BMW 5 Series

Name: 2012 BMW 5 Series
Brand: BMW

EPA MPG: 23 mpg

Owner Reported MPG:

EPA MPG: 23 mpg

Owner Reported MPG:

RECALL ALERT: There are 5 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

There are 5 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

RECALL ALERT: There are 5 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

There are 5 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

Reliability

Overall Reliability

We expect the 2025 5 Series to have about average reliability when compared to other new cars. This prediction is based on the BMW brand score and the previous generation of the 5 Series.

The 2012 BMW 5 Series has been recalled 5 times by NHTSA. View Recalls

2012 Sedans & Hatchbacks Reliability

This Car

100

0 - 100

BMW 5 Series

vs. Similar Cars

Acura TL

Buick LaCrosse

Lexus ES

Lincoln MKZ

Mercedes-Benz E-C...

Mercedes-Benz E-Class

BMW vs. Other New Car Brands Reliability

See How Other Brands Stack up

04*

11*

17*

24*

Overall Reliability Verdict

POTENTIAL TROUBLE SPOTS

Powertrain

Engine Major

Engine Minor

Engine Cooling

Engine Electrical

Transmission Major

Transmission Minor

Drive System

Fuel System/Emissions

Exhaust

Suspension/Steering

Brakes

Climate System

Build Quality

Electrical Accessories

Body Hardware

Paint/Trim

Noises/Leaks

In-car Electronics

Overall Reliability Verdict

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004*

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011*

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017*

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024*

Potential Trouble Spots

Powertrain

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004*

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011*

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017*

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024*

Engine Major

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004*

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011*

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017*

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024*

Engine Minor

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004*

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011*

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017*

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024*

Engine Cooling

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004*

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011*

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017*

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024*

Engine Electrical

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004*

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011*

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017*

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024*

Transmission Major

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004*

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011*

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017*

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024*

Transmission Minor

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004*

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011*

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017*

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024*

Drive System

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004*

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011*

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017*

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024*

Fuel System/Emissions

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004*

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011*

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017*

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024*

Exhaust

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004*

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011*

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017*

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024*

Show all Powertrain Trouble Spots

Suspension/Steering

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004*

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011*

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017*

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024*

Brakes

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004*

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011*

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017*

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024*

Climate System

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004*

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011*

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017*

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024*

Build Quality

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004*

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011*

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017*

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024*

Electrical Accessories

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004*

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011*

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017*

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024*

Body Hardware

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004*

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011*

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017*

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024*

Paint/Trim

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004*

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011*

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017*

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024*

Noises/Leaks

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004*

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011*

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017*

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024*

Show all Build Quality Trouble Spots

In-car Electronics

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004*

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011*

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017*

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024*

Reliability indicates how models have performed in the past, providing the basis for predicting how the vehicles will hold up in the year ahead. These charts provide the most comprehensive reliability information available to consumers. Based on information received from our latest subscriber survey for over 300,000 vehicles, our reliability history charts give you a rundown on how 2000 through 2024 vehicles are holding up in 20 potential trouble spots, ranging from the engine, transmission, electric motor, EV charging, and brakes to power equipment and the electrical accessories. NA indicates that we did not receive a large enough sample size to provide data for a specific year. An X indicates that the vehicle was not manufactured for a specific year.

Learn more about car Reliability.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Aug 13, 2024

An electrical short increases the risk of a fire.

Read Recall Details

Summary:

BMW of North America, LLC. (BMW) is recalling certain 2012-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i, 2012-2016 Z4 sDrive28i, 528i, 528i xDrive, 328i, 328xi, 2016-2018 X5 xdrive 40e, 2014-2016 228i, 228xi, 428i, 428i xDrive, 328xi Gran Turismo, 2013-2017 X3 sDrive28i, X3 xDrive28i, 2015-2018 X4 xDrive28i, 2015-2016 428xi vehicles. An improperly sealed electrical connector on the water pump may be exposed to water and short circuit.

What should you do:

Dealers will inspect and replace the water pump and plug connector as necessary, and install a protective shield, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 28, 2025. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

For more information:

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 24V608000

Potential Number of Units Affected: 720796

Hide Recall Details

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Apr 18, 2018

If the circuit board were to overheat, it can increase the risk of a fire.

