2012 Bmw 640I: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
1 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
Not available median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2012 model year. Data updated: . 0 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 1 of 1 complaints (100.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 1 |
Electrical System: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
No usable failure mileage is recorded. 1 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 1 |
2024: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11620069 · 2024-10-16 (October 16, 2024)
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 arriv…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11620069 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
14V176000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
Reported: 2014-04-10 (April 10, 2014)
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.
Consequence: If the bolts loosen or break the engine may have reduced power or stall. An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the four VANOS housing bolts for both VANOS units (intake and exhaust), free of charge. In addition, owners of approximately 170,172 model year 2010-2012 BMW vehicles equipped with inline 6 cylinder engines not covered by this recall, will receive an extended warranty to address this condition. The recall began on September 24, 2014. Owners may contact BMW at 1-800-525-7417.
NHTSA campaign record ↗16V746000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump
Reported: 2016-10-17 (October 17, 2016)
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.
Consequence: The loose wires may cause the connector to melt, resulting in a fuel leak. Additionally, the fuel pump may stop working, possibly causing an engine stall and increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. The recall began February 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
NHTSA campaign record ↗Vehicle analysis explorer
Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.
Data completeness
1 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-09-30.
Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.
Problems by model year
Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.
| Component | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 1100.0%ODI 11620069To 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 arriv… | 233.3%ODI 11267789CAN NOT LOCK OR UNLOCK CAR FROM WITHIN OR OUT. REPLACED DOOR ACTUATOR ON A DRIVER SIDE WHICH DID NOT SOLVE A PROBLEM. | 114.3%ODI 11063803 · 52,000 miMY INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WENT BLANK AT 52K MILES NO DATA NOTHING. FOR SUCH HIGH PRICED CAR TO HAVE AN INSTRUMENT CLUSTER TO GO BAD AFTER 3 YEARS IS A DISGRACE TO BMW. CALLED BMW AND THEY DENIED THE REPAIR DUE TO THE FACT THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY DUE TO THE MILES 2800 OVER. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED WITH BMW . THIS HAPPENED WHEN THE CAR WAS IN MOTION ON A CITY STREET. | 240.0%ODI 10887459DRIVERS SIDE DOOR OPEN ON ITS OWN, WILL NOT STAY SHUT , DEALSHIP HAS BEEN UNABLE TOO FIX IT? SIDE DOOR DOESN'T CLOSE REPAIRED FOUR TIMES . ENGINE LIGHT COME ON? ROOF LATCH NO AIR BAGS WENT OF?DEALSHIP SAYS CODES SAY?THEY DID? | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 120.0%ODI 11311834 · 18,000 miTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 BMW 640I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BMW OF SILVER SPRING (3211 AUTOMOTIVE BOULEVARD, SILVER SPRING, MD 20904, [phone removed], WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED AND DETERMINED THAT THE FUEL SYSTEM WAS DEFECTIVE. THE FUEL SENSOR WAS REPLACED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THERE WAS NO LEAKS PRESENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ANOTHER DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED AND DETERMINED THAT THE RADIATOR SHROUD WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEED… | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Engine | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 350.0%ODI 10816238 · 29,532 miWHILE ACCELERATING FROM AN ON-RAMP TO A HIGHWAY, AN ALERT POPPED UP: DRIVETRAIN MALFUNCTION: DRIVE MODERATELY..." THE CAR LOST POWER AND I WAS NEARLY REAR-ENDED AND NEARLY CAUSED A MULTIPLE CAR ACCIDENT ON THE FREEWAY. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD DURING HEAVY TRAFFIC. I TURNED THE CAR OFF, OPENED THE HOOD AND LOOKED INSIDE. NOTHING SEEMED AMISS. RESTARTED THE CAR AND THE YELLOW ALERT WAS GONE. PROCEEDED TO GET BACK ON THE HIGHWAY AND ACCELERATED AGAIN AND AGAIN THE ALERT POPPED UP AND I LOST POWER AND AGAIN NEARLY CA… | 114.3% | 120.0%ODI 10887459DRIVERS SIDE DOOR OPEN ON ITS OWN, WILL NOT STAY SHUT , DEALSHIP HAS BEEN UNABLE TOO FIX IT? SIDE DOOR DOESN'T CLOSE REPAIRED FOUR TIMES . ENGINE LIGHT COME ON? ROOF LATCH NO AIR BAGS WENT OF?DEALSHIP SAYS CODES SAY?THEY DID? | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 120.0%ODI 11311834 · 18,000 miTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 BMW 640I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BMW OF SILVER SPRING (3211 AUTOMOTIVE BOULEVARD, SILVER SPRING, MD 20904, [phone removed], WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED AND DETERMINED THAT THE FUEL SYSTEM WAS DEFECTIVE. THE FUEL SENSOR WAS REPLACED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THERE WAS NO LEAKS PRESENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ANOTHER DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED AND DETERMINED THAT THE RADIATOR SHROUD WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEED… | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Structure:Body | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 228.6%ODI 11061575 · 30,000 miBOTH DOORS WILL NOT OPEN WITHOUT USING THE POWER DOOR LOCK BUTTON. THE DRIVER SIDE WAS THE FIRST SIDE TO FAIL AND ABOUT FOUR MONTHS LATER THE PASSENGER SIDE IS NOW DOING THE SAME THING. THIS IS VERY CONCERNING DUE TO IF THE VEHICLE WAS TO GET IN A MAJOR ACCIDENT AND THE BATTERY BECOME DISCONNECTED I COULD NOT GET OUT OF THE CAR WITHOUT BREAKING A WINDOW. I HAVE A VIDEO OF THE PROBLEM BUT THE SITE WILL ONLY ALLOW PICTURES TO UPLOADED. | 120.0%ODI 11482181The car is leaking from the third rear brake light (at the rear roof of the car). It appears the seals and possible clips/fasteners have failed and water is entering the car during rain or water immersion from the rear brake light, to the back seat, trunk, and rear floor. There is now visible mold in the car. | 1100.0%ODI 11491973The dashboard has pulled away from the windshield and is rippling. If it continues it will obstruct my view. I think it would affect the airbags as well. I've seen another 640 with this same problem at the store. I am available for inspection, I also attached BMWs invoice to show it was diagnosed. No warning lamps. I also use the garage and a window shade if not in garage. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 120.0%ODI 11416300 · 19,000 miTHE CAR ON MY RIGHT CHANGED LANES AND AND HIT THE FRONT OF MY CAR. PHOTO'S OF DAMAGE ATTACHED. THE DAMAGE WAS TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE BUMPER AND PANEL ON THE FRONT SIDE. POLICE REPORT ATTACHED. THE CARFAX REPORT PRINTED 5/5/2021 SHOWS DAMAGED AREAS AS FRONT, RIGHT AND REAR. THE DAMAGE WAS LIMITED TO THE SIDE FRONT ONLY AND THE CAR WAS DRIVABLE TO THE REPAIR SHOP. THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED 12/21/2018. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Wheels | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 240.0%ODI 10897987 · 11,000 miTHE TIRES BLEW OUT WHILE ON A ROAD TRIP AT APP 11,000 MILES, SEPARATION RIGHT UNDER THE RIM. TIRES ARE STILL UNDER WARRANTY. HOWEVER, GOODYEAR DUNLOP WON'T BE SQUARE WITH WARRANTY, MAKING THE WARRANTY OF NO VALUE. IN FACT THEY LIED ABOUT THE CAUSE AT FIRST. STILL HAVE THE TIRE FOR REVIEW. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 150.0%ODI 11302834 · 8,500 miTHIS CAR HAS BRIDGESTONE POTANZA S001 TIRES THAT ARE SUMMER TIRES AND ARE NOT SAFE FOR WINTER, I LEARNED THAT DRIVING ON A SNOW DAY IN TOWN. NOT DRIVABLE. |
| Air Bags | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 116.7%ODI 11396666 · 65,000 miWARNING LIGHT THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG WAS NOT WORKING | 114.3%ODI 111326282014 BMW 6401. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT FAILURE AFTER ACCIDENT. *AS *TR | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 233.3%ODI 11270490 · 71,519 miTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 BMW 640I. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT, THE ENGINE WOULD NOT AUTO ECONO RESTART AND HAD TO BE PUSHED OFF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO TOM BUSH BMW JACKSONVILLE (9875 ATLANTIC BLVD, JACKSONVILLE, FL 32225, [phone removed]) WHERE THE BATTERY AND BRAKES WERE REPLACED. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT THE OIL FILTER GASKET WAS LEAKING. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED THREE DAYS LATER. THE CONTACT RESEARCHED THE FAILURE AND FOUND THAT THERE WAS AN INTAKE FUEL FAILURE CAUSED BY UNDER VOL… | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Power Train | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 116.7%ODI 10816238 · 29,532 miWHILE ACCELERATING FROM AN ON-RAMP TO A HIGHWAY, AN ALERT POPPED UP: DRIVETRAIN MALFUNCTION: DRIVE MODERATELY..." THE CAR LOST POWER AND I WAS NEARLY REAR-ENDED AND NEARLY CAUSED A MULTIPLE CAR ACCIDENT ON THE FREEWAY. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD DURING HEAVY TRAFFIC. I TURNED THE CAR OFF, OPENED THE HOOD AND LOOKED INSIDE. NOTHING SEEMED AMISS. RESTARTED THE CAR AND THE YELLOW ALERT WAS GONE. PROCEEDED TO GET BACK ON THE HIGHWAY AND ACCELERATED AGAIN AND AGAIN THE ALERT POPPED UP AND I LOST POWER AND AGAIN NEARLY CA… | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 120.0%ODI 11475624I took my vehicle for a regular oil change and vehicle check at 22000 miles. The service advisor performed a routine check and found that the driveshaft flex disc had multiple cracks. If the cracks expand, it could lead to a complete failure of the disc at which point the driveshaft was come loose and can cause an accident along with extensive underbody damage. I do not understand how a certified preowned vehicle with only 22000 miles can have such a major part defect. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Service Brakes | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 116.7%ODI 11270490 · 71,519 miTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 BMW 640I. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT, THE ENGINE WOULD NOT AUTO ECONO RESTART AND HAD TO BE PUSHED OFF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO TOM BUSH BMW JACKSONVILLE (9875 ATLANTIC BLVD, JACKSONVILLE, FL 32225, [phone removed]) WHERE THE BATTERY AND BRAKES WERE REPLACED. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT THE OIL FILTER GASKET WAS LEAKING. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED THREE DAYS LATER. THE CONTACT RESEARCHED THE FAILURE AND FOUND THAT THERE WAS AN INTAKE FUEL FAILURE CAUSED BY UNDER VOL… | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 120.0%ODI 10887459DRIVERS SIDE DOOR OPEN ON ITS OWN, WILL NOT STAY SHUT , DEALSHIP HAS BEEN UNABLE TOO FIX IT? SIDE DOOR DOESN'T CLOSE REPAIRED FOUR TIMES . ENGINE LIGHT COME ON? ROOF LATCH NO AIR BAGS WENT OF?DEALSHIP SAYS CODES SAY?THEY DID? | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.
Failure mileage by component
Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.
| Component | Mileage range (25th–75th percentile) | Median | Usable records | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No usable records for this analysis. | ||||
Complaint and recall timeline
Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.
Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.
Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples
| Month | Complaints | Campaigns announced | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-10 | 1 | None | ODI 11620069To 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 arriv… |
| 2024-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2024-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-09 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-10 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-09 (partial) | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
Emerging complaint spikes
Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.
This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.
No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.
Equal-age model-year comparison
Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.
2018: 3 complaints · 2019: 2 complaints
| Model year | Through age 0 | Through age 1 | Through age 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| 2019 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
Date coverage across each selected cohort
| Year | Incident dates used | Filing date fallbacks | Excluded dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.
Components reported together
Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.
| Component | Electrical System |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | — |
Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.
Recurring narrative patterns
Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.
0 patterns with matching reports.
No narratives match the published patterns.