The 2012 BMW 535i has 1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting an estimated 136,188 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 86 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the fuel/propulsion system. Last updated July 5, 2026.
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…
Consequence
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.
Remedy
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.
Complaints by component
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
12
ENGINE
11
POWER TRAIN
10
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
9
1fires
AIR BAGS
5
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
4
STEERING
4
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION
3
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
3
SEAT BELTS
3
Total complaints86
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“Bmw n63 engine powertrain issues 2012 535i the n63 engine, utilized in various bmw models including the 2012 535i, has been subject to multiple customer complaints regarding premature timing chain wear and other powertrain-related issues. This led bmw to introduce a "customer care package,"…”
“Bmw n63 engine powertrain issues 2012 535i the n63 engine, utilized in various bmw models including the 2012 535i, has been subject to multiple customer complaints regarding premature timing chain wear and other powertrain-related issues. This led bmw to introduce a "customer care package,"…”
“Bmw n63 engine powertrain issues 2012 535i the n63 engine, utilized in various bmw models including the 2012 535i, has been subject to multiple customer complaints regarding premature timing chain wear and other powertrain-related issues. This led bmw to introduce a "customer care package,"…”
“The car was parked overnight. In the morning around dusk , it spontaneously caught fire.”
“Unknown passenger restraint system malfunction message started coming.”
“The contact owns a 2012 bmw 535i. The contact stated while driving at approximately 65 mph, the engine temperature and "pull over - stop vehicle" warning lights were illuminated. The contact pulled over and let the vehicle cool down and drove to an independent mechanic. The vehicle was diagnosed,…”
“The contact owns a 2012 bmw 535i. The contact stated while driving at approximately 65 mph, the engine temperature and "pull over - stop vehicle" warning lights were illuminated. The contact pulled over and let the vehicle cool down and drove to an independent mechanic. The vehicle was diagnosed,…”
“Confirmed by a certified bmw repair center. Failure of vanos camshaft gear bolts. Recall has been issued for all 5 series models (and beyond) up to 2011, but does not include 2012 (5 series,) as it should. The recall needs to be extended to include 2012 - 5 series models as failure of these bolts…”
Defect investigations
InvestigationDP22005 Opened 2023-01-27 · closed 2023-08-07
Pedestrian alert sounds
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…
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2012 BMW 535i as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.