Vehicle Data Hub

2012 BMW X5 engine problems

Owners reported engine problems in 104 complaints for the 2012 BMW X5, 28% of the complaints on file. It is the most reported problem area for this model year.

At a glance

Complaints
104 28% of this year's complaints
Typical mileage
73,000 miles 77 complaints with mileage
Crashes and fires
0 and 4
Injuries and deaths
0 and 0

Source: NHTSA owner complaints

When engine problems show up

Engine complaints by mileage, 2012 BMW X5 Complaints by odometer reading in 20,000-mile steps. The median is about 73,000 miles. 0k to 20k miles: 11 complaints 20k to 40k miles: 3 complaints 40k to 60k miles: 13 complaints 60k to 80k miles: 19 complaints 80k to 100k miles: 16 complaints 100k to 120k miles: 8 complaints 120k to 140k miles: 5 complaints 140k to 160k miles: 1 complaints 160k to 180k miles: 1 complaints 180k to 200k miles: 0 complaints 200k+ miles: 0 complaints 040k80k120k160k200k miles Typical: 73,000 miles
Based on 77 complaints that include mileage. 35% were reported before 60,000 miles. The amber marker shows the median: half of these complaints happened before that mileage.
View the numbers
MileageComplaints
0k to 20k miles11
20k to 40k miles3
40k to 60k miles13
60k to 80k miles19
80k to 100k miles16
100k to 120k miles8
120k to 140k miles5
140k to 160k miles1
160k to 180k miles1
180k to 200k miles0
200k+ miles0

What the data shows

Of the 77 engine complaints that report mileage, the median is about 73,000 miles, and 35% were reported before 60,000 miles.

These complaints mention 4 fires.

What owners wrote

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 BMW x5. The contact was alerted to an abnormal noise coming from the vehicle while it was parked at her home. Upon inspection, the contact's husband noticed that the vehicle was filled with smoke. Ten minutes later, the vehicle was engulfed in flames. The fire department was contacted and extinguished the flames. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was not towed. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified. There were no injuries. The failure mileage was approximately 72,000.

Reported at 72,000 miles, June 2018 Fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 BMW x5. While driving 50 MPH, the engine warning indicator illuminated on the instrument panel and the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that the vehicle was unsafe to drive because it stalled abruptly while in traffic. According to the contact, the vehicle was diagnosed thirteen times for engine failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and insisted that the contact bring the vehicle in for diagnostic testing. The failure mileage was 16,000. ..updated 10/18/16

Reported at 16,000 miles, January 2015

Other problems reported for the 2012 BMW X5

Engine problems in other years

Engine problems across all BMW models