repaired · 2024 Q2
Emission control: crankcase (pcv)
Risk. An electrical short can cause the PCV valve heater to overheat, increasing the risk of a fire while driving or, soon after driving when parked.
2012 BMW 128iProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 31 owner complaints about the 2012 BMW 128i, most often about the air bags. It is covered by 5 safety recalls, and for recall 22V-119 the manufacturer reports only 27% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through August 24, 2026. Updated daily.
Complaints by system
Where the 2012 BMW 128i has problems
31 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
23Air bags2 crash/fire/injury
4Engine
2Fuel/propulsion system
2Engine and engine cooling
1Electrical system
1Seat belts
1Service brakes
1Vehicle speed control
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 23 | 2 |
| Engine | 4 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 2 | 0 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 2 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 1 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 1 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 1 | 1 |
| Vehicle speed control | 1 | 1 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
5 recalls
2012 BMW 128i recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
repaired · 2021 Q2
Driver side: inflator module
Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
repaired · 2021 Q1
Electrical system: wiring
Risk. Wiring that overheats could cause the electrical connectors to melt, and increase the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is unattended.
repaired · 2018 Q1
Driver side: inflator module
Risk. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other…
Show 1 more recall
no report yet
Electrical system
Risk. If there is a loss of electrical power to the vehicle, the vehicle may unexpectedly stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with BMW.
Best & worst years
2012 vs. every other 128i year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the 128i median. How we score
'08'09'10'11'12'13
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2012 BMW 128i safety ratings
2012 BMW 128 I C RWD in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
- Stability control: Standard
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
1 investigation
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2012 BMW 128i, and the recalls they led to.
- Desiccated Air Bag Inflator RuptureOpen
In owners' words
What 128i owners report
Recent air bags complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
TAKATA RECALL -- AFTER MONTHS OF WAITING FOR A REPLACEMENT AIRBAG, I RECEIVED A NOTICE FROM BMW IN LATE SEPTEMBER THAT THE REPLACEMENT PART IS AVAILABLE AND THAT I SHOULD GET MY CAR IN. I SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT WITH KUNI BMW ON OCTOBER 17, 2017 BUT THEY CALLED THAT MORNING AND SAID THAT THEY…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 BMW 128I. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH AND MAKING A LEFT TURN INTO TRAFFIC, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. AS A RESULT, METAL FRAGMENTS STRUCK THE CONTACT'S FACE AND CHEST THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS…
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BMW 128I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE…
Own a 2012 128i?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.