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BMW M3Model year report

2012 BMW M3 Problems

Complaints
6filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
24,600miles, 3 complaints with mileage
Recalls
3campaigns on record
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA crash rating
—no overall rating published
EPA fuel economy
16 mpgcombined, 4.0L 8-cyl RWD · 14 city / 20 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2012 BMW M3 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 6 consumer complaints for the 2012 BMW M3. The part named most often is air bags, with 4 complaints (67% of the total), followed by engine (2). 3 of the complaints include a mileage, and 67% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 24,600 miles. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns and 111 technical service bulletins for this model year. Air bags complaints overlap with 2 recall campaigns covering the inflator module and 5 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Engine complaints overlap with 8 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.

Example complaints

Air bags: “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 2016. They indicated they have not gotten to my model year and that replacement takata airbags are not coming as quickly as they should.”

NHTSA complaint #10934302, filed 2016-12, 63,000 miles

Engine: “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 engine was diagnosed based on an immobile crank and oil contamination by the manufacturer's dealership. I then had the oil pan completely removed at an independent shop to confirm the manufacturer's diagnosis, it was confirmed. …”

NHTSA complaint #11242444, filed 2019-08, 22,839 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

67% of the 3 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 22,839 and 63,000 miles.

0%0–1067%10–250%25–5033%50–750%75–1000%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (3 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 24,600 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

20152016201732019
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2012 BMW M3 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
M3 Convertible RWD4.0L 8-cyl6-speed manual142016$5,150
M3 Convertible RWD4.0L 8-cyl7-speed automatic142016$5,150
M3 Coupe RWD4.0L 8-cyl6-speed manual142116$5,150
M3 Coupe RWD4.0L 8-cyl7-speed automatic142016$5,150

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2012 BMW M3 → · 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. 111 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 111 bulletins →

Other model years of the BMW M3

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
2018910,7500—20—Not enough data
2016520,0003—20—Not enough data
20131324,0002—16—Not enough data
2012624,6003—16—Not enough data
20113143,3004—160 · FewerFalling
20101556,0004—16—Rising
2009454,0005—1650 · TypicalFalling
20088215,0005—1660 · TypicalRising
20061475,0005—17—Not enough data
20051285,0003—17—Not enough data
20043177,9943—17Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20035470,7505—17Not compared (before 2008)Rising
20024077,5005—17Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20011454,0004—17—Not enough data
19991161,8001—20—Not enough data
19981471,5001—21—Not enough data
199719—2—21—Stable
19951244,4224—20—Not enough data

All BMW M3 model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2012 BMW M3 have?

NHTSA recorded 6 consumer complaints for the 2012 BMW M3 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2012 BMW M3 is reported most often?

Air bags is named most often, in 4 complaints (67% of the total), followed by engine with 2.

Has the 2012 BMW M3 been recalled?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2012 BMW M3 get?

The EPA rates the 2012 BMW M3 (M3 Convertible, 4.0L 8-cyl) at 16 mpg combined, 14 city and 20 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $5,150 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2012 BMW M3 reported?

Among the 3 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 24,600 miles and the middle half falls between 22,839 and 63,000 miles; 67% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

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.