48,000 miles“I was driving my Bmw X5 and out of nowhere an engine malfunction warning light came up accompanied by an engine overheating, I immediately pulled over and called a tow-truck who took my X5 to the nears Bmw dealer. The technician stated it was the ivm and the charge air pipe that needed to be replaced, after spending $1,500 on the 2 items, I drove out of the dealer and less than a mile down the road, the same engine malfunction and vehicle overheating light came back up. …”
NHTSA complaint #11123312, filed 2018-08, 91,000 miles“At 75k miles my Bmw X5 began shuttering while making sharp, slow turns. I thought it was the new tires we put on. Then the stuttering happened when coming to a stop, as well. Took it to the dealership where it has been serviced all along and they said the transfer case needs to be replaced. Really, at 75k miles. When I went online to research the item I found that the previous year model was a recall. Obviously, Bmw did not fix the item on the 2012 that I own. …”
NHTSA complaint #11045924, filed 2017-11, 75,000 milesRelated recalls
- 17V138000Mar 2, 2017BMW of North America, LLC, (BMW) is recalling certain 2011-2013 X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive50i, X5 M and X5 xDrive35d vehicles, 2011-2014 X6 xDrive35i, X6…Covers: BMW X5 2011–2013, X6 2011–2014, X6 Activehybrid SAC 2011
- 12V019000Jan 23, 2012Bmw is recalling certain model year 2012 x5 xdrive 35i sports activity vehicles, manufactured from december 19, 2011, through december 21, 2011. Due to a…Covers: BMW X5 2012
Related service bulletins
- 10175267Apr 1, 2020Power Reduction FC2A82 Intake VANOS and/or FC2 A87 Exhaust VANOS Camshaft Fault: The "Service Engine Soon" (MIL) lamp is illuminated and engine power reduction is perceived. This…
- 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…
- 10135021Feb 1, 2018N63, N63TU, S63 and S63TU Engines: Oil Leak from the Rear: Customer complains that engine oil is leaking from the center of the vehicle. When verified, the engine oil residue can…
- 10142929Jan 1, 2018CRACKING NOISES FROM THE FRONT AXLE AREA WHILE TURNING THE WHEELS, WHEN STATIONARY OR PARKING: Cracking noises are heard from the front axle area while maneuvering at low speeds…
- 10146821Sep 1, 2016CLICKING NOISE FROM FRONT AXLE This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI 31 01 12 dated June 2015. Clicking noises are heard from the front axle area while maneuvering at…
- 10147008Aug 1, 2016"REPAIRING TRANSFER CASE ACTUATOR (VTG SERVO-MOTOR). The Anti-lock Brakes (ABS), Brakes and Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) warnings are on and there may also be a ""Drivetrain…
- 10151302May 1, 2016N63, N63TU, S63 and S63TU Engines: Oil Leak from the Rear of the Engine and Transmission Bell Housing. Customer complains that engine oil is leaking from the center of the…
- 10147241Sep 1, 2015Shudder from the Driveline on Vehicles with xDrive. There is a shudder or vibration from the driveline when taking off from a stop, or when accelerating at highway speeds. CAUSE…
- 10151404Aug 1, 2015Vibration or Shudder from Driveline when Accelerating from a Stop. Chassis stabilization warning is displayed. Vehicle may exhibit a shudder or vibration when taking off from a…
- 10151396Aug 1, 2015"Front Propeller (Drive) Shaft: Limited Warranty Extension to 10 Years/120,000 Miles. INFORMATION For the above-referenced vehicles, BMW of North America, LLC (""BMW NA"") is…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 4 | 14% |
| 2025 | 7 | 11% |
| 2024 | 16 | 11% |
| 2023 | 9 | 26% |
| 2022 | 25 | 35% |
| 2021 | 31 | 28% |
| 2020 | 17 | 15% |
| 2019 | 20 | 10% |
| 2018 | 10 | 14% |
| 2017 | 10 | 13% |
| 2016 | 13 | 18% |
| 2015 | 14 | 9% |
| 2014 | 12 | 12% |
| 2013 | 36 | 24% |
| 2012 | 53 | 20% |
| 2011 | 58 | 22% |
| 2010 | 6 | 5% |
| 2009 | 10 | 7% |
| 2008 | 16 | 7% |
| 2007 | 2 | 3% |
| 2006 | 7 | 4% |
| 2005 | 9 | 11% |
| 2004 | 11 | 17% |
| 2003 | 16 | 16% |
| 2002 | 6 | 6% |
| 2001 | 15 | 9% |
| 2000 | 7 | 24% |
Other parts of the 2012 BMW X5
92 complaintsAir bags
83 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 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