VehicleVerdict

2012 BMW 328i problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 196 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 1.6 times the median 328i year — the 2012 model ranks #9 of 21 328i years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

Engine leads the complaint categories with 70 reports (36% of the total). In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

196

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

1

Investigations

5

Crash-involved

2

Fires reported

1

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2012 compare to other 328i years?

See all 328i years to avoid →

What are the most common 2012 BMW 328i problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine7036%
Airbags3116%
Electrical System2312%
Transmission1910%
Other116%
Fuel System105%
Seats84%
Speed Control63%
Seat Belts53%
Lighting42%
Visibility & Wipers32%
Steering21%
Brakes21%
Body & Structure11%
Tires & Wheels11%

Does the 2012 BMW 328i have recalls?

6 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

24V608000Electrical SystemAugust 13, 2024 · 720,796 units

Defect

BMW of North America, LLC. (BMW) is recalling certain 2012-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i, 2012-2016 Z4 sDrive28i, 528i, 528i xDrive, 328i, 328xi, 2016-2018 X5 xdrive 40e, 2014-2016 228i, 228xi, 428i, 428i xDrive, 328xi Gran Turismo, 2013-2017 X3 sDrive28i, X3 xDrive28i, 2015-2018 X4 xDrive28i, 2015-2016 428xi vehicles. An improperly sealed electrical connector on the water pump may be exposed to water and short circuit.

Consequence

An electrical short increases the risk of a fire.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect and replace the water pump and plug connector as necessary, and install a protective shield, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 28, 2025. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

24V513000AirbagsJuly 3, 2024 · 394,029 units

Defect

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2006-2011 3 Series Sedan (324i, 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi), 2006-2012 3 Series Sportswagon (325xi, 328i, 328xi), and 2009-2011 3 Series Sedan (335d) vehicles. The original steering wheel may have been replaced with a sport or M-sport steering wheel equipped with an inflator that can explode during deployment.

Consequence

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect and replace the driver's air bag module as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 30, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

20V017000AirbagsJanuary 15, 2020 · 59,965 units

Defect

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 128i and 135i Convertibles, 128i, 135i, and M Coupes, 2007-2010 X3 30si and X3 xDrive30i, 2013-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i and X1 xDrive35i, 2007-2013 328i, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335is, 335i xDrive and M3 Coupes, 2006-2011 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive and M3, 2009-2011 335D, 2006-2012 325xi, 328i, 328xi and 328i xDrive, 2010-2011 X6 ActiveHybrid, 2007-2013 328i, 335i, 335is, M3 Coupes, X5 30si, X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 48i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5 M, 2009-2013 X5 xDrive35d and 2008-2014 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6M vehicles equipped with non-desiccated driver frontal air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) that were used as interim remedy parts for previous Takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.

Consequence

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy

BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver air bag. On X5 and X6 vehicles, only the inflator will be replaced. All repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began March 11, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

15V520000LightingAugust 17, 2015 · 7,727 units

Defect

BMW North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2012-2015 320i, 320xi, 328i, 328xi, 335i, 335xi, and ActiveHybrid3 vehicles manufactured October 20, 2011, to June 22, 2015, 2014-2015 328xi Sports Wagon vehicles manufactured March 21, 2013, to March 17, 2015, 2014-2015 328d, 328xd vehicles manufactured June 28, 2013, to April 21, 2015, and 2014-2015 328xd Sports Wagon vehicles manufactured July 5, 2013, to April 21, 2015. The affected vehicles may have been programmed with new software that inadvertently makes the front side marker lights inoperative in conjunction with the parking lights or the headlights. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

Consequence

If the side marker lights do not illuminate, the vehicle may be less visible at night, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

BMW will notify owners, and dealers will upload revised software to correct the issue, free of charge. The recall began on October 7, 2015. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or by email at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.

