There are no safety recalls for the 2012 BMW 5 Series, but owners have filed 10 complaints with NHTSA.
2012 BMW 5 Series problems reported by owners
| Problem area | Reports | |
|---|
| Power Train | 3 | |
| Engine | 3 | |
| Tires | 2 | |
| Visibility/Wiper | 2 | |
| Air Bags | 1 | |
| Unknown or Other | 1 | |
Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 40,000 miles (median of owner reports).
Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.
Recent 2012 BMW 5 Series complaints
Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.
Engine · at 72,000 miles · reported Jul 14, 2019
I was driving my car on a road when a warning light came on. I parked the car home, since I was close to home. The same week I took the car to a bmw specialist because there was a noise coming from the engine. After $467.00 spent on labor, just to tell me I need a new engine. This car has 72k miles. This is a car that I only drove on weekends and not every weekend. The car is now parked in my garage because to repair it it will cost me $11k. I have heard this complaint from several bmw owners. The car still runs but the noise will no go away.
Unknown or Other · at 98,000 miles · reported Mar 19, 2018
I had an issue with the timing chain on this vehicle. I do believe this is a safety issue. Car fails with very little warning while the car is being driven. It is not a question of maintenance but of a specific manufacturing fault. How would one know of a defect until something goes wrong. Then the manufacturer doesn't take blame. Manufacturer knew about the problem but did not let owners know about the problem until something happens while driving. Bmw has since redesigned the engine but what about the existing cars with the issue?
Air Bags · reported Jun 7, 2017
Takata recall. The contact owns a 2012 bmw 5-series. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 17v020000 (Air bags) and 17v138000 (Power train). The part for the recall repair was unavailable. The contact spoke with the dealer, bmw of columbus, georgia, and was informed that parts were ordered for NHTSA campaign number: 17v020000 (Air bags); however, VIN tool confirms remedy not yet available for the recall. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had…
Visibility/Wiper · at 47,000 miles · reported Aug 5, 2014
My windshield wipers move on their own, they turn on and off as they please. Brought the car in twice so far and bmw service cannot find the problem.
Visibility/Wiper · at 27,000 miles · reported Jun 20, 2014
My car was parked during a hail storm. During the storm, the back windshield shattered into a thousand pieces. Thank god no one was in the vehicle at the time of the hail storm! It was my understanding that these windshields are made of safety glass, that is designed to absorb any impact, crack, and stay in 1 piece. However, quite the opposite happened (I have pictures), where the entire back glass basically exploded and glass pieces went flying everywhere. There were even pieces of glass on the front floor board and dashboard. This must be a defect and could have been a potential life…
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2012 BMW 5 Series have any recalls?
No. NHTSA has no safety recalls for the 2012 BMW 5 Series as of this update. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the latest status.
What is the most common problem with the 2012 BMW 5 Series?
Owners report power train problems most often (3 reports), followed by engine (3). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 40,000 miles.
Are BMW recall repairs free?
Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized BMW dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.