Most common 2012 BMW 128i problems
Share of the 31 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
BMW 128i complaints by model year
Best 128i years: 2008, 2010, 2009. Years to avoid: 2013, 2011, 2012. Compare all years →
2012 BMW 128i recalls (5)
Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Emission control › Crankcase (pcv)
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 1 Series Coupe (128i); 2007-2013 3 Series Coupe (328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive); 2007-2010 X3 SAV (X3 3.0si, X3 xDrive30i); 2008-2013 1 Series Convertible (128i); 2006-2011 3 Series Sedan (325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 330i, 330xi); 2006-2012 3 Series Wagon…
Remedy: This recall supersedes and expands previous NHTSA recalls 17V-683 and 19V-273. Dealers will install an electrical wiring harness with fuse protection for the PCV Valve heater in potentially affected vehicles, free of…
Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
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,…
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.
Electrical system › Wiring
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2012 BMW 128i, 135i, 135is Coupes and 128i, 135i Convertible vehicles. The wiring and electrical connectors in the blower-regulator wiring harness may overheat.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the blower-regulator wiring harness, and replace it with a new part, free of charge. The recall began October 4, 2019.
Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
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, 328xi, 328i…
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.
Electrical system › Wiring › Fuses and circuit breakers
BMW is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 1-Series coupes and convertibles manufactured December 2007 through September 2011; and 2007-2011 3-Series coupes and convertibles manufactured March 2007 through October 2011; 2007-2011 3-Series sedans manufactured March 2007 through October 2011; 2007-2011 3-Series sports wagons…
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the positive battery cable connector and secure it with an improved method, free of charge. The recall began on March 13, 2013.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2012 BMW 128i:
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.
What 2012 BMW 128i owners say
Air bags all 23 →
Tl* the contact owned a 2012 BMW 128i. While driving approximately 30 MPH and making a left turn into traffic, the contact crashed into another vehicle. The air bags deployed. As a result, metal fragments struck the contact's face and chest that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a local towing company. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer. The vehicle was destroyed. The VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 16V071000 (air bags). The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 50,000.
Takata recall -- after months of waiting for a replacement airbag, I received a notice from BMW in late September that the replacement part is available and that I should get my car in. I scheduled an appointment with kuni BMW on October 17, 2017 but they called that morning and said that they didn't have the parts but would call me when they do to reschedule. I followed up on October 30 and the service department said that they still can't help me but that I am on their priority list when the part comes in. So -- in spite of the fact that BMW has notified me that my car needs to be fixed, my local dealer can't do the job. It's been a month and there are no replacement airbags available!
Engine & cooling
The contact owns a 2012 BMW 128i. The contact stated after completing an oil change at the dealer and starting the vehicle, the RPM started fluctuating. The contact stated that after coming to a complete stop at a traffic light, the RPM fluctuated rapidly and the vehicle decelerated while driving. The dealer was notified of the failure and advised the contact to take the vehicle back to the dealer for a diagnostic test. The contact was able to drive to the dealer at a slower speed. The dealer diagnosed that the VANOS (Variable Nockenwell Steuerung) system needed to be replaced. The dealer informed the contact that the failure was a manufacturing defect; however, she would be responsible for the cost of the repair. …
The contact owns a 2012 BMW 128I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V707000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
2012 BMW 128i engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.0L 6-cyl | 6-speed manual | RWD | 18 / 27 / 22 |
| 3.0L 6-cyl | 6-speed automatic | RWD | 18 / 28 / 21 |
EPA ratings. Class: Subcompact car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2012 BMW 128i a good car?
Based on 31 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2012 128i rates use caution: 1.7× as many complaints as a typical year of the 128i at the same age. It is one of the 128i years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2012 BMW 128i?
The air bags — 23 complaints, 74% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the engine & cooling (6) and fuel & propulsion system (2).
How many recalls does the 2012 BMW 128i have?
There are 5 recalls for the 2012 BMW 128i, the most recent from March 2, 2022 (crankcase (pcv)). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the BMW 128i?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2008, 2010 and 2009. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2013, 2011 and 2012. See the full BMW 128i years comparison.
At what mileage do 2012 BMW 128i problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 33,000 miles; 67% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.