2012 BMW M3 Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other M3 years
- Not enough data 17th of 28 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 3 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 6 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 BMW M3. That ranks 17th out of 28 M3 model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is air bags (4 complaints, 67%), typically at around 63,000 miles. There are 3 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 1 defect investigation involving it.
- 6owner 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 M3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air Bags | 4 | 67% | 63,000 | — | — |
| Engine | 2 | 33% | 23,720 | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2012 BMW M3 recalls (3)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module
Problem: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 128i and 135i Convertibles, 128i, 135i, and M Coupes, 2007-2010 X3 30si and X3 xDrive30i, 2013-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i and X1 xDrive35i, 2007-2013 328i, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335is, 335i xDrive and M3 Coupes, 2006-2011 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive and M3, 2009-2011 335D, 2006-2012 325xi, 328i, 328xi and 328i xDrive, 2010-2011 X6 ActiveHybrid, 2007-2013 328i, 335i, 335is, M3 Coupes, X5 30si, X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 48i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5 M, 2009-2013 X5 xDrive35d and 2008-2014 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6M vehicles equipped with non-desiccated driver frontal air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) that were used as interim remedy parts for previous Takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver air bag. On X5 and X6 vehicles, only the inflator will be replaced. All repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began March 11, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Electrical system:wiring:fuses and circuit breakers; electrical system:12v/24v/48v battery:cables
Problem: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2009 328i and 328xi, 2009-2011 335d, 2008-2012 M3 Coupe and M3 Convertible, and 2008-2011 M3 Sedan vehicles. The connection of the positive battery cable at the fuse box terminal may degrade, resulting in an intermittent loss of electrical power.
Risk: A loss of electrical power can cause the vehicle to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace and secure the positive battery cable connector, free of charge. The recall began August 14, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Note: This recall is an expansion of a previous recall, number 18V-314.
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module
Problem: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2008-2013 128i and 135i coupes and convertibles and 1 Series M coupes, 2006-2011 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive Sedans, 2009-2011 335d sedans, 2006-2012 325xiT, 328i and 328xi sports wagons, 2007-2013 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive, 335is and M3 Coupes and Convertibles, 2013-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i and X1 xDrive35i SAVs, 2007-2010 X3 xDrive30i SAVs, 2007-2013 X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5 M SAVs, 2009-2013 BMW X5 xDrive35d SAVs, 2008-2014 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i, and X6 M SACs, 2010-2011 BMW X6 xDrive50i SACs and 2008-2011 M3 Sedan vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag module or inflator depending on the vehicle model, free of charge. The recall began March 9, 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service 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
- Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture (EA21002) — opened Sep 17, 2021, still open.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
Approximately 5 miles after receiving the vehicle the rod bearings and crank suffered complete failure. I was in motion around 60mph on a rural highway when the engine suddenly lost power. After avoiding an accident i safely pulled over and shut the car off. The engine would not start. The seized…
When i called bmw to have my defective airbag replaced they do not have the part available. The defect can apparently lead to serious injury or death so i think it is imperative that they do this immediately.
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2012 bmw m3. The contact stated that nhtsa campaign number: 16v071000 ( air bags) exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the repair. The contact received the recall notification in march of 2016. The dealer ( braman motorcars 2901 okeechobee blvd, west palm…
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2012 bmw m3. The contact stated that the recall notice for nhtsa campaign number: 16v071000 (air bags) was received in february. After contacting the dealer and the manufacturer on multiple occasions, the contact was informed that the parts needed for the…
Takata recall is taking too long to replace my drivers side airbag in my 2012 bmw m3 convertible. I called rusnak bmw in westlake village, ca in november 2016 for a status update as to why they still have not contacted me to replace my driver's side takata airbag despite a recall notice in march of…
Other BMW M3 years
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 M3 | 2 | 0 |
| 2023 M3 | 1 | 1 |
| 2022 M3 | 1 | 0 |
| 2021 M3 | 3 | 3 |
| 2018 M3 | 9 | 0 |
| 2017 M3 | 3 | 2 |
| 2016 M3 | 5 | 3 |
| 2015 M3 | 4 | 3 |
| 2014 M3 | 0 | 1 |
| 2013 M3 | 13 | 2 |
| 2012 | 6 | 3 |
| 2011 M3 | 31 | 4 |
| 2010 M3 | 15 | 4 |
| 2009 M3 | 45 | 5 |
| 2008 M3 | 82 | 5 |
| 2007 M3 | 0 | 3 |
| 2006 M3 | 14 | 5 |
| 2005 M3 | 12 | 3 |
| 2004 M3 | 31 | 3 |
| 2003 M3 | 54 | 5 |
| 2002 M3 | 40 | 5 |
| 2001 M3 | 14 | 4 |
| 2000 M3 | 0 | 2 |
| 1999 M3 | 11 | 1 |
| 1998 M3 | 14 | 1 |
| 1997 M3 | 19 | 2 |
| 1996 M3 | 1 | 1 |
| 1995 M3 | 12 | 4 |
See all BMW M3 problems by year, every BMW model, or the BMW VIN decoder.
Similar BMW models
Embed this 2012 BMW M3 badge on your site
Copy this code into your blog or forum post. It shows live complaint and recall counts and links back here.
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2012 BMW M3?
Owners most often report air bags, engine problems. The top one, air bags, accounts for 4 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2012 BMW M3?
Yes, 3 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2012 BMW M3 a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other M3 model years, the 2012 has too little data to compare. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.