Vehicle recall R/2012/049

BMW 5 Series and others recall: Fire may occur

DVSA recall R/2012/049 names the BMW 5 Series, BMW X5, BMW 6 Series, BMW 7 Series, BMW X6 and BMW Alpina. It was launched 27 April 2012. DVSA does not record the build dates for this recall.

Recall data updated 22 September 2026

Recall: R/2012/049
Launched: 27 April 2012
Issued by: BMW
Manufacturer reference: 0011930200
Vehicles: DVSA lists 21 on each model line

What can go wrong

Some engines are fitted with an additional water pump for the turbo charger. In some circumstances a crack may develop which then leads to melting of the plug connections and the housing. Further heat development may then lead to scorch damage. In exceptional cases such overheating can lead to smouldering of the water pump. If smouldering occurs an engine compartment fire and vehicle fire cannot be excluded.

The fix

The water pump will be replaced for a new more robust version.

Models and build dates

As listed in the DVSA recall file. DVSA lists the same vehicle number on each line: 21. It may be a figure per line or for the whole recall.
Model	Built	Vehicles
BMW 5 Series	not recorded	21
BMW 6 Series	not recorded	21
BMW 7 Series	not recorded	21
BMW X5	not recorded	21
BMW X6	not recorded	21
BMW Alpina	not recorded	21

Is a specific car affected? A recall lists models and build dates, not individual vehicles, so these pages cannot tell you whether one car is included. Enter the registration on the DVSA vehicle recall checker on GOV.UK, or give the vehicle identification number (VIN) to the manufacturer or one of its dealers. Buying used? Ask the seller for proof that any recall work was done.

Other recalls for these models

R/2012/039 Risk of fire 24 May 2012, BMW 6 Series, BMW 5 Series, BMW M5 and others
R/2012/078 Potential fire risk 18 July 2012, BMW X6, BMW X5
R/2012/109 Engine may fail 26 September 2012, BMW 6 Series, BMW 5 Series
R/2011/147 Short circuit may occur 17 November 2011, BMW 7 Series, BMW X6, BMW 5 Series and others
R/2011/132 Pedestrian safety system may not perform correctly 12 October 2011, BMW 6 Series
R/2011/123 Risk of fire 5 October 2011, BMW 7 Series, BMW 5 Series, BMW X3 and others

Found one you might buy?

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Source

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: DVSA vehicle recall records (RecallsFile.csv), recalls launched 1992 to 2026. Recall data updated 22 September 2026.

Recall wording is DVSA's, with capitals and punctuation tidied and American spellings such as tire, center and windshield given in British English. We list a recall when its make and model match a car or van family with at least 1,000 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2025, and when the maker of the vehicle issued it.

Not affiliated with or endorsed by DVSA. Methodology · Data sources