KnownCarProblems2012 BMW 535i Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 54 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 BMW 535i, most often about the fuel system (28% of complaints, typically around 93,500 miles). It is 5th of 9 535i model years by number of complaints and has 1 recall.
Most common 2012 BMW 535i problems
Fuel system
15 complaints · 28%Half of these problems showed up before 93,500 miles.
The contact owns a 2012 BMW 535i. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact waited approximately 5-10 minutes before restarting the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure persisted soon after the initial failure. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a dealer…
The contact owns a 2012 BMW 535i. The contact stated that while driving at 20 MPH, the vehicle stalled as the drivetrain malfunction warning message flashed on the instrument panel. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start up after multiple attempts. The contact had a friend replace the battery; however…
Engine
14 complaints · 26%Half of these problems showed up before 112,000 miles. Parts named most often: exhaust system.
Vehicle has issues in line with the recall that has been extended for some VIN numbers under recall number #16v746000. Vehicle has experienced shaking under acceleration, sputtering, flashing check engine light and, multiple trips to the dealership. The vehicle has had items noted under the recall fixed at the expense…
While driving at 40mph, my vehicle shifted into neutral by itself and almost caused a major accident. This happened 3 times yesterday and now I'm afraid to drive it.
Transmission
10 complaints · 19%Half of these problems showed up before 80,000 miles.
The contact owns a 2012 BMW 535i. The contact stated that the power train warning message was displayed. The vehicle was diagnosed but not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.
The contact owns a 2012 BMW 535i. The contact stated that while driving at 20 MPH, the vehicle stalled as the drivetrain malfunction warning message flashed on the instrument panel. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start up after multiple attempts. The contact had a friend replace the battery; however…
Electrical
9 complaints · 17%Half of these problems showed up before 33,500 miles.
The car has been in and out of the shop for various problems from the moment we bought it. The car started making whistling sounds and engine lights would come on and has been seen by BMW rts already 4 times. But most recently my husband was waiting at the light to make a left turn when his steering wheel all of a…
Driver's door lock actuator failure at 33000 miles. Unable to unlock and open door by inside handle. Therefore, may not be able to get out of vehicle in an emergency if door will not unlock. This is a known problem with BMW but has not been a recall, which I highly recommend as a safety problem.
Air bags
6 complaints · 11%Parts named most often: sensor.
I had to replace the airbag clock spring in my car because of a clicking sound when the steering wheel was turning any direction, sound heard when vehicle was in drive or park. I had about 43,000 miles on the vehicle when the noise started. I had called BMW to see if there was any warranty on this item being it is…
The seat mat sensor (airbag) has failed on my vehicle. The item is a known problem and has been recalled on several other years, however it has not been recalled on the 2012 yet. I have contacted BMW and they refused to acknowledge the existing problem. They want me to pay $1200 to fix the item they know has failed on…
Steering
4 complaints · 7%The car has been in and out of the shop for various problems from the moment we bought it. The car started making whistling sounds and engine lights would come on and has been seen by BMW rts already 4 times. But most recently my husband was waiting at the light to make a left turn when his steering wheel all of a…
I had to replace the airbag clock spring in my car because of a clicking sound when the steering wheel was turning any direction, sound heard when vehicle was in drive or park. I had about 43,000 miles on the vehicle when the noise started. I had called BMW to see if there was any warranty on this item being it is…
Wheels and tires
4 complaints · 7%I have purchase 5 dunlop run flat tires do to side wall damage. Sidewall damage caused me to purchase 3 275/35r19 96y BMW b dun sp sprt max dsst rf b & 2 245/40r19 94y BMW b dun sp sprt max dsst rf these tires are very costly they do not perform and could be defected.
5/20/14 i84- tire blow out with goodyear run flats 245/40/r19 98v on interstate after pothole. 10/28 i95 2 tires blow out...towed 40 miles to dealer and replaced with 2 new tires. Mileage 26,000 10/28 dealer...two other tires have bubbles in sidewall and need to be replaced, one of which was installed in may. BMW…
Lights
4 complaints · 7%The headlight get condensation inside which reduces intensity of head light. This condensation has now corrupted the adaptive headlight control module which made the turn signal not work. The design of the head light mounting makes for a very expensive repair and/or replacement by have to remove bumper just to get to…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2012 BMW 535i recalls
Fuel system: fuel pump
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect 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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Pedestrian alert sounds
Summary
Nhtsa received a petition on or about july 18, 2022, requesting that federal motor vehicle safety standard (fmvss) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the united states. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under odi number 11486072. Fmvss 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 kg or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after march 1, 2021.on january 27, 2023, NHTSA opened defect petition (dp) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matt
Questions about the 2012 BMW 535i
- What are the most common problems with the 2012 BMW 535i?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: fuel system (15 complaints, typically around 93,500 miles); engine (14 complaints, typically around 112,000 miles); transmission (10 complaints, typically around 80,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2012 BMW 535i have?
- 1 recall listed by NHTSA, the latest from October 17, 2016 (fuel system). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2012 a bad year for the BMW 535i?
- It is 5th of 9 535i model years by number of complaints, with 54 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.