2012 BMW X5: recalls and complaints

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All updates to the register

• 20V01700015 Jan 2020Air Bags / Frontal / Driver Side / Inflator Module
• 20V01600015 Jan 2020Air Bags / Frontal / Passenger Side / Inflator ModuleAdvisory
• 19V01700014 Jan 2019Air Bags / Frontal / Passenger Side / Inflator ModuleAdvisory
• 18V33600023 May 2018Engine and Engine Cooling / Engine
• 18V24800018 Apr 2018Engine and Engine Cooling / Engine
• 18V0300009 Jan 2018Air Bags / Frontal / Passenger Side / Inflator ModuleAdvisory
• 17V1380002 Mar 2017Power Train / Driveline / Driveshaft
• 17V02000010 Jan 2017Air Bags / Frontal / Passenger Side / Inflator ModuleAdvisory
• 12V26700013 Jun 2012Steering
• 12V01900023 Jan 2012Power Train / Automatic Transmission

1. 20V017000Received 15 Jan 2020. 59,965 units.

   Air Bags / Frontal / Driver Side / Inflator Module

   Defect, in the NHTSA record

   BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 128i and 135i Convertibles, 128i, 135i, and M Coupes, 2007-2010 X3 30si and X3 xDrive30i, 2013-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i and X1 xDrive35i, 2007-2013 328i, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335is, 335i xDrive and M3 Coupes, 2006-2011 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive and M3, 2009-2011 335D, 2006-2012 325xi, 328i, 328xi and 328i xDrive, 2010-2011 X6 ActiveHybrid, 2007-2013 328i, 335i, 335is, M3 Coupes, X5 30si, X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 48i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5 M, 2009-2013 X5 xDrive35d and 2008-2014 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6M vehicles equipped with non-desiccated driver frontal air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) that were used as interim remedy parts for previous Takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.

   Consequence, in the NHTSA record

   An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

   Remedy, in the NHTSA record

   BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver air bag. On X5 and X6 vehicles, only the inflator will be replaced. All repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began March 11, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

   Report filed by BMW of North America, LLC. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 11 Mar 2020.

2. 20V016000Received 15 Jan 2020. 4,007 units.

   Air Bags / Frontal / Passenger Side / Inflator ModuleDo-not-drive advisory

   Defect, in the NHTSA record

   BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2009-2012 X5 xDrive35d, 2008-2012 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6 M, 2007-2012 X5 30si, X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 48i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5 M and 2010-2011 X6 ActiveHybrid vehicles equipped with non-desiccated, passenger frontal air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSPI-2) propellant that were used as interim remedy parts for previous Takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.

   Consequence, in the NHTSA record

   An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

   Remedy, in the NHTSA record

   Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until this remedy is performed. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger front air bag, free of charge. The recall began March 11, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

   Report filed by BMW of North America, LLC. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 11 Mar 2020.

3. 19V017000Received 14 Jan 2019. 83,016 units.

   Air Bags / Frontal / Passenger Side / Inflator ModuleDo-not-drive advisory

   Defect, in the NHTSA record

   BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2007-2013 X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5 M vehicles, 2008-2014 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6 M vehicles, 2009-2013 X5 xDrive35d vehicles and 2010-2011 X6 ActiveHybrid vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

   Consequence, in the NHTSA record

   An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

   Remedy, in the NHTSA record

   Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy is performed. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall began March 14, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

   Report filed by BMW of North America, LLC. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 14 Mar 2019.

4. 18V336000Received 23 May 2018. 33,214 units.

   Engine and Engine Cooling / Engine

   Defect, in the NHTSA record

   BMW 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.

   Consequence, in the NHTSA record

   If the idler pulley bolt breaks, the vehicle may unexpectedly lose power-assisted steering, increasing the risk of a crash.

   Remedy, in the NHTSA record

   BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the idler pulley bolt with an improved part, free of charge. The recall began March 11, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

   Report filed by BMW of North America, LLC. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 11 Mar 2019.

5. 18V248000Received 18 Apr 2018. 47,806 units.

