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CarMonitor

Transport Canada + NRCan

2012 BMW X 5

Everything Canada’s open data holds on this vehicle: what has been recalled, what it costs to run, and how efficient it is compared with everything else on the road.

Recalls

14

12 current

Combined

12.7L/100 km

Fuel, a year

$3,937

20,000 km, Ontario prices

Recalls

Good news: Recall repairs cost you nothing. Book with any manufacturer dealer and quote the recall number — no time limit, however many owners the vehicle has had.

Engine

Transport Canada recall 2023568 · manufacturer campaign 11 83 23RC

20 October 2023

Transport Canada lists: 1 2010–2012 · 3 2010–2011 · 5 2010–2011 · X 3 2010–2011 · and 3 more

What is wrong

On certain vehicles, the variable camshaft timing (VANOS) adjustment unit housing bolts could loosen or break. As a result, the camshaft could become incorrectly adjusted and cause the engine to enter a reduced power mode (limp mode) or to stall while driving.

Why it matters

A sudden loss of engine power could increase the risk of a crash.

What the dealer will do

BMW will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to replace the VANOS bolts.

21,475 vehicles affected in CanadaCarSafety Mfr

Airbag

Transport Canada recall 2020010 · manufacturer campaign 72 81 20RC

15 January 2020

Transport Canada lists: X 5 2007–2012 · X 6 2011

What is wrong

This recall is for certain vehicles that had an airbag inflator replaced as a part of an earlier recall campaign. This recall provides a final repair. Long-term exposure to high absolute humidity and temperature, combined with high temperature cycling, may eventually degrade the propellant contained in the passenger-front airbag. This could cause the airbag to deploy with more force than normal. If the airbag inflator ruptures, fragments could be propelled toward vehicle occupants or cause damage to the airbag assembly, preventing its proper function.

Why it matters

If the vehicle is involved in a crash requiring an airbag deployment, the airbag inflator could rupture and create a risk of injury.

What the dealer will do

Owners will be notified by mail and instructed to take their vehicle to a dealer to inspect the passenger-front airbag module. The passenger-front airbag module will be replaced as necessary. Note: The Canadian climate results in the propellant degrading slowly. This recall is being conducted as a precaution to address future risk. It is expected that all airbag inflators will be replaced before their function would be affected.

11 vehicles affected in CanadaSUVSafety Mfr

Airbag

Transport Canada recall 2020008 · manufacturer campaign 32 80 20RC / 32 81 20RC

15 January 2020

Transport Canada lists: 1 2012–2013 · 3 2008–2011, 2013 · X 1 2013–2014 · X 3 2008–2010 · and 2 more

What is wrong

This recall is for certain vehicles that had an airbag inflator replaced as a part of an earlier recall campaign. This recall provides a final repair. Long-term exposure to high absolute humidity and temperature, combined with high temperature cycling, may eventually degrade the propellant contained in the driver-front airbag. This could cause the airbag to deploy with more force than normal. If the airbag inflator ruptures, fragments could be propelled toward vehicle occupants or cause damage to the airbag assembly, preventing its proper function.

Why it matters

If the vehicle is involved in a crash requiring an airbag deployment, the airbag inflator could rupture and create a risk of injury.

What the dealer will do

Owners will be notified by mail and instructed to take their vehicle to a dealer to inspect the driver-front airbag inflator. The driver-front airbag module or inflator will be replaced as necessary. Note: The Canadian climate results in the propellant degrading slowly. This recall is being conducted as a precaution to address future risk. It is expected that all airbag inflators will be replaced before their function would be affected.

47 vehicles affected in CanadaCarSafety Mfr

Airbag

Transport Canada recall 2019018 · manufacturer campaign 72 80 19RC

15 January 2019

Transport Canada lists: X 5 2007–2013 · X 6 2008–2014

What is wrong

On certain vehicles, long-term exposure to high absolute humidity and temperature, combined with high temperature cycling, may eventually degrade the propellant contained in the passenger-front airbag. This could cause the airbag to deploy with more force than normal. If the airbag inflator ruptures, fragments could be propelled toward vehicle occupants or cause damage to the airbag assembly, preventing its proper function.

Why it matters

If the vehicle is involved in a crash requiring an airbag deployment, the airbag inflator could rupture and create a risk of injury.

What the dealer will do

Owners will be notified by mail and instructed to take their vehicle to a dealer to have the passenger-front airbag module replaced. Note: The Canadian climate results in the propellant degrading slowly. This recall is being conducted as a precaution to address future risk. It is expected that all airbag inflators will be replaced before their function would be affected.

20,532 vehicles affected in CanadaSUVSafety Mfr

Steering

Transport Canada recall 2018275

23 May 2018

Transport Canada lists: X 5 2009–2013

What is wrong

On certain BMW X5 xDrive35d (diesel) vehicles, the engine belt idler pulley bolt could loosen and/or break. This may cause the belt to detach, resulting in a sudden loss of power steering assist. A vehicle experiencing a loss of power steering assist would revert to a manual steering mode which would require greater driver effort, especially at low vehicle speeds. This could ultimately result in a crash causing property damage and/or personal injury.

What the dealer will do

Dealers will replace the idler pulley bolt. Note: This recall supersedes and expands upon recall 2012-396.

7,179 vehicles affected in CanadaSUVSafety Mfr

Electrical

Transport Canada recall 2018195

19 April 2018

Transport Canada lists: 5 2010–2011 · 6 2012 · 7 2009–2012 · X 5 2010–2012 · and 4 more

What is wrong

On certain vehicles, the auxiliary water pump (which cools the turbocharger after the engine is turned OFF) can overheat and fail. This could result in a vehicle fire causing injury and/or damage to property.

