Problems with the 12 V battery on BMW: affected models and engines
In 4 models from BMW there are 4 documented faults with the 12 V battery. The most important: battery drain and loose positive cable, alternator failure and battery drain on the BMW 5 Series E39 and rapid drain of the 12 V battery when the car is parked.
Documented faults, from most to least important
Severity × frequency. Below each one, the BMW models it appears in.
By BMW model
Open yours to see only the faults that affect it, by engine and by year.
Parts for your BMW for faults with the 12 V battery
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Frequently asked questions
What faults with the 12 V battery do BMW cars have?
In 4 models from BMW there are 4 documented faults with the 12 V battery. The most important: battery drain and loose positive cable, alternator failure and battery drain on the BMW 5 Series E39 and rapid drain of the 12 V battery when the car is parked. Each fault has its own page with the affected years and versions, the symptoms and the repair cost.
Which BMW models have the most problems with the 12 V battery?
BMW Serie 5 E39 (1 fault), BMW Serie 6 E63/E64 (1 fault), BMW Serie 2 Gran Tourer F46 (1 fault) and BMW X1 F48 (1 fault).