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2012 BMW 650iProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 20 owner complaints about the 2012 BMW 650i, most often about the engine. It is covered by 2 safety recalls, and for recall 16V-746 the manufacturer reports only 52% of affected cars repaired.

2012 BMW 650i
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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls2Lowest repair rate 52%Owner complaints203 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage67kEngine, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through January 4, 2023. Updated daily. Photo: Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Complaints by system

Where the 2012 BMW 650i has problems

20 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Engine120
Seats32
Air bags20
Seat belts20
Wheels10
Electrical system11
Service brakes10
Service brakes, hydraulic10
Structure10
2 other systems20

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

2 recalls

2012 BMW 650i recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

66%repaired · 2019 Q3

Engine and engine cooling: engine

Recall 18V-248 · Apr 18, 2018 · 47,806 vehicles · 31,460 repaired

Risk. If the circuit board were to overheat, it can increase the risk of a fire.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

52%repaired · 2018 Q2

Delivery: fuel pump

Recall 16V-746 · Oct 17, 2016 · 136,188 vehicles · 70,374 repaired

Risk. The loose wires may cause the connector to melt, resulting in a fuel leak.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with BMW.

Best & worst years

2012 vs. every other 650i year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the 650i median. How we score

'06'07'08'09'10'12'13'14'15'17
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

2012 BMW 650i safety ratings

2012 BMW 650 I C RWD in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

  • Stability control: Standard
  • Forward collision warning: Optional
  • Lane departure warning: Optional
1 investigation

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2012 BMW 650i, and the recalls they led to.

  1. Desiccated Air Bag Inflator RuptureEA21002 · still open
    Open
In owners' words

What 650i owners report

Recent engine complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

While at complete stop engine shut off with no warning lights on dash board. BMW dealer related they do not know what is wrong with engine.
Complaint 11500126 · Jan 4, 2023
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BMW 650I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, AN ABNORMAL ODOR APPEARED INSIDE THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT NOTICED BLACK EXHAUST COMING FROM THE TAILPIPE. THE CONTACT THAT THAT THE OIL TUBE WAS REFILLED EVERY 80 TO 100 MILES. THE VEHICLE…
Complaint 11365320 · Oct 20, 2020 · 30,000 miles
AT APPROXIMATELY 120,000 MILES MY ENGINE OIL PUMP WENT OUT CAUSING MY CAR TO STALL WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY TRAVELING AT 70 MILES PER HOUR. THE BMW DEALERSHIP SAID TO ME THAT EVEN THOUGH MY CAR MEETS THE MILES SPECIFICATIONS THE ENGINE OIL HAS METAL PIECES IN IT THEREFORE THEY WILL NOT COVER A NEW…
Complaint 11324905 · May 17, 2020 · 120,000 miles

Own a 2012 650i?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.