Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2012 BMW 128i owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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!
Pulling in parking lot to park going at a very low speed I hit the brakes and they did not hold instead the car accelerated and jumped on to a sidewalk and then into a brick wall. I finally was able to get the car in reverse and it took off backwards for a few feet until the brakes finally caught the car then came to a sudden stop. I hit the brick wall with the front end of my car causing lots of damage to the front of my car and the building the air bag never deployed. The policeman that worked the wreck said the tire marks where the car took off were acceleration marks not brake marks, but the ones where it finally stopped were brake marks.
Takata recall I received a recall notice letter from BMW in the spring of 2016, but they have not repaired my car yet. When I asked the dealer a couple weeks ago, they told me they could not fix it yet. What's taking so long? How long can they keep me waiting? I'm concerned about driving a car with an airbag that could explode.
Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2012 BMW 128i. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16V071000 (air bags); however, the parts to do the repair were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer (coggin BMW of treasure coast in ft. Pierce (located at 4429 us-1, fort pierce, fl 34982; [phone]) was contacted and confirmed that the parts were not available for the recall remedy. The manufacturer was not contacted. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect. Updated 10/26/17 the consumer stated the vehicle was repaired according to the recall.
Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2012 BMW 128i. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16V071000 (air bags); however, the part needed for the repair was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact called BMW of henderson (261 auto mall dr, henderson, nv 89014, phone number: [phone]) and was informed that the part was not available for the repair. The manufacturer was not contacted. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Takata recall I received a letter from BMW dated March 2016 notifying me of recall. Last week, I was at my BMW service department and inquired when I could bring my vehicle in for repair. I was informed that the parts are still not available and it is not known at this time when they will be available. I find it inexcusable that I am waiting for over a year to remedy this situation and in the meantime, BMW is potentially ignoring this recall and I am driving a vehicle that is admittedly unsafe while claiming that they are concerned for my safety.
Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2012 BMW 128i. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16V071000 (air bags) and stated that the part was not available within a reasonable time frame to schedule the recall repair. The dealer did not give a specific date for when the part would become available. The manufacturer could not provide an estimated date for when the vehicle would receive the recall repair. The contact was not experiencing a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2012 BMW 128i. The vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 16V071000 (air bags). The dealer mentioned that the parts might become available within 6 to 9 months. The contact felt that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall remedy. The manufacturer was contacted to determine when the parts May be supplied to the dealer. The contact was not experiencing a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2012 BMW i28i. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer for an interim repair for NHTSA campaign number: 16V071000 (air bags). After the repair, the contact was notified that the air bags were newer air bags; however, they were still the defective model. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer informed the contact that the repair was approved by NHTSA. The contact had not experienced a failure.
Related recalls
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.
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.
NHTSA investigations
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.
Airbag complaints in other 128i years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2012 BMW 128i?
NHTSA has 23 complaints about the air bags of the 2012 BMW 128i, 74% of the model year's 31 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2012 BMW 128i airbag problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 20V-017 (inflator module, Jan 15, 2020); NHTSA recall 16V-071 (inflator module, Feb 5, 2016). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2012 BMW 128i airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 33,000 miles, and 25% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.