YearToAvoid

2012 BMW 328i Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Good The 2012 BMW 328i has a complaint index of 27, ranking 9th-worst out of 12 model years, and earns a Good verdict relative to other 328i years. NHTSA lists 130 complaints, 6 recalls, and no do-not-drive recalls for this year, with Engine issues the top problem area.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
27/100
#9 of 12 328i years
Verdict
Good
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
130
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
6
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
4
reported in complaints
Fires
1
Injuries
1
Top issue
Engine
Best nearby year
2016
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
20.5
17.5 city / 26 hwy
Injuries / deaths
1 / 0

Top 2012 BMW 328i problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Engine75 (58%)
  2. Airbags26 (20%)
  3. Electrical System26 (20%)
  4. Transmission & Powertrain20 (15%)
  5. Other11 (8%)
  6. Fuel System10 (8%)
  7. Structure & Body9 (7%)
  8. Seat Belts5 (4%)
  9. Visibility & Wipers3 (2%)
  10. Brakes2 (2%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Some drivers report sudden loss of power steering assist at highway speeds, with a warning indicator lit and the steering wheel becoming hard to turn.
  • Owners describe the iDrive infotainment screen going black and losing audio and hands-free phone function, with dealers reportedly aware of an overtemp code but no fix available.
  • Multiple owners report an engine malfunction warning triggering limp mode shortly after purchase, with fuel injectors replaced repeatedly without resolving the issue.
  • One owner reported a driver's side collision in which none of the airbags deployed, resulting in injury.
  • An owner described a small engine-bay fire with a burning plastic smell noticed after the car had been parked, occurring around 80,000 miles.
  • A passenger-side airbag reportedly disengaged when a passenger sat on a cushion or wore a padded coat, even with the seat occupied.
2012 BMW 328i complaints: complaints filed per quarter82012 Q42014 Q42017 Q12018 Q42020 Q32022 Q32024 Q22026 Q3
130 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2012 Q4 to 2026 Q3; peak 2019 Q4 (8).

2012 BMW 328i recalls

6 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 24V608000Aug 13, 2024Electrical System720,796 vehicles

    Electrical system:wiring:connectors/plugs/receptacles

    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.

    Risk: 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.

  2. NHTSA 24V513000Jul 3, 2024Airbags394,029 vehicles

    Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module

    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.

    Risk: 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.

  3. 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.

See all 6 recalls for the 2012 BMW 328i →

2012 BMW 328i fuel economy and fuel cost

City
17.5 MPG
Highway
26 MPG
Combined
20.5 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$3,900
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 328i years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100200520062007200820092010201120122013201420152016
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2010Good45155620
2011Avoid100577720
2012Good27130620.5
2013Avoid82257521
2014Caution55151826

All BMW 328i years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2012 BMW 328i reliable?
Relative to other 328i model years, the 2012 rates Good, with a complaint index of 27 and rank 9th-worst out of 12 years tracked. NHTSA lists 130 complaints and 6 recalls for this year, fewer issues than higher-index years like 2011 or 2007.
What is the top problem area for the 2012 BMW 328i?
Engine complaints make up 58% of reported issues, the largest share, with a median mileage at failure of 99,263 miles. Airbags and Electrical System each account for 20% of complaints.
Does the 2012 BMW 328i have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns tied to the 2012 328i, covering the water pump/electrical system, airbags, a software update, and brake-related camshaft and vacuum pump issues. None are do-not-drive recalls.
How does the 2012 328i compare to other years?
The 2012 328i's complaint index of 27 is much lower than 2011 (100, Avoid) and 2007 (91, Avoid), but higher than 2016 (18, Best), which ranks as the lowest-risk year among the 12 tracked.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.