2012 BMW 3 Series Problems
- Complaints
- 7filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 38,634miles, 6 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 3campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2012 BMW 3 Series (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error
NHTSA recorded 7 consumer complaints for the 2012 BMW 3 Series. The part named most often is engine, with 3 complaints (43% of the total), followed by fuel system (2) and air bags (1). 6 of the complaints include a mileage, and 50% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 38,634 miles. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns and 44 technical service bulletins for this model year. Engine complaints overlap with 10 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Fuel system complaints overlap with 3 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Engine3 43%
- Fuel system2 29%
- Air bags1 14%
- Other or unknown1 14%
- Seats1 14%
- Steering1 14%
- Body and structure1 14%
Example complaints
Engine: “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 barricaded while we were trying to move the car. Eventually, in about 30 mins, the car turns on. Happened after an hour of highway driving. Car seemed fine after that. August 17, 2016 - on another long trip, the car stalled on the highway. Would crank but not turn on. Almost exhausted the battery. …”
NHTSA complaint #10925651, filed 2016-11, 71,000 milesFuel system: “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 around me to avoid collision. The Bmw dealer inspected the car and told me that the fuel pump and its control unit is faulty. I have attached their diagnosis as well. …”
NHTSA complaint #10925545, filed 2016-11, 24,000 milesAir bags: “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.”
NHTSA complaint #11034723, filed 2017-10, 55,000 milesOther or unknown: “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.”
NHTSA complaint #10780872, filed 2015-10, 51,279 milesMileage when problems were reported
50% of the 6 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 24,000 and 55,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Recalls and investigations
- 23V707000Oct 20, 2023Engine and engine cooling › EngineCovers: BMW 3 Series 2010–2012, 1 Series 2010–2012, X5 2010–2011 +3 more
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…
- 22V119000Mar 2, 2022Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Emission control › Crankcase (pcv)Covers: BMW 3 Series 2006–2012, Z4 2006–2011, 128I 2008–2013 +3 more
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…
- 12V176000Apr 20, 2012Seats › Front assembly › Head restraintCovers: BMW 3 Series 2012
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…
Recall details for the 2012 BMW 3 Series → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 44 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 11014417Feb 20, 2025Electrical system. The Footwell Module (FRM) limited warranty for defects in materials and / or workmanship has been supplementarily increased to 15 years / 240,000 miles as determined from the original first…
- 11000628May 9, 2024Engine. Hot-Film Air Mass Meter Return
- 10249437Jan 16, 2024Electrical system, Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors). The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.
- 10249027Jan 11, 2024Electrical system. The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few years. This has led to increased demands being placed on the battery. This document covers…
- 10240305Aug 2, 2023Equipment, Steering, Suspension. Spl Parts, Inc. communications index accompanying MCP uploads 23mc40464 & 23mc40471
- 10240273Jul 17, 2023Suspension, Steering, Equipment. This is the companion to SPL Parts, Inc.'s SB 23-01 mailed by private label independent distributor Turner Motorsports.
- 10240266Jul 14, 2023Equipment, Suspension, Steering. SPL Parts, Inc. manufacturers and distributes aftermarket lower control arms for dedicated competition vehicles and "track day" cars some of which may be used on both track and highway. SB 23-01…
- 10215025Jun 1, 2017Equipment. Shipping specific non-deployed vehicle safety devices to lighting resources, llc. This service Information bulletin provides information on shipping "specific" noin-deployed vehicle safety devices…
- 10215024Jun 1, 2017Engine cooling. The engine?s intake charge-air duct limited warranty extension to 10 years/120,000 miles applies to ?eligible USspecification
- 10059092Sep 1, 2015Equipment. Bmw: improper routing of the bowden cable causes the driver or passenger front door not to open occasionally when temperature is below 37 degrees.
Other model years of the BMW 3 Series
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 21 | 3,750 | 0 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 2012 | 7 | 38,634 | 3 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2010 | 30 | 59,256 | 2 | — | — | 31 · Fewer | Stable |
| 2009 | 53 | 68,000 | 1 | — | — | 54 · Typical | Stable |
| 2008 | 68 | 55,000 | 2 | — | — | 50 · Typical | Stable |
| 2007 | 115 | 60,000 | 1 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2006 | 202 | 66,050 | 3 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2005 | 25 | 70,000 | 0 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2004 | 77 | 80,450 | 0 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2003 | 73 | 77,217 | 0 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2002 | 26 | 92,000 | 0 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2001 | 36 | 117,000 | 1 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2000 | 88 | 95,500 | 1 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1999 | 6 | 105,330 | 1 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1997 | 5 | 67,600 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
All BMW 3 Series model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2012 BMW 3 Series have?
NHTSA recorded 7 consumer complaints for the 2012 BMW 3 Series as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2012 BMW 3 Series is reported most often?
Engine is named most often, in 3 complaints (43% of the total), followed by fuel system with 2.
Has the 2012 BMW 3 Series been recalled?
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
At what mileage are problems with the 2012 BMW 3 Series reported?
Among the 6 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 38,634 miles and the middle half falls between 24,000 and 55,000 miles; 50% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.