2012 BMW 3 Series Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other 3 Series years
- Not enough data 13th of 20 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 3 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 7 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 BMW 3 Series. That ranks 13th out of 20 3 Series model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is engine (3 complaints, 43%), typically at around 51,279 miles. There are 3 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 1 defect investigation involving it.
- 7owner complaints
- 3safety recalls
- 1NHTSA investigations
- 0complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2012 BMW 3 Series problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 3 | 43% | 51,279 | — | — |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 2 | 29% | 47,500 | — | — |
| Air Bags | 1 | 14% | 55,000 | — | — |
| Seats | 1 | 14% | — | — | — |
| Steering | 1 | 14% | 25,989 | — | — |
| Structure | 1 | 14% | 5,150 | — | — |
| Unknown or Other | 1 | 14% | 51,279 | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 1 | 14% | 25,989 | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2012 BMW 3 Series recalls (3)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Engine and engine cooling:engine
Problem: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2010-2012 1 Series Coupe, 1 Series Convertible, 3 Series Sedan, 3 Series Convertible, 2010-2011 3 Series Sportswagon, 3 Series Coupe, 5 Series Sedan, X3 xDrive 28i, X3 xDrive 30i, X5 xDrive30i, and Z4 sDrive30i vehicles. The aluminum bolts that secure the housing for the variable camshaft timing adjustment (VANOS) unit can loosen over time and possibly break.
Risk: Loose or broken VANOS unit bolts can result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the four VANOS bolts, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk are expected to be mailed December 18, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed June 19, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Engine and engine cooling:exhaust system:emission control:crankcase (pcv)
Problem: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 1 Series Coupe (128i); 2007-2013 3 Series Coupe (328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive); 2007-2010 X3 SAV (X3 3.0si, X3 xDrive30i); 2008-2013 1 Series Convertible (128i); 2006-2011 3 Series Sedan (325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 330i, 330xi); 2006-2012 3 Series Wagon (328i, 328i xDrive); 2007-2013 3 Series Convertible (328i); 2006-2010 5 Series Sedan (525i, 525xi, 528i, 528xi, 530i, 530xi); 2006-2007 5 Series Wagon (530xi); 2007-2010 X5 SAV (X5 3.0si, X5 xDrive30i); 2006-2008 Z4 Coupe (Z4 3.0si); and 2006-2011 Z4 Roadster (Z4 3.0i, Z4 3.0si, Z4 sDrive30i) vehicles. The heater for the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve may short circuit.
Risk: An electrical short can cause the PCV valve heater to overheat, increasing the risk of a fire while driving or, soon after driving when parked.
Fix: This recall supersedes and expands previous NHTSA recalls 17V-683 and 19V-273. Dealers will install an electrical wiring harness with fuse protection for the PCV Valve heater in potentially affected vehicles, free of charge. This recall supersedes and expands previous NHTSA recalls 17V-683 and 19V-273. Vehicles previously repaired under the prior recalls will need to come back for the new recall remedy. The remedy is currently being developed. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed on April 1, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 22, 2022. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Seats:front assembly:head restraint
Problem: Bmw is recalling certain model year 2012 bmw 3-series vehicles manufactured from october 19, 2011, through march 18, 2012, that have front seat head restraints that exceed the downward movement limit of 25mm in the highest position. Thus, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 202a,"head restraints."
Risk: In the event of a vehicle crash, the head restraint may unexpectedly move down slightly if it was adjusted to the fully extended position, increasing the risk of personal injury.
Fix: Bmw will notify owners, and dealers will attach a clamp to the front seat head restraint posts, free of charge. The safety recall began on may 30, 2012. Owners may contact bmw customer relations and services at 1-800-525-7417.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
NHTSA defect investigations
- Loss of power assist braking (PE13030) — opened Sep 6, 2013, closed Oct 25, 2013, led to recall 13V454000.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
Takata recall i have contacted coggin bmw ft. Pierce fl. Several times to get my airbag fixed. Over a year now and still they claim that the parts have not come in yet. Is this true and what can i do to get this recall taken care of.
August 6, 2016 - car stalled at about 50mph, just when about to go uphill. I wasn't able to make it to the shoulder leaving the car blocking traffic with my wife and daughter in it. Once it stops, it puts itself in park, making it impossible to push aside. We created a traffic jam and police…
I was driving on a very busy road in downtown chicago in heavy traffic and the car just suddenly stalled without any warning middle of the road and won't move. Of course came close to being crashed from behind. I am grateful and lucky that the cars behind were able to stop in time and maneuver…
While in line in a drive thru the vehicle turned off suddenly losing all electrical power and power steering. Upon trying to start "charging malfunction" appeared on the information screen in with a red warning sign. Tried 2-3 times to turn over starter. When vehicle turned on it was time to move…
Vanos bolt failure. 4 vanos bolt broken. Car stalled while driving. The car was driving on a city street while turning. No power at all. It is a 2011 328i.
Other BMW 3 Series years
← 2011 3 Series · 2013 3 Series →
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 3 Series | 0 | 1 |
| 2013 3 Series | 21 | 0 |
| 2012 | 7 | 3 |
| 2011 3 Series | 1 | 2 |
| 2010 3 Series | 30 | 2 |
| 2009 3 Series | 53 | 1 |
| 2008 3 Series | 68 | 2 |
| 2007 3 Series | 115 | 1 |
| 2006 3 Series | 202 | 3 |
| 2005 3 Series | 25 | 0 |
| 2004 3 Series | 77 | 0 |
| 2003 3 Series | 73 | 0 |
| 2002 3 Series | 26 | 0 |
| 2001 3 Series | 36 | 1 |
| 2000 3 Series | 88 | 1 |
| 1999 3 Series | 6 | 1 |
| 1998 3 Series | 3 | 0 |
| 1997 3 Series | 5 | 0 |
| 1996 3 Series | 2 | 0 |
| 1995 3 Series | 3 | 0 |
See all BMW 3 Series problems by year, every BMW model, or the BMW VIN decoder.
Similar BMW models
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2012 BMW 3 Series?
Owners most often report engine, fuel/propulsion system, air bags problems. The top one, engine, accounts for 3 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2012 BMW 3 Series?
Yes, 3 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2012 BMW 3 Series a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other 3 Series model years, the 2012 has too little data to compare. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.