14V627000BrakesOctober 7, 2014 · 8,988 units

Defect

BMW of North America LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2014 BMW 328i xDrive Sports Wagon, 2012-2014 BMW 320i Sedan, 328i Sedan, 320i xDrive Sedan, 328i xDrive Sedan, 2012-2013 BMW 528i Sedan, 528i xDrive Sedan, 2013-2014 BMW X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i Sports Activity Vehicle, 2013-2014 BMW X3 xDrive28i Sports Activity Vehicle, 2012-2014 BMW Z4 sDrive28i Roadster, and 2014 BMW 428i Coupe, and 428i xDrive Coupe. Due to insufficient lubrication, the vacuum pump that supplies brake power assistance may fail. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 13V-454.

Consequence

A failure of the brake vacuum pump results in a reduction in braking power that could increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

BMW will notify owners, and dealers will install a locking ring in the camshaft to retain the camshaft seal disk in the proper location, free of charge. The recall began on December 2, 2014. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

13V454000BrakesSeptember 26, 2013 · 76,191 units

Defect

BMW of North America LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 320i, 328i, 320i xDrive, and 328i xDrive sedans; model year 2014 328i xDrive Sports Wagons; model year 2012-2013 528i and 528i xDrive sedans, model year 2013-2014 X1 sDrive28i and X1 xDrive28i vehicles and model year 2012-2014 Z4 sDrive28i roadsters. Due to insufficient lubrication, the vacuum pump that supplies brake power assistance may fail.

Consequence

A failure of the brake vacuum pump results in a reduction in braking power that could increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

BMW will notify owners, and dealers will modify the vehicles to prevent insufficient vacuum pump lubrication, free of charge. The safety recall began on January 31, 2014. Owners may contact BMW customer relations at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

The contact owns a 2012 BMW 328I. The contact stated while driving at approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle stalled. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not yet diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · February 28, 2025

DRIVER OF A 2012 BMW 328I, WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN OUT OF A PARKING LOT WHEN HER VEHICLE WAS STRUCK ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE (ROUGHLY THE MIDDLE OF THE VEHICLE) BY A CHEVROLET BLAZER THAT WAS TRAVELLING AT A RATE OF AT LEAST 40 MPH. NONE OF THE BMW'S AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. AS A RESULT OF THE AIRBAG FAILURE,…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · November 28, 2012 · crash

MY CAR WAS PARKED I STARTED IT RAN BACK IN HOUSE TO GET PHONE GOT IN CAR SMELT PLASTIC BUT IT WASN'T COMING FROM VENT GOT OUT CAR TO SMELL AROUND CAR AND WHEN I GOT TO TRUNK THE SMELL WAS LOUDER OPENED TRUNK AND A SMALL FIRE CAME UP LIKE A BARBECUE FIRE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE A MAN RODE BY IN A…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · July 16, 2018 · fire

WHILE IN MOTION ON A COUNTY ROAD, THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND CAR STARTED RUNNING VERY ROUGH. CAR WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. WHINING NOISE COMING FROM THE TIMING CHAIN. WORN CRANKSHAFT SPROCKET. HAD TO REPLACE THE TIMING CHAIN AND OIL PUMP DRIVE CHAIN.

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · June 13, 2020

MY CAR WAS PARKED I STARTED IT RAN BACK IN HOUSE TO GET PHONE GOT IN CAR SMELT PLASTIC BUT IT WASN'T COMING FROM VENT GOT OUT CAR TO SMELL AROUND CAR AND WHEN I GOT TO TRUNK THE SMELL WAS LOUDER OPENED TRUNK AND A SMALL FIRE CAME UP LIKE A BARBECUE FIRE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE A MAN RODE BY IN A…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · July 16, 2018 · fire

2012 BMW 328i — common questions

Is the 2012 BMW 328i reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 196 complaints put the 2012 model at #9 of 21 328i years. It is one of the 328i years to avoid.

What are the most common 2012 328i problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (70 complaints), airbags (31 complaints), electrical system (23 complaints).

Does the 2012 BMW 328i have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 2012 BMW 328i. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2012 BMW 328i under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which BMW 328i years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the 328i years to avoid are 2011, 2007, 2013, 2008, 2009, 2014, 2010, 2015, 2012, 2016. The cleanest record among 328i years belongs to 2006.

How safe is the 2012 BMW 328i?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2012 BMW 328i earned an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.