2012 BMW X5 Engine Problems

NHTSA component category: ENGINE · data through 07/14/2026

92Engine complaints

33.9%Of all 271 complaints

#1Most-reported category

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

How engine ranks on this vehicle

ENGINE92 · 33.9%

AIR BAGS83 · 30.6%

POWER TRAIN51 · 18.8%

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM29 · 10.7%

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM24 · 8.9%

Share of the 271 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2012 BMW X5 overview page.

What owners report

“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BMW X5. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE AND THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, A…”NHTSA complaint 11005387 — filed 07/14/2017

“SCR CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILURE AND NOX SENSOR FAILURE IN DIESEL EXHAUST SYSTEM ON A 54,1XX MILE VEHICLE -- MUCH TOO EARLY FOR THESE SYSTEMS TO…”NHTSA complaint 10985993 — filed 05/16/2017

“THE EGR COOLER WAS DISCOVERED TO BE LEAKING HARMFUL EXHAUST UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THIS HARMFUL EXHAUST COULD EVENTUALLY BE BREATHED IN WHILE THE ENGINE IS…”NHTSA complaint 10925462 — filed 11/10/2016

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Engine complaints by year filed

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2012 BMW X5 have engine problems?

Engine is the most-reported problem area on the 2012 BMW X5: 92 of 271 complaints on file (33.9%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.

How many complaints does the 2012 BMW X5 have in total?

271 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Across all categories, 4 involved a crash, 10 involved a fire, 6 reported injuries, and none reported deaths.

What does NHTSA's engine category include?

NHTSA assigns each complaint to standard component categories; this page reports the ENGINE category exactly as NHTSA defines and records it.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/14/2026.