2012 BMW 128i Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
GoodComplaint Index
33/100
#3 most-complained of 4 128i years
The 2012 BMW 128i has a complaint index of 33, ranking 3rd out of 4 model years and earning a "Good" verdict relative to other 128i years. Airbags account for 74% of its 31 complaints, with 5 recalls issued, none marked do-not-drive.
- Complaints
- 31
- Recalls
- 5
- Crashes / fires
- 2 / 0
- Injuries / deaths
- 1 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 21.5
- 18 city / 27.5 hwy
Top 2012 BMW 128i problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags23 (74%)
- Engine7 (23%)
- Fuel System2 (6%)
- Brakes1 (3%)
- Electrical System1 (3%)
- Other1 (3%)
- Seat Belts1 (3%)
What owners report
- Some drivers report the driver's frontal airbag deploying and releasing metal fragments during a crash at low speed, causing facial and chest injuries.
- Owners report airbag recall repairs being delayed for extended periods due to unavailable replacement parts.
- Some owners describe brakes failing to hold at very low speed in a parking lot, causing the car to jump a sidewalk and strike a wall before reverse engaged unexpectedly.
- Engine RPM has been reported to fluctuate rapidly and cause deceleration while driving, in one case shortly after a dealer oil change.
- Owners report the ignition key becoming stuck, preventing the vehicle from starting without warning.
- A seat belt buckle tongue reportedly would not lock into place even after lubrication, requiring buckle replacement.
2012 BMW 128i recalls
5 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 22V119000Mar 2, 2022Engine917,106 vehicles
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 xDrive, 330i, 330xi); 2006-2012 3 Series Wagon (328i, 328i xDrive); 2007-2013 3 Series Convertible (328i); 2006-2010 5 Series Sedan (525i, 525xi, 528i, 528xi, 530i, 530xi); 2006-2007 5 Series Wagon (530xi); 2007-2010 X5 SAV (X5 3.0si, X5 xDrive30i); 2006-2008 Z4 Coupe (Z4 3.0si); and 2006-2011 Z4 Roadster (Z4 3.0i, Z4 3.0si, Z4 sDrive30i) vehicles. The heater for the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve may short circuit.
Risk: An electrical short can cause the PCV valve heater to overheat, increasing the risk of a fire while driving or, soon after driving when parked.
Remedy: This recall supersedes and expands previous NHTSA recalls 17V-683 and 19V-273. Dealers will install an electrical wiring harness with fuse protection for the PCV Valve heater in potentially affected vehicles, free of charge. This recall supersedes and expands previous NHTSA recalls 17V-683 and 19V-273. Vehicles previously repaired under the prior recalls will need to come back for the new recall remedy. The remedy is currently being developed. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed on April 1, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 22, 2022. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
- NHTSA 20V017000Jan 15, 2020Airbags59,965 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module
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.
Risk: 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.
- NHTSA 19V579000Aug 6, 2019Electrical System41,981 vehicles
Electrical system:wiring
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2012 BMW 128i, 135i, 135is Coupes and 128i, 135i Convertible vehicles. The wiring and electrical connectors in the blower-regulator wiring harness may overheat.
Risk: Wiring that overheats could cause the electrical connectors to melt, and increase the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is unattended.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the blower-regulator wiring harness, and replace it with a new part, free of charge. The recall began October 4, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Note: This recall is an expansion of an earlier recall number 17V-676.
2012 BMW 128i fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 18 MPG
- Highway
- 27.5 MPG
- Combined
- 21.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,725
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Premium
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2012 compared with other 128i years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2012 BMW 128i reliable?
- NHTSA lists 31 complaints and 5 recalls for the 2012 128i, giving it a complaint index of 33 and a "Good" verdict compared to other 128i model years.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2012 BMW 128i?
- Airbags are the top problem area, making up 74% of complaints (23 of 31), with a median failure mileage of 30,500 miles.
- Does the 2012 BMW 128i have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2012 128i, covering airbags, engine, and electrical system issues, including a driver airbag replacement and a blower-regulator wiring harness fix. None are marked do-not-drive.
- How does the 2012 128i compare to other years?
- The 2012 model ranks 3rd worst out of 4 years tracked. The 2011 128i has the highest complaint index at 100 and is rated "Avoid," while the 2010 128i has a complaint index of 0 and is rated "Best."
- What is the fuel economy of the 2012 BMW 128i?
- The 2012 128i gets an EPA-rated 21.5 mpg combined (18 city / 27.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,725.