Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2012 BMW 328i owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Passenger restraint system malfunction. My vehicle as well as thousands of others have the chronic and unsafe issue of the passenger occupancy sensor malfunctioning. In order to remove warning on dash it's either a $2,000 repair, or a $40 bypass which basically places the seat as constantly occupied, sticking the passenger airbag in the 'on' position. Vehicle is available for inspection. With this malfunction, any person that sits in the passenger front seat is at risk of injury or death in the event of a collision. Malfunction has been confirmed by both a dealer and an independent service center. Vehicle was inspected by the dealer, but no police or insurance company. Vehicle was purchased with the malfunction and the warning lights have been on for several years. …
My BMW 2012 E92 model vehicle currently has a malfunctioning Front Seat Occupancy AirBag sensor mat is very similar to the recall for E60 to E91 models. BMW refuses to fix it under the other recall and I'm wondering what can be done to add it to the recall? I also read of an extended warranty for this part but I do not qualify since my model is e92.( SI B01 01 18) . Please advise.
Vehicle at approximately 36,000 miles started exhibiting an intermittent warning for passenger restraint system malfunction. BMW of ontario, ca diagnosed the issue as a faulty seat occupancy sensor, but declined warranty coverage due to vehicle age and exclusion from 3rd party warranty. This appears to be a fairly widespread issue based on: 1) many of the online owner forums cover this problem. 2) the problem is widespread enough to support several manufacturers making and selling bypass\emulator devices to circumvent the failed sensor. A critical safety device for controlling airbag deployment should not be failing so early or frequently.
Drive train malfunction, rear right break light warning light is on will not go off, had the bulb changed and still not working. Drive train go on when trying to go into speed on all functions such as eco mode, normal mode and sport mode. Indicator light goes back to normal after car is completely off and upon start up light goes off. Right front tire when being driven sounds like a flat but when checked on the exterior, seem to be no damage to the tire.
Every so often I get an error message that says 'passenger restraint system malfunction'. I know this is a common error message for BMW vehicles & their owners. I have taken it to the dealership and been told that it could be repaired at my expenses...why?! When so many vehicles have the same issue and it's not user error...time for a recall! Come on!
The car is giving me a code stating that there is a passenger restraint system malfunction. Hundreds of thousands of bmws have been recalled for the exact same problem but they are not covering my make, model and year vehicle even though it is the exam same issue
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 BMW 328i. The contact stated that the air bag warning light remained illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000.
Passenger seat mat sensor for airbag control is malfunctioning. The warning is showing that the system is not working properly and that a seat belt needs to be continued to be worn. Dealer price to fix this safety issue is approximately $1200.
My car lost power. It would come and go. Now it's gone. The codes that come up pertain to the wheel speed sensor and timing.
Driver of a 2012 BMW 328i, was making a left turn out of a parking lot when her vehicle was struck on the driver's side (roughly the middle of the vehicle) by a Chevrolet blazer that was travelling at a rate of at least 40 MPH. None of the BMW's airbags deployed. As a result of the airbag failure, the driver's head went through the window of the driver's door, resulting in physical and neurological injuries. BMW states that the airbag system is/was working properly (I.e. - BMW asserts the airbag system should not have deployed in this situation). Driver's complaint is that airbag deployment would have protected her and prevented said injuries. Thus, either the airbag malfuntioned and failed to deploy, or it is designed improperly. If there were ever a situation that warranted a side airbag to deploy, this accident presents those facts.
Related recalls
Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2006-2011 3 Series Sedan (324i, 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi), 2006-2012 3 Series Sportswagon (325xi, 328i, 328xi), and 2009-2011 3 Series Sedan (335d) vehicles.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the driver's air bag module as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 30, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
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.
Airbag complaints in other 328i years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2012 BMW 328i?
NHTSA has 26 complaints about the air bags of the 2012 BMW 328i, 20% of the model year's 130 complaints. The component named most often is sensor › occupant classification (4 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2012 BMW 328i airbag problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 24V-513 (inflator module, Jul 3, 2024); NHTSA recall 20V-017 (inflator module, Jan 15, 2020). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2012 BMW 328i airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 69,000 miles, and 13% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 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.