Open safety recalls, the components owners report failing most often, crash-test results and running costs for the 2012 BMW 640I — assembled from NHTSA and EPA records.
Everything on this page applies to the model as a whole. Run its 17-character VIN to decode that exact car — its engine, trim, assembly plant and factory equipment — alongside these records. Free, no account.
Run a VIN →Recalls and complaints are filed against a specific model year, so figures differ from one year to the next even within a single generation. See every BMW 640I year.
No EPA fuel-economy match for this model (naming may differ or it predates EPA records).
1 open NHTSA investigation into this model. Investigations come before recalls, so these are potential defects not yet covered by one.
Rated configuration: 2012 BMW 640 I C RWD
NHTSA lists 2 recalls for this make/model/year. Recalls apply to the model, so some may already be fixed on this specific car — check with a dealer using the VIN.
Issue: 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.
Risk: 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.
Campaign 16V746000
Issue: 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.
Risk: 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.
Campaign 14V176000
The parts named most often across 3 owner complaintsfiled with NHTSA for this make, model and year — the closest free answer to “what is likely to go wrong?”
1 fire
Complaints are self-reported and skew toward problems people find alarming, so treat this as where to look, not a defect rate.
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 arrived at the scene at [XXX]. They extinguished the fire and conducted an initial investigation. I am awaiting their official report, which will be forwarded as soon as it is available. If any further information is required, please do not hesitate to reach out to me at [XXX] . Thank you for your attention to this matter. Sincerely, [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
BMW GROUP ISSUED VOLUNTARY RECALL NO. 18V-248: ELECTRONIC AUXILIARY WATER PUMP FAILURE. PRIOR TO RECEIVING A RECALL NOTICE BY MAIL, MY CAR'S INSTRUMENT PANEL REGISTERED THE FOLLOWING MESSAGE WHILE DRIVING AND ON COLD STARTUP: "ENGINE TEMPERATURE HIGH, DRIVE MODERATELY..." . THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE READ NORMAL BEFORE, DURING, AND AFTER THE WARNING MESSAGE DISPLAYED (BOTH STATIONARY AND WHILE DRIVING). THE BMW SERVICE CENTER INFORMED ME THE MESSAGE WAS DUE TO THE RECALLED AUXILIARY WATER PUMP FAILURE, 18V-248. IN ADDITION, THE TURBO COOLANT LINES WERE FOUND TO BE LEAKING WHICH THE SERVICE CENTER INFORMED ME WERE NOT COVERED BY THE RECALL. IT SEEMS A FAULTY AUXILIARY WATER PUMP WOULD CAUSE OR INCREASE THE LIKELIHOOD OF FAILING TURBO COOLANT LINES. IN ADDITION, A FAILING CIRCUIT BOARD COULD RENDER OTHER ELECTRICAL FAILURES IN THE VEHICLE THAT BMW IS NOT ACKNOWLEDGING IN THIS RECALL. I REQUEST NHTSA INVESTIGATE AND COMPEL BMW GROUP TO EXPAND ON THIS RECALL.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BMW 650I. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 70 MPH, IN A THUNDERSTORM IN THE LEFT LANE OF THE INTERSTATE, WHEN HE NOTICED A BOLT OF LIGHTING LAND JUST TO THE RIGHT OF THE INTERSTATE IN THE GRASS. 31 OF 43 ELECTRICAL MODULES FAILED IMMEDIATELY, INCLUDING THE ENGINE, STEERING, BRAKES, RADIO AND THE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE COULDN'T BE RE-STARTED, OR EVEN SHIFTED INTO TO NEUTRAL. THE VEHICLE WAS AT THE BMW DEALERSHIP FOR 105 DAYS, WITHOUT INTERRUPTION. NONE OF THE REPLACED PARTS EXHIBITED ANY PHYSICAL STIGMATA OF HIGH VOLTAGE ELECTRICAL DAMAGE AND THERE WAS NO BURNING, SCORCHING, OR MELTING EVIDENT ON ANY OF THE PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARDS INSIDE THE REPLACED COMPONENTS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT ASSERTED THAT THE BMW WARRANTY DID NOT COVER MALFUNCTIONS RELATED TO ENVIRONMENTAL INFLUENCES SUCH AS THUNDERSTORMS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,345. UPDATED 03/07/12