2012 BMW X3 Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 12about this part
- Share
- 29%of 42 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 88,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 12 complaints about the air bags of the 2012 BMW X3, 29% of the 42 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 88,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
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.
“Takata recall: I recently bought my used car from a nissan dealership. Within the first month of operation, I noticed that a passenger restraint system malfunction would appear in the center console. It has not gone away since then. It will only display this message in the beginning when I turn my car on, while it's stationary. After that it just display's the airbag symbol in the bottom left corner of the odometer. This has me a little concerned since I do not want to be driving with anyone else if that means the passenger airbag will not deploy in case of an event. …”
NHTSA complaint #11047155, filed 2017-11, 63,000 miles“My front passenger airbag seat occupancy sensor mat will intermittently malfunction. At times, the front passenger airbag will turn off, even with a passenger in the seat. If this were to occur, during and accident, with deactivation of the front passenger airbag there is increased the risk of injury or death.”
NHTSA complaint #11324919, filed 2020-05, 137,000 miles“Restraint system intermittently malfunction. Getting malfunction notification after vehicle start moving and sometimes when it's stationary. Some time message on display says 'passenger restraint system' and sometimes additionally to passenger, 'driver restraint system' comes up. …”
NHTSA complaint #11331274, filed 2020-06, 71,000 miles“I am reporting a common issue I’ve seen a lot of BMWs have with the seat occupancy sensor. I just wanted to report this to see if it could be a potential recall, since it is a safety concern.”
NHTSA complaint #11463165, filed 2022-05“The contact owns a 2012 Bmw X3. The contact stated that the passenger's side air bag and chassis warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the contact was informed about an air bag replacement and was provided a print out of recalls. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was contacted however, no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 112,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11383964, filed 2020-12, 112,000 milesRelated recalls
- 17V495000Aug 8, 2017BMW of North America, LLC. (BMW) is recalling certain 2012-2013 BMW X3 xDrive28i, X3 xDrive35i, and M6 Convertible vehicles and 2013 M6 Coupe vehicles. The…Covers: BMW X3 2012–2013, M6 2013
Related service bulletins
- 10227568Oct 1, 2022According to the customer, the airbag warning light was on, but it may not be illuminated when the vehicle arrives in the workshop. 1. ACSM fault code "930A60 - Seat occupancy…
- 10218381Jun 1, 2022A check control message for the restraint system appears. In the instrument cluster, the red air bag warning light lights up permanently. One of the following fault codes is…
- 10174015Apr 1, 2020TAILGATE UNINTENTIONALLY OPENS: This Service Information Bulletin (Revision 4) replaces SI B51 30 16 dated March 2018. Trunk/tailgate may open when vehicle is locked…
- 10146769Sep 1, 2017"AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT: ACSM FC 930A60 OR 930A1C SEAT OCCUPANCY DETECTION. According to the customer, the airbag warning light was on, but it may not be on when the vehicle…
Air bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 5% |
| 2024 | 2 | 5% |
| 2022 | 4 | 5% |
| 2021 | 1 | 1% |
| 2020 | 8 | 7% |
| 2019 | 4 | 2% |
| 2018 | 5 | 7% |
| 2017 | 7 | 8% |
| 2016 | 4 | 5% |
| 2015 | 10 | 10% |
| 2014 | 9 | 10% |
| 2013 | 8 | 4% |
| 2012 | 12 | 29% |
| 2011 | 5 | 4% |
| 2010 | 10 | 31% |
| 2009 | 9 | 47% |
| 2008 | 32 | 48% |
| 2007 | 37 | 38% |
| 2006 | 76 | 53% |
| 2005 | 30 | 29% |
| 2004 | 32 | 23% |
Other parts of the 2012 BMW X3
8 complaintsSteering
7 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
7 complaintsVehicle speed control
6 complaintsBrakes
5 complaintsOther or unknown
5 complaintsSeats
4 complaintsElectrical system
2 complaintsEngine cooling
2 complaintsSeat belts
2 complaintsFuel system
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2012 BMW X3
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 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