2012 BMW 3 Series Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 3about this part
- Share
- 43%of 7 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 51,279miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the engine of the 2012 BMW 3 Series, 43% of the 7 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 51,279 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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 miles“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 forward. When trying to exit drive thru drive way vehicle was very heavy and almost impossible to turn. Finally after several back and forth attempts vehicle was moved about 50 feet to a safe parking location.”
NHTSA complaint #10892703, filed 2016-08, 25,989 miles“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 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11000628May 9, 2024Hot-Film Air Mass Meter Return
- 10058975Jul 1, 2015When accelerating, in hot ambient temperatures, between 3,000 rpm and 5,000 rpm, causes judders or surges in vehicle, repeatedly, due to the electropneumatic pressure convertor.
- 10058467Apr 1, 2015Bmw: fuel gauge fails to show correct level of fuel when filling fuel tank but would update itself after driving awhile and illumination of engine malfunction lamp (mil) comes…
- 10057527Jan 1, 2015Bmw: selective catalyst reduction module (scr) has a stored fault, pressure build up is low, causing service engine soon light to illuminate. *
- 10057341Dec 1, 2014Bmw: malfunction warning light for engine is illuminated due to purge air system micro leakage and ventilation of fuel tank from contamination.
- 10057337Oct 1, 2014Bmw: due to debris entering oil passage of engine, it will knock and lose power, during cylinder head mating surfaces and cleaning of engine block after repair to engine.
- 10045283Oct 1, 2014Bmw: experiencing loss of engine power, service engine soon lamp is illuminated, a noise, like rattling, coming from engine compartment. *pe updated 10/31/12. *pe models 2010…
- 10054641Nov 1, 2013Bmw: an erroneous message, from oil level sensor, indicating oil service is due, after traveling a short distance. Model f15, f13, f12, f10, f07, f06, f02, f01. No years listed.
- 10049679Nov 1, 2012Bmw: if bsd communication is disrupted, oil level sensor data is no longer received by dme. Bsd communication fault(s), after repairs are shortly set, requires removal of…
- 10049439Oct 12, 2012Bmw: vehicles needs diagnosing for n63 misfire faults when service engine soon lamp is illuminated. Lack of diagnosing engine or fuel system could cause incorrect diagnosis and…
Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 7 | 33% |
| 2012 | 3 | 43% |
| 2010 | 6 | 20% |
| 2009 | 5 | 9% |
| 2008 | 13 | 19% |
| 2007 | 22 | 19% |
| 2006 | 11 | 5% |
| 2003 | 2 | 3% |
| 2002 | 1 | 4% |
| 2000 | 1 | 1% |
| 1997 | 1 | 20% |
Other parts of the 2012 BMW 3 Series
2 complaintsAir bags
1 complaintsOther or unknown
1 complaintsSeats
1 complaintsSteering
1 complaintsBody and structure
1 complaintsVehicle speed control
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2012 BMW 3 Series
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology