AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
2012 BMW 328
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Overview
Our database contains 7 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2012 BMW 328, most frequently naming the airbags, engine and seat belts categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 5 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.
Complaint activity over time
When owners filed reports about this model year
View as table
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Feb 2016 | 1 | 1 |
| Aug 2016 | 1 | 2 |
| Feb 2017 | 1 | 3 |
| Aug 2017 | 1 | 4 |
| Dec 2017 | 1 | 5 |
| Feb 2018 | 1 | 6 |
| Nov 2018 | 1 | 7 |
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
- Airbags333.3%
- Engine222.2%
- Seat belts222.2%
- Electrical111.1%
- Steering111.1%
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
1 campaign 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.govSafety investigations
NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.
Recent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STOPPED ON THE STATE HIGHWAY AND WILL NOT START AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED AT THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP ON 09/08/2018 ON FOR MAJOR REPAIRS INCLUDING OIL CHANGE AND ALL REQUIRED MAINTENANCE WERE UP TO DATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AND REPORTED THAT ENGINE IS JAMMED AND NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER DID ALL THE MAINTENANCES AND I HAVE THE INVOICES TO DOCUMENT THE RECENT REPAIRS AND MAINTENANCE. THE CAR HAD A SIMILAR PROBLEM IN THE PAST, STOPPING SUDDENLY ON THE HIGHWAY. I THINK THE BMW ENGINE HAS PROBLEMS AND THE DEALER WHO DID THE LAST MAINTENANCE ALSO DID NOT DO A GOOD JOB. I REQUEST TO TAKE THIS ISSUE WITH THE BMW CORPORATION AND HAVE THEM COVER THE DAMAGES.
- NHTSA ID
- 11154194
- Incident
- Oct 12, 2018
- Mileage
- 80,000 mi
WHILE PULLING OUT OF THE GARAGE, A WARNING MESSAGE "CHASIS STABILIZATION: DRIVE MODERATELY" APPEARED ON THE DASH AND HAD NO POWER STEERING AND WAS MAKING WHIRRING NOISE WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED. STOPPED THE CAR AND WALKED BACK INTO THE GARAGE AND FOUND A SHEARED OFF BOLT ON THE FLOOR. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, FOUND ALL THE THREE BOLTS ON THE ELECTRIC STEERING MOTOR SHEARED OFF & MISSING AND THE STEERING MOTOR WAS ABOUT TO FALL OFF FROM ITS PLACE AND EXCESSIVE CORROSION WAS ALSO NOTICED. THE ONE BOLT FOUND ON THE GARAGE FLOOR MUST HAVE BEEN THE LAST ONE HOLDING THE MOTOR IN PLACE. GLAD THIS HAPPENED ON THE DRIVEWAY AND NOT AT FREEWAY SPEEDS OR WHEN MAKING A TURN.
- NHTSA ID
- 11074676
- Incident
- Feb 23, 2018
IN JULY 2017 WHILE DRIVING THE CAR THE CABIN COMPLETELY FILLED UP WITH SMOKE AND I INHALED A SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT , AND SMOKE STARTED COMING OUT FROM THE HOOD AREA. MY MECHANIC INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THERE WAS A MANUFACTURER RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH THE SMOKE FILLING THE CABIN. AT NO POINT DID I RECEIVE ANY FORM OF NOTICE THROUGH THE MAIL, EMAIL, OR PHONE INFORMING ME OF SUCH A RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS DELIVERED TO TOWNE BMW IN WILLIAMSVILLE, NY AT THE BEGINNING OF AUGUST 2017. AFTER RECEIVING THE VEHICLE I WAS TOLD THE PROBLEM WAS FIXED AND THE VEHICLE WAS 'SAFE TO DRIVE'. HOWEVER ON THE DRIVE HOME AT NIGHT, THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUT OFF ON THE HIGHWAY AT SPEED. I HAD NO LIGHTS, NO HORN, NO BRAKES, NO POWER WHATSOEVER. THIS APPARENTLY IS WHAT BMW CONSIDERS 'SAFE'. I HAD TO PAY TO TOW THE CAR BACK TO TOWNE BMW, AS THE SERVICE MANAGER DID NOT SEEM TO CARE THAT THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING. A FEW DAYS LATER TOWNE BMW INDICATED THE VEHICLE WAS ONCE AGAIN 'SAFE TO DRIVE'. AFTER PICKING UP THE VEHICLE, WITHIN A FEW DAYS THE ENGINE STARTED SMOKING AGAIN AND SMOKE BEGAN TO FILL THE CABIN, IN ADDITION TO NOISES BEING EMITTED FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AREA. I CALLED TOWNE BMW ON AVERAGE TWICE A DAY LEAVING VOICEMAILS AS WELL AS MY CONTACT INFORMATION, AND RECEIVED NO RESPONSE WHATSOEVER. AFTER MY SECOND CALL TO BMW CORPORATE TO COMPLAIN I FINALLY RECEIVED A CALL BACK FROM BMW AFTER NEARLY A WEEK OF PHONE CALLS. I SUPPOSE THE SAFETY OF VEHICLES OR PROPER SERVICE ARE NOT BMW CORE VALUES. IT IS NOW DECEMBER AND BMW REFUSES TO COVER THE COST OF REPAIRS, DESPITE NOT SENDING ME ANY RECALL NOTICE FOR SUCH A SUBSTANTIAL ISSUE. I HAVE BEEN WITHOUT A VEHICLE FOR 5 MONTHS NOW.
