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Service bulletins for the 2012 BMW ActiveHybrid 5

A bulletin is a manufacturer's communication to its dealers, as NHTSA indexes it. The summary is NHTSA's. The document is the manufacturer's: read it at NHTSA. A bulletin is not a recall, and listing a model year does not mean every vehicle of it is concerned.

250 on file from NHTSA, as of 2026-10-19.

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Bulletins, newest first
8404132018-12-03. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL. "TCB: Emergency Call Is Disabled. A Check Control message shows ""Emergency call failure."" When the SOS button is pressed, the call is not made by the TCB (Telematics Communication Box). Fault code 0XB7F33F is stored in the TCB. CAUSE TCB application error"
6511132018-12-03. Service bulletin. AIR BAGS. CIS Seat Mat Replacement. Installation of a new CIS (capacitive sensing passenger occupancy mat) will not enable with ISTA/P. Wrong coding in the spare part from the supplier
6510092018-12-03. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM); EQUIPMENT. The vehicle position is missing or incorrect on the navigation map. The navigation system integrated in the Car Information Computer (CIC) is not calibrated correctly.
6509132018-12-03. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL. "CHAMP2: Stored Radio Stations Deleted After Ignition Off. After ignition off, the stored radio stations (AM/FM and Satellite) are no longer available in: * Menu ""PRESETS"" * Functional bookmarks (buttons on the head unit) Error in the CHAMP2 head unit"
6401112018-12-03. Service bulletin. VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT. "Whistling Noise Heard from the Center Fresh-Air Vent During Heating. A whistling noise is heard from the center fresh-air vents. The noise can be heard during the warm up phase (3 to 10 mins) after the heating system is first activated, with low outside temperatures and the center vents stratification adjustment wheel is turned to the ""red"" position. Note: This is independent of the air distribution setting, but a lower fan speed is required. CAUSE Unfavorable air flow against the mixing flaps in the upper distribution housing"
6102112018-12-03. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. Advanced Onboard Battery Diagnostics. INFORMATION Starting with the introduction of the F10 (5 Series), an advanced intelligent battery sensor has been used. This now makes it possible for the vehicle to monitor the condition of the battery in order to determine if the battery needs to be recharged or replaced, along with the remaining capacity of the battery. The analysis and testing of the battery's SoC (State of Charge) and SoH (State of Health) is now performed using ISTA (Integrated Service Technical Application) diagnosis. A separate test using a battery tester is no longer needed.
6101132018-12-03. Service bulletin. HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. "nconsistent Hybrid Display in CID. The following condition may be present when the split-screen option is selected in the Central Information Display (CID), and ""Hybrid Display"" is selected. The displayed message and/or power flow display on either side of the screen is inconsistent. One example of the display is shown below. The data displayed on each side of the CID uses slightly different parameters. In most use cases, only one of the displays is on at a time, so it is not noticeable. The displayed information on both is technically correct."
1307122018-12-03. Service bulletin. ENGINE; FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE. N63 and S63 Engine: High-pressure Fuel Injector Replacement Procedures. The customer complains that one of the following scenarios has been encountered while operating the vehicle: * During a cold start in the morning, the engine runs very roughly and the Service Engine Soon lamp is illuminated. * During a hot start, the engine runs very roughly and the Service Engine Soon lamp is illuminated. ??While driving or idling, the engine will misfire and the Service Engine Soon lamp is illuminated. * Various misfire faults are stored in DME fault memory. CAUSE An internal failure of the high-pressure fuel injector can lead to incorrect operation.
1301132018-12-03. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE. Fuel Tank Pressure Plausibility. A check engine light may be illuminated and the following fault is stored in the DME: 19401B: Fuel tank temperature-pressure sensor, plausibility; pressure to low opposed to ambient The integrated PT (pressure/temperature) sensor in the NVLD module must be calibrated at all times. If not calibrated, this fault will set when the pressure monitored has drifted out of the specified range. This condition is most common on vehicles that have had a software update with a version of ISTA/P up to 2.48.3. However, the fault may not occur immediately following programming. NOTE: If additional faults are stored for communication with the temperature sensor, further investigation is necessary. If the in-tank temperature reads a default high value such as 471°C, continue with the applicable test plan to determine the root cause. CAUSE ISTA/P versions up to 2.49.0 did not incorporate the PT sensor calibration in the update.
