There are no safety recalls for the 2012 BMW X3 SAV, but owners have filed 6 complaints with NHTSA.
2012 BMW X3 SAV problems reported by owners
| Problem area | Reports | |
|---|
| Engine | 3 | |
| Service Brakes | 1 | |
| Steering | 1 | |
| Power Train | 1 | |
| Wheels | 1 | |
Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 59,500 miles (median of owner reports).
Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.
Recent 2012 BMW X3 SAV complaints
Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.
Wheels · at 40,000 miles · reported Apr 8, 2019
The problem started out as an intermittent 'TPMS malfunction warning'. First trip to bmw service center I was told nothing was wrong. Intermittent TPMS warnings continued. Second visit to dealership service center resulted in one tpm sensor being replaced. Unfortunately the intermittent TPMS malfunction warnings continued to occur every so often. During the past year the malfunction warnings occurred with ever increasing frequency until the TPMS malfunction became permanent. At my latest visit to my bmw service center I was told the TPMS controller module was bad (Rdc module). I was told it…
Power Train · at 45,500 miles · reported Sep 12, 2018
When accelerating from low speeds, the transmission bucks and jerks, searching around for the right gear. After googling this, it is a well-known problem that costs thousands to fix. We've already spent approximately $1,500 on it, and it's still hasn't gone away. Next would be the transfer unit, which is upwards of $5,000. The car only has 46,000 miles on it. The lack of acceleration is a serious safety issue, as it's impossible to get out of danger, merge safely into traffic, etc. This seems to be a design flaw that should be recalled.
Engine · at 59,500 miles · reported Aug 17, 2018
I was driving 60 miles an hour on a highway and the engine in my 2012 bmw x3 35i seized and went into neutral. I had to glide off to the side of the road into the grass. I have been told by the bmw dealer (Laurel bmw westmont) that the car needs a new engine which would cost $22k. Bmw USA offered to pay 60% of the cost and would not discuss the safety issues. The car has 59.5k miles and was well maintained.
Steering · at 77,500 miles · reported Jul 24, 2018
When driving on the highway for more than 10 minutes in warm weather, the steering feels "sticky" and is hard to keep in the lane. It feels as though you are fighting to make the small corrections necessary to keep the car from drifting outside the lane, and that the steering is "locked" into position. It makes driving the car for an extended period on the highway unbearable. This problem has been reported in online bmw forums by multiple other bmw x3 owners. Neither the dealership nor an independent repair shop can identify what causes the issue, nor how to fix it. A number of solutions have…
Engine · at 65,000 miles · reported May 7, 2018
Bolts holding the variable camshaft timing vanos housing are defective. This is a known issue and bmw notified NHTSA of a recall in 2014 for 156000 vehicles. However, I have the same exact problem and bmw says I must pay almost $4,000.00 because it is not part of the recall...even though this is a known problem.
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2012 BMW X3 SAV have any recalls?
No. NHTSA has no safety recalls for the 2012 BMW X3 SAV as of this update. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the latest status.
What is the most common problem with the 2012 BMW X3 SAV?
Owners report engine problems most often (3 reports), followed by service brakes (1). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 59,500 miles.
Are BMW recall repairs free?
Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized BMW dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.