RecallRepo

2012 BMW X5 Sav Recalls

Recalls on record Updated July 2026

The 2012 BMW X5 Sav has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 1,028,783 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 29 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the power train. Last updated July 5, 2026.

Recall campaigns

AIR BAGS 16V071000 2016-02-05 840,000 affected
Defect

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2008-2013 128i and 135i coupes and convertibles and 1 Series M coupes, 2006-2011 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive Sedans, 2009-2011 335d sedans, 2006-2012 325xiT, 328i and 328xi sports wagons, 2007-2013 328i,…

Consequence

In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy

BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag module or inflator depending on the vehicle model, free of charge. The recall began March 9, 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 14V176000 2014-04-10 156,137 affected
Defect

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…

Consequence

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…

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 12V550000 2012-11-27 29,800 affected
Defect

BMW is recalling certain model year 2009-2012 X5 xDrive 35d SAV diesel vehicles manufactured September 1, 2008, through November 15, 2012. The engine belt idler pulley bolt could loosen and break over time.

Consequence

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

Remedy

BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace and tighten the idler pulley bolt. The recall began on January 15, 2013. Owners may call BMW at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at [email protected].

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 12V161000 2012-04-10 2,846 affected
Defect

BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 5-SERIES, 5-SERIES GRAN TURISMO, MODEL YEAR 2012 6-SERIES CONVERTIBLE, 7-SERIES, X5 SAV, AND X6 SAV VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 8- OR 12-CYLINDER, TURBOCHARGED, ENGINES BECAUSE THE CIRCUIT BOARD FOR THE ELECTRIC AUXILIARY WATER PUMP CAN OVERHEAT.

Consequence

THIS COULD LEAD TO A SMOLDERING OF THE PUMP OR AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT OR VEHICLE FIRE.

Remedy

BMW WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AUXILIARY WATER PUMP FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 30, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND SERVICES AT 1-800-525-7417.

Complaints by component

POWER TRAIN
9
ENGINE
6
AIR BAGS
3
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
3
STEERING
3
1crashes1injuries
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2
1fires
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
1
SERVICE BRAKES
1
1crashes1injuries
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
1
1crashes1injuries
Total complaints29

What owners report

Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.

“Experience glycol-leakage from the egr (exhaust-gas-recirculation) valve can occur. In combination with typical soot deposits and the high temperatures normally present in the egr module this might result in smoldering particles. This could lead to the melting of the intake manifold and in…”

ENGINE · reported 2019-03-10

“Experience glycol-leakage from the egr (exhaust-gas-recirculation) valve can occur. In combination with typical soot deposits and the high temperatures normally present in the egr module this might result in smoldering particles. This could lead to the melting of the intake manifold and in…”

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM · reported 2019-03-10

“I am writing this letter to seek helps on my 2012 bmw x5 35d (vin#: [xxx]). I have experienced diesel smell in the cabin in the last couple of months and I got engine check light came on last week. We checked the code it saying the egr cooler is bad and egr valve is not operating. I want to know…”

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM · reported 2018-05-01

“The agent of bmw of tenafly said there is serious safety issue need to fix, the problem they call it: faulty transfer case and emf unit faults for emf and transfer case connected battery charger. The system may stop working suddenly and cause the vehicle transfer power to wheels and roll over.”

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) · reported 2018-03-20

“The agent of bmw of tenafly said there is serious safety issue need to fix, the problem they call it: faulty transfer case and emf unit faults for emf and transfer case connected battery charger. The system may stop working suddenly and cause the vehicle transfer power to wheels and roll over.”

POWER TRAIN · reported 2018-03-20

“While driving my car for approximately 3 minutes engine seized without warning. I coasted on to the shoulder of the road and put it in neutral and tried to start it.... Nothing. Oil level was good . I had it towed to bmw dealer and they told me engine was locked up but couldn't tell me why. I just…”

ENGINE · reported 2017-12-09

“My wife & I purchased this 2012x5 2 years ago,last year the vehicle was being driven off the driveway where there was a loud snap&ban. The car didn't move. We called a tow and had it brought to jupiter bmw fl .we found out that the drive shaft snapped. Mileage was 45-48k miles. We called bmw na it…”

AIR BAGS · reported 2017-10-24

“My wife & I purchased this 2012x5 2 years ago,last year the vehicle was being driven off the driveway where there was a loud snap&ban. The car didn't move. We called a tow and had it brought to jupiter bmw fl .we found out that the drive shaft snapped. Mileage was 45-48k miles. We called bmw na it…”

POWER TRAIN · reported 2017-10-24

Defect investigations

Investigation EA21002 Opened 2021-09-17 · open

Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant…

Investigation EA21002 Opened 2021-09-17 · open

Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant…

Investigation RQ18001 Opened 2018-04-18 · closed 2018-12-01

Idler Pulley Bolt Failure

In a May 23, 2018 letter, BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) notified the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) of a safety defect that may result in the loss of power steering assist in certain model year (MY) 2009 through 2013 BMW X5 xDrive35d vehicles (Recall 18V-336). The recall, which affects…

Investigation RQ18001 Opened 2018-04-18 · closed 2018-12-01

Idler Pulley Bolt Failure

In a May 23, 2018 letter, BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) notified the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) of a safety defect that may result in the loss of power steering assist in certain model year (MY) 2009 through 2013 BMW X5 xDrive35d vehicles (Recall 18V-336). The recall, which affects…

Investigation RQ18001 Opened 2018-04-18 · closed 2018-12-01

Idler Pulley Bolt Failure

In a May 23, 2018 letter, BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) notified the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) of a safety defect that may result in the loss of power steering assist in certain model year (MY) 2009 through 2013 BMW X5 xDrive35d vehicles (Recall 18V-336). The recall, which affects…

Sources & methodology

Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2012 BMW X5 Sav as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.