2012 BMW 650i Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2012 BMW 650i has a complaint index of 89, ranking 2nd worst out of 10 model years covered, and is rated Avoid. NHTSA lists 20 complaints, 2 recalls, 2 fires, and 1 injury for this year, with engine problems making up 60% of complaints.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 89/100
- #2 of 10 650i years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 20
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 2
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 0
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 2
- Injuries
- 1
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 17
- 15 city / 22 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 1 / 0
Top 2012 BMW 650i problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine12 (60%)
- Structure & Body4 (20%)
- Airbags2 (10%)
- Brakes2 (10%)
- Fuel System2 (10%)
- Other2 (10%)
- Seat Belts2 (10%)
- Electrical System1 (5%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (5%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Engine loses power unexpectedly and enters a drivetrain failure mode that substantially reduces power output, sometimes recurring after repair attempts.
- Electric auxiliary water pump fails, triggering overheating and check engine light during acceleration.
- Front passenger seat heater or seat cooling system emits smoke and small fire from the seat.
- Brake pedal application causes violent vibration or judder at highway speed, linked to warped rotors and worn pads.
- Fuel pump fails and causes the vehicle to stall while driving at highway speed.
- Front passenger occupancy seat sensor develops cracks, causing a passenger restraint/airbag warning light to illuminate.
2012 BMW 650i recalls
2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 18V248000Apr 18, 2018Engine47,806 vehicles
Engine and engine cooling:engine
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2011-2012 BMW 550i, 550i xDrive, 550i Gran Turismo, 550i Gran Turismo xDrive, 750i, 750Li, 750i xDrive, 750Li xDrive, 760Li, X5 xDrive50i, X5 M, X6 xDrive50i, X6 M, ActiveHybrid7, MINI Cooper S Convertible, John Cooper Works (JCW) Convertible, Cooper S Countryman, Cooper S Countryman ALL4, Cooper S, JCW, Cooper S Clubman, JCW Clubman, Cooper S Roadster, JCW Roadster, Cooper S Coupe, JCW Coupe and Rolls-Royce Ghost, 2011 BMW X6 Hybrid and 2012 BMW 650i Coupe, 650i xDrive Coupe, 650i Convertible and 650i xDrive Convertible vehicles. The electric auxiliary water pump may fail and cause the circuit board to overheat.
Risk: If the circuit board were to overheat, it can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the electric auxiliary water pump, free of charge. Depending on the model, there are currently limited parts available, however not all parts are available at this time. Owners will be notified of the recall beginning June 11, 2018, and will receive a second notification when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact BMW customer service at BMW 1-800-525-7417, MINI at 1-866-825-1525, or Rolls-Royce at 1-877-877-3735. Note: BMW recommends that owners park their vehicle outdoors until the recall remedy has been performed.
- NHTSA 16V746000Oct 17, 2016Fuel System136,188 vehicles
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump
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.
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.
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.
2012 BMW 650i fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 15 MPG
- Highway
- 22 MPG
- Combined
- 17 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $4,700
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Premium
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2012 compared with other 650i years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2012 BMW 650i reliable?
- NHTSA data shows the 2012 650i has a complaint index of 89, the second-highest (worst) among the 10 model years with data, and it carries an Avoid verdict relative to other 650i years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2012 BMW 650i?
- Engine issues account for 60% of complaints (12 of 20), with a median failure mileage of 67,000 miles. Structure & body, airbags, brakes, fuel system, and seat belts each account for smaller shares.
- Does the 2012 BMW 650i have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 2 recalls: one for the engine's electric auxiliary water pump and one for the fuel pump module. Neither is a do-not-drive recall.
- How does the 2012 650i compare to other model years?
- Its complaint index of 89 is higher than most other years listed, including 2013 (67, Caution), 2014 (44, Good), and 2010 (33, Good), placing 2012 near the bottom of the range.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2012 BMW 650i?
- EPA rates the 2012 650i at 17 mpg combined (15 city / 22 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,700.