2012 BMW M3 Technical Service Bulletins

111 technical service bulletins (TSBs) are on record for the 2012 BMW M3. TSBs are notes manufacturers send to dealers about repair procedures for issues seen in the field. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault.

• 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 important information for the dealer on how to handle “discharged battery” complaints.
• 10244237Oct 13, 2023Brakes. Functional noises (squealing/honking) when braking shortly before the vehicle comes to a stop. CAUSE Material-
• 10225126Sep 1, 2022Equipment. Vehicle cannot be opened or closed using comfort access, engine start is not possible, and the vehicle may not start when placing the key against the steering column.
• 10211864Mar 1, 2022Electrical system. The footwell module (FRM) cannot be encoded after replacement.
• 10194296Apr 1, 2021Steering, Brakes. Diagnosis of Compound Brake System Complaints in M Vehicles: 1. Visible cracks are caused by high thermal stresses during rapid heating and cooling of the brake discs. Braking from high speed with cold brake components (less than 212 degrees F) increases the likelihood of cracks to form.
• 10175267Apr 1, 2020Transmission and drivetrain, Electrical system. Power Reduction FC2A82 Intake VANOS and/or FC2 A87 Exhaust VANOS Camshaft Fault: The "Service Engine Soon" (MIL) lamp is illuminated and engine power reduction is perceived. This situation can occur after driving for some time with the engine at full operating temperature. If the ignition is cycled the engine then usually performs normally.
• 10170574Dec 1, 2019Engine. SERVICE ACTION: N54T ENGINE - INSPECT AND REPLACE INJECTOR(S). The piezo-type fuel injectors may cause a rough running at start-up or rough running while at idle.
• 10162434Jul 12, 2019Equipment. Service Action: CIC - Install Navigation Road Map Database 2013. Before delivering affected vehicles to the customer, the Car Information Computer (CIC) road map database 2013 must be installed onto the CIC internal Hard Disc Drive (HDD).
• 10162431Jul 10, 2019Electrical system. "Erroneous CC Message "Remote control! Do not switch off the engine" is Displayed. An erroneous CC message, "Remote control!" " Do not switch off the engine" is displayed in the Central Information Display (CID). The engine can still be started, even with the CC message displayed. CAUSE: Car Access System (CAS) software error"
• 10162404Jul 10, 2019Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors), Electrical system. "Outside Door Mirror Moves when Locking or Unlocking the Vehicle. The door mirror tilts immediately after unlocking or locking. The mirror position does not correspond to the memory position preset by the customer. Pressing the seat memory button typically will return the mirror to the stored position. Poor electrical contacts of the mirror drive in the mirror housing INFORMATION The problem has been integrated…
• 10162395Jul 9, 2019Equipment, Engine cooling. N55 Engine: Various Faults Stored in DME Related to VANOS and Camshaft Position. A rattling noise can be heard from the engine compartment; the engine has a loss of power; and the Service Engine Soon lamp is illuminated. One or more of the following faults may be stored.
• 10163047Jun 1, 2019Body and structure. RETRACTABLE HARDTOP STATUS REQUEST SUPPLEMENT. This Service Information bulletin replaces SI B54 09 07 dated September 2018.
• 10160287Apr 1, 2019Air bags. TAKATA AIR BAG RECALL-RELATED SHORT-TERM ALTERNATE TRANSPORTATION AND CONSEQUENTIAL REPAIRS This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI B01 31 18 dated October 2018.
• 10160244Apr 1, 2019Air bags. TAKATA AIR BAG RECALL-RELATED SHORT-TERM ALTERNATE TRANSPORTATION AND CONSEQUENTIAL REPAIRS This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI B01 31 18 dated October 2018.
• 10153726Jan 1, 2019Air bags. Takata class action settlement. Customer support program. Front driver side airbag modules.
• 10149557Oct 1, 2018Electrical system, Air bags. For the above-referenced vehicles with driver?s side airbag modules, BMW of North America, LLC (?BMW NA?) will provide a Customer Support Program as outlined in the Takata Settlement Customer Support Program Overview attachment. This ?component-specific? customer support program applies only if there is a defect in materials or workmanship of the Takata driver?s side airbag module in a listed vehicle.
• 10150894Sep 1, 2018Body and structure, Electrical system, Equipment. ?RETRACTABLE HARDTOP STATUS REQUEST SUPPLEMENT. INFORMATION Documents have been developed showing the known correct statuses for all hall sensors and micro switches used to operate the retractable hard top (RHT). This document is intended to act as a supplement to the diagnostic information available in ISTA. Comparing these statuses to the actual statuses of a vehicle with a functional problem may assist in…
• 10145331Jul 1, 2018Brakes. Diagnosis of Compound Brake System Complaints in M Vehicles:
• 10145320Jul 1, 2018Equipment. CONNECTEDDRIVE/BMW ASSIST SYSTEM DIAGNOSIS INFORMATION: ConnectedDrive/BMW Assist features are partially or completely inoperative.
