The 2012 BMW X3 has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 195,453 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 67 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the air bags. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
AIR BAGS17V4950002017-08-086,785 affected
Defect
BMW of North America, LLC. (BMW) is recalling certain 2012-2013 BMW X3 xDrive28i, X3 xDrive35i, and M6 Convertible vehicles and 2013 M6 Coupe vehicles. The affected vehicles have a driver's frontal air bag inflator that may have been improperly welded.
Consequence
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator housing could separate from the base plate and result in metal striking the vehicle occupants, potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's front air bag module, free of charge. The recall began October 6, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
CHILD SEAT16V3330002016-05-23188,668 affected
Defect
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2011-2017, X3 sDrive28i, X3 xDrive28i and X3 xDrive35i, vehicles manufactured July 2, 2010 to April 14, 2016, 2015-2017 X3 xDrive28d vehicles manufactured March 10, 2014 to March 31, 2016, and 2015-2017 x4 xDrive28i, X4 xDrive35i and X4 xDriveM40i…
Consequence
Damaged lower anchor bars may increase the child's risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Remedy
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will weld a reinforcing bracket to the lower anchor bars and the vehicle body, free of charge. The recall began on July 13, 2016. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Complaints by component
AIR BAGS
12
1crashes1injuries
ENGINE
8
1fires
POWER TRAIN
7
3crashes
STEERING
7
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
6
2crashes
SERVICE BRAKES
5
2crashes
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
5
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION
4
SEATS
4
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER
2
Total complaints67
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“Over about seven years and roughly 70,000 miles of ownership, this 2012 bmw x3 generated repeated “drivetrain malfunctionâ€� warnings and loss of drivability despite extensive repairs by multiple authorized bmw dealers. I paid approximately $15,000–$20,000 out of pocket for dealer repairs, and…”
“I emailed bmw of arlington on [xxx] detailing the critical safety issue I experienced with my bmw x3 2012 on sunday [xxx]. I was driving on the tollway northbound from [xxx] in grand prairie in the pouring rain with my wipers on, and the car suddenly started braking and decelerating from the 70…”
“I emailed bmw of arlington on [xxx] detailing the critical safety issue I experienced with my bmw x3 2012 on sunday [xxx]. I was driving on the tollway northbound from [xxx] in grand prairie in the pouring rain with my wipers on, and the car suddenly started braking and decelerating from the 70…”
“I emailed bmw of arlington on [xxx] detailing the critical safety issue I experienced with my bmw x3 2012 on sunday [xxx]. I was driving on the tollway northbound from [xxx] in grand prairie in the pouring rain with my wipers on, and the car suddenly started braking and decelerating from the 70…”
“The contact owns a 2012 bmw x3. The contact stated that after his wife parked the vehicle, she shifted the gear into the park (p) position however, after his wife exit the vehicle, the vehicle inadvertently rolled and crashed into a post without warning. No injuries were sustained. No medical…”
“A malfunction of the front seat occupancy mat will prevent the passenger air bag from deploying in the event of an accident and displays a malfunction warning. This malfunction has been the subject of several bmw nhtsa recalls but so far none have been issued for this vehicle.”
“A malfunction of the front seat occupancy mat will prevent the passenger air bag from deploying in the event of an accident and displays a malfunction warning. This malfunction has been the subject of several bmw nhtsa recalls but so far none have been issued for this vehicle.”
“The contact owns a 2012 bmw x3. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was shaking and hesitating during acceleration. An unknown warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who related the failure to nhtsa campaign number:…”
Defect investigations
InvestigationEA21002 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…
InvestigationEA21002 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…
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 X3 as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.