2012 BMW X3
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Engine
Engine leads by volume: 13 of 48 complaints (27%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (1) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed fell from 125 in 2011 to 48 in 2012.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | vs. 2012 Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 3,900–4,100 | 3,700 | 3,700 | 3,250–3,700 | 3,250–3,700 | |
| Combined MPG | 19–20 | 21 | 21 | 21–24 | 21–24 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 17 / 24 | 19 / 25–26 | 19 / 25–26 | 19–21 / 26–28 | 19–21 / 26–28 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 444–468 | 423 | 423 | 372–416 | 372–416 | |
| Complaints filed | 55 | 125 | 48 | 226 | 86 | |
| Recalls issued | 7 | 5 | 2 | 7 | 6 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 2 | 3 | 6 | 4 | 6 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 3 | 3 | 1 | 10 | 1 | |
| Injuries reported | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 2 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2012 BMW X3 have?
2 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2012 BMW X3?
Engine: 13 of 48 NHTSA complaints (27%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2012 BMW X3 get?
EPA rates it 21 MPG combined across 2 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2012 BMW X3?
EPA estimates $3,700 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (2)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic (S8) | 6 | 3.0L | All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD | 19 mpg | 25 mpg (low) | 21 mpg | $3,700 | 423 g/mi |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (S8) | 6 | 3.0L | All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD | 19 mpg | 26 mpg (high) | 21 mpg | $3,700 | 423 g/mi |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 13 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 8 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 6 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 12 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 6 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (2)
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE · Campaign 17V495000 · Aug 9, 2017
Defect: 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.
Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator housing could separate from the base plate and result in metal striking the vehicle occupants, potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: 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.
CHILD SEAT:LATCH STRAP · Campaign 16V333000 · May 23, 2016
Defect: 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.
Consequence: Damaged lower anchor bars may increase the child's risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Remedy: 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.