MotorDeets

2012 BMW 320I: Recalls, Problems & MPG

Here are the deets on the 2012 BMW 320I: 3 recalls, 3 owner complaints.

3vehicle recalls
3owner complaints
0mention a crash
–best combined mpg
2012 BMW 320I
Photo: Navigator84 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons. Representative photo of this generation; trim may differ.

Recalls

3 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.

Brakes (hydraulic), Brakes (hydraulic) Vehicle recall #13V454000 · 2013 · 76,191 vehicles

What's wrong: Due to insufficient lubrication, the vacuum pump that supplies brake power assistance May fail.

Why it matters: A failure of the brake vacuum pump results in a reduction in braking power that could increase the risk of a crash.

The 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.

Brakes (hydraulic), Brakes (hydraulic) Vehicle recall #14V627000 · 2014 · 8,988 vehicles

What's wrong: Due to insufficient lubrication, the vacuum pump that supplies brake power assistance May fail. Note: this recall is an expansion of recall 13v-454.

Why it matters: A failure of the brake vacuum pump results in a reduction in braking power that could increase the risk of a crash.

The 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.

Exterior lights Vehicle recall #15V520000 · 2015 · 7,727 vehicles

What's wrong: 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."

Why it matters: If the side marker lights do not illuminate, the vehicle May be less visible at night, increasing the risk of a crash.

The 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.

Most-reported problems

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 0 mention a fire, 0 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.

Airbags2
Electrical1
Stability control1
Exterior lights1

What owners describe

The 2012 BMW 320I has 3 owner complaints, ranking #7 of 13 320I model years for complaints (well below the 12 average). Neighboring years: 2013 (9 complaints, 3 recalls).

Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.

Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2012 BMW 320I.

eManualOnline Download (PDF), keep forever

Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.

Most $25–$78, one-time
Check 2012 BMW 320I manual
Mitchell 1 DIY Online access, factory-level data

Pro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.

From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yr
Check 2012 BMW 320I manual
ALLDATAdiy Online access, factory OEM info

OEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.

From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yr
Check 2012 BMW 320I manual
Haynes Print book or AllAccess online

Step-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.

Books ~$30–$40 · AllAccess $34.99/mo
Check 2012 BMW 320I manual

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FAQ

Does the 2012 BMW 320I have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 3 vehicle recalls for the 2012 BMW 320I. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What are the most common 2012 BMW 320I problems?

Owners have filed 3 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are airbags (2), electrical (1), stability control (1).

Where can I get a 2012 BMW 320I repair manual?

eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.

Other 320I years

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