RecallRepo

2012 BMW M3 Recalls

Recalls on record Updated July 2026

The 2012 BMW M3 has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 916,606 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 6 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the air bags. Last updated July 5, 2026.

Recall campaigns

AIR BAGS 20V017000 2020-01-15 59,965 affected
Defect

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,…

Consequence

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

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.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 19V472000 2019-06-19 16,641 affected
Defect

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2009 328i and 328xi, 2009-2011 335d, 2008-2012 M3 Coupe and M3 Convertible, and 2008-2011 M3 Sedan vehicles. The connection of the positive battery cable at the fuse box terminal may degrade, resulting in an intermittent loss of electrical power.

Consequence

A loss of electrical power can cause the vehicle to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace and secure the positive battery cable connector, free of charge. The recall began August 14, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Note: This recall is an expansion of a previous recall, number 18V-314.

AIR BAGS 16V071000 2016-02-05 840,000 affected
Defect

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2008-2013 128i and 135i coupes and convertibles and 1 Series M coupes, 2006-2011 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive Sedans, 2009-2011 335d sedans, 2006-2012 325xiT, 328i and 328xi sports wagons, 2007-2013 328i,…

Consequence

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 occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy

BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag module or inflator depending on the vehicle model, free of charge. The recall began March 9, 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Complaints by component

AIR BAGS
4
ENGINE
2
Total complaints6

What owners report

Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.

“Approximately 5 miles after receiving the vehicle the rod bearings and crank suffered complete failure. I was in motion around 60mph on a rural highway when the engine suddenly lost power. After avoiding an accident I safely pulled over and shut the car off. The engine would not start. The seized…”

ENGINE · reported 2019-02-15

“When I called bmw to have my defective airbag replaced they do not have the part available. The defect can apparently lead to serious injury or death so I think it is imperative that they do this immediately.”

AIR BAGS · reported 2017-10-02

“Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2012 bmw m3. The contact stated that the recall notice for nhtsa campaign number: 16v071000 (air bags) was received in february. After contacting the dealer and the manufacturer on multiple occasions, the contact was informed that the parts needed for the…”

AIR BAGS · reported 2017-02-03

“Takata recall is taking too long to replace my drivers side airbag in my 2012 bmw m3 convertible. I called rusnak bmw in westlake village, ca in november 2016 for a status update as to why they still have not contacted me to replace my driver's side takata airbag despite a recall notice in march…”

AIR BAGS · reported 2016-03-29

“Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2012 bmw m3. The contact stated that nhtsa campaign number: 16v071000 ( air bags) exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the repair. The contact received the recall notification in march of 2016. The dealer ( braman motorcars 2901 okeechobee blvd, west palm…”

AIR BAGS · reported 2016-03-09

“Driving in a parking lot, shifted from 1st gear to second gear and at 4000 rpms, the car stopped. It would not restart. Towed card to dealer and it needed an engine replacement which was covered under my warranty.”

ENGINE · reported 2015-09-19

Defect investigations

Investigation EA21002 Opened 2021-09-17 · open

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…

Investigation EA21002 Opened 2021-09-17 · open

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…

Sources & methodology

Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2012 BMW M3 as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.