Are there open safety recalls?
2 open
Ask the seller for proof each was fixed. Repairs are free — and there’s also an open investigation.
FREE VEHICLE RESEARCH
The 2012 BMW X3 has 2 NHTSA safety recalls on file, 48 owner complaints, and gets about 21 mpg combined. Here's the full free record from NHTSA and the EPA.
FREE PUBLIC RECORD · U.S. GOVERNMENT DATA
2012 BMW X3
- Engine 6-cyl 3L
- Drive All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel Premium
- Body Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Should you worry?
Look closer
Something in the public record needs a closer look before you buy.
What do owners report?
1 injury reported
1 of 48 reports (~2%). On a high-volume model that alone isn’t unusual — look for patterns below.
How did it score in crash tests?
Not tested
No official 5-star crash-test score for this year and model.
Open recalls · nearby years
Same make and model. This car is the 2012.
- 20104recalls
- 20114recalls
- 2012 · this car2recalls
- 20137recalls
Based on free U.S. government safety data · checked August 28, 2026.
SAFETY
Will it protect people in a crash?
These are government crash-test scores. 5 stars is best. They rate this year and model, not your exact car.
- Overall
- Not rated
- Frontal
- Not rated
- Side
- Not rated
- Rollover
- Not rated
Factory safety & driver-assist equipment
- Stability control
- Standard
Tested as: 2012 BMW X3 Xdrive28I SUV AWD
Open safety recalls
2 openA recall means the manufacturer must fix a safety problem for free at a dealer. Ask the seller for proof the work was done.
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Air Bags
08/08/2017
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.
How they fix it: 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.
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Child Seat
23/05/2016
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 vehicles manufactured March3, 2014 to April 15, 2016. The affected vehicles have lower anchor bars for securing child restraint seats that may become damaged when using the European-ISOFIX-type, rigid-style connector, child restraint system.
How they fix it: 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.
The government also has an open investigation on this model. Look it up on nhtsa.gov before you buy.
From NHTSA (U.S. safety agency) · checked August 28, 2026.
OWNERS
What problems do owners report?
People file these with the government when something goes wrong. They show patterns, not a diagnosis of any one car for sale.
Owner reports · nearby years
Same make and model. This car is the 2012.
- 201085reports
- 2011125reports
- 2012 · this car48reports
- 2013226reports
48 owner reports on file
6 crash mentions 1 fire mentions 1 injury mentions
Parts mentioned most often. Longer bar = more reports. Counts are out of 48 total reports.
- AIR BAGS 11 of 48
Front passenger seat occupancy mat defect causes disabling of passenger airbag. Recalls have been issued for the same issue in other models. Issue confirmed by dealership. Persistent warning lamp alert.
- POWER TRAIN 8 of 48
Over about seven years and roughly 70,000 miles of ownership, this 2012 BMW X3 generated repeated “Drivetrain malfunction” warnings and loss of drivability despite extensive repairs by multiple authorized BMW dealers. I paid approximately $
- STEERING 8 of 48
MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON THE HIGHWAY, AND THE POWER STEERING FAILED CAUSING A LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. LUCKILY SHE WAS NOT INJURED AND THE VEHICLE DRIFTED TO THE RIGHT HAND LANE AND OFF ONTO THE SHOULDER. AFTER THE VEHICLE
- ENGINE 6 of 48
ENGINE FAILURE AT 70155 MILES. CONNECTING ROD BEARING IS SPUN.
- SERVICE BRAKES 4 of 48
As I drive and stop, my brakes stick, when I try to accelerate it struggles to go. On the highway it began slowing me down. I was scared it was going to get me rear ended because my brake lights do not come on when this happens. I brought i
- VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 3 of 48
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 ca
Bars are sized relative to the most-mentioned part on this list, not to 100% of all cars.
From NHTSA owner complaints · checked August 28, 2026. Anyone can file a report; they are not verified repairs.
FUEL COST
What does it cost to drive?
EPA estimates for this year and model. Your real cost depends on gas prices, how you drive, and how far you go.
Sold in 2 versions
Figures below are the base version. Pick yours to see its own numbers.
Combined MPG · nearby years
Same make and model. This car is the 2012.
- 201020mpg
- 201121mpg
- 2012 · this car21mpg
- 201324mpg
$3,600
estimated fuel cost per year if you drive about 15,000 miles
Miles per gallon. Higher is cheaper to drive.
City driving 19 mpg
Highway driving 25 mpg
Combined (typical mix) 21 mpg
Over 5 years, compared to an average new car
This model is estimated to cost about $7,000 more on fuel.
Spends more Saves more
From EPA fueleconomy.gov · checked August 28, 2026.
HOW IT WAS BUILT
Factory details
What’s on the build record for this VIN or model.
Engine
6-cyl 3L
Drivetrain
All-Wheel Drive
Transmission
Automatic (S8)
Fuel
Premium
See all factory details (7)
- Engine
- 6-cyl 3L
- Cylinders
- 6
- Displacement
- 3 L
- Drivetrain
- All-Wheel Drive
- Transmission
- Automatic (S8)
- Body
- Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
- Fuel
- Premium
From EPA and NHTSA vehicle records · checked August 28, 2026.
What this free check does not include
We only show free U.S. government data: safety recalls, owner reports, crash tests, and fuel economy. We do not show prior accidents, flood or salvage titles, odometer rollback, insurance history, or a “should you buy” verdict on a specific listing. For that kind of check on one car for sale, use the VINly app.
BEFORE YOU BUY
What to check on this car
Confirm the recalls were fixed
This model has 2 open NHTSA recalls (including the air bags). Recall repairs are free at the dealer, so ask the seller for proof the remedy was performed, or verify by VIN at nhtsa.gov before you buy.
Watch for a pending investigation
NHTSA has an open investigation covering this model. A recall can follow an investigation, so check nhtsa.gov for the latest before you commit.
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Test-drive the basics
Cold start, full-lock steering both ways, firm brakes with no pulsing, smooth shifts, and every electronic feature. Warning lights should come on at key-on, then go out.
-
Check the title and the VIN
Confirm the title status in hand matches the listing, and that the VIN matches across the dash, door jamb, and title. VINly does not show ownership or accident history, for that, run a paid report like Carfax.
-
Ask the seller the right questions
Why they are selling, any service records, accident or panel-repaint history, how many owners, and whether any open recalls were completed.
See the full used-car inspection checklist. None of this replaces a hands-on inspection by a mechanic.
FOR SALE NEAR YOU
2012 BMW X3 listings
Quick answers
What is recalled on the 2012 BMW X3? +
NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls for the 2012 BMW X3, including the air bags. See the full list above, and confirm by VIN at nhtsa.gov.
What gas mileage does the 2012 BMW X3 get? +
The EPA rates the 2012 BMW X3 at 21 mpg combined (19 city / 25 highway), about $3,600 a year in fuel.
What do owners complain about on the 2012 BMW X3? +
Owners have filed 48 complaints with NHTSA for the 2012 BMW X3, including 6 involving a crash. The most-reported area is air bags.
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