Model year
2012 BMW X3
NHTSA lists 2 recalls and 42 complaints for the 2012 BMW X3 (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). NHTSA also lists 0 recalls and 6 complaints under X3 SAV. Those counts are separate from the numbers above. The components listed on the most complaints are AIR BAGS (12), ENGINE (8), POWER TRAIN (7). NHTSA lists 1 investigation with no close date in the file. NHTSA lists crash-test variants for this model year and marks the overall rating Not Rated. EPA rates it 21 mpg combined (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $3,900, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.
- 2004 138 complaints
- 2005 103 complaints
- 2006 143 complaints
- 2007 98 complaints
- 2008 66 complaints
- 2009 19 complaints
- 2010 32 complaints
- 2011 113 complaints
- 2012 42 complaints
- 2013 226 complaints
- 2014 86 complaints
- 2015 105 complaints
- 2016 82 complaints
- 2017 92 complaints
- 2018 76 complaints
- 2019 171 complaints
- 2020 110 complaints
- 2021 113 complaints
- 2022 83 complaints
- 2023 15 complaints
- 2024 42 complaints
- 2025 38 complaints
- 2026 22 complaints
Recalls
17V495000 · Aug 8, 2017
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
BMW 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 affected vehicles have a driver's frontal air bag inflator that may have been improperly welded.
16V333000 · May 23, 2016
CHILD SEAT:LATCH STRAP
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2011-2017, X3 sDrive28i, X3 xDrive28i and X3 xDrive35i, vehicles manufactured July 2, 2010 to April 14, 2016, 2015-2017 X3 xDrive28d vehicles manufactured March 10, 2014 to March 31, 2016, and 2015-2017 x4…
Complaints
42 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 5, fire flag on 1, injury field 1, 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 |
|---|---|---|
| X3 SAV | 0 | 6 |
Investigations
| Action | Subject | Opened | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| EA21002 | Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture · AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE; AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE | Sep 17, 2021 | No close date in the file |
Safety ratings
| Variant | Overall | Front | Side | Pole | Rollover | Photo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xdrive28I SUV AWD | Not rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated · possibility 0 | — |
| Xdrive35I SUV AWD | Not rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated · possibility 0 | — |
Fuel economy
| Configuration | Fuel | City | Hwy | Comb | kWh/100 mi | Range | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| X3 xDrive28i · 3L · Automatic (S8) · All-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 19 | 25 | 21 | — | — | $3,900 |
| X3 xDrive35i · 3L · Automatic (S8) · All-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 19 | 26 | 21 | — | — | $3,900 |
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 X3 at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.