1216112018-12-03. Service bulletin. ENGINE; POWER TRAIN. N55 Engine Failsafe - FC 120308 Boost Pressure Control, Plausibility: Pressure Too Low Stored in DME Fault Memory. INFORMATION The customer complains the SES is illuminated and the engine has reduced power (engine failsafe mode).
6206132018-12-03. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL. Condition Based Service Due Date Is Reset to 01/2000. The Condition Based Service (CBS) due date is reset to 01/2000 and cannot be updated for: * Oil Service * Check Vehicle Note: No fault code is stored Software error in the Instrument Cluster
3201132018-12-03. Service bulletin. STEERING. Squeaking Noises when Steering Wheel Is Turned. There are squeaking noises from the steering spindle when the steering wheel is turned. The steering spindle sleeve's plastic bearing is insufficiently lubricated or not lubricated at all.
2702132018-12-03. Service bulletin. POWER TRAIN; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. Knocking Noise from Driveline During Low-speed Turning. A cracking or knocking noise is heard from the driveline on sharp turns at low driving speeds (<15 mph). CAUSE Software calibration error in the transfer case control unit (Longitudinal Torque Module or LMV)
1217122018-12-03. Service bulletin. ENGINE; POWER TRAIN. A customer may complain of a delay in engine response after decelerating at low road speeds and then reaccelerating. This can occur when the transmission remains in a high gear due to a delay in the transmission downshifting. This situation can be more noticeable while driving on roads with slight turns or with an increasing gradient. Unfavorable EGS and DME software
1213132018-12-03. Service bulletin. ENGINE. N55 Engine Does Not Start on First Attempt when Cold. The engine turns over but does not start on the first attempt. It will normally start on the second or third attempt, and no faults are stored in the DME. This occurs sporadically, usually at low ambient temperatures and when the engine is also cold. Unfavorable DME software in conjunction with a partially charged battery
B8406162018-12-03. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. ?BMW ONLINE NON-FUNCTIONAL: CHECK ICC-ID IN ACCOUNT. BMW Online/BMW ConnectedDrive not functional. Vehicle and service cockpit have different ICC-ID's (Integrated Circuit Card Identifier).
B8402142018-12-03. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. ?CONNECTEDDRIVE/BMW ASSIST SYSTEM DIAGNOSIS INFORMATION. ConnectedDrive/BMW Assist features are partially or completely inoperative. This Service Information bulletin is being published because vehicles are down for an extended period of time when researching system failures with ConnectedDrive or BMW Assist. This Service Information bulletin will assist you both in identifying the issue and providing technical support. CAUSE Not enough information is available for BMW NA engineers to assist the technician in diagnosing the root cause.
1215132018-12-03. Service bulletin. ENGINE. N20 and N26 Engine: Various VANOS System Faults Stored in DME. The Service Engine Soon lamp is illuminated; Engine Malfunction warning is illuminated; and the vehicle has reduced power output. Various faults related to VANOS operation are stored in the DME. While performing the test plan, the results may appear to be inconclusive because the fault will not clear from DME Fault Memory. The ISTA/D diagnostic test plan does incorporate a VANOS bleed function, but it does not advise the technician to bleed the VANOS system after a VANOS or engine oil supply component replacement. CAUSE This is due to an error in the current level of ISTA/D. The error will be corrected with ISTA/D 2.41.0.
