Safety Recall NHTSA · 12V550000 Reported November 27, 2012

Engine belt idler pulley bolt may loosen/break

Bmw Of North America, Llc · Engine And Engine Cooling · 29,800 vehicles potentially affected

NHTSA ID
12V550000
Manufacturer Campaign
NR (Not Reported)
Manufacturer
Bmw Of North America, Llc
Component
Engine And Engine Cooling
Vehicles Affected
29,800
Recall Type
Vehicle
Report Received
November 27, 2012

Defect Summary

Bmw is recalling certain model year 2009-2012 x5 xdrive 35d sav diesel vehicles manufactured september 1, 2008, through november 15, 2012. The engine belt idler pulley bolt could loosen and break over time.

Safety Consequence

If the engine belt idler pulley bolt breaks, the vehicle may unexpectedly lose power-assisted steering, increasing the risk of a crash.

Corrective Action

Bmw will notify owners, and dealers will replace and tighten the idler pulley bolt. the recall began on january 15, 2013. owners may call bmw at 1-800-525-7417 or email bmw at customerrelations@bmwusa.com.

What you should do

  1. Look up your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm this recall applies to your vehicle.
  2. Contact an authorized Bmw Of North America, Llc dealer and reference recall ID 12V550000 or campaign NR (Not Reported).
  3. Schedule the free repair. By federal law, the manufacturer must remedy the defect at no cost.
View Official NHTSA Notice →
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FAQ: Recall 12V550000

Your rights, the repair process, and what each field on this page means.

What is recall 12V550000?

NHTSA recall 12V550000 was issued by Bmw Of North America, Llc on November 27, 2012. It addresses: Engine belt idler pulley bolt may loosen/break. The recall affects approximately 29,800 vehicles, with the defect involving the Engine And Engine Cooling component.

How do I get this recall repaired?

Contact any authorized Bmw Of North America, Llc dealer and reference NHTSA recall ID 12V550000 or the manufacturer campaign number NR (Not Reported). Under federal law, the repair is completely free regardless of vehicle age or owner history.

Is my vehicle included in this recall?

The only way to confirm is to look up your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's tool will tell you if VIN-by-VIN this exact recall applies.

How long do I have to get a recall repair done?

There is no expiration on most federal safety recalls. Even if your vehicle is years old and you bought it used, the manufacturer is required to perform the repair at no cost.

Where does the data on this page come from?

All information on this page is sourced directly from the U.S. Department of Transportation public dataset for NHTSA recalls. Last refreshed: 2026-05-22. For the most current official notice, visit nhtsa.gov/recalls.