Representative model. Photo: Navigator84, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0

Recalls & complaints · NHTSA data

2012 BMW 5 Series recalls

Every recall campaign and owner complaint NHTSA has on file for the 2012 model year. Not every vehicle is affected by every campaign: check a specific car by VIN below.

Recall campaigns: 6
Park-it warnings: 0
Complaints: 265
Latest campaign: Aug 13, 2024

Recall summary by component6

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h

Component	Campaigns	Latest	Campaign IDs
Engine and engine cooling	3	Aug 13, 2024	24V608000 18V248000 14V176000
Service brakes, hydraulic	2	Oct 7, 2014	14V627000 13V454000
Fuel system, gasoline	1	Oct 17, 2016	16V746000

Safety recalls6

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h

0Park-it warnings

0Fixable over the air

Aug 13, 2024Latest campaign


Aug 13, 202424V608000	Engine and engine cooling: cooling system pump An electrical short increases the risk of a fire. DetailsHide details for campaign 24V608000 What's wrong BMW of North America, LLC. (BMW) is recalling certain 2012-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i, 2012-2016 Z4 sDrive28i, 528i, 528i xDrive, 328i, 328xi, 2016-2018 X5 xdrive 40e, 2014-2016 228i, 228xi, 428i, 428i xDrive, 328xi Gran Turismo, 2013-2017 X3 sDrive28i, X3 xDrive28i, 2015-2018 X4 xDrive28i, 2015-2016 428xi vehicles. An improperly sealed electrical connector on the water pump may be exposed to water and short circuit. Risk An electrical short increases the risk of a fire. Remedy Dealers will inspect and replace the water pump and plug connector as necessary, and install a protective shield, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 28, 2025. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Filed under 528i Campaign NHTSA 24V608000 · Aug 13, 2024
Apr 18, 201818V248000	Engine and engine cooling: engine gasoline If the circuit board were to overheat, it can increase the risk of a fire. DetailsHide details for campaign 18V248000 What's wrong 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. Risk If the circuit board were to overheat, it can increase the risk of a fire. Remedy 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. Filed under 550i, 550i Gran Turismo Campaign NHTSA 18V248000 · Apr 18, 2018
Oct 17, 201616V746000	Fuel system, gasoline: delivery fuel pump The loose wires may cause the connector to melt, resulting in a fuel leak. DetailsHide details for campaign 16V746000 What's wrong BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 BMW X5 3.0si, X5 4.8i, X5 M, X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive48i and X5 xDrive50i, 2008-2011 X6 x Drive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6 M, 2010-2011 X6 ActiveHybrid, 535i xDrive Gran Turismo, 535i Gran Turismo, 550i xDrive Gran Turismo and 550i Gran Turismo, 2011-2012 528i, 535i, 535i xDrive, 550i and 550i xDrive and 2012 535i ActiveHybrid, 640i Convertible, 650i Convertible, 650i xDrive Convertible, 650i Coupe and 650i Coupe xDrive vehicles. The affected vehicles have in-tank fuel pumps that may have insufficiently crimped wire contacts. Risk The loose wires may cause the connector to melt, resulting in a fuel leak. Additionally, the fuel pump may stop working, possibly causing an engine stall and increase the risk of a crash. Remedy BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. The recall began February 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Filed under 528i, 535i, 535i Activehybrid, 550i Campaign NHTSA 16V746000 · Oct 17, 2016
Oct 7, 201414V627000	Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist vacuum A failure of the brake vacuum pump results in a reduction in braking power that could increase the risk of a crash. DetailsHide details for campaign 14V627000 What's wrong BMW of North America LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2014 BMW 328i xDrive Sports Wagon, 2012-2014 BMW 320i Sedan, 328i Sedan, 320i xDrive Sedan, 328i xDrive Sedan, 2012-2013 BMW 528i Sedan, 528i xDrive Sedan, 2013-2014 BMW X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i Sports Activity Vehicle, 2013-2014 BMW X3 xDrive28i Sports Activity Vehicle, 2012-2014 BMW Z4 sDrive28i Roadster, and 2014 BMW 428i Coupe, and 428i xDrive Coupe. Due to insufficient lubrication, the vacuum pump that supplies brake power assistance may fail. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 13V-454. Risk A failure of the brake vacuum pump results in a reduction in braking power that could increase the risk of a crash. Remedy BMW will notify owners, and dealers will install a locking ring in the camshaft to retain the camshaft seal disk in the proper location, free of charge. The recall began on December 2, 2014. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Filed under 528i Campaign NHTSA 14V627000 · Oct 7, 2014
Apr 10, 201414V176000	Engine and engine cooling: engine If the bolts loosen or break the engine may have reduced power or stall. DetailsHide details for campaign 14V176000 What's wrong BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 128i Coupe, 128i Convertible, 328i Sedan, 328i xDrive Sedan, 328i Coupe, 328i Convertible, 328i Sports Wagon and Z4 sDrive 30i, 2011-2012 135i Coupe, 135i Convertible, 335i Sedan, X5 xDrive 35i, and X6 xDrive 35i, 2011 335i xDrive Sedan, 335i Coupe, 335i Convertible, 528i Sedan, 535i Sedan, 535i xDrive Sedan, X3 xDrive 28i, and X3 xDrive 35i, 2010 X3 xDrive 30i, and X5 xDrive 30i, 2012 640i Coupe, and 640i Convertible and 2010-2012 535i Gran Turismo vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the bolts that secure the housing for the variable camshaft timing adjustment (VANOS) unit can loosen over time and may possibly break. Risk If the bolts loosen or break the engine may have reduced power or stall. An engine stall increases the risk of a crash. Remedy BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the four VANOS housing bolts for both VANOS units (intake and exhaust), free of charge. In addition, owners of approximately 170,172 model year 2010-2012 BMW vehicles equipped with inline 6 cylinder engines not covered by this recall, will receive an extended warranty to address this condition. The recall began on September 24, 2014. Owners may contact BMW at 1-800-525-7417. Filed under 535i Gran Turismo Campaign NHTSA 14V176000 · Apr 10, 2014
Sep 26, 201313V454000	Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist vacuum A failure of the brake vacuum pump results in a reduction in braking power that could increase the risk of a crash. DetailsHide details for campaign 13V454000 What's wrong BMW of North America LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 320i, 328i, 320i xDrive, and 328i xDrive sedans; model year 2014 328i xDrive Sports Wagons; model year 2012-2013 528i and 528i xDrive sedans, model year 2013-2014 X1 sDrive28i and X1 xDrive28i vehicles and model year 2012-2014 Z4 sDrive28i roadsters. Due to insufficient lubrication, the vacuum pump that supplies brake power assistance may fail. Risk A failure of the brake vacuum pump results in a reduction in braking power that could increase the risk of a crash. Remedy BMW will notify owners, and dealers will modify the vehicles to prevent insufficient vacuum pump lubrication, free of charge. The safety recall began on January 31, 2014. Owners may contact BMW customer relations at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com. Filed under 528i Campaign NHTSA 13V454000 · Sep 26, 2013

Merged from NHTSA model names: 528i, 550i, 550i Gran Turismo, 535i, 535i Activehybrid, 535i Gran Turismo. Not every vehicle of a model year is affected by every campaign.

To see whether a recall is still open on your car, enter the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or the BMW recall lookup. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer (federal law; see limits).

Buying a used 2012 BMW 5 Series? Recalls cover the model; a history report checks one car's title, odometer and accident records. VinAudit history report → Sponsored · disclosure

Owner complaints by component265

NHTSA Complaints API · cached ≤24 h

265Complaints filed

2Involving a crash

6Involving a fire

4Injuries reported

Component	Complaints	%	Crashes	Fires	Injuries
Engine	101	38	0	4	0
Fuel/propulsion system	61	23	1	2	1
Power train	55	21	1	2	1
Electrical system	31	12	0	3	0
Unknown or other	23	9	0	0	3
Tires	23	9	1	1	0
Air bags	16	6	0	0	0
Wheels	14	5	0	1	0
Engine and engine cooling	13	5	0	0	0
Exterior lighting	13	5	0	0	0
Steering	10	4	0	0	0
Service brakes	10	4	1	0	1
Fuel system	9	3	0	0	0
Gasoline	9	3	0	0	0
Seats	7	3	0	0	1

7 more components with fewer complaints not shown. An owner can tag several components, so percentages add up to more than 100. Complaints are unverified owner reports, de-duplicated by NHTSA ODI number, merged from NHTSA model names 528I, 528XI, 535I, 535I GT, 535I Xdrive, 535I Xdrive GT, 535XI, 550I, 550I GT, 550I Xdrive, 550I Xdrive GT.

Latest reports

Engine
“car engine timing chain guides are faulty and there have been lawsuits that were settled and no recall on the actual part with drivers still having issues with the N20 engine now getting quotes for over 15,000.”
Filed 09/21/2026 · ODI 11765874
Engine and engine cooling
“The contact owns a 2012 BMW 528XI. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle came to a stop and the Automatic START/STOP feature activated; however, the engine failed to restart.”
Filed 08/19/2026 · ODI 11758059
Unknown or other
“The vehicle suffered a sudden Drivetrain Malfunction and severe engine overheating while driving, resulting in a physically snapped camshaft and extensive iron shaving contamination in the oil pan (catastrophic engine…”
Filed 07/06/2026 · ODI 11748598

Other BMW 5 Series model years

All years: 2025 · 2024 · 2023 · 2022 · 2021 · 2020 · 2019 · 2018 · 2017 · 2016 · 2015 · 2014 · 2013 · 2012 · 2011 · 2010 · 2009 · 2008 · 2007 · 2006 · 2005 · 2004 · 2003 · 2002 · 2001 · 2000

Other BMW models

All BMW models and years →

2012 BMW 5 Series recall questions

How many recalls does the 2012 BMW 5 Series have?

NHTSA lists 6 safety recall campaigns for the 2012 BMW 5 Series. The most recent, 24V608000 (reported August 13, 2024), concerns engine and engine cooling. Not every vehicle is covered by every campaign; check a specific car by VIN.

What are the 2012 BMW 5 Series recalls for?

The largest group is engine and engine cooling, with 3 campaigns. Others: service brakes, hydraulic (2), fuel system, gasoline (1). Each campaign below lists the defect, the risk and the free remedy.

What is the most common complaint about the 2012 BMW 5 Series?

Engine is the most-reported component, named in 101 complaints out of 265 filed with NHTSA (38%). Across all complaints, owners reported 2 crashs and 6 fires. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How do I check if a recall is open on my 2012 BMW 5 Series?

Enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or the BMW recall lookup. That shows campaigns still unrepaired on that exact car. Safety recall repairs are free at a franchised BMW dealer.

Check a specific BMW by VIN

Free · No signup · US-market vehicles, 1981+

Need the factory options too? See the BMW build sheet & window sticker guide.