RoadVitals

2012 BMW 320I

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
3
Latest Feb 27, 2017
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
3
Latest Aug 17, 2015
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
1
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
0

Overview

Our database contains 3 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2012 BMW 320I, most frequently naming the airbags, driver assistance and electrical categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 42 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Airbags240.0%
  • Driver assistance120.0%
  • Electrical120.0%
  • Exterior lighting120.0%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

3 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
15V520000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Aug 17, 2015
7,727 units potentially affected
The defect: 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."
The risk: If the side marker lights do not illuminate, the vehicle may be less visible at night, increasing the risk of a crash.
The 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 [email protected].
BMW of North America, LLCView on NHTSA.gov
14V627000

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM; SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

Oct 7, 2014
8,988 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: A failure of the brake vacuum pump results in a reduction in braking power that could increase the risk of a crash.
The 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.
BMW of North America, LLCView on NHTSA.gov
13V454000

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM; SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

Sep 26, 2013
76,191 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: A failure of the brake vacuum pump results in a reduction in braking power that could increase the risk of a crash.
The 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 [email protected].
BMW of North America, LLCView on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

PE13030ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

Loss of power assist braking

Opened Sep 6, 2013
Closed Oct 25, 2013

In a letter dated September 26, 2013, BMW Group submitted a safety recall notice to NHTSA identifying a defect condition in the vacuum pump oil supply that may result in loss of power assist braking in 76,191 model year (MY) 2012 through 2014 BMW 3-Series, 5-Series, X1 SAV, X3 SAV, and Z4 vehicles equipped with 4-cylinder engines (NHTSA Recall 13V-454).According to BMW, movement of the seal disk within the camshaft may result in blocking of the oil supply to the vacuum pump, resulting in improper pump operation and loss of power assist braking.On July 11, 2013, BMW initiated a change to the camshaft geometry that prevented the seal disk from blocking the oil port.BMW has not received any braking complaints related to loss of power assist after the design change was implemented in production.The owners of all affected vehicles will be contacted by mail and asked to take their vehicle to a BMW dealer who will install a locking ring into the camshaft to keep the seal disk in its proper location.BMW expects to begin dealer and owner notification in November 2013 and complete dealer and owner notification in December when the remedy is expected to be available.Based on the actions taken by BMW, this investigation is closed.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUMLed to recall 13V454000

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Airbags
Filed Feb 27, 2017

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.

NHTSA ID
10957174
Incident
Feb 21, 2017
Mileage
130,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Sep 9, 2016

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 MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

NHTSA ID
10905081
Incident
Sep 9, 2016
Driver assistanceElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Jan 26, 2014

HEAD LIGHTS FOR NEWER CARS ARE TOO BRIGHT AND BLIND DRIVERS APPROACHING FROM THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION. *TR

NHTSA ID
10561519
Incident
Dec 1, 2011

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

B510819

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.

B611305

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few years. This has led to increased demands being placed on the battery. This document covers important information for the dealer on how to handle “discharged battery” complaints.

651012

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

"Headunit-Basic: CID is blank and "NO SIGNAL" is Displayed. Intermittently the Central Information Display (CID) is blank and "NO SIGNAL" is displayed on the CID. Fault Code B7F8C3 "no response from CID (HW error: loss of CID communication)" is stored in the HU-B Error in the Headunit-Basic (HU-B), also called Radio Professional or ENTRY head unit."

Radio and Air Co

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES; LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TRUNK LID:LOCK; VISIBILITY/WIPER; VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

"Service Action: Program Control Units (FEM). One or more of the following situations may occur when using the windshield wipers: * After the wipers are switched off, they do not remain in the park position, but in the middle of the windshield. * The wipers continue to operate even when the ignition is switched off. * The wipers only partially moved when switched on. * Hazard warning lights flash permanently. * Vehicle locks and unlocks on its own. * Interior lights turn on by themselves. * The trunk lid cannot be opened. AFFECTED VEHICLES This Service Action involves F30 which were produced October 2011 to August 2012. In order to determine whether a specific vehicle has had this Service Action completed or is affected by this Service Action, first check the B-pillar label for code number 631. If code number 631 has been punched out, the campaign has already been performed. If code number 631 has not been punched out, it will be necessary to utilize the "Service Menu" of DCSnet (Dealer Communication System) or the Key Reader. Based on the response of the system, either proceed with the corrective action or take no further action."

170212

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Low Coolant Warning Is Displayed. The low coolant level warning may come on in the information display. CAUSE Moisture-induced corrosion at the electrical connector for the coolant level sensor causes an inaccurate reading of the coolant level.

130512

ENGINE; EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL; FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

N20 Engine: Ticking Noise from High-pressure Fuel Pump. The customer complains of a high-frequency ticking noise from the engine compartment. The noise can be heard inside and outside the vehicle. Mechanical vibrations inside the high-pressure fuel pump.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

BMW 320I by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2018210159.9
2017901—
2016250155.7
2015333156.5
2014517261.9
2013932—
2012Viewing331—
2005010—
2004110—
2003010—
2002110—
2001010—
2000010—
1999000—
1998000—
1982100—
1980300—
1979110—
1978241—
1977041—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.