• 10145306Jun 1, 2018Equipment. NAVIGATION SYSTEM: REPORTING MISSING OR INCORRECT ROAD MAP DATA: The route guidance is inaccurate and therefore irritating to the customer; or it is not possible to locate certain addresses, for instance:
• 10143564May 1, 2018Equipment. NAVIGATION SYSTEM: REPORTING MISSING OR INCORRECT ROAD MAP DATA: The route guidance is inaccurate and therefore irritating to the customer; or it is not possible to locate certain addresses, for instance:
• 10142945Jan 1, 2018Equipment. Bluetooth Connection Failures: There are various connectivity failures with the following devices: Apple iPhones: Samsung S6 and the S6 Edge.
• 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 that are classified as Dangerous Goods (DG) to Lighting resources, LLC
• 10215024Jun 1, 2017Engine cooling. The engine?s intake charge-air duct limited warranty extension to 10 years/120,000 miles applies to ?eligible USspecification
• 10146719Jun 1, 2017Equipment. ConnectedDrive/BMW Assist System Diagnosis Information This Service Information bulletin replaces SI B84 02 14 dated July 2014 What's New: Model - Removed models which no longer support BMW Assist functionality and added new models. Procedure - Add step requesting print out of ConnectedDrive Service Cockpit page Information - Add SI for ConnectedDrive Service Cockpit; updated the hyperlinks and email address for CD…
• 10149256May 1, 2017Electrical system. Interrupted supply of power to the vehicle. ? Initial vehicle entry / engine ignition may not function. ? Intermittent power failure during a journey may cause:o Instrument cluster flickering o Engine jerking. Plug-in contact of the positive battery cable, located at the front power distribution box has been damaged. ? Vehicle vibrations and frictional corrosion can cause a high current flow thru the wire. ? The…
• 10136745May 1, 2017Electrical system. ConnectedDrive/BMW Assist System Diagnosis Information
• 10146660Apr 1, 2017Electrical system. The underlying 2G technology for the GSM (Global System Mobile communication) COMBOX will no longer be supported by the cellular network providers after December 31, 2016. This COMBOX and the BMW Assist services that use its functionality will therefore no longer function after that date.
• 10146659Apr 1, 2017Electrical system. SERVICE ACTION: GSM COMBOX DEACTIVATION / DISCONTINUATION WITH 4 YEAR ASSIST SERVICE. What's New: ? Model: Option code removed to prevent confusion about affected vehicles ? Situation: Information added about Bluetooth functionality that is not affect by this Service Action ? Correction: Information added about lease returns, loaner, CPO and used vehicles that are not eligible for the 3 customer options ?…
• 10146658Apr 1, 2017Equipment. "?Telematics Device Spares Replacement Part Activation via DCSnet for BMW Assist What's New: ? Model: All models added along with 6AC option code ? Situation: All information added ? Information: Deleted CDMA related information and added activation of Wi-Fi control unit ? Procedure: Added "Note" regarding ConnectedDrive support hotline information . A replacement telematics control unit must only be activated for…
• 10146632Apr 1, 2017Fuel system. ?N20, N26, N55, N63TU, S63TU and S55 Engines: Bosch Injector ETK Part Number Error What's New: ? Identifying the injector type using the ISTA test plan ? Determining the injector part number using the new the parts table. The current version of the ETK incorporates multiple part number errors for the Bosch type injectors. Ordering the injectors by VIN number or manual identification in ETK may result in an…
• 10146573Mar 1, 2017Engine cooling. N20, N26, N55, N63TU, S63TU and S55 Engines: Bosch Injector ETK Part Number Error What's New: ? Procedure change: indentifying injector type using an ISTA test plan. . The current version of the ETK incorporates multiple part number errors for the Bosch type injectors. Ordering the injectors by VIN number or manual identification in ETK may result in an incorrect part number.
• 10146790Dec 1, 2016Electrical system. Interrupted supply of power to the vehicle. Initial vehicle entry / engine ignition may not function. Intermittent power failure during a journey may cause: o Instrument cluster flickering o Engine jerking. Plug-in contact of the positive battery cable, located at the front power distribution box has been damaged. Vehicle vibrations and frictional corrosion can cause a high current flow thru the wire. The excessive…
• 10146966Nov 1, 2016Electrical system, Equipment. "USB DEVICE IS NOT DETECTED BY CHAMP2 HEAD UNIT. Media connected to the USB connector is not recognized by the audio system. Playback of files from the media is not possible. Message displayed on the audio system display: ""Title cannot be reproduced"" ""Is being read"" (but never plays back any audio) CAUSE Media with data files stored in more than 32 directories or 32 subdirectories within a directory. Media with…
• 10146779Nov 1, 2016Electrical system. Diagnosing Stored Fault Codes to Help Avoid Repeat Repair Visits This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI B07 03 14 dated October 2015.. Fault codes stored in vehicles being serviced are not being diagnosed, leading to repeat repair visits (source- Analysis of FASTA data and repeat repair visit reports).
• 10146904Oct 1, 2016Electrical system, Equipment. USB CABLE: BATTERY DISCHARGE/AUDIO FAILURE/RADIO RECEPTION. No sound from the radio, telephone, gong signal and or PDC. Poor radio reception and failure of the telematics systems. Possible Check Control system message: o Battery discharge when engine off. o Caution, no acoustic warning signals. Non BMW approved (third-party supplier) USB cable plugged into the USB port.
