2012 BMW 3-Series BMW 3-Series 2012

We are 103,000+ car owners sharing real-world car information.

Join Us

2012 BMW 3-Series repairs by problem area

Engine (38%)

Transmission and Drivetrain (5%)

Brakes and Traction Control (2%)

Suspension and Steering (9%)

Electrical and Air Conditioning (29%)

Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (12%)

Other (5%)

Chart based on 171 repairs.
See TSBs and recalls for the 2012 BMW 3-Series.

2012 BMW 3-Series engine repair cost distribution

$2500+ (8%)

$1000 - $2499 (4%)

$500 - $999 (15%)

$100 - $499 (15%)

< $100 (58%)

Worried about potential repair costs? An extended warranty can provide peace of mind.

Chart based on 53 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.

2012 BMW 3-Series 4dr Wagon

230-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD

70700 mi

US $500
Worsening hesitation starting at partial throttle after slowing then accelerating then did it while cruising on the highway. Two engine coils had failed causing misfire. 
53000 mi

US $50
Coil pack replacement 
36000 mi

US $850
Intermittent coil on plug failure. Replaced all 6. 

Return to top

2012 BMW 3-Series 4dr Wagon

230-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD

45500 mi Emissions. 
59000 mi

US $2500
Oil Leak 

Return to top

2012 BMW 3-Series 4dr Sedan

turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6 8-speed shiftable automatic RWD

31500 mi

US $50
Failed MAF and fuel rail pressure sensor 
US $450 Engine Oil lead from head gasket. 
19200 mi While driving...Drivetrain malfunction warning appeared on screen. Car stalled and coasted to stop. EKPS module replaced. Electric Fuel Pump replaced. 
109000 mi

US $3000
Coolant expansion tank replacement Vacuum hose from throttle body replacement Plastic charge pipe replacement and charge air induction Oil pan gasket replacement  Eccentric shaft sensor replacement  
77000 mi

US $2000
Drive train malfunction, high pressure pump failure 
80000 mi

US $500
Intake boot desintergated 
57000 mi

US $400
Blown stock chargepipe. Replacement with aftermarket aluminum chargepipe. Also had new front mount intercooler installed at same time. FMIC for performance purposes only. 

Return to top

2012 BMW 3-Series 4dr Sedan

turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6 6-speed manual RWD

80000 mi

US $500
Rattling exhaust 
15000 mi Drivetrain malfunction error. Defective valvetronic. Replaced actuator. Eccentric shaft binding, replaced. 

Return to top

2012 BMW 3-Series 4dr Sedan

turbocharged 240hp 2.0L I4 8-speed shiftable automatic RWD

86800 mi Bad O2 sensor in catalytic converter. Catalytic converter replaced. 
53600 mi

US $4000
Engine Seized 
52080 mi timing chain replacement and connected oil pump chain 
86180 mi

€5
Exhaust valve spring broke. Installed new spring 
40000 mi Thermostat stuck open. Dealer replaced thermostat assembly under warranty/TSB. 
53000 mi Map thermostat replaced after getting an error code. Was covered by BMW extended warranty on this item - no charge. 
43400 mi Car stalled upon cold start up / Battery discharge light on / #1injector and coil replaced. Also , CPU replaced 
42300 mi Entire Turbo was replaced since it was leaking oil that was leading to excessive smoking when started after long breaks. 
98000 mi

US $200
Burning Oil. Replaced the valve cover including gasket. Engine running rough. Mechanic adjusted the Turbo intake pipe 
37000 mi Replaced electric wastegate actuator. 
32000 mi Cooling system thermostat was replaced 
48700 mi Turbo went out. 
13020 mi False low coolant level warnings, conector at coolant level sensor was not plugged correctly geting a false contact. Cleaned and plugged correctly. No problems since the repair. 
52700 mi

$200
In tank low pressure fuel pump failure, the car stopped at higway and the transmission cant be put in to neutral position. Tow needed 

Return to top

2012 BMW 3-Series 4dr Sedan

turbocharged 240hp 2.0L I4 6-speed manual RWD

26040 mi Gasket leak at the oil level sensor 
157000 mi

US $800
Rear main seal was replaced. Also, new clutch and flywheel were replaced. Shift bushings were also replaced. 
low coolant light came on - found loose expansion tank cap, system filled and bled. 

