2012 BMW 328I: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2012 BMW 328I: 6 recalls, 130 owner complaints and up to 27 mpg combined.
Recalls
6 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.
Airbags Vehicle recall #20V017000 · 2020 · 59,965 vehicles
What's wrong: These inflators May explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Why it matters: An inflator explosion May result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The 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.
Airbags, Airbags Vehicle recall #24V513000 · 2024 · 394,029 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: An inflator explosion May result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
The 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.
Electrical, Engine & cooling Vehicle recall #24V608000 · 2024 · 720,796 vehicles
What's wrong: 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…
Why it matters: An electrical short increases the risk of a fire.
The 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.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 1 mention a fire, 1 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Engine (55): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (16), warning light on (11), noise or vibration (8).
- Airbags (26): the most common themes are warning light on (3).
- Electrical (23): the most common themes are electrical failure (14), fire / smoke (6).
- Transmission & drivetrain (20): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (8), warning light on (4), noise or vibration (3).
The 2012 BMW 328I has 130 owner complaints, ranking #8 of 21 328I model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 123). Complaints peaked in 2019 (17 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 8 years old, at a median of 81,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2011 (577 complaints, 7 recalls), 2013 (257 complaints, 5 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0 L 4-cyl turbo | Manual 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 23 | 34 | 27 | Premium |
| 2.0 L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 23 | 33 | 26 | Premium |
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 328I.
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Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
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FAQ
Does the 2012 BMW 328I have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 6 vehicle recalls for the 2012 BMW 328I. 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 328I problems?
Owners have filed 130 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are engine (55), airbags (26), electrical (23).
What gas mileage does the 2012 BMW 328I get?
EPA ratings run up to 27 mpg combined (2.0 L, Manual 6-spd), across 2 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2012 BMW 328I 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.