2012 BMW 328I problems, complaints & recalls

2012 BMW 328I recalls (6)

• Recall 24V608000Aug 13, 2024720,796 vehicles
  ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:CONNECTORS/PLUGS/RECEPTACLES · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:PUMP

  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.

• Recall 24V513000Jul 3, 2024394,029 vehicles
  AIR BAGS:FRONTAL · 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.

• Recall 20V017000Jan 15, 202059,965 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.

• Recall 15V520000Aug 17, 20157,727 vehicles
  EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  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.

  Remedy: 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 [email protected].

• Recall 14V627000Oct 7, 20148,988 vehicles
  SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

  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.

  Remedy: 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.

• Recall 13V454000Sep 26, 201376,191 vehicles
  SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

  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.

  Remedy: 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 [email protected].

NHTSA defect investigations

• PE13030Opened Sep 6, 2013Closed Oct 25, 2013led to recall 13V454000

  Loss of power assist braking

  In a letter dated September 26, 2013, BMW Group submitted a safety recall notice to NHTSA identifying a defect condition in the vacuum pump oil supply that may result in loss of power assist braking in 76,191 model year (MY) 2012 through 2014 BMW 3-Series, 5-Series, X1 SAV, X3 SAV, and Z4 vehicles equipped with 4-cylinder engines (NHTSA Recall 13V-454).According to BMW, movement of the seal disk within the camshaft may result in blocking of the oil supply to the vacuum pump, resulting in improper pump operation and loss of power assist braking.On July 11, 2013, BMW initiated a change to the ca…

Recent 2012 BMW 328I complaints

Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

1. Filed Jul 7, 2026WAEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

   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

   NHTSA complaint #11748792 · source
2. Filed Mar 2, 2026NCElectrical System

   The inner film on the central display console that shows navigation, multimedia and other information detached and made the display unreadable.

   NHTSA complaint #11721590 · source
3. Filed Jan 11, 2026NCEngineAcceleration & Cruise ControlTransmission & Drivetrain

   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. This resulted in an immediate, total loss of motive power in active traffic. I was forced to navigate a dead multi-ton vehicle across lanes without power steering or vacuum-assisted braking, narrowly avoiding a high-speed collision. TIMELINE &…

   NHTSA complaint #11710165 · source
4. Filed Sep 23, 2025ILEngine

   While traveling at night on the toll road between Washington, DC and Pittsburgh, PA, the vehicle suddenly shut off without warning. Power was lost completely, including power steering, while in motion on a major freeway, creating an immediate and severe risk of collision for us and surrounding motorists. Although the vehicle did restart, it stalled again shortly afterward while still on the toll road. The failure repeated when decelerating on the highway or coming to a stop…

   NHTSA complaint #11689232 · source
5. Filed Jul 31, 2025WIElectrical System

   Dealer refused to cover DME that failed immediately after recall 24V-608 work. In early June 2025, I contacted my local BMW dealership about an overheat notification I received while driving. They confirmed there was an open recall on the vehicle for a water pump connector (Recall 24V-608). I had the vehicle towed to their location. They sent me a video walkaround that characterized everything looked good, except the water pump connector which had failed. Several days later,…

   NHTSA complaint #11677561 · source
6. Filed Jul 18, 2025161,000 miCAElectrical System

   The contact owns a 2012 BMW 328I. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the temperature gauge indicated that the engine was overheating, and shortly afterwards the vehicle lost motive power in the middle of the roadway. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the fuse box. The contact was informed that the fuse box had melted and was stuck to the…

   NHTSA complaint #11674633 · source
7. Filed Jul 17, 2025CAElectrical System

   My BMW IS OVERHEATING ITS BEEN IMAT BMW OF DOWNTOWN FOR 8 days and they’re trying to charge me to repair my melted fuse box,cooling systems and battery, damage that has occurred as a default of the pcv

   NHTSA complaint #11674409 · source
8. Filed Jun 27, 2025CAOther / Unknown

   DRIVE TRAIN MALFUNCTION. On June 25th 2025, for the second time I got this Drive Train Malfunction Issue on my 328i 2012 Model. The car just stopped in middle of road ( thank GOD not on a freeway ; otherwise, this would have resulted in multi car accidents and could have costed people's life including mine ). The car just died and STOPPED all of a sudden in middle of road and when I tried to start it, it only crank's . After waiting for about 10 minutes, it started . I had…

   NHTSA complaint #11669744 · source

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Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 11, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology