2012 BMW X3 Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 12%of 42 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 30,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the brakes of the 2012 BMW X3, 12% of the 42 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 30,000 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
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.
“When starting the car, the brake pedal does not depress a short distance before resistance as it did previously. Now, I have to push very hard to get it to depress any distance so that I can start the car. This usually does not occur when the ambient temperature is below 50 degrees or the car has been operated very recently.”
NHTSA complaint #10985496, filed 2017-05, 80,000 miles“Our X3 new X3 has surged violently ahead on two occasions now, on one occasion with foot on brake. Bmw are denying any other examples of this problem exist, which by viewing this website clearly is not the case. I encourage all that have had this problem to lodge an official complaint to cause a full recall of this dangerous design flaw. Please note that we are in australia, and that Bmw in germany are denying any knowledge of this problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10515147, filed 2013-06, 30,000 miles“While I was driving my 2012 X3, I approached a stop light. As I applied the brakes, the vehicle slowed down but would not stop. The engine started to accelerate in addition to the brakes failing causing me to hit the rear end of the car in front of me. I continued to apply the brakes but they would not respond. My 2012 X3 kept rolling and finally stopped only after I hit the car in front of me approximately three times. I immediately had the car towed to the Bmw dealer where it sat for approximately two months. Bmw stated that there were no problems with car.”
NHTSA complaint #10627444, filed 2014-08, 699 miles“As I drive and stop, my brakes stick, when I try to accelerate it struggles to go. On the highway it began slowing me down. I was scared it was going to get me rear ended because my brake lights do not come on when this happens. I brought it to my garage and they diagnosed it to be the DSC pump. They put in a used pump and fixed the issue. Please take this seriously, it is a dangerous problem.”
NHTSA complaint #11426987, filed 2021-07Related service bulletins
- 10178996Jul 1, 2020TICKING NOISE WHILE CORNERING WITHOUT THE BRAKES APPLIED: Ticking noise coming from front wheel while cornering without brakes applied, noticeable at low speeds. The vehicle must…
- 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…
- 10174009Apr 1, 2020TICKING NOISE WHILE CORNERING WITHOUT THE BRAKES APPLIED: This Service Information Bulletin (Revision 3) replaces SI B34 05 17 dated September 2017. Ticking noise coming from…
- 10162423Jul 10, 2019"Service Action: Programming Update for Condition Based Service (CBS) Data. Due to a software error, the remaining distance to a brake service may be incorrectly displayed in the…
- 10146906Oct 1, 2016KAFAS CAMERA-BASED ASSISTANCE SYSTEM LIMITS. INFORMATION The situations described above may all be caused by known limitations of the system such as: Dirty windshield Incomplete…
- 10146892Oct 1, 2016CBS BRAKE PAD CALCULATION AND CORRECTION. When a vehicle comes into the workshop for any repair or maintenance job, the bundling calculator recommends a brake maintenance…
Brakes: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 3 | 14% |
| 2025 | 2 | 5% |
| 2024 | 2 | 5% |
| 2022 | 5 | 6% |
| 2021 | 6 | 5% |
| 2020 | 2 | 2% |
| 2019 | 12 | 7% |
| 2018 | 5 | 7% |
| 2017 | 12 | 13% |
| 2016 | 10 | 12% |
| 2015 | 8 | 8% |
| 2014 | 11 | 13% |
| 2013 | 19 | 8% |
| 2012 | 5 | 12% |
| 2011 | 4 | 4% |
| 2009 | 1 | 5% |
| 2008 | 2 | 3% |
| 2007 | 1 | 1% |
| 2006 | 1 | 1% |
| 2005 | 2 | 2% |
| 2004 | 3 | 2% |
Other parts of the 2012 BMW X3
12 complaintsEngine
8 complaintsSteering
7 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
7 complaintsVehicle speed control
6 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 29, 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