2012 BMW 328i: raw data

Every record we hold for this vehicle, as plain tables, with nothing added. The consumer page shows the same records with the maintenance schedule, price ranges and nearby shops around them.

vehicle2012 / bmw / 328i
known issues6 clusters (reviewed 2026-09-09)
complaints144 on file (2012-05-05 → 2026-07-07)
recalls6
investigations1
fars19 occupant deaths, crash years 2010-2024 (legacy-code)
indexedyes
licenseCC BY 4.0 (derived)

Known Issues clusters all years →

Timing chain and VANOS bolt failure causing engine stallENGINE27 complaints2013-06 → 2026-07bmw-328i-2012-timing-chain-vanos-failure
  • 11689232 After sitting for several weeks, the car was towed back for further inspection, at which point the shop discovered that a VANOS bolt had likely sheared off and caused irreparable damage to the engine
  • 11529259 My 2012 BMW 328i (F30 with N20 engine) had the dreaded timing chain guide failure, which is a very common issue with the N20 engine
  • 10780872 VANOS BOLT FAILURE. 4 VANOS BOLT BROKEN. CAR STALLED WHILE DRIVING. THE CAR WAS DRIVING ON A CITY STREET WHILE TURNING. NO POWER AT ALL. IT IS A 2011 328I
Engine overheating with water pump recall parts unavailableENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM16 complaints2022-05 → 2025-07bmw-328i-2012-overheating-water-pump-recall
  • 11674633 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 battery
  • 11621723 The contact owns a 2012 BMW 328I. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 5 MPH, there was smoke coming from the engine compartment
  • 11677561 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
Fuel pump failure causing unexpected engine stallFUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM10 complaints2014-12 → 2024-03bmw-328i-2012-fuel-pump-failure-stall
  • 11579264 Yesterday morning 3/24/24 , car stalled on highway with Fuel Pump message on dashboard. Car would not start and had to be towed
  • 10925545 THE BMW DEALER INSPECTED THE CAR AND TOLD ME THAT THE FUEL PUMP AND ITS CONTROL UNIT IS FAULTY. I HAVE ATTACHED THEIR DIAGNOSIS AS WELL
  • 10661584 THE CAR WAS THEN TOWED TO THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP IN CHICAGO AND AFTER TWO DAYS THEY SAID THE FUEL PUMP BROKE/BURNED OUT AND HAVE TO BE REPLACED AND WILL TAKE 3-4 DAYS TO FIX IT
Takata airbag recall parts unavailable for extended periodAIR BAGS14 complaints2016-04 → 2017-12bmw-328i-2012-takata-airbag-recall-parts
  • 11034723 TAKATA RECALL I HAVE CONTACTED COGGIN BMW FT. PIERCE FL. SEVERAL TIMES TO GET MY AIRBAG FIXED. OVER A YEAR NOW AND STILL THEY CLAIM THAT THE PARTS HAVE NOT COME IN YET. IS THIS TRUE AND WHAT CAN I DO TO GET THIS RECALL TAKEN CARE OF
  • 10935400 AFTER CONTACTING THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED FOR THE RECALL REMEDY WERE STILL NOT AVAILABLE AND NO ESTIMATED TIME FOR RECEIVING THE PARTS COULD BE PROVIDED
  • 10950044 THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS). THE PART NEEDED WAS UNAVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIR
Passenger seat occupancy sensor malfunctionAIR BAGS, SEAT BELTS, SEATS11 complaints2012-11 → 2023-10bmw-328i-2012-passenger-occupancy-sensor
  • 11549720 My vehicle as well as thousands of others have the chronic and unsafe issue of the passenger occupancy sensor malfunctioning
  • 11204311 PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR FAILURE RENDERS PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG SYSTEMS INACTIVE WHEN PASSENGER SEAT IS OCCUPIED. VEHICLE IS 2012 MODEL YEAR WITH APPROXIMATELY 80,000 MILES
  • 10484241 PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DISENGAGES IF PASSENGER SITS ON ANY TYPE CUSHION. PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DISENGAGED LIGHT IS ON IF PASSENGER IS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT SITTING ON ANY TYPE OF CUSHION OR PADDING
Loss of power steering assist while drivingSTEERING4 complaints2012-11 → 2018-05bmw-328i-2012-power-steering-loss
  • 11074676 WHILE PULLING OUT OF THE GARAGE, A WARNING MESSAGE "CHASIS STABILIZATION: DRIVE MODERATELY" APPEARED ON THE DASH AND HAD NO POWER STEERING AND WAS MAKING WHIRRING NOISE WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED
  • 11091725 UPON STARTING THE CAR ON NICER WEATHER, MY STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT MOVE. I CAN DRIVE THE CAR IN A STRAIGHT DIRECTION BUT THE STEERING WHEEL JUST WOULDN'T BUDGE
  • 10483170 WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THERE WAS A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER STEERING WITH AN ILLUMINATION OF THE POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR

NHTSA complaints (summary) all years →

countearliest_datelatest_datecrash_flaggedfire_flaggedtop_components
1442012-05-052026-07-0741ENGINE:60; AIR BAGS:30; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:24; POWER TRAIN:20; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:16

Recalls all years →

campaign_numberreport_received_datecomponentsummaryconsequenceremedy
20V01700015/01/2020AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULEBMW 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.An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.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.
14V62700007/10/2014SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGSBMW 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.A failure of the brake vacuum pump results in a reduction in braking power that could increase the risk of a crash.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.
15V52000017/08/2015EXTERIOR LIGHTINGBMW 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."If the side marker lights do not illuminate, the vehicle may be less visible at night, increasing the risk of a crash.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.
13V45400026/09/2013SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUMBMW 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.A failure of the brake vacuum pump results in a reduction in braking power that could increase the risk of a crash.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.
24V51300003/07/2024AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULEBMW 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.An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.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.
24V60800013/08/2024ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:PUMPBMW 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.An electrical short increases the risk of a fire.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.

Investigations all years →

action_numberstatussubjectcomponentsopenedclosedrecall_campaignsummary
PE13030closedLoss of power assist brakingSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM2013-09-062013-10-2513V454000In 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

FARS occupant deaths all years →

crash_yearsoccupant_deathsmatch_typevpic_recovered
2010-202419legacy-code0

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road.

Cite this

Derived data is CC BY 4.0. Link back to the page you used. Text and BibTeX below.

Wrench.Pro (2026). 2012 BMW 328i vehicle data [dataset]. https://www.wrench.pro/data/vehicles/2012/bmw/328i
@misc{wrenchpro_2012_bmw_328i_2026,
  author = {Wrench.Pro},
  title = {Wrench.Pro vehicle data: 2012 BMW 328i},
  year = {2026},
  howpublished = {\url{https://www.wrench.pro/data/vehicles/2012/bmw/328i}},
  note = {Derived from NHTSA public records. CC BY 4.0.}
}

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