   Engine and Engine Cooling / Engine

   Defect, in the NHTSA record

   BMW 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, 750Li xDrive, 760Li, X5 xDrive50i, X5 M, X6 xDrive50i, X6 M, ActiveHybrid7, MINI Cooper S Convertible, John Cooper Works (JCW) Convertible, Cooper S Countryman, Cooper S Countryman ALL4, Cooper S, JCW, Cooper S Clubman, JCW Clubman, Cooper S Roadster, JCW Roadster, Cooper S Coupe, JCW Coupe and Rolls-Royce Ghost, 2011 BMW X6 Hybrid and 2012 BMW 650i Coupe, 650i xDrive Coupe, 650i Convertible and 650i xDrive Convertible vehicles. The electric auxiliary water pump may fail and cause the circuit board to overheat.

   Consequence, in the NHTSA record

   If the circuit board were to overheat, it can increase the risk of a fire.

   Remedy, in the NHTSA record

   BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the electric auxiliary water pump, free of charge. Depending on the model, there are currently limited parts available, however not all parts are available at this time. Owners will be notified of the recall beginning June 11, 2018, and will receive a second notification when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact BMW customer service at BMW 1-800-525-7417, MINI at 1-866-825-1525, or Rolls-Royce at 1-877-877-3735. Note: BMW recommends that owners park their vehicle outdoors until the recall remedy has been performed.

   Report filed by BMW of North America, LLC. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 15 Jun 2018.

6. 18V030000Received 9 Jan 2018. 41,808 units.

   Air Bags / Frontal / Passenger Side / Inflator ModuleDo-not-drive advisory

   Defect, in the NHTSA record

   BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2007-2013 X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i, X5 M, 2009-2010 X5 xDrive35d vehicles and 2009-2013 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i, and X6 M vehicles ever registered in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." BMW is also recalling certain 2007-2010 X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i, X5 M, X5 xDrive35d, X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6M vehicles ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." BMW is also recalling certain 2007-2009 X5 xDrive30i, X5 xdrive35i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i, X5 M, X5 xDrive35d, X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6M vehicles ever registered in the states of AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MT, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI, and WY or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

   Consequence, in the NHTSA record

   An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

   Remedy, in the NHTSA record

   Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy is performed. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger front air bag module, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin March 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

   Report filed by BMW of North America, LLC. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 9 Mar 2018.

7. 17V138000Received 2 Mar 2017. 121,909 units.

   Power Train / Driveline / Driveshaft

   Defect, in the NHTSA record

   BMW 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 xDrive50i and X6M vehicles, and 2011 x6 ActiveHybrid Vehicles. Water and debris may enter the front driveshaft's universal joint, causing excessive wear and possibly resulting in the joint's failure.

   Consequence, in the NHTSA record

   If the front universal joint fails, the front wheels would not be driven, affecting vehicle traction. Additionally, continued driving of the vehicle with a broken front universal joint may damage other components. Either condition may increase the risk of a crash.

   Remedy, in the NHTSA record

   BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front driveshaft, free of charge. The recall began on April 18, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

   Report filed by BMW of North America, LLC. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 18 Apr 2017.

8. 17V020000Received 10 Jan 2017. 48,951 units.

   Air Bags / Frontal / Passenger Side / Inflator ModuleDo-not-drive advisory

   Defect, in the NHTSA record

   BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2012 X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i, X5 M, X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i, and X6 M vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, BMW is recalling certain 2009 X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i, and X5 M vehicles, 2008-2009 X6 xDrive 35i, X6 xDrive50i, X6 M, and 2009 X5 xDrive35d vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, BMW is recalling certain 2007-2008 X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5 M vehicles, and 2008 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i, and X6 M vehicles originally sold, or ever registered in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

   Consequence, in the NHTSA record

   An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

   Remedy, in the NHTSA record

   Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy is performed. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator or air bag module, free of charge. Interim letters were mailed March 2017. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

   Report filed by BMW of North America, LLC. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 28 Dec 2017.

9. 12V267000Received 13 Jun 2012. 2,642 units.

   Steering

   Defect, in the NHTSA record

   Bmw is recalling certain model year 2012 x5 vehicles equipped with a diesel engine and 2013 x5 and x6 vehicles. Due to a machining error of the steering gear surface, power steering fluid may leak.

   Consequence, in the NHTSA record

   Leaking power steering fluid can spray onto hot exhaust parts, increasing the risk of an engine compartment fire.

   Remedy, in the NHTSA record

   Bmw will notify owners, and dealers will inspect, and if necessary, replace the steering gear free of charge. The safety recall began on july 20, 2012. Owners may contact BMW customer relations and services at 1-800-525-7417.

   Report filed by BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 20 Jul 2012.

10. 12V019000Received 23 Jan 2012. 6 units.

    Power Train / Automatic Transmission

    Defect, in the NHTSA record

    Bmw is recalling certain model year 2012 x5 xdrive 35i sports activity vehicles, manufactured from december 19, 2011, through december 21, 2011. Due to a manufacturing error, engagement of the transmission’s parking lock may not occur even if the “p” position has been selected and is displayed.

    Consequence, in the NHTSA record

    If the driver believes that the transmission is in park and does not use the parking brake, the vehicle could roll away after exiting the vehicle increasing the risk of a crash or injury.

    Remedy, in the NHTSA record

    Bmw will notify owners, and dealers will replace the automatic transmission free of charge. The safety recall began on february 2, 2012. Owners may contact BMW customer relations and services at 1-800-525-7417.

    Report filed by BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 2 Feb 2012.

The campaign number opens the NHTSA record. Each quotation is the text of the NHTSA recall file.

Recall campaign: One recall in the NHTSA recall file, with one campaign number. A campaign can name many makes, models and model years.

Units: The number of vehicles or products that a recall can include. The manufacturer or the firm reports the number to the agency.

A complaint can name more than one component. Each component that a complaint names is one component mention. The figure per 1,000 component mentions shows how many of each 1,000 mentions name the component.

• 2012 BMW X5
• All 2012 vehicles

The table shows the 10 components with the most mentions, of 19.

Complaints that report a crash

3

Complaints that report a fire

3

Injuries in the complaints

6

Deaths in the complaints

0

Date of the newest complaint

15 May 2019

These figures are the entries of the persons who sent the complaints.

Complaint: A report about a possible safety problem that a person sends to NHTSA. This site shows the number of complaints and not their text.

Investigation: A study of a possible safety defect by the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. An investigation with no closing date in the NHTSA file is open.

1. 19991
2. 20006
3. 200112
4. 20023
5. 20033
6. 20044
7. 20052
8. 20062
9. 20078
10. 200810
11. 200912
12. 201014
13. 201114
14. 201210
15. 20136
16. 20148
17. 20156
18. 20165
19. 20176
20. 20185
21. 201913
22. 202011
23. 202112
24. 20221
25. 20234
26. 20248
27. 20255
28. 20262

A year without a link has fewer than 2 campaigns and fewer than 25 complaints. It has no page.

• BMW X5: all model years
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• NHTSA VIN lookupNHTSA shows the unrepaired recalls of one vehicle from its VIN or its license plate.
• NHTSA: report a safety problemThe NHTSA form for a complaint about a vehicle, a tire, a child seat or equipment.
• NHTSA page of the 2012 BMW X5The recalls, the complaints and the investigations that NHTSA shows for this model year.

How many units are in the recall campaigns for the 2012 BMW X5?

443,324 units in 10 campaigns. A campaign can name other models and model years, and its units include them.

How many recall campaigns does the BMW X5 have for all model years?

NHTSA lists 103 recall campaigns for the BMW X5, model years 1999 to 2026. 10 of them name the 2012 model year.

Which component do the complaints about the 2012 BMW X5 name most often?

Air Bags: 76 of 258 component mentions, or 294.6 per 1,000. For all 2012 vehicles the figure is 113 per 1,000.

Is an NHTSA investigation of the 2012 BMW X5 open?

No. The 1 investigation that names this model year has a closing date in the NHTSA file.