Reliable Auto DB

2012 BMW 328i reliability

Is it reliable?

NHTSA's file on the 2012 BMW 328i holds 144 complaints after 15 years, a rate of 6 per year. 328i years here cluster close together — the other years’ median is 5 complaints per year. NHTSA has 6 recalls on file, including Pump, Inflator, and Exterior lighting.

2012 BMW 328i
Photo by HLW, resized from the original. Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 3.0
Complaints

144

Per year

6

Recalls

6

Years on the road

15

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Engine (60 of 144), then Air bags (30) and Electrical system (24). Those filings include 4 that report a crash, 1 that reports a fire, and 1 that reports an injury.

Next to 2013

The 2013 328i has 288 complaints, 14 per year. The 2012 has fewer complaints per year than the 2013.

The complaint rate is complaints filed in this year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market 2012 BMW 328i. How we count. Data as of .

Recalls (6)

Recall engine and cooling, cooling system, pump 2024-08-13 · NHTSA campaign 24V608000
Summary 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 circuit.
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.
Recall air bags, frontal, driver side, inflator 2024-07-03 · NHTSA campaign 24V513000
Summary 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. 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.
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.
Recall air bags, frontal, driver side, inflator 2020-01-15 · NHTSA campaign 20V017000
Summary 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, 335i xDrive and M3 Coupes, 2006-2011 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive and M3, 2009-2011 335D, 2006-2012 325xi, 328i, 328xi and 328i xDrive, 2010-2011 X6 ActiveHybrid, 2007-2013 328i, 335i, 335is, M3 Coupes, X5 30si, X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 48i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5 M, 2009-2013 X5 xDrive35d and 2008-2014 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6M vehicles equipped with non-desiccated driver frontal air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) that were used as interim remedy parts for previous Takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
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. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Recall Exterior lighting 2015-08-17 · NHTSA campaign 15V520000
Summary 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, 2013, to March 17, 2015, 2014-2015 328d, 328xd vehicles manufactured June 28, 2013, to April 21, 2015, and 2014-2015 328xd Sports Wagon vehicles manufactured July 5, 2013, to April 21, 2015. 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."
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.
Recall hydraulic brakes, power assist, vacuum, hoses and fittings 2014-10-07 · NHTSA campaign 14V627000
Summary 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 xDrive28i Sports Activity Vehicle, 2013-2014 BMW X3 xDrive28i Sports Activity Vehicle, 2012-2014 BMW Z4 sDrive28i Roadster, and 2014 BMW 428i Coupe, and 428i xDrive Coupe. Due to insufficient lubrication, the vacuum pump that supplies brake power assistance may fail. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 13V-454.
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. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Recall hydraulic brakes, power assist, vacuum 2013-09-26 · NHTSA campaign 13V454000
Summary 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 and X1 xDrive28i vehicles and model year 2012-2014 Z4 sDrive28i roadsters. Due to insufficient lubrication, the vacuum pump that supplies brake power assistance may fail.
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. Owners may contact BMW customer relations at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.

Complaints by component (144 total)

Engine
60
Air bags
30
Electrical system
24
Powertrain
20
Engine and engine cooling
16
Fuel and propulsion system
12
Seats
9
Seat belts
7
Speed control
7
Exterior lighting
4
Steering
4
Service brakes
2
Structure
2
Visibility and wipers
2
Tires
1
Visibility
1
Show 8 more Show less
Crash-flagged

4

Fire-flagged

1

Injury reports

1

Death reports

0

Complaints filed per year

320128201362014320151220161620179201817201915202082021920226202316202413202532026
Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings
  • "Engine oil pressure light came on and then the driver train malfunction light. Car at 113k miles and upon checking the timing chain was damage and now engine locked"
    Powertrain, Engine · filed 2026-07-07
  • "The inner film on the central display console that shows navigation, multimedia and other information detached and made the display unreadable."
    Electrical system · filed 2026-03-02
  • "INCIDENT SUMMARY: On January 9, 2026, at approximately 1:30 PM, while traveling at 50 MPH in North Carolina, the vehicle experienced a sudden, catastrophic engine seizure without any prior "Limp Mode" warning or Check…"
    Powertrain, Speed control, Engine · filed 2026-01-11
  • "While traveling at night on the toll road between Washington, DC and Pittsburgh, PA, the vehicle suddenly shut off without warning. Power was lost completely, including power steering, while in motion on a major…"
    Engine · filed 2025-09-23
  • "Dealer refused to cover DME that failed immediately after recall 24V-608 work. In early June 2025, I contacted my local BMW dealership about an overheat notification I received while driving. They confirmed there was an…"
    Electrical system · filed 2025-07-31

NHTSA crash ratings

Version Overall Front Side Rollover
2012 BMW 328 I 2 DR RWD Not rated Not rated Not rated 5 stars
2012 BMW 328 I 4 DR RWD 5 stars 4 stars 5 stars 5 stars
2012 BMW 328 I C RWD Not rated Not rated Not rated 5 stars
2012 BMW 328 I SW RWD Not rated Not rated Not rated 5 stars
2012 BMW 328 I Xdrive 2 DR AWD Not rated Not rated Not rated 5 stars
2012 BMW 328 I Xdrive SW AWD Not rated Not rated Not rated 5 stars

Stars are how this vehicle did in NHTSA crash tests. They are a safety result, separate from the complaint record. Not rated means that test was not run for this version.