1204122018-12-03. Service bulletin. ENGINE. N55: Idle Fluctuates Briefly After a Cold Engine Start. Under certain engine cold starts, the engine idle may fluctuate during the first 10-20 seconds of operation before becoming stable. No faults will be stored in this situation, which will usually only occur at specific engine temperatures, making it difficult to reproduce in the workshop. Unfavorable DME software calibration
B1111172018-12-03. Service bulletin. ENGINE. ?ENGINE LEAK DIAGNOSIS ON TURBOCHARGED V8 ENGINES. When diagnosing an engine oil leak or a coolant leak on turbocharged V8 engines it is necessary to use a borescope to identify if the source of the leak is from under the turbochargers. Engine oil or coolant leaking from the bell housing area or the front timing chain cover area may be caused by the turbocharger itself, a turbocharger oil/coolant feed line or turbocharger oil/coolant return line. Do not remove the transmission and do not dissemble the engine before performing this inspection. If necessary, use engine oil leakage detection dye.
B1108152018-12-03. Service bulletin. ENGINE. N63 and S63 Engine: Valve Seal Replacement. Refer to the following applicable SIBs before replacing the valve seals. * B11 07 11 - Turbocharger Failure: Oil Supply and Return Line Blockage and Proper Repair * B11 07 12 - N63 Engine: Oil Consumption and/or Rough Running Complaints * B11 01 13 - N63 Engine: Engine Oil Consumption, Engine Oil Top-ups and Refill Capacity * B11 03 13 - Engine Oil Consumption (all models) If the valve seals are leaking, one of the following will help determine if the seals should be replaced. * Smoke from the tailpipe when starting or aggressively accelerating and decelerating the engine in addition to excessive engine oil consumption * Spark plugs fouled with engine oil and excessive engine oil consumption * Excessive engine oil consumption All Vehicles: On vehicles, where an excessive oil consumption between services is the only complaint, a complete oil consumption test as described in SI B11 03 13, must be performed first before replacing the valve seals. On vehicles exhibiting reproducible smoking from the tailpipe when hot, additional engine diagnostic steps (e.g. engine compression test, leak-down tests; inspection of the crankcase ventilation lines and turbo intake/outlet tubes for excessive oil accumulation) should be performed and documented prior to replacement of the valve seals, in order to eliminate other possible causes. Refer to the SIBs listed above for important diagnostic tips. Do not remove the intake manifolds to clean the intake valve carbon.
8406132018-11-26. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT. iPhone Charging Status Constantly Switches On and Off. Do not replace any other parts! Advise the customer that he/she must use one of the following: * The original Apple iPhone/iPOD USB cable that came with the device * A BMW supplied iPhone/iPOD USB adapter cable PARTS INFORMATION Part Number
8405132018-11-26. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. TCB: Emergency Call Is Erroneously Triggered. An emergency call is erroneously made with no input from the driver. The following fault codes are stored in the TCB: * 0xB7F325 - Emergency call loud speaker: break in circuit * 0xB7F319 - Emergency call button: short circuit * 0xB7F326 - Emergency call loud speaker: short circuit to earth * 0xB7F33E - Automatic emergency call triggered frequently CAUSE TCB control unit error
6603132018-11-26. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. Parking Assistant Inoperative After Programming. The parking assistant system does not function correctly. One or more of the following scenarios may occur: * Unable to activate the parking assistant via the iDrive * When activated, the vehicle does not locate a parking spot * Does not assist with parking the vehicle CAUSE Software error in ISTA/P 2.49.0 programming data
6405132018-11-26. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. HV Battery Expansion Valve Sticking. The high-voltage battery is cooled by refrigerant as part of the vehicle's AC system. It is regulated using an expansion valve at the base of the battery itself. This expansion valve can become stuck in the open position, either intermittently or permanently. Fault code 21F107 - Cooling valve: valve couldn't be closed will be stored in the SME. CAUSE 1. Excess material from the manufacturing process can become lodged in the valve, causing it to stick open. 2. The diagnostic software in the SME control unit is not robust enough and can lead to a fault being set when a particular threshold is reached, despite the fact that the valve is not actually sticking.

The summaries are NHTSA's. Each bulletin's page links NHTSA's copy of the manufacturer's document.