Model year
2012 BMW 3 Series
NHTSA lists 3 recalls and 7 complaints for the 2012 BMW 3 Series (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). NHTSA also lists 24 recalls and 171 complaints under 320I, 320XI, 325, 325I, 325XI, 328, 328I, 328XI, 335, 335I, 335IS, and 335XI. Those counts are separate from the numbers above. The components listed on the most complaints are ENGINE (3), FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM (2), AIR BAGS (1). NHTSA lists 1 investigation. NHTSA rated 2 variants 5 stars overall. EPA rates it 19–27 mpg combined depending on configuration (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $3,050–$4,350, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.
- 2000 88 complaints
- 2001 36 complaints
- 2002 26 complaints
- 2003 73 complaints
- 2004 77 complaints
- 2005 25 complaints
- 2006 202 complaints
- 2007 115 complaints
- 2008 68 complaints
- 2009 53 complaints
- 2010 30 complaints
- 2011 1 complaints
- 2012 7 complaints
- 2013 21 complaints
- 2014 410 complaints
- 2015 215 complaints
- 2016 106 complaints
- 2017 80 complaints
- 2018 73 complaints
- 2019 41 complaints
- 2020 53 complaints
- 2021 33 complaints
- 2022 8 complaints
- 2023 0 complaints
- 2024 11 complaints
- 2025 6 complaints
- 2026 1 complaints
Recalls
23V707000 · Oct 20, 2023
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2010-2012 1 Series Coupe, 1 Series Convertible, 3 Series Sedan, 3 Series Convertible, 2010-2011 3 Series Sportswagon, 3 Series Coupe, 5 Series Sedan, X3 xDrive 28i, X3 xDrive 30i, X5 xDrive30i, and Z4 sDrive30i vehicles. The…
22V119000 · Mar 2, 2022
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CRANKCASE (PCV)
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 1 Series Coupe (128i); 2007-2013 3 Series Coupe (328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive); 2007-2010 X3 SAV (X3 3.0si, X3 xDrive30i); 2008-2013 1 Series Convertible (128i); 2006-2011 3 Series Sedan (325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 328i…
12V176000 · Apr 20, 2012
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:HEAD RESTRAINT
BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 BMW 3-SERIES VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 19, 2011, THROUGH MARCH 18, 2012, THAT HAVE FRONT SEAT HEAD RESTRAINTS THAT EXCEED THE DOWNWARD MOVEMENT LIMIT OF 25MM IN THE HIGHEST POSITION. THUS, THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE…
Complaints
7 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 0, fire flag on 0, injury field 0, deaths field 0. A complaint can be counted under more than one component. The injury and death figures are the file's numbers (the highest value on each complaint, then added), not a separate verified count of people.
Other NHTSA names
These names matched the same EPA model but are not included in the headline counts above.
| Name | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 320I | 3 | 3 |
| 320XI | 1 | 0 |
| 325 | 1 | 0 |
| 325I | 0 | 1 |
| 325XI | 2 | 0 |
| 328 | 1 | 7 |
| 328I | 6 | 130 |
| 328XI | 4 | 1 |
| 335 | 1 | 4 |
| 335I | 3 | 22 |
| 335IS | 1 | 1 |
| 335XI | 1 | 2 |
Investigations
| Action | Subject | Opened | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| PE13030 | Loss of power assist braking · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM | Sep 6, 2013 | Oct 25, 2013 |
Safety ratings
| Variant | Overall | Front | Side | Pole | Rollover | Photo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 BMW 328 I 2 DR RWD | Not rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | 5 · possibility 0.093 | — |
| 2012 BMW 328 I 4 DR RWD | 5 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 · possibility 0.095 | NHTSA photo |
| 2012 BMW 328 I C RWD | Not rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | 5 · possibility 0.093 | — |
| 2012 BMW 328 I SW RWD | Not rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | 5 · possibility 0.095 | — |
| 2012 BMW 328 I Xdrive 2 DR AWD | Not rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | 5 · possibility 0.093 | — |
| 2012 BMW 328 I Xdrive SW AWD | Not rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | 5 · possibility 0.095 | — |
| 2012 BMW 335 I 2 DR RWD | Not rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | 5 · possibility 0.093 | — |
| 2012 BMW 335 I 4 DR RWD | 5 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 · possibility 0.095 | — |
4 more variants are in the Safety Ratings API and are not listed in this table.
Fuel economy
| Configuration | Fuel | City | Hwy | Comb | kWh/100 mi | Range | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 328i Coupe · 3L · Automatic (S6) · Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 18 | 28 | 21 | — | — | $3,900 |
| 328i Coupe · 3L · Manual 6-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 18 | 27 | 22 | — | — | $3,750 |
| 328i Coupe xDrive · 3L · Automatic (S6) · All-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 17 | 25 | 20 | — | — | $4,100 |
| 328i Coupe xDrive · 3L · Manual 6-spd · All-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 17 | 25 | 20 | — | — | $4,100 |
| 328ci Convertible · 3L · Automatic (S6) · Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 18 | 26 | 21 | — | — | $3,900 |
| 328ci Convertible · 3L · Manual 6-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 17 | 26 | 20 | — | — | $4,100 |
| 335i Coupe · 3L · Automatic (S6) · Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 18 | 27 | 22 | — | — | $3,750 |
| 335i Coupe · 3L · Manual 6-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 19 | 27 | 22 | — | — | $3,750 |
| 335i Coupe xDrive · 3L · Automatic (S6) · All-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 18 | 26 | 21 | — | — | $3,900 |
| 335i Coupe xDrive · 3L · Manual 6-spd · All-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 19 | 26 | 22 | — | — | $3,750 |
| 335is Coupe · 3L · Automatic (S7) · Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 17 | 23 | 19 | — | — | $4,350 |
| 335is Coupe · 3L · Manual 6-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 18 | 26 | 21 | — | — | $3,900 |
12 more configurations are in the EPA file and are not listed in this table. The fuel-cost calculator lists every configuration.
Open this model year in the fuel-cost calculator. The calculator starts with no fuel price filled in.
Check a vehicle
This page is not a VIN lookup. NHTSA's recall tool checks a specific vehicle: nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's page for this model year is 2012 BMW 3 Series at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.