2012 BMW 5 Series: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2012 BMW 5 Series: 0 recalls, 10 owner complaints and up to 27 mpg combined.
Recalls
No recalls on file for this model year. Still worth a VIN check.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 0 mention a fire, 0 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Transmission & drivetrain (3): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Engine (3): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Tires (2): the most common themes are tire tread / blowout (2).
- Visibility/Wiper (2): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
The 2012 BMW 5 Series has 10 owner complaints, ranking #8 of 18 5 Series model years for complaints (well below the 24 average). Complaints peaked in 2013 (2 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 3 years old, at a median of 40,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2011 (81 complaints, 4 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0 L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic 8-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 23 | 34 | 27 | Premium |
| 2.0 L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic 8-spd | All-Wheel Drive | 22 | 32 | 26 | Premium |
| 3.0 L 6-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 21 | 30 | 24 | Premium |
| 3.0 L 6-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 20 | 30 | 23 | Premium |
| 3.0 L 6-cyl turbo | Manual 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 20 | 29 | 23 | Premium |
| 3.0 L 6-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 19 | 28 | 22 | Premium |
| 3.0 L 6-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 18 | 27 | 21 | Premium |
| 4.4 L 8-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 | 23 | 18 | Premium |
| 4.4 L 8-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 | 22 | 18 | Premium |
| 4.4 L 8-cyl turbo | Manual 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 | 22 | 17 | Premium |
| 4.4 L 8-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 15 | 20 | 17 | Premium |
| 4.4 L 8-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 15 | 19 | 17 | Premium |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2012 BMW 5 Series.
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FAQ
Does the 2012 BMW 5 Series have any recalls?
NHTSA doesn't list any vehicle recalls for the 2012 BMW 5 Series. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to be sure.
What are the most common 2012 BMW 5 Series problems?
Owners have filed 10 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are transmission & drivetrain (3), engine (3), tires (2).
What gas mileage does the 2012 BMW 5 Series get?
EPA ratings run up to 27 mpg combined (2.0 L, Automatic 8-spd), across 12 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2012 BMW 5 Series repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.