Fuel economy

Trim Engine Transmission Drive City Hwy Combined Annual fuel cost
328i 2L, 4-cyl Manual 6-speed Rear-wheel drive 23 34 27 MPG $2950
328i 2L, 4-cyl Automatic (8-speed) Rear-wheel drive 23 33 26 MPG $3050
328i Coupe 3L, 6-cyl Manual 6-speed Rear-wheel drive 18 27 22 MPG $3650
328i Coupe 3L, 6-cyl Automatic (6-speed) Rear-wheel drive 18 28 21 MPG $3800
328i Coupe xDrive 3L, 6-cyl Manual 6-speed All-wheel drive 17 25 20 MPG $4000
328i Coupe xDrive 3L, 6-cyl Automatic (6-speed) All-wheel drive 17 25 20 MPG $4000
328i Sport Wagon 3L, 6-cyl Automatic (6-speed) Rear-wheel drive 18 26 21 MPG $3800
328i Sport Wagon 3L, 6-cyl Manual 6-speed Rear-wheel drive 17 26 20 MPG $4000
328i xDrive Sport Wagon 3L, 6-cyl Automatic (6-speed) All-wheel drive 17 25 20 MPG $4000
328i xDrive Sport Wagon 3L, 6-cyl Manual 6-speed All-wheel drive 17 25 20 MPG $4000

Specs and fitment

F30 3 Series, 2012–2016
Body styles Sedan, Sports Wagon, Gran Turismo
Oil BMW LL-01 5W-30 (through MY2015); MY2016 N20 0W-20 LL-14 FE+ or N26 0W-30 LL-01 FE per under-hood label
Tire size 225/50R17 (base), 225/45R18 (line packages), 225/50R18–225/45R19 (xDrive Gran Turismo) front / 225/50R17 (base), 225/45R18 or 255/40R18 (M Sport staggered), 255/45R18–255/40R19 (GT staggered) rear

Known issues for this generation

2012-2015 328i Sedan, Sports Wagon, and Gran Turismo models with N20/N26 engines were included in the Gelis timing-chain and oil-pump drive chain class-action settlement (final approval February 2021; BMW SI B11 02 21 documents the dealer repair benefit). Plaintiffs alleged brittle polycarbonate timing-chain guides and premature oil-pump chain wear that could damage the engine; eligibility depended on production range, mileage, and claim deadlines that have since closed. Separately, recall 24V608000 covers certain 2012-2016 328i and 328xi vehicles (among about 720,796 multi-model units) for a water-pump electrical connector that may short circuit and increase fire risk; dealers inspect and replace the pump and connector as needed and install a protective shield.

Compare

Next year 2013 BMW 328i See every BMW 328i model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2012 BMW 328i reliable?

NHTSA's file on the 2012 BMW 328i holds 144 complaints after 15 years, a rate of 6 per year. 328i years here cluster close together — the other years’ median is 5 complaints per year. NHTSA has 6 recalls on file, including Pump, Inflator, and Exterior lighting.

What are common problems with a 2012 BMW 328i?

The complaints owners file most often name Engine (60 of 144), then Air bags (30) and Electrical system (24). Those filings include 4 that report a crash, 1 that reports a fire, and 1 that reports an injury.

Is the 2012 BMW 328i more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2013 328i has 288 complaints, 14 per year. The 2012 has fewer complaints per year than the 2013.

Has the 2012 BMW 328i been recalled?

The 2012 BMW 328i has 6 recalls on file with NHTSA. See the recalls table on this page for dates, components, and remedies.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2012 BMW 328i?

Owners have filed 144 complaints about the 2012 BMW 328i with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2012 BMW 328i get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2012 BMW 328i is 21.7 MPG. See the fuel economy table on this page for city and highway figures by engine and transmission.

What oil does a BMW 328i (F30) take?

Through MY2015, BMW LL-01 5W-30 is common. MY2016 N20 lists 0W-20 LL-14 FE+ or N26 0W-30 LL-01 FE per the under-hood label — follow that label.

What tire sizes does the F30 328i use?

Common fits include 225/50R17 (base), 225/45R18 (line packages), and 225/50R18–225/45R19 on xDrive Gran Turismo packages.

Was the F30 328i included in the timing-chain settlement?

2012-2015 328i Sedan, Sports Wagon, and Gran Turismo models with N20/N26 engines were included in the Gelis timing-chain and oil-pump drive chain class-action settlement (final approval February 2021; BMW SI B11 02 21 documents the dealer repair benefit).