Every 2012 BMW 328I recall
Each campaign as NHTSA published it: what is wrong, what can happen, and the fix. Newest first.
Engine and Engine Cooling · NHTSA 24V608000
Aug 13, 2024Engine and Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Pump
- Problem
- 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.
- Fix
- 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.
Full recall details for 24V608000 →Air Bags · NHTSA 24V513000
Mar 7, 2024Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module
- Problem
- 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.
- Fix
- 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.
Full recall details for 24V513000 →Air Bags · NHTSA 20V017000
Jan 15, 2020Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module
- Problem
- 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.
- Fix
- 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.
Full recall details for 20V017000 →Exterior Lighting · NHTSA 15V520000
Aug 17, 2015Exterior Lighting
- Problem
- BMW North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2012-2015 320i, 320xi, 328i, 328xi, 335i, 335xi, and ActiveHybrid3 vehicles manufactured October 20, 2011, to June 22, 2015, 2014-2015 328xi Sports Wagon vehicles manufactured March 21, 2013, to March 17, 2015, 2014-2015 328d, 328xd vehicles manufactured June 28, 2013, to April 21, 2015, and 2014-2015 328xd Sports Wagon vehicles manufactured July 5, 2013, to April 21, 2015. The affected vehicles may have been programmed with new software that inadvertently makes the front side marker lights inoperative in conjunction with the parking lights or the headlights. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
- Risk
- If the side marker lights do not illuminate, the vehicle may be less visible at night, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- BMW will notify owners, and dealers will upload revised software to correct the issue, free of charge. The recall began on October 7, 2015. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or by email at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.
Full recall details for 15V520000 →Service Brakes, Hydraulic · NHTSA 14V627000
Jul 10, 2014Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Power Assist:Vacuum:Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings
- Problem
- BMW of North America LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2014 BMW 328i xDrive Sports Wagon, 2012-2014 BMW 320i Sedan, 328i Sedan, 320i xDrive Sedan, 328i xDrive Sedan, 2012-2013 BMW 528i Sedan, 528i xDrive Sedan, 2013-2014 BMW X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i Sports Activity Vehicle, 2013-2014 BMW X3 xDrive28i Sports Activity Vehicle, 2012-2014 BMW Z4 sDrive28i Roadster, and 2014 BMW 428i Coupe, and 428i xDrive Coupe. Due to insufficient lubrication, the vacuum pump that supplies brake power assistance may fail. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 13V-454.
- Risk
- A failure of the brake vacuum pump results in a reduction in braking power that could increase the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- BMW will notify owners, and dealers will install a locking ring in the camshaft to retain the camshaft seal disk in the proper location, free of charge. The recall began on December 2, 2014. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Full recall details for 14V627000 →Service Brakes, Hydraulic · NHTSA 13V454000
Sep 26, 2013Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Power Assist:Vacuum
- Problem
- BMW of North America LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 320i, 328i, 320i xDrive, and 328i xDrive sedans; model year 2014 328i xDrive Sports Wagons; model year 2012-2013 528i and 528i xDrive sedans, model year 2013-2014 X1 sDrive28i and X1 xDrive28i vehicles and model year 2012-2014 Z4 sDrive28i roadsters. Due to insufficient lubrication, the vacuum pump that supplies brake power assistance may fail.
- Risk
- A failure of the brake vacuum pump results in a reduction in braking power that could increase the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- BMW will notify owners, and dealers will modify the vehicles to prevent insufficient vacuum pump lubrication, free of charge. The safety recall began on January 31, 2014. Owners may contact BMW customer relations at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.
Full recall details for 13V454000 →
2012 BMW 328I complaints and service bulletins
Owners filed 130 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 BMW 328I, reporting 4 crashes, 1 fires, 1 injuries. BMW has issued at least 587 technical service bulletins (repair instructions to dealers) for this model year. Complaints are unverified owner reports; a recall is the manufacturer’s admission of a safety defect.
Most-reported components
- Engine55
- Air Bags31
- Electrical System23
- Power Train20
- Engine and Engine Cooling16
- Unknown Or Other11
Service bulletins by component
- Equipment (189)
- Electrical System (181)
- Engine and Engine Cooling (84)
- Engine (64)
- Equipment Adaptive/Mobility (37)
- Power Train (36)
Read BMW 328I owner complaints and bulletins, every year
NHTSA defect investigations covering the 2012 BMW 328I
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation lists this model year in one investigation. An investigation is not a recall; it is how NHTSA decides whether one is needed.
What people reported
Owners have filed 130 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 BMW 328I. A few in their own words, shortened. Complaints are unverified and are not proof of a defect or of any recall.
Injury reportedCrash
“DRIVER OF A 2012 BMW 328I, WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN OUT OF A PARKING LOT WHEN HER VEHICLE WAS STRUCK ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE (ROUGHLY THE MIDDLE OF THE VEHICLE) BY A CHEVROLET BLAZER THAT WAS TRAVELLING AT A RATE OF AT LEAST 40 MPH. NONE OF THE BMW'S AIRBAGS DEPLOYED.”
2012 BMW 328IApr 17, 2013
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 10508539
Crash
“I WAS PULLING INTO THE DRIVE WAY TO PARK MY CAR. BECAUSE THERE IS A TINY SLANT, SO I DECIDED TO PUSH FOR A LITTLE GAS. THE CAR, HOWEVER, DID NOT STOP WHEN I PRESSED ON THE BRAKE. I WAS ONLY ABLE TO STOP THE CAR BECAUSE THE I DRIVE THROUGH THE GARAGE DOOR.”
2012 BMW 328IFeb 13, 2013
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 10498053
“Engine oil pressure light came on and then the driver train malfunction light. Car at 113k miles and upon checking the timing chain was damage and now engine locked”
2012 BMW 328IJul 7, 2026 · WA
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11748792
“The inner film on the central display console that shows navigation, multimedia and other information detached and made the display unreadable.”
2012 BMW 328IMar 2, 2026
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11721590
“INCIDENT SUMMARY: On January 9, 2026, at approximately 1:30 PM, while traveling at 50 MPH in North Carolina, the vehicle experienced a sudden, catastrophic engine seizure without any prior "Limp Mode" warning or Check Engine Light.”
2012 BMW 328IJan 11, 2026
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11710165
Check your 328I by VIN
Not every 2012 BMW 328I is in every recall. Enter your 17-character VIN to see the recalls on record for your exact vehicle, then confirm which are still open at NHTSA.gov or with any BMW dealer.
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