NHTSA vehicle safety data
2012 BMW 328XI Recalls & Complaints
The 2012 BMW 328XI has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns and 1 owner complaint on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized BMW dealer.
NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2012 BMW 328XI. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
2012 BMW 328XI owner complaints
Owners have filed 1 complaint with NHTSA about the 2012 BMW 328XI, describing incidents dated May 6, 2018.
Most-cited components
- Unknown or Other 1 complaint
The complaint on file reports a fire (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Newest complaints
ODI #11092408 · Filed
I WOULD LIKE TO REPORT THAT MY 2012 328XI BMW CAUGHT ON FIRE SUNDAY MORNING AT 0315 AS I STOPPED FOR COFFEE. MY CAR WAS PARKED AND TURNED OFF AND WHEN I RETURNED AFTER 3 MINUTES OR SO MY CAR WAS SMOKING AND A FEW MINUTES AFTER THAT ENGULFED IN FLAMES. I KNOW THERE WERE ISSUES WITH MYSTERIOUS FIRES…
Water Pump Connector May Short Circuit
NHTSA #24V608000 · Engine and Engine Cooling — Cooling System — Pump · NHTSA notice
Reported August 13, 2024 · BMW of North America, LLC
Potentially affected: 720,796 vehicles
Repair completion: 38.8% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Owners notified March 28, 2025
Defect description
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.
Safety consequence
An electrical short increases the risk of a fire.
Manufacturer 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.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.
Driver's Air Bag Inflator May Explode
NHTSA #24V513000 · Air Bags — Frontal — Driver Side — Inflator Module · NHTSA notice
Reported July 3, 2024 · BMW of North America, LLC
Potentially affected: 394,029 vehicles
Repair completion: 20.21% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Owners notified August 30, 2024
Defect description
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.
Safety consequence
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Manufacturer 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.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.
Driver Air Bag Inflators May Explode
NHTSA #20V017000 · Air Bags — Frontal — Driver Side — Inflator Module · NHTSA notice
Reported January 15, 2020 · BMW of North America, LLC
Potentially affected: 59,965 vehicles
Repair completion: 78.21% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Owners notified March 11, 2020 · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation
Recall group: Takata airbag inflators
Defect description
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.
Safety consequence
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Manufacturer 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.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Side Marker Lamps Inoperative/FMVSS 108
NHTSA #15V520000 · Exterior Lighting · NHTSA notice
Reported August 17, 2015 · BMW of North America, LLC
Potentially affected: 7,727 vehicles
Repair completion: 91.63% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Owners notified October 7, 2015 · Vehicles built October 20, 2011 – June 24, 2015 (per NHTSA)
Defect description
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."
Safety consequence
If the side marker lights do not illuminate, the vehicle may be less visible at night, increasing the risk of a crash.
Manufacturer 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].
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Other BMW 328XI model years
Check your 2012 BMW 328XI VIN
Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your BMW 328XI at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
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