Model year
2012 BMW X5
NHTSA lists 10 recalls and 271 complaints for the 2012 BMW X5 (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). NHTSA also lists 5 recalls and 24 complaints under X5 M and X5 SAV. Those counts are separate from the numbers above. 4 recalls marked do not drive. The components listed on the most complaints are ENGINE (92), AIR BAGS (83), POWER TRAIN (51). NHTSA lists 1 investigation. NHTSA lists crash-test variants for this model year and marks the overall rating Not Rated. EPA rates it 14–21 mpg combined depending on configuration (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $4,350–$5,850, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.
- 2000 29 complaints
- 2001 160 complaints
- 2002 102 complaints
- 2003 99 complaints
- 2004 64 complaints
- 2005 82 complaints
- 2006 168 complaints
- 2007 71 complaints
- 2008 215 complaints
- 2009 138 complaints
- 2010 124 complaints
- 2011 263 complaints
- 2012 271 complaints
- 2013 149 complaints
- 2014 99 complaints
- 2015 152 complaints
- 2016 74 complaints
- 2017 75 complaints
- 2018 73 complaints
- 2019 193 complaints
- 2020 113 complaints
- 2021 110 complaints
- 2022 72 complaints
- 2023 33 complaints
- 2024 145 complaints
- 2025 63 complaints
- 2026 28 complaints
- 2027 0 complaints
Recalls
20V017000 · Jan 15, 2020
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
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,…
20V016000 · Jan 15, 2020
Do not driveAIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
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…
19V017000 · Jan 14, 2019
Do not driveAIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
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…
18V336000 · May 23, 2018
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
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.
18V248000 · Apr 18, 2018
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
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…
18V030000 · Jan 9, 2018
Do not driveAIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
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,…
17V138000 · Mar 2, 2017
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT
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…
17V020000 · Jan 10, 2017
Do not driveAIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
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,…
12V267000 · Jun 13, 2012
STEERING
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.
12V019000 · Jan 23, 2012
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
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 TRANSMISSIONÂS PARKING LOCK MAY NOT OCCUR EVEN IF THE ÂPÂ POSITION HAS BEEN…
Complaints
271 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 4, fire flag on 10, injury field 6, deaths field 0. A complaint can be counted under more than one component. The injury and death figures are the file's numbers (the highest value on each complaint, then added), not a separate verified count of people.
Other NHTSA names
These names matched the same EPA model but are not included in the headline counts above.
| Name | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| X5 M | 1 | 3 |
| X5 SAV | 4 | 21 |
Investigations
| Action | Subject | Opened | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| RQ18001 | Idler Pulley Bolt Failure · STEERING; STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS; STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM | Apr 18, 2018 | Dec 1, 2018 |
Safety ratings
| Variant | Overall | Front | Side | Pole | Rollover | Photo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| M SUV AWD | Not rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | 4 · possibility 0.174 | — |
| Xdrive35D SUV AWD | Not rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | 4 · possibility 0.174 | — |
| Xdrive35I SUV AWD | Not rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | 4 · possibility 0.174 | — |
| Xdrive50I SUV AWD | Not rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | 4 · possibility 0.174 | — |
Fuel economy
| Configuration | Fuel | City | Hwy | Comb | kWh/100 mi | Range | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| X5 xDrive35i · 3L · Automatic (S8) · All-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 16 | 23 | 19 | — | — | $4,350 |
| X5 xDrive50i · 4.4L · Automatic (S8) · All-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 14 | 20 | 16 | — | — | $5,150 |
| X5 xDriveM · 4.4L · Automatic (S6) · All-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 12 | 17 | 14 | — | — | $5,850 |
| X5 xDrive35d · 3L · Automatic (S6) · All-Wheel Drive | Diesel · Diesel | 19 | 26 | 21 | — | — | $4,550 |
Open this model year in the fuel-cost calculator. The calculator starts with no fuel price filled in.
Check a vehicle
This page is not a VIN lookup. NHTSA's recall tool checks a specific vehicle: nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's page for this model year is 2012 BMW X5 at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.