What the dealer will do

Dealers will replace the auxiliary water pump. Note: Owners are advised to park the vehicle outdoors until the remedy is applied. Additional note: This is an expansion of recalls 2011-376 and 2012-008.

3,739 vehicles affected in CanadaSUVSafety Mfr

Powertrain

Transport Canada recall 2017113

3 March 2017

Transport Canada lists: X 5 2011–2013 · X 6 2011–2014

What is wrong

Certain vehicles may have been manufactured with defective front driveshaft universal joint seals, which could allow water and/or dirt to enter the universal joint, causing accelerated wear and/or corrosion, and resulting in vibration. If the vehicle continues to be operated in this state, the universal joint could eventually break, potentially damaging surrounding components and rendering the vehicle inoperative. This could increase the risk of a crash causing injury and/or damage to property.

What the dealer will do

Dealers will replace the front drive shaft. Note: This is an expansion of recall 2016-226.

12,100 vehicles affected in CanadaSUVSafety Mfr

Airbag

Transport Canada recall 2016142 · manufacturer campaign 72 80 16RC

31 March 2016

Transport Canada lists: 1 2008–2013 · 3 2006–2013 · X 1 2012–2015 · X 3 2007–2010 · and 2 more

What is wrong

On certain vehicles, the driver frontal airbag inflator could produce excessive internal pressure during airbag deployment. Increased pressure may cause the inflator to rupture, which could allow fragments to be propelled toward vehicle occupants, increasing the risk of injury. This could also damage the airbag module, which could prevent proper deployment. Failure of the airbag to fully deploy during a crash (where deployment is warranted) could increase the risk of personal injury to the seat occupant.

What the dealer will do

Dealers will replace the front driver air bag inflator or air bag module, depending on the vehicle model.

104,151 vehicles affected in CanadaCarRecalls Audit

Engine

Transport Canada recall 2014127

10 April 2014

Transport Canada lists: 1 2010–2012 · 3 2010–2012 · 5 2010–2012 · X 3 2010–2012 · and 3 more

What is wrong

On certain vehicles, housing bolts for the variable camshaft timing system could break, allowing camshaft timing to deviate. If this occurs, the engine would revert to "limp home mode", limiting available engine power. This could increase the risk of a collision causing injury and/or damage to property.

What the dealer will do

Dealers will replace affected bolts.

20,022 vehicles affected in CanadaCarSafety Mfr

Steering

Transport Canada recall 2012396

26 November 2012

Transport Canada lists: X 5 2009–2012

What is wrong

On certain BMW X5 xDrive35d (diesel) vehicles, the engine belt idler pulley bolt could loosen and/or break. As such, the belt may become detached, resulting in a sudden loss of steering power assist. A vehicle experiencing a loss of steering power assist would revert to a manual steering mode which would require greater driver effort, especially at low vehicle speeds. This could ultimately result in a crash causing property damage and/or personal injury.

What the dealer will do

Dealers will replace the idler pulley bolt and tighten with a revised torque procedure. A thread locking compound will be applied to the replacement bolt.

5,542 vehicles affected in CanadaSUVSafety TC

Steering

Transport Canada recall 2012178

12 June 2012

Transport Canada lists: X 5 2012–2013 · X 6 2013

What is wrong

On certain vehicles, the steering gear was manufactured incorrectly and, as a result, a steering fluid leak could develop. Loss of power steering fluid could cause a loss of steering power assist, which may result in a crash. Also, power steering fluid leakage may contact a hot engine or exhaust component, which could cause a fire. These issues could result in property damage and/or personal injury.

What the dealer will do

Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the steering gear assembly.

184 vehicles affected in CanadaSUVSafety Mfr

Electrical

Transport Canada recall 2011376

21 October 2011

Transport Canada lists: 5 2010–2011 · 6 2012 · 7 2009–2012 · X 5 2010–2012 · and 2 more

What is wrong

On certain vehicles, the auxiliary water pump (which cools the turbocharger after the engine is turned OFF) can overheat and fail. This could result in a vehicle fire causing property damage and/or personal injury.

What the dealer will do

Dealers will replace the auxiliary water pump. Note: Owners are advised to park the vehicle outdoors until the remedy is applied.

3,143 vehicles affected in CanadaSUVSafety Mfr

Efficiency and running cost

Class
Sport utility vehicle
In its class
More efficient than 41% of 239 2012 vehicles in this class
Tailpipe CO₂
292 g/km

Set your own distance and pump price · Full efficiency ranking

Watch this vehicle

Recall letters go to whoever owns the car on paper, which may not be you. Save your 2012 BMW X 5 and we will email you the day Transport Canada issues a new recall for it.

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Common questions

Does the 2012 BMW X 5 have any recalls?
Transport Canada has 14 recalls on record for the 2012 BMW X 5. Recall repairs are free at any manufacturer dealer.
What fuel economy does the 2012 BMW X 5 get?
NRCan rates the 2012 BMW X 5 at 12.7 L/100 km combined, emitting 292 g of CO2 per kilometre. There are 4 rated versions; this is the median.
What does it cost to run a 2012 BMW X 5 for a year?
At 20,000 km a year and Ontario average prices, about $3,937 in fuel, producing roughly 5,867 kg of CO2. Your own distance and prices will change this — the calculator lets you set both.

Source: Transport Canada — Vehicle Recalls Database; NRCan — Fuel consumption ratings. Data current as of 30 July 2026. Running cost uses Ontario average prices (155 ¢/L, 14.5 ¢/kWh), which are hand-maintained estimates. 30,784 rated vehicles on file.