2012 BMW 535I

The defect

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 Gran Turismo, 2011-2012 528i, 535i, 535i xDrive, 550i and 550i xDrive and 2012 535i ActiveHybrid, 640i Convertible, 650i Convertible, 650i xDrive Convertible, 650i Coupe and 650i Coupe xDrive vehicles. The affected vehicles have in-tank fuel pumps that may have insufficiently crimped wire contacts.

The risk

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.

The 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.

BMW of North America, LLC · up to 136,188 vehicles across all model years covered

Closed defect petition · opened January 27, 2023 · closed August 7, 2023 · led to recall 22V063000

the electrical system

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 pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after March 1, 2021.On January 27, 2023, NHTSA opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matter described in the petition. On June 24, 2023 and as supplemented on June 25, 2023, the petitioner notified NHTSA he was withdrawing his petition. The petitioner indicated that, based on his review of data, there is no justification for asserting potential benefits that could be derived from actions sought by my petition. Based on the petitioner's withdrawal, DP22-005 is closed. Closure of this DP does not represent a determination by NHTSA regarding the subject matter of the petition.

towed · 110,000 miles

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BMW 535I. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE FUEL MALFUNCTION WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER AND HAD IT TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. AN APPOINTMENT WAS SCHEDULED WITH THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

NHTSA complaint 11185052. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

towed

WHILE WAITING BEHIND ANOTHER VEHICLE TO MAKE A LEFT HAND TURN MY VEHICLE STALLED AND WOULD NOT RESTART. HOWEVER, WHENEVER I OPENED THE DOOR IT WOULD START AND STOP WHEN THE DOOR WAS CLOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO SLOANE BMW OF DEVON, PA. SLOANE SAID THE PROBLEM WAS THE FUEL PUMP AND FUEL PUMP MODULE WHICH THEY REPLACED FOR WHICH I WAS CHARGED $1585.62. HOWEVER, THIS WAS NOT THE END. ON 3/28/19 WHILE PASSING ANOTHER VEHICLE ON A 4 LANE HIGHWAY THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE VEHICLE STARTED SHAKING AND DECELERATING. OTHER DRIVERS BEHIND ME COULDN'T UNDERSTAND WHAT WAS HAPPENING AND MADE SOME DANGEROUS MOVES. FORTUNATELY A DRIVER IN THE RIGHT LANE ALLOWED ME TO GET THE VEHICLE TO THE …

NHTSA complaint 11222495, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

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," detailed in Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) B110614, to address the concerns reported by multiple owners and noted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) under ID Number 11016414. A primary cause of the issue is accelerated timing chain wear. The N63 engine's design features timing chains that are prone to stretching prematurely. This stretching can disrupt the precise timing of …

NHTSA complaint 11696232, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

UNKNOWN passenger restraint system malfunction message started coming.

NHTSA complaint 11637534. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

127,000 miles

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, and it was determined that the water pump needed to be replaced. The mechanic advised the contact that there was an active recall, NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 127,000.

NHTSA complaint 11621488. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

towed · 119,000 miles

The contact owns a 2012 BMW 535I. The contact stated while driving approximately 50–55 MPH, the engine overheated and the vehicle shutoff. The engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was restarted. The contact continued to drive to her residence. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V746000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who determined that the failure was due to the fuel pump and the water pump. The water pump and fuel pump were replaced. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 119,000. …

NHTSA complaint 11609875, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

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 will cause immediate engine failure and could result in catastrophic crash, especially if driving at high speeds. I have contacted BMW of North America and they will not extend the recall until formal complaints, such as this, are received. My Issue with the Vanos Camshaft Bolts is currently being repaired (out of pocket) and I will share my invoice once received.

NHTSA complaint 11568781. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.