Menu

2012 BMW 320iProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 3 owner complaints about the 2012 BMW 320i, most often about the air bags. It is covered by 3 safety recalls, and for recall 15V-520 the manufacturer reports only 91% of affected cars repaired.

2012 BMW 320i
–
CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls3Lowest repair rate 91%Owner complaints30 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage130kAir bags, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through February 27, 2017. Updated daily. Photo: OSX, Public domain.

Complaints by system

Where the 2012 BMW 320i has problems

3 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Air bags20
Electrical system10
Electronic stability control (ESC)10
Exterior lighting10

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

3 recalls

2012 BMW 320i 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.

91%repaired · 2017 Q1

Exterior lighting

Recall 15V-520 · Aug 17, 2015 · 7,727 vehicles · 7,069 repaired

Risk. If the side marker lights do not illuminate, the vehicle may be less visible at night, increasing the risk of a crash.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

94%repaired · 2016 Q1

Power assist: vacuum

Recall 14V-627 · Oct 7, 2014 · 8,988 vehicles · 8,466 repaired

Risk. A failure of the brake vacuum pump results in a reduction in braking power that could increase the risk of a crash.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

97%repaired · 2015 Q2

Power assist: vacuum

Recall 13V-454 · Sep 26, 2013 · 76,191 vehicles · 73,576 repaired

Risk. A failure of the brake vacuum pump results in a reduction in braking power that could increase the risk of a crash.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

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 320i 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 320i median. How we score

'77'78'79'80'82'00'01'02'03'04'05'12'13'14'15'16'17'18
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
1 investigation

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2012 BMW 320i, and the recalls they led to.

  1. Loss of power assist brakingPE13030 · closed Oct 25, 2013
    Led to recall 13V-454
In owners' words

What 320i owners report

Recent air bags complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 BMW 320I N/A. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND WOULD REMAIN ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
Complaint 10957174 · Feb 27, 2017 · 130,000 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 (NA) BMW 320I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V346000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS…
Complaint 10905081 · Sep 9, 2016

Own a 2012 320i?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.