Recalls (1)
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2012 BMW 535i. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗
Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.
Check on NHTSA ↗Loose Fuel Pump Wiring may cause Stall/Fuel Leak
- Summary
- 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.
- 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.
PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.
Owner complaints (54)
54 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The fuel/propulsion system is mentioned most often.
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 54 |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel/propulsion system | 12 | 22.2% |
| Engine | 11 | 20.4% |
| Power train | 10 | 18.5% |
| Electrical system | 9 | 16.7% |
| Air bags | 6 | 11.1% |
| Exterior lighting | 4 | 7.4% |
| Steering | 4 | 7.4% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 3 | 5.6% |
| Fuel system | 3 | 5.6% |
| Seat belts | 3 | 5.6% |
How 2012 compares with other 535i years
Best and worst 535i years →| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 1994 | 2 | 1 |
| 2008 | 74 | 1 |
| 2009 | 71 | 1 |
| 2010 | 58 | 1 |
| 2011 | 112 | 4 |
| 2012 | 54 | 1 |
| 2013 | 38 | 1 |
| 2014 | 30 | 2 |
| 2015 | 23 | 0 |
| 2016 | 12 | 2 |
Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Crash tests: 5 stars overall
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), 2012 BMW 535i 4 dr rwd, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Fuel economy: up to 23 mpg combined
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $3,550
- CO₂ tailpipe
- 386 g/mi
- EPA class
- Midsize Cars
What it costs you to run
Miles ÷ 23 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.
EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.
Specs by configuration
| Engine · transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | EPA $/yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 L 6-cyl · 8-speed automatic | Rear-Wheel Drive | 20 / 30 / 23 | $3,550 | 386 |
| 3 L 6-cyl · 6-speed manual | Rear-Wheel Drive | 20 / 29 / 23 | $3,550 | 386 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 2012 535i for sale?
Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.
Where to next
2012 BMW 535i FAQ
How many recalls does the 2012 BMW 535i have?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign: 16V746000 (fuel pump). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 2012 BMW 535i problems?
Owners filed 54 complaints with NHTSA. Fuel/propulsion system (12), Engine (11), Power train (10) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 2012 BMW 535i get?
EPA rates the 3 L 6-cyl · 8-speed automatic version at 20 city, 30 highway and 23 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.
What safety rating did the 2012 BMW 535i get?
NHTSA rated the 2012 BMW 535i 4 dr rwd 5 stars overall, with 4 stars frontal, 5 stars side and 5 stars rollover (9.3% rollover risk).
How does the 2012 535i compare with other years?
Among the 1994–2016 BMW 535i model years at least five years old, the 1994 drew the fewest complaints (2) and the 2011 the most (112). The 2012 drew 54. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.