Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2012 BMW X5 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Repair shop repaired the pulley because i couldn't steer the vehicle correctly. It would jerk me on the road. Vehicle is available for inspection but is already repaired by local shop. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? I could drive but couldn't steer intermittently. Scary!! i couldn't make a full turns and there was a rough spot in the steering sometimes. Eventually it locked up an couldn't leave parking spot. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes. But i already got it repaired. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? Not that i know of. …
The contact owns a 2012 BMW X5. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, she heard a loud thumping sound underneath the vehicle. The contact then stated that the vehicle hesitated then decelerated at low speeds while the accelerator pedal was depressed. The contact stated that his wife was able to navigate the vehicle safely to the residence. The contact was unsure if any warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the front driveshaft failed and as a result the power steering hoses had ruptured and the front driveshaft and the power steering hoses needed to be replaced. The power steering hoses were replaced however, the front driveshaft had not yet been replaced. The contact referenced the NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V138000 (Power Train). …
Two nights ago I was at Domino's Pizza. I put my car in reverse and the car died and the steering wheel locked up like the power steering was giving out I was able to start the car again, but still with no power steering assist and drove the car home about a mile away, but every time I slowed down or came to a stop sign or a stoplight, the car would die, and the battery light would flash on the dash and it would say charging malfunction once I got home we took a look at the engine and noticed that none of the belts were working at all and then I started to google what could possibly be the problem and a couple of different recalls came up recall number 12V550000 and that is engine and engine cooling engine diesel what the name of it is and the recall date is 1127 2012 and then the next one is 2012 BMW X5 diesel SUVs from the model year 2012 923 BMW X fives have been recalled because …
Tried to complete a 3-point turn into a parking space when placing vehicle from reverse into drive, the vehicle unassisted it acceleration and would not brake nor steer; thus causing myself to crash head on into a concrete barrier.
On July 31st 2017, the bolt securing idler pulley and alternator sheared. Battery charge malfunction light came on followed by loss of power steering. Looking at my service record, I see that this same bolt was subject to a recall in January 2013 when car was at 12332 miles. The car is now at 63456. Also noted on BMW owners web site that many other owners of this e70 series design have had the same repeat problem. BMW dealer in ct performed the latest repair and offered no explanation, except that their work is guaranteed for 2 years. Original recall performed by dealer in raleigh nc where car was purchased new has advised me to post this report and call bmwna. I am waiting to hear back from them, but first discussion was not good. They claimed that they did not have a record of this as a continuing problem and would not be able to give me any assurances that it would not happen again. …
While out of town, vehicle in motion on road, hear a clunk in the engine bay and many warning lights go off. Go to pull over and steering is very difficult to operate. Manage to pull out of traffic safely. The reduced mobility of vehicle due to loss of power steering could have easily caused a life threatening situation. Call tow truck. Garage states loss of power steering is due to loss of serpentine belt due to broken idler pulley bolt, even though a recall for this part exists and has been performed. Recall 12v5500000 engine idler pulley May break, was performed in 2013. This same recall should apply but BMW service states they will not service again as it has already been completed. Parts are on back order, takes over a week for bolt to arrive. …
In 2012 a recall was issued for this car and the work was performed at the dealer. On 12/16/2016 the steering failed wile the car was in operation. It was returned to the dealership for repair on the same part as before. My investigation showed there were more than one steering failure in that time period concerning the same model, engine and everything but a 2011 model. I paid out of pocket to have the repairs completed because I need transportation, however BMW is claiming that once the work is completed and after time of warranty they are no longer responsible. I feel this is a serious safety concern and BMW will bill customers for the work even if they are replacing the equipment with faulty parts. I was fortunate that I wasn't driving fast and the weather was nice or I could have had a serious accident with no steering..
My wife was driving my vehicle to get car wash. All of a sudden she lost power steering and the car battery warning came on. The idler pulley bolt snapped. Luckily my wife did not crash. She was driving 60mph and lost power steering. She is pregnant and had 2 kids in car. Now I've replaced this bolt again. I put purchased a new idler pulley bolt with loc tite. I replaced it and met every specification that NHTSA required. Basically it only require more torque and loc tite. This time it snapped in my drive way thank goodness. This is a serious traffic safety situation, I've read multiple forums where people have had work done at dealership and the bolt is snapping 3 days later. Obviously BMW did not fix the problem.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 BMW X5. The contact stated that the steering wheel bolt fractured and the steering wheel had to be turned with force. The contact drove home and discovered that the steering wheel bolt was fractured. The vehicle was towed to BMW of west houston (20822 katy freeway, katy, tx 77449, phone [phone]) where it was diagnosed that the steering wheel engine pulley bolt failed. The manufacturer stated that NHTSA campaign number: 12V550000 (steering, engine and engine cooling) was performed on the vehicle, but did not correct the failure and the steering wheel engine pulley bolt fractured. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 114,000.
The idler pulley bolt broke for the third time. The car has approx 60 k miles, and the last replacement was done in May 2018, approx 15 k miles ago. Vehicle was moving and it lost the steering (steering hydraulics stopped working, making it very difficult to steer), battery indicator came on and the engine cooling fan set on high speed. The incident happened while driving, approx half the mile from the house. Was able to slowly pulled it in front of the house. Notified the dealer and waiting for them to come and pick it up, the car is not driveable. This incident, with the idler pulley bolt is the third time after their initial recall. BMW does not have a remedy for this.
Related recalls
Steering
BMW is recalling certain model year 2012 x5 vehicles equipped with a diesel engine and 2013 x5 and x6 vehicles. Due to a machining error of the steering gear surface, power steering fluid May leak.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect, and if necessary, replace the steering gear free of charge. The safety recall began on July 20, 2012.
NHTSA investigations
Idler Pulley Bolt Failure
In a May 23, 2018 letter, BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) notified the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) of a safety defect that may result in the loss of power steering assist in certain model year (MY) 2009 through 2013 BMW X5 xDrive35d vehicles (Recall 18V-336).
Steering complaints in other X5 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2012 BMW X5?
NHTSA has 23 complaints about the steering of the 2012 BMW X5, 8% of the model year's 292 complaints. The component named most often is hydraulic power assist › hose, piping, and connections (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2012 BMW X5 steering problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 12V-267 (steering, Jun 13, 2012). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2012 BMW X5 steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 63,000 miles, and 12% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 1 fire and 1 injury to steering problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.