Return to top

2012 BMW 3-Series 2dr Hardtop conv.

turbocharged 320hp 3.0L I6 7-speed automated manual RWD

3000 mi Defective ping detector 

Return to top

2012 BMW 3-Series 2dr Hardtop conv.

turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD

12000 mi engine stalled while moving aprox 3mph. extensive testing and some reprograming 
26000 mi

US $3000
Water pump failed. 
37000 mi Oil leak, fixed Cracked coolant recovery tank, replaced 
15500 mi Injectors replaced 

Return to top

2012 BMW 3-Series 2dr Hardtop conv.

230-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD

26000 mi Engine running very rough and had low power. Dealer diagnosed two bad ignition coils. Replaced all six coils and sparkplugs. Covered under warranty. 
48000 mi Engine starting making a loud tapping noise while driving. I called the dealer immediately and headed to bring it in. While driving, there was a loud bang, metal sound, smoke and engine stopped. It threw a rod. Engine needs to be replaced. 

Return to top

2012 BMW 3-Series 2dr Coupe

turbocharged 320hp 3.0L I6 7-speed automated manual RWD

43000 mi

US $125
Intake charge pipe failed. 
53000 mi

US $524
Auxiliary cooling fan blades failed Water pump and thermostat. The water pump was diagnosed as at Stage 1 failure by a scan of the DME. Thermostat was done at the same time and also the connecting hose to save on labor and time. It was not fun even though I had the use of a lift. 

Return to top

2012 BMW 3-Series 2dr Coupe

turbocharged 320hp 3.0L I6 6-speed manual RWD

2200 mi Warning message displayed on idrive: Engine Malfunction, engine output has been decreased, take vehicle to nearest dealership asap. Dealer found problem with Knock Sensors in two cylinders. Repaired by replacing both sensors. 
35000 mi

US $700
bad coil. replaced 6 coils and 6 spark plugs 

Return to top

2012 BMW 3-Series 2dr Coupe

turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD

3200 mi Accelerator pedal issue. There was a one half second lag before engine response. They reprogrammed the computer to remap the engine to the pedal. 
40000 mi Air pipe cracked 

Return to top

2012 BMW 3-Series 2dr Coupe

turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD

48000 mi

US $200
Water pump and thermostat. 
50000 mi

US $50
Oil filter housing gasket replaced. 

Return to top

2012 BMW 3-Series 2dr Coupe

turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6 6-speed manual AWD

81000 mi

US $50
Water pump failure, water pump and thermostat replaced under CPO warranty with $50 deductable. 
73160 mi VANOS valve failure. Leaking oil filter gasket replaced at this time (probably cause for failure). 
79980 mi Intermittent heat in cabin Previous dealer trip incorrectly diagnosed intermittent cabin heating. Water pump failed on the side of the road. Dealer replaced water pump, and leaking oil filter housing (which had previously been replaced). Dealer also replaced leaking oil filter housing (which had previously been replaced). 

Return to top

2012 BMW 3-Series 2dr Coupe

414-horsepower 4.0L V8 7-speed automated manual RWD

35700 mi Check engine light; increased emissions, DSC malfunction, DBC malfunction, start-stop malfunction 
55600 mi Bank 2 throttle actuator failed and was replaced by dealer under 7 yr/70K mile emissions warranty. 
58336 mi

US $2299
Replaced drive belts - worn Replaced engine mounts 
67000 mi

US $500
Slightly leaking thermostat and water pump gaskets. Replaced water pump, thermostat + gaskets and one cooling hose. 
69600 mi

US $150
Leaky coolant overflow hose. Replaced. 

Return to top

2012 BMW 3-Series 2dr Coupe

414-horsepower 4.0L V8 6-speed manual RWD

28000 mi A fuel injector gave out 
25300 mi

US $20
Oil consumption. Added one quart after 10 miles 

Return to top

2012 BMW 3-Series 2dr Coupe

230-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD

50000 mi

US $128
Ignition coil - Remove & replace - One, Cylinder 2 Part ordered: OEM Ignition Coil with spark plug 

Return to top

See TrueDelta's information for all Sedans and Wagons.
See TrueDelta's information for all BMW models.

2012 BMW 3-Series Engine Problems

See our lemon odds and nada odds page to see vehicles with no repairs or vehicles with more than three repairs. To see how frequently 2012 BMW 3-Series problems occur, check out our car reliability stats.