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Research · Compact Cars · 3 NHTSA variants

2012 BMW 6 SeriesRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls and 23 owner complaints for the 2012 BMW 6 Series. Most complaints involve engine (13) and electrical system (3). The EPA rates it 17–26 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
17–26mpg
EPA · 8 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
4campaigns
Latest Apr 2018
Owner complaints
23
Top: engine
Fuel cost / yr
$3,000est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

4 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Engine and engine cooling: turbo

Free remedy

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.

Engine and engine coolingReported Apr 18, 2018NHTSA 18V248000

Fuel system

Free remedy

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.

Fuel system, gasolineReported Oct 17, 2016NHTSA 16V746000

Engine and engine cooling: engine

Free remedy

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 128i Coupe, 128i Convertible, 328i Sedan, 328i xDrive Sedan, 328i Coupe, 328i Convertible, 328i Sports Wagon and Z4 sDrive 30i, 2011-2012 135i Coupe, 135i Convertible, 335i Sedan, X5 xDrive 35i, and X6 xDrive 35i, 2011 335i xDrive Sedan, 335i Coupe, 335i Convertible, 528i Sedan, 535i Sedan, 535i xDrive Sedan, X3 xDrive 28i, and X3 xDrive 35i, 2010 X3 xDrive 30i, and X5 xDrive 30i, 2012 640i Coupe, and 640i Convertible and 2010-2012 535i Gran Turismo vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the bolts that secure the housing for the variable camshaft timing adjustment (VANOS) unit can loosen over time and may possibly break.

Engine and engine coolingReported Apr 10, 2014NHTSA 14V176000
See all 4 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 11, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

23 complaints filed with NHTSA · Oct 2011 – Oct 2024
  1. Engine13
  2. Electrical system3
  3. Seats3
  4. Seat belts2
  5. Air bags2
  6. Fuel system, gasoline1
  7. Fuel/propulsion system1
  8. Service brakes1
  9. Service brakes, hydraulic1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each 6 Series model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
201223
201322
201413
20159
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
3
Injuries reported
1
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 11, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Engine

13 reports
“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 WAS TAKEN TO BMW OF BAYSIDE (24721 NORTHERN BLVD, DOUGLASTON, NY 11362) DIAGNOSED, AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE THEN WAS TAKEN TO ANOTHER DEALER WHERE A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WAS STILL PENDING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT UNDER RECALL. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V161000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) AS A POSSIBLE SOLUTION TO THE FAILURE HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 30,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 20, 2020EngineODI 11365320

Electrical system

3 reports2 fires
“To Whom It May Concern, I am writing to formally report a vehicle fire that occurred on [XXX] at approximately [XXX] in Alabama State University. The vehicle involved is a 2012 BMW 640i Coupe (black) with the license plate number [XXX]. The fire started while driving. Within a matter of minutes, the fire rapidly spread, and despite any initial efforts to contain it, the vehicle was completely engulfed and fully burned. Fortunately, my son and passenger were not injured or trapped in vehicle. The fire department was contacted, and they arrived at the scene at [XXX]. They extinguished the fire and conducted an initial investigation. I am awaiting their official report, which will be forwarded as soon as it is available. If any further information is required, please do not hesitate to reach out to me at [XXX] . Thank you for your attention to this matter. Sincerely, [XXX] [XXX] [XXX]”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 16, 2024Electrical systemFire reportedODI 11620069

Seats

3 reports2 fires
“WHILE DRIVING MY PASSENGER SEAT BACK BURNT MY WIFE'S BACK AND WAS SMOKING. I TURNED THE SEAT COOLING OFF AND IT STOPPED.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 10, 2019Electrical system, SeatsFire reportedODI 11219124
All 2012 6 Series problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 11, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

8 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Compact Cars
Engines
3.0L 6-cyl turbo · 4.4L 8-cyl turbo
Transmissions
Automatic (S8) · Manual 6-spd
Drive
Rear-Wheel Drive · All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 11, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
640i Coupe
Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo · Rear-Wheel Drive
233226$3,000342
640i Convertible
Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo · Rear-Wheel Drive
203023$3,350386
650i Convertible
Auto (S8), 8 cyl, 4.4 L, Turbo · Rear-Wheel Drive
152318$4,300494
650i Coupe
Auto (S8), 8 cyl, 4.4 L, Turbo · Rear-Wheel Drive
152318$4,300494
650i Convertible
Man 6-spd, 8 cyl, 4.4 L, Turbo · Rear-Wheel Drive
152217$4,550523
650i Convertible xDrive
Auto (S8), 8 cyl, 4.4 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive
151917$4,550523
650i Coupe
Man 6-spd, 8 cyl, 4.4 L, Turbo · Rear-Wheel Drive
152217$4,550523
650i Coupe xDrive
Auto (S8), 8 cyl, 4.4 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive
152017$4,550523
  • 640i Coupe
    Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo
    23 city · 32 hwy · $3,000/yr
    26
    mpg comb.
  • 640i Convertible
    Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo
    20 city · 30 hwy · $3,350/yr
    23
    mpg comb.
  • 650i Convertible
    Auto (S8), 8 cyl, 4.4 L, Turbo
    15 city · 23 hwy · $4,300/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
  • 650i Coupe
    Auto (S8), 8 cyl, 4.4 L, Turbo
    15 city · 23 hwy · $4,300/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
  • 650i Convertible
    Man 6-spd, 8 cyl, 4.4 L, Turbo
    15 city · 22 hwy · $4,550/yr
    17
    mpg comb.
  • 650i Convertible xDrive
    Auto (S8), 8 cyl, 4.4 L, Turbo
    15 city · 19 hwy · $4,550/yr
    17
    mpg comb.
  • 650i Coupe
    Man 6-spd, 8 cyl, 4.4 L, Turbo
    15 city · 22 hwy · $4,550/yr
    17
    mpg comb.
  • 650i Coupe xDrive
    Auto (S8), 8 cyl, 4.4 L, Turbo
    15 city · 20 hwy · $4,550/yr
    17
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 11, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

4 tested variants
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2012 BMW 6 Series as of Nov 11, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 11, 2026Vehicle 6037Vehicle 6034Vehicle 6038
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2012 6 Series questions

How many recalls does the 2012 BMW 6 Series have?

4 safety recalls as of Nov 11, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2012 BMW 6 Series problems?

Owners filed 23 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine (13), electrical system (3), seats (3). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2012 BMW 6 Series get?

The EPA rates the 2012 BMW 6 Series at 17–26 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (8 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 11, 2026