2012 BMW 328i Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
GoodComplaint Index
27/100
#9 most-complained of 12 328i years
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
The 2012 BMW 328i has 130 owner complaints and 6 safety recalls on file with NHTSA. Its Complaint Index is 27 out of 100 — #9 highest of 12 328i model years (verdict: Good). The most reported problem area is engine (75 complaints, 58% of the total). Complaints report 4 crashes, 1 fire, and 1 injury.
- Complaints
- 130
- Recalls
- 6
- Crashes / fires
- 4 / 1
- Injuries / deaths
- 1 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 20.5
- 17.5 city / 26 hwy
Top 2012 BMW 328i problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine75 (58%)
- Airbags26 (20%)
- Electrical System26 (20%)
- Transmission & Powertrain20 (15%)
- Other11 (8%)
- Fuel System10 (8%)
- Structure & Body9 (7%)
- Seat Belts5 (4%)
- Visibility & Wipers3 (2%)
- Brakes2 (2%)
2012 BMW 328i recalls
6 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2012 BMW 328i a reliable year?
- Judged by NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2012 BMW 328i ranks #9 of 12 among 328i model years (Complaint Index 27/100, verdict: Good). It has 130 complaints and 6 recalls on file. This reflects reported safety-related problems, not an overall reliability rating.
- What are the most common problems with the 2012 BMW 328i?
- The most reported problem areas are engine (75 complaints), airbags (26 complaints), and electrical system (26 complaints). The median mileage at the time of failure in complaints that report it is 81,000 miles.
- Does the 2012 BMW 328i have any recalls?
- Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for the 2012 BMW 328i, most recently reported 2024, covering electrical system, airbags, and brakes.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2012 BMW 328i?
- EPA rates the 2012 BMW 328i at 20.5 MPG combined (17.5 city / 26 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,900. Where several configurations exist, the median is shown.