2011 BMW 5 Series, 2011 BMW 5-Series Gran Turismo, 2012 BMW 6 Series and 3 other models Recall: Engine and Engine Cooling
NHTSA campaign 12V161000 · Engine and Engine Cooling · filed Apr 10, 2012 · verified Jul 30, 2026
The defect
BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 5-SERIES, 5-SERIES GRAN TURISMO, MODEL YEAR 2012 6-SERIES CONVERTIBLE, 7-SERIES, X5 SAV, AND X6 SAV VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 8- OR 12-CYLINDER, TURBOCHARGED, ENGINES BECAUSE THE CIRCUIT BOARD FOR THE ELECTRIC AUXILIARY WATER PUMP CAN OVERHEAT.
The risk
THIS COULD LEAD TO A SMOLDERING OF THE PUMP OR AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT OR VEHICLE FIRE.
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →The fix — what to do
BMW WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AUXILIARY WATER PUMP FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 30, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND SERVICES AT 1-800-525-7417.
THIS RECALL IS AN EXPANSION OF SAFETY RECALL 11V521.CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.
Affected vehicles
Related recalls
More BMW 5 Series recalls
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- 2004–2010 BMW 5 Series and 3 other models — Electrical System
- 2011 BMW 5 Series and 4 other models — Engine and Engine Cooling
Other campaigns involving BMW vehicles
Source: NHTSA recall database, campaign 12V161000. Data last verified Jul 30, 2026.