• 10146998Aug 1, 2016Electrical system, Equipment. FOOTWELL MODULE: LIMITED WARRANTY EXTENSION TO 8 YEARS/125,000 MILES. When performing ISTA/D diagnosis and/or a programming procedure (software update) on an affected vehicle, the Footwell Module (FRM) could fail. There is a compatibility issue with certain combinations of vehicle software (Plant Integration ILevel) and the Footwell Module hardware installed in the vehicle.
• 10151335May 1, 2016Equipment. Bluetooth Connection Failures. There are various connectivity failures with the following devices: Apple iPhones Samsung S6 and the S6 Edge. Connectivity failure examples are: Call disconnection - Call is transferred back to the handset. In some instances the call is then transferred back to the vehicle. Contact List incomplete General connection failures Apple iOS software (issue started with iOS 8.3 continues…
• 10151255Apr 1, 2016Equipment, Electrical system. ISTA/P Cannot Program an E-Series N55 Replacement DME. ISTA/P fails when attempting to program a replacement DME (MEVD172) on BN2000 E-Series vehicles with the Continental HPP. Part number: 12 14 8 618 483. DME logistic error between the replacement hardware and basic software prevents correct programming with ISTA/P.
• 10151170Mar 1, 2016Fuel system, Engine. N51 Engine: Service Engine Soon Lamp Illuminated - Loss of Power and Various Faults Stored in the DME. The customer complains that the Service Engine Soon lamp is illuminated. The vehicle has lost power; the engine cranks but will not start; and various faults are stored in the DME for engine misfire and/or mixture adaptations. CAUSE The vehicle has lost fuel system delivery pressure due to a loose or split fuel…
• 10151119Feb 1, 2016Equipment, Electrical system. SI B84 03 14 February 2016 Communication Systems Technical Service This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI B84 03 14 dated October 2014. SUBJECT Bluetooth Connection Failures. There are various connectivity failures with the following devices: Apple iPhones Samsung S6 and the S6 Edge. Connectivity failure examples are: Call disconnection - Call is transferred back to the handset. In some instances the call…
• 10151115Feb 1, 2016Equipment, Electrical system. SUBJECT Audio System Speaker Testing. For audio system speaker testing there is a NED (Non Electrical Diagnosis) Test Plan available. CAUSE We previously recommended use of the Audio Test CD (ATC) from BMW. This CD has been discontinued.
• 10151079Feb 1, 2016Equipment, Fuel system. SI B13 03 15 February 2016 Fuel Systems Technical Service This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI B13 03 15 dated March 2015 and replaces SI B13 04 13 dated March 2014. SUBJECT N20, N26, N55, N63TU, S63TU and S55 Engines: Bosch Injector ETK Part Number Error. The current version of the ETK incorporates multiple part number errors for the Bosch type injectors. Ordering the injectors by VIN number or manual…
• 10151068Feb 1, 2016Engine, Equipment, Electrical system, Steering. This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI B07 03 14 dated October 2015. Diagnosing Stored Fault Codes to Help Avoid Repeat Repair Visits. Fault codes stored in vehicles being serviced are not being diagnosed, leading to repeat repair visits (source- Analysis of FASTA data and repeat repair visit reports).
• 10151023Jan 1, 2016Equipment. Whistling Noise Coming from the Center Vent - A/C is Off . A very high pitched whistling or beeping noise is heard coming from the center vents. The flow of refrigerant through the expansion valve at certain temperature differentials.
• 10147858Dec 1, 2015Equipment. New programming feature: Exclusion of Infotainment Control Units from Programming. Programming with ISTA/P 3.57.4, or a more recent update, displays a new Pop-Up window providing options for systems programming.
• 10147837Nov 1, 2015Equipment, Electrical system. "The Disclaimer screen automatically disappears from the CID after 10 seconds. INFORMATION https://www.bmwtis.net/tiscode/cgi-bin/bulletin.aspx?sie_path=/tsb/bulletins/htm_store/28...12/2/2015 Page 2 of 2 An enhancement was made to the Car Communication Computer (CCC) and MASK (Multi Audio System Controller) in 2006 so the customer does not have to manually accept the ""Disclaimer"" screen each time.
• 10147758Oct 1, 2015Equipment. This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI B07 03 14 dated May 2015. designates changes to this revision SUBJECT Diagnosing Stored Fault Codes to Help Avoid Repeat Repair Visits. Fault codes stored in vehicles being serviced are not being diagnosed, leading to repeat repair visits (source- Analysis of FASTA data and repeat repair visit reports).
• 10147242Sep 1, 2015Brakes. Diagnosis of Compound Brake System Complaints in M Vehicles This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI 34 04 14 dated December 2014. Designates changes to the bulletin. INFORMATION 1.Visible cracks are caused by high thermal stresses during rapid heating and cooling of the brake discs. Braking from high speed with cold brake components (less than 212 degrees F) increases the likelihood of cracks to form.
• 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.

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