2012 BMW 328I Engine Problems

NHTSA component category: ENGINE · data through 07/14/2026

55Engine complaints

42.3%Of all 130 complaints

#1Most-reported category

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

How engine ranks on this vehicle

ENGINE55 · 42.3%

AIR BAGS26 · 20%

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM23 · 17.7%

POWER TRAIN20 · 15.4%

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING16 · 12.3%

Share of the 130 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2012 BMW 328I overview page.

What owners report

“I hear a whining noise coming from the engine and sounds like the timing chain is getting ready to snap. this is a common problem…”NHTSA complaint 11460949 — filed 04/15/2022

“Car stop completely on main st / took car to dealer and they said itâs the fuel pump ( defective ) / cost to replace…”NHTSA complaint 11447428 — filed 01/13/2022

“On 23 Nov at approx 8:30 pm I was on I35N heading home in my 2012 BMW 328i. Out of nowhere I get a low…”NHTSA complaint 11442275 — filed 12/01/2021

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Engine complaints by year filed

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2012 BMW 328I have engine problems?

Engine is the most-reported problem area on the 2012 BMW 328I: 55 of 130 complaints on file (42.3%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.

How many complaints does the 2012 BMW 328I have in total?

130 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Across all categories, 4 involved a crash, 1 involved a fire, 1 reported injuries, and none reported deaths.

What does NHTSA's engine category include?

NHTSA assigns each complaint to standard component categories; this page reports the ENGINE category exactly as NHTSA defines and records it.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/14/2026.