2012 BMW 6 Series: common problems and reliability
· F13One of the worst 6 Series years.
One of the BMW 6 Series years to avoid. All 6 Series years
27 owner complaints, most about engine. 4 recalls.
Should I buy a 2012 6 Series?The 2012 BMW 6 Series has 27 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 4 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are engine and electrical system. Owners most often flag general n63 twin-turbo v8 reliability concerns.
Safety record for the 2012 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2012 BMW 6 Series vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other 6 Series years only. How we score it
Is 2012 a good year for the 6 Series?
Across the 15 6 Series model years we track, complaint volume runs from 1 (2017) to 60 (2013). With 27 complaints, the 2012 6 Series sits above the model's median of 14.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 2012 6 Series
engine and engine cooling:engine:other fuel types:turbo/supercharger
Campaign 12V161000BMW 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.
fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump
Campaign 16V746000BMW 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.
engine and engine cooling:engine
Campaign 14V176000BMW 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.
engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline:turbo/supercharger
Campaign 18V248000BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2011-2012 BMW 550i, 550i xDrive, 550i Gran Turismo, 550i Gran Turismo xDrive, 750i, 750Li, 750i xDrive, 750Li xDrive, 760Li, X5 xDrive50i, X5 M, X6 xDrive50i, X6 M, ActiveHybrid7, MINI Cooper S Convertible, John Cooper Works (JCW) Convertible, Cooper S Countryman, Cooper S Countryman ALL4, Cooper S, JCW, Cooper S Clubman, JCW Clubman, Cooper S Roadster, JCW Roadster, Cooper S Coupe, JCW Coupe and Rolls-Royce Ghost, 2011 BMW X6 Hybrid and 2012 BMW 650i Coupe, 650i xDrive Coupe, 650i Convertible and 650i xDrive Convertible vehicles. The electric auxiliary water pump may fail and cause the circuit board to overheat.
What owners report on the F13 6 Series
Owners of the F13 generation are strongly positive about the car's styling, presence, and grand-touring character, with several describing it as the best-looking BMW and a car they enjoy staring at after parking.
- RecurrentGeneral N63 twin-turbo V8 reliability concerns
- RecurrentSteep depreciation
- IsolatedOngoing leaks and minor faults requiring prompt attention
- IsolatedSoft-close door failure
- IsolatedTransmission skipping under hard acceleration in comfort mode, described by the dealer as normal
Owner insights for the F13 6 Series. Read the full F13 owner report.
Typical used price
Used 6 Series listings typically run $13,528–$23,393 across 2005 to 2018 model years.
Other 6 Series model years
Compare every 6 Series year side by side to see how 2012 ranks against the rest.
Compare the 6 Series against its rivals
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