Read Recall Details

Summary:

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2011-2012 BMW 550i, 550i xDrive, 550i Gran Turismo, 550i Gran Turismo xDrive, 750i, 750Li, 750i xDrive, 750Li xDrive, 760Li, X5 xDrive50i, X5 M, X6 xDrive50i, X6 M, ActiveHybrid7, MINI Cooper S Convertible, John Cooper Works (JCW) Convertible, Cooper S Countryman, Cooper S Countryman ALL4, Cooper S, JCW, Cooper S Clubman, JCW Clubman, Cooper S Roadster, JCW Roadster, Cooper S Coupe, JCW Coupe and Rolls-Royce Ghost, 2011 BMW X6 Hybrid and 2012 BMW 650i Coupe, 650i xDrive Coupe, 650i Convertible and 650i xDrive Convertible vehicles. The electric auxiliary water pump may fail and cause the circuit board to overheat.

What should you do:

BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the electric auxiliary water pump, free of charge. Depending on the model, there are currently limited parts available, however not all parts are available at this time. Owners will be notified of the recall beginning June 11, 2018, and will receive a second notification when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact BMW customer service at BMW 1-800-525-7417, MINI at 1-866-825-1525, or Rolls-Royce at 1-877-877-3735. Note: BMW recommends that owners park their vehicle outdoors until the recall remedy has been performed.

For more information:

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 18V248000

Potential Number of Units Affected: 47806

Hide Recall Details

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

Oct 17, 2016

The loose wires may cause the connector to melt, resulting in a fuel leak. Additionally, the fuel pump may stop working, possibly causing an engine stall and increase the risk of a crash.

Read Recall Details

Summary:

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 BMW X5 3.0si, X5 4.8i, X5 M, X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive48i and X5 xDrive50i, 2008-2011 X6 x Drive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6 M, 2010-2011 X6 ActiveHybrid, 535i xDrive Gran Turismo, 535i Gran Turismo, 550i xDrive Gran Turismo and 550i Gran Turismo, 2011-2012 528i, 535i, 535i xDrive, 550i and 550i xDrive and 2012 535i ActiveHybrid, 640i Convertible, 650i Convertible, 650i xDrive Convertible, 650i Coupe and 650i Coupe xDrive vehicles. The affected vehicles have in-tank fuel pumps that may have insufficiently crimped wire contacts.

What should you do:

BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. The recall began February 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

For more information:

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 16V746000

Potential Number of Units Affected: 136188

Hide Recall Details

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

Oct 07, 2014

A failure of the brake vacuum pump results in a reduction in braking power that could increase the risk of a crash.

Read Recall Details

Summary:

BMW of North America LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2014 BMW 328i xDrive Sports Wagon, 2012-2014 BMW 320i Sedan, 328i Sedan, 320i xDrive Sedan, 328i xDrive Sedan, 2012-2013 BMW 528i Sedan, 528i xDrive Sedan, 2013-2014 BMW X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i Sports Activity Vehicle, 2013-2014 BMW X3 xDrive28i Sports Activity Vehicle, 2012-2014 BMW Z4 sDrive28i Roadster, and 2014 BMW 428i Coupe, and 428i xDrive Coupe. Due to insufficient lubrication, the vacuum pump that supplies brake power assistance may fail. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 13V-454.

What should you do:

BMW will notify owners, and dealers will install a locking ring in the camshaft to retain the camshaft seal disk in the proper location, free of charge. The recall began on December 2, 2014. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

For more information:

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 14V627000

Potential Number of Units Affected: 8988

Hide Recall Details

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

Sep 26, 2013

A failure of the brake vacuum pump results in a reduction in braking power that could increase the risk of a crash.

Read Recall Details

Summary:

BMW of North America LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 320i, 328i, 320i xDrive, and 328i xDrive sedans; model year 2014 328i xDrive Sports Wagons; model year 2012-2013 528i and 528i xDrive sedans, model year 2013-2014 X1 sDrive28i and X1 xDrive28i vehicles and model year 2012-2014 Z4 sDrive28i roadsters. Due to insufficient lubrication, the vacuum pump that supplies brake power assistance may fail.

What should you do:

BMW will notify owners, and dealers will modify the vehicles to prevent insufficient vacuum pump lubrication, free of charge. The safety recall began on January 31, 2014. Owners may contact BMW customer relations at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.

For more information:

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 13V454000

Potential Number of Units Affected: 76191

Hide Recall Details

Check Vehicle for Unrepaired Recalls

Enter a valid 17-character VIN

Change Vehicle