Recall 12V161 covers 2,846 select 2011-2012 BMW vehicles for an auxiliary water pump circuit board fire risk. Free repair at any franchised BMW dealer.
BMW is recalling 2,846 2011-2012 vehicles, including 7-SERIES, X5 Sav, and 5-SERIES Gran Turismo models, because the electric auxiliary water pump circuit board can overheat on 8- or 12-cylinder turbocharged engines. Overheating can smolder the pump or start an engine-compartment or vehicle fire, and the BMW dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The electric auxiliary water pump on these 2011-2012 BMW 5 Series, 5-SERIES Gran Turismo, 6 Series, 7-SERIES, X5 Sav, and X6 Sav vehicles helps move coolant through the turbocharged engine when extra cooling is needed. These vehicles have 8-cylinder or 12-cylinder turbocharged engines, which build heat quickly and need steady coolant flow around hot engine components.
The recall problem is inside the pump's electronics. The circuit board that controls the pump can overheat while the pump is powered. When that board gets too hot, the pump changes from a cooling part into a heat source. The filing does not identify a separate owner-caused condition, so treat it as a defect in the affected pump assembly.
There is no warning sign before failure. Do not rely on a dashboard light, noise, smell, or change in engine feel to tell you the pump circuit board is overheating.
Who's affected?
Scope spans BMW passenger cars and SAV models across the 2011 and 2012 model years, all tied to the turbo/supercharger component.
| 2012 BMW 7-SERIES | Turbo/supercharger |
|---|---|
| 2012 BMW X5 Sav | Turbo/supercharger |
| 2011 BMW 5-SERIES Gran Turismo | Turbo/supercharger |
| 2012 BMW X6 Sav | Turbo/supercharger |
| 2011 BMW 5 Series | Turbo/supercharger |
| 2012 BMW 6 Series | Turbo/supercharger |
| Units affected | 2,846 |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle.
What's the safety risk?
An auxiliary water pump problem can cause smoldering in the pump and lead to an engine compartment or vehicle fire. There is no warning sign listed before smoldering or fire, so schedule the recall repair soon and stop using the vehicle if you smell burning or see smoke. Repair will be free at any franchised BMW dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2011-2012 BMW 7-SERIES, X5 Sav, 5-SERIES Gran Turismo, X6 Sav, 5 Series, or 6 Series is included.
- Contact a franchised BMW dealer and ask whether the auxiliary water pump replacement is open for your VIN.
- Schedule the auxiliary water pump replacement that fixes the overheating circuit-board risk.
- Bring the recall notice if BMW mailed one. If not, reference recall number 12V161 when you call.
- Call BMW customer relations and services at 1-800-525-7417 with questions about your VIN or dealer appointment.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a BMW technician replaces the auxiliary water pump covered by recall 12V161. The work addresses the electric pump circuit board that can overheat on the affected turbocharged engines. BMW's remedy says the replacement is free of charge, with parts and labor handled under the recall. The owner notice process began on April 30, 2012, so ask the BMW service desk to confirm the recall is still open for your VIN.
Timeline
| April 10, 2012 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| April 30, 2012 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 12V161?
Recall 12V161 covers 2,846 2011-2012 BMW 5 Series, 5-SERIES Gran Turismo, 6 Series, 7-SERIES, X5 Sav, and X6 Sav vehicles with 8- or 12-cylinder turbocharged engines. The auxiliary water pump circuit board can overheat, and BMW dealers replace the pump for free.
What should I do if my 2011-2012 BMW is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific BMW is included in recall 12V161. If it is, contact a franchised BMW dealer to schedule the auxiliary water pump replacement. Reference recall number 12V161 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to perform safety recall repairs at no cost, and BMW will replace the auxiliary water pump free of charge at any franchised BMW dealer.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is fire. BMW reported that the electric auxiliary water pump circuit board can overheat, leading to smoldering in the pump, an engine compartment fire, or a vehicle fire. If your VIN is included, arrange the free dealer repair.
When did BMW start this recall repair?
BMW began the safety recall repair on April 30, 2012. Owners with an included VIN can still contact a franchised BMW dealer and ask for the auxiliary water pump replacement under recall 12V161.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/12V161000 |
|---|---|
| BMW customer service | 1-800-525-7417 |
| NHTSA recall # | 12V161 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 12V161000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Defect / Noncompliance Notice (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 2, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →