Ten problems related to engine belts and pulleys have been reported for the 2012 BMW X5. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
I had the idler pulley bolt recall service (recall notice # 18v-336) completed by the local BMW dealer on March 30, 2019. While driving on July 27, I heard a soft "clunk", then the a/c & power steering quickly failed and I received the "charging malfunction" message. I proceeded to make my way out of traffic to a strip center ahead of me, and received a "low coolant" message at that time. I stopped the car, and over the course of the next 4 hours (while waiting for roadside assistance) the majority of the coolant, mixed with what I believed to be oil, drained out all over the parking lot. I had the car towed to an independent BMW mechanic, and July 30, 2019, he informed me that the bolt that had been replaced under the recall had snapped off completely. As he explained to me, the serpentine belt was shredded as a result, and the coolant hoses were ripped loose and sucked into the vehicle's harmonic balancer. He also stated it appears the serpentine belt wrapped itself around one of the turbo oil feed lines when it broke and ripped it in half. His immediate recommendation was to tow it to the dealer that performed the recall service, where it now sits as of this morning, July 31, 2019.
Tl the contact owns a 2012 BMW X5. While driving approximately 10 mph, the contact heard a popping sound. The battery warning indicator illuminated and the steering wheel became very difficult to turn. The vehicle was towed to ray catena BMW (543 tarrytown rd, white plains, NY 10607), but the cause of the failure was not determined. The contact also stated that the engine idler pulley bolt was repaired by the same dealer in June of 2017. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 74,000.
Tl the contact owns a 2012 BMW X5. While driving 10-20 mph, the contact heard an abnormal clunking noise. The contact looked under the hood and noticed that the belts were loose. In addition, the steering wheel was difficult to turn and the battery indicator was illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the idler pulley was fractured. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 111,000.
Tl the contact owns a 2012 BMW X5. While the contact's wife was driving 20 mph, she turned the steering wheel to the left and heard an abnormal noise. The steering wheel seized. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced the same symptoms as listed in NHTSA campaign number: 18v336000 (engine and engine cooling). The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the idler pulley bolt sheared off. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer and dealer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 163,000.
Tl-the contact owns a 2012 BMW X5. The contact stated that while stationary, the engine idler pulley bolt fractured. The contact stated that the red battery malfunction indicator light displayed the following warning message: charging malfunction, battery is not recharging. The contact stated that there was a sudden loss of power steering assist. The contact manually applied significant force to the steering wheel and was able to drive to an independent mechanic. It was diagnosed that the engine pulley bolt fractured and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. Furthermore, the contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 18v336000 (engine and engine cooling) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and stated that there was no remedy for the recall failure. The contact was referred to the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 69,500. VIN tool confirms parts not available. Ad.
On 2018 the engine's idler pulley bolt fail. The vehicle lose the power and don't run. I have tried to fix the problem with BMW agency on tucson arizona, but they never can help with this problem. They always say the same �we can't do nothing about it. I'm very fustrated because this is my only vehicle. Finally I visited another mechanic to fix my vehicle. I already spend money to fix the problem, and you company just give me excuses. I'm very upset with the service, very bad service. Sometimes the persone by phone tell me that he would see how he can help me, and he going to call me back and never happened. The last time one person of customer service her name amalia phone number +16614322897 tried to help me, but instead he told me that I owe you 150 dlls. I'm just try to keep the vehicle in good conditions for the safety of my family. And see if you going to help me to get some money back that I already spend of my pocket. Thank you !!.
Idler pulley bolt recall while driving on the highway the idler pulley bolt snapped with a loud noise. "electrical failure and battery not charging" notice came up. Simultaneously power steering was lost making very difficult to turn the vehicle on the highway. Few moments later caution came up to "drive moderately engine hot". Some miles down the road notice came up "engine too hot drive moderately". It was night time on a long weekend and my destination was thirty miles away so I pied at the gas station and got the car towed home. Problem was notified by the garage mechanic. I did call BMW company who refused that there was any recall. This issue had put my family and me at a great danger because the car needed mighty strength to steer and the tight turns were impossible.
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 (855) 627-3055) 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.
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. Many documented cases of original recall repair failing a second time in as little as 5 months to as many as 3. 5 years after initial recall service. BMW refuses reimbursement for the cost of repair, $1153. 00. A new recall should be issued.
(ah power steering?) tl the contact owns a 2012 BMW X5. The contact stated that while the vehicle was being reversed, the power steering failed. The vehicle was towed to faulkner BMW located 1530 manheim pike, lancaster, PA 17601, (717) 569-4269, to be diagnosed. The contact stated that the idler pulley bolt fractured and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 12v550000 (steering, engine and engine cooling). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000.