2012 BMW X5 Transmission & Power Train Problems
NHTSA component category: POWER TRAIN · data through 07/14/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
How power train ranks on this vehicle
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
“FRONT DRIVE TRAIN RECALL. HAVE CALLED BMW MULTIPLE TIMES TO ARRANGE REPAIR. EVENTUALLY GOT AN APPOINTMENT BUT WE'RE THEN TOLD NO PART AVAILABLE. NO CLEAR…”NHTSA complaint 11013490 — filed 08/07/2017
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BMW X5. THE CONTACT FELT A MODERATE, ABNORMAL VIBRATION FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION…”NHTSA complaint 11013355 — filed 08/07/2017
“TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN…”NHTSA complaint 11010766 — filed 07/26/2017
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Power Train complaints by year filed
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2012 BMW X5 have transmission & power train problems?
Power Train is the #3 most-reported problem area on the 2012 BMW X5: 51 of 271 complaints on file (18.8%). 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 power train category include?
NHTSA groups complaints about the transmission (automatic or manual), driveline, axles, transfer case and related parts under a single component category called POWER TRAIN. This page reports that category as NHTSA defines it.
