Problems · NHTSA complaints
2012 BMW 6 Series problems
Owners filed 23 complaints about the 2012 BMW 6 Series with NHTSA between Oct 2011 and Oct 2024. The most-cited component is engine (13).
Complaints
23
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
0
Reported by owners
Fires
3
Reported by owners
Injuries
1
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Engine13
- Electrical system3
- Seats3
- Seat belts2
- Air bags2
- Fuel system, gasoline1
- Fuel/propulsion system1
- Service brakes1
- Service brakes, hydraulic1
- Wheels1
- Structure1
- Other / unknown3
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 11, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
1
0
0
1
2
2
1
4
6
3
0
1
1
1
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2012 | 0 |
| 2013 | 0 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 4 |
| 2019 | 6 |
| 2020 | 3 |
| 2021 | 0 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 1 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
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.”
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]”
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.”
Seat belts
2 reports
“The contact owns a 2012 BMW 650 XI. The contact stated that both the front driver and front passenger seat belts would fail to retract upon disengagement. The contact stated that the seat belts would need to be pushed back manually into place by the occupants after use. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not under recall and was no longer covered under warranty. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 92,000.”
Air bags
2 reports
“A WARNING LIGHT FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT AIRBAG IS ON. BMW WANTS TO CHARGE ME $1500 TO REPLACE THE FAULTY AIRBAG. HOW CAN IT BE DAMAGED IF IT'S NEVER BEEN USED? HOW IS THIS REPAIR MY RESPONSIBILITY? ADDITIONALLY, THIS BMW BURNS OIL. IT SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH ALL 8 CYLINDER MODELS AS THEY AGE. I HAVE TO ADD A QUART OF OIL EVERY 300 MILES OR SO AND THE CAR BLOWS BLACK SMOKE VIA THE EXHAUST. I'VE SPENT $1300 TO REPAIR IT, BUT IT DIDN'T REPAIR THE ISSUE. NOW I'M BEING TOLD IT'S A $10,000 REPAIR. HOW IS A PROBLEM THAT'S SYSTEMATIC WITH SO MANY 8 CYLINDER BMWS MY RESPONSIBILITY?”
Fuel system, gasoline
1 report1 related recall
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BMW 650I. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO A BMW DEALERSHIP IN FARMINGTON HILLS WHERE DEALERSHIP CONFIRMED FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V746000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 63,000. *TT”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 11, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.