2012 BMW 328I
This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 31 |
| 1997 | 25 |
| 1998 | 26 |
| 1999 | 98 |
| 2000 | 112 |
| 2001 | 4 |
| 2002 | 0 |
| 2003 | 0 |
| 2004 | 0 |
| 2005 | 0 |
| 2006 | 0 |
| 2007 | 395 |
| 2008 | 239 |
| 2009 | 193 |
| 2010 | 153 |
| 2011 | 572 |
| 2012 | 130 |
| 2013 | 255 |
| 2014 | 150 |
| 2015 | 121 |
| 2016 | 55 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
42% of complaints: engine — 55 distinct reports on file.
CRASHShow complaint excerpts
TIMING CHAIN PROBLEMS, THE CAR STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD
NHTSA ODI report, 20201017
20% of complaints: air bags — 26 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
DRIVER OF A 2012 BMW 328I, WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN OUT OF A PARKING LOT WHEN HER VEHICLE WAS STRUCK ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE (ROUGHLY THE MIDDLE OF THE VEHICLE) BY A CHEVROLET BLAZER THAT WAS TRAVELLING AT A RATE OF AT LEAST 40 MPH.
NHTSA ODI report, 20130417
Passenger restraint system malfunction. My vehicle as well as thousands of others have the chronic and unsafe issue of the passenger occupancy sensor malfunctioning.
NHTSA ODI report, 20231013
18% of complaints: electrical system — 23 distinct reports on file.
FIREShow complaint excerpts
MY CAR WAS PARKED I STARTED IT RAN BACK IN HOUSE TO GET PHONE GOT IN CAR SMELT PLASTIC BUT IT WASN'T COMING FROM VENT GOT OUT CAR TO SMELL AROUND CAR AND WHEN I GOT TO TRUNK THE SMELL WAS LOUDER OPENED TRUNK AND A SMALL FIRE CAME UP LIKE A BARBECUE...
NHTSA ODI report, 20180717
The contact owns a 2012 BMW 328I. The contact stated that the temperature sensor on the instrument panel had initially failed to operate as needed; over time, the entire instrument panel had gone blank while the vehicle was being driven.
NHTSA ODI report, 20231002
15% of complaints: power train — 20 distinct reports on file.
CRASH12% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 16 distinct reports on file.
SAFETY TIMELINE
Loss of power assist braking
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...
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.
Campaign 13V454000 — check if this car was fixed
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...
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.
Campaign 14V627000 — check if this car was fixed
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,...
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 CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.
Campaign 15V520000 — check if this car was fixed
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,...
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.
Campaign 20V017000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
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.
Campaign 24V513000 — check if this car was fixed
BMW of North America, LLC.
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.
Campaign 24V608000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2012 BMW 328I — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for engine issues (55 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for air bags issues (26 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for electrical system issues (23 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 13V454000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
- Verify recall 14V627000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
- Verify recall 15V520000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 20V017000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 24V513000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 24V608000 (electrical system, engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 2012 BMW 328I reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2012 BMW 328I is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2012 BMW 328I?
The most-reported component is engine, accounting for 42% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2012 BMW 328I have?
6 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.