- NHTSA ID
- 11057144
- Incident
- Jul 17, 2017
- Mileage
- 71,978 mi
WATER LEAKING INTO DRIVER SIDE OF CAR AND POOLING IN DRIVER FOOTWELL AND DRIVER-SIDE PASSENGER. WHEN PARKED ON SLOPE, NEARLY 3-4 INCHES OF STANDING WATER. AFTER PUMPING AND DRYING OUT WATER, MAJOR RAIN STORM RESULTED IN RETURN OF POOLING WATER. POSSIBLY RELATED TO BMW SERVICE BULLETIN: SIB 51 05 14 IT SAYS "REMOVE WATER DRAIN GROMMET OF UNITS COMPARTMENT"
- NHTSA ID
- 11013596
- Incident
- Jul 24, 2017
- Mileage
- 41,000 mi
PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION WARNING ILLUMINATED SPORADICALLY. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT CHECKED AND NOTHING WAS FOUND. A WEEK LATER, THE SAME THING HAPPENED. I TOOK IT BACK AND WAS TOLD THE PASSENGER SIDE SENSOR PAD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. NOW BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER AIRBAG/RESTRAINT SYSTEM ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING OR PARKED. THE VEHICLE DOESN'T RECOGNIZE MY DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT BEING ENGAGED. THESE WARNING APPEAR EITHER WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION OR PARKED.
- NHTSA ID
- 10955246
- Incident
- Feb 17, 2017
- Mileage
- 49,450 mi
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED WAS UNAVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. ...UPDATED 09/20/16 *BF
- NHTSA ID
- 10899323
- Incident
- Mar 21, 2016
I BOUGHT MY CAR AT AROUND 50K MILES, AFTER MANUFACTURER' WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. IT WAS FINE FOR ABOUT A MONTH AFTER MY PURCHASE. ONE DAY, AFTER DRIVING FROM THE STORE, MY CAR INDICATED I NEEDED TO FASTEN MY SEATBELT. I WAS FASTENED IN. SO I STOPPED AND RESTARTED THE CAR, THINKING IT WAS SOME WEIRD ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. I RESTARTED THE CAR AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED. I GOT HOME AND THE NEXT TIME I GOT INTO MY CAR TO DRIVE IT, THE DISPLAY NOW SHOWS" DRIVER RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION: CONTINUE WEARING SAFETY BELT. CONSULT NEAREST SERVICE CENTER." I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE WARRANTY I PURCHASED DOES NOT COVER SEATBELTS OR AIRBAG SENSORS. THE DEALER GAVE ME A COST OF REPLACEMENT: $820.52! I HAVE READ THAT OTHERS HAVE HAD THIS ISSUE. YET, THERE IS NO RECALL. WHY WOULD IT BE OKAY FOR SEATBELTS AND AIRBAG SENSORS TO STOP WORKING JUST AFTER 50K MILES?
- NHTSA ID
- 10837580
- Incident
- Jan 28, 2016
- Mileage
- 52,400 mi
Manufacturer communications
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
STEERING
Right Tie Rod Return
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.
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 âÂÂdischarged batteryâ complaints.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The engine?s intake charge-air duct limited warranty extension to 10 years/120,000 miles applies to ?eligible USspecification
EQUIPMENT
Shipping specific non-deployed vehicle safety devices to lighting resources, llc. This service Information bulletin provides information on shipping "specific" noin-deployed vehicle safety devices that are classified as Dangerous Goods (DG) to Lighting resources, LLC
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
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.