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CarMonitor

Transport Canada + NRCan

2012 BMW 3

Everything Canada’s open data holds on this vehicle: what has been recalled, what it costs to run, and how efficient it is compared with everything else on the road.

Recalls

10

9 current

Combined

—

Fuel, a year

—

Not rated by NRCan

Recalls

Good news: Recall repairs cost you nothing. Book with any manufacturer dealer and quote the recall number — no time limit, however many owners the vehicle has had.

Engine

Transport Canada recall 2024468 · manufacturer campaign 11 83 24RC

13 August 2024

Transport Canada lists: 2 2014–2016 · 3 2012–2016 · 4 2014–2016 · 5 2012–2016 · and 5 more

What is wrong

On certain vehicles, fluid from the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) system could leak on the intake air hose. As a result, the fluid could enter the electrical connector for the water pump and cause a short circuit.

Why it matters

A short circuit can create the risk of a fire, even while the vehicle is parked and turned off.

What the dealer will do

To reduce the safety risk, BMW advises you to park your vehicle outdoors and away from other vehicles or structures until the recall repairs are completed. BMW will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to inspect and, if necessary, replace the water pump and electrical connector. The dealer will also install a shield on the connector.

78,381 vehicles affected in CanadaSUVSafety Mfr

Airbag

Transport Canada recall 2024392 · manufacturer campaign 32 82 24RC / 32 83 24RC

3 July 2024

Transport Canada lists: 1 2005 · 3 2006–2012 · X 3 2004–2005, 2011–2015 · X 5 2016

What is wrong

This recall applies to vehicles that may be equipped with a replacement sport or M-sport steering wheel that has a Takata airbag. Long-term exposure to high absolute humidity and temperature, combined with high temperature cycling, may eventually degrade the propellant contained in the driver-front airbag. This could cause the airbag to deploy with more force than normal. If the airbag inflator ruptures, fragments could be propelled toward vehicle occupants or cause damage to the airbag assembly, preventing its proper function.

Why it matters

If the vehicle is involved in a crash requiring an airbag deployment, the airbag inflator could rupture and create a risk of injury.

What the dealer will do

BMW will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to inspect and, if necessary, replace the driver-front airbag module. To learn if your vehicle is affected by this recall, owners may: • Visit <a href= https://www.bmw.ca/en/ssl/VehicleRecall.html> https://www.bmw.ca/en/ssl/VehicleRecall.html</a> • Contact your preferred or local BMW Retailer • Call BMW Customer Relations Recall Services at 1-855-217-3002

44,131 vehicles affected in CanadaCarSafety Mfr

Engine

Transport Canada recall 2022095 · manufacturer campaign 11 80 22RC

2 March 2022

Transport Canada lists: 1 2008–2013 · 3 2006–2013 · 5 2006–2010 · X 3 2007–2010 · and 2 more

What is wrong

On certain vehicles equipped with an N52 or N52K 6-cylinder engine, a manufacturing problem could cause the PCV valve heater (blow-by heater) to short circuit and overheat. Note: This replaces Transport Canada recalls 2017-470 and 2019-170. Only vehicles equipped with an N52 or N52K engine require this repair.

Why it matters

An overheated engine PCV valve heater could create the risk of a fire, even while the vehicle is parked and turned off.

What the dealer will do

BMW will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealer to install a wire harness repair kit. BMW recommends that you should park your vehicle outdoors until the recall repairs have been completed.

98,111 vehicles affected in CanadaCarSafety Mfr

Steering

Transport Canada recall 2021093 · manufacturer campaign 32 81 21RC

24 February 2021

Transport Canada lists: 2 2014–2015 · 3 2012–2015 · 4 2014–2015

What is wrong

On certain vehicles, the bolts that attach the electric power steering assist motor to the steering gear may corrode and break. This could cause a loss of power steering assist.

Why it matters

A loss of power steering assist may result in a sudden increase in steering effort, especially at low vehicle speeds. This could increase the risk of a crash.

What the dealer will do

BMW will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealer to replace the bolts and apply a wax sealer. If one or more of the bolts are broken or missing, a new steering gear will be installed.

1,519 vehicles affected in CanadaCarSafety TC

Electrical

Transport Canada recall 2019310

20 June 2019

Transport Canada lists: 3 2007–2012

What is wrong

On certain 3-series and M3 vehicles, the positive battery cable connection to the fuse box may fail. This could cause a loss of electrical power while driving. As a result the engine could turn off and various electrical systems may not work, including the lights.

Why it matters

A sudden loss of engine power and/or loss of vehicle electrical systems could increase the risk of a crash.

What the dealer will do

BMW will notify owners by mail and instruct them to take their vehicle to a dealer to replace the positive battery cable connector with an updated version. Note: This is an expansion of recall 2013-048.

2,294 vehicles affected in CanadaCarSafety TC

Airbag

Transport Canada recall 2016142 · manufacturer campaign 72 80 16RC

31 March 2016

Transport Canada lists: 1 2008–2013 · 3 2006–2013 · X 1 2012–2015 · X 3 2007–2010 · and 2 more

What is wrong

On certain vehicles, the driver frontal airbag inflator could produce excessive internal pressure during airbag deployment. Increased pressure may cause the inflator to rupture, which could allow fragments to be propelled toward vehicle occupants, increasing the risk of injury. This could also damage the airbag module, which could prevent proper deployment. Failure of the airbag to fully deploy during a crash (where deployment is warranted) could increase the risk of personal injury to the seat occupant.

What the dealer will do

Dealers will replace the front driver air bag inflator or air bag module, depending on the vehicle model.

104,151 vehicles affected in CanadaCarRecalls Audit

Lights And Instruments

Transport Canada recall 2015369

14 August 2015

Transport Canada lists: 3 2012–2015

What is wrong

Certain vehicles may not comply with the requirements of Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 108 - Lighting System and Retroreflective Devices. The front side markers may be inoperative due to a vehicle software update. This could result in the front side marker lamps not illuminating in conjunction with the parking lamps or headlamps, and no warning message would be displayed in the instrument cluster. The turn signal function of the front side marker lamps would remain operational. This could cause the vehicle to fail to comply with the requirements of the standard, and reduce vehicle conspicuity, which could increase the risk of a crash causing injury and/or damage to property.

What the dealer will do

Dealers will update vehicle software.

637 vehicles affected in CanadaCarCompliance Mfr

Powertrain

Transport Canada recall 2014435

3 October 2014

Transport Canada lists: 3 2012–2014 · 4 2014 · 5 2013 · X 1 2012–2014 · and 2 more

What is wrong

On certain vehicles, a defect in manufacturing could result in a loss of oil supply to the vacuum pump. If this were to occur, the vacuum pump could fail, causing a loss of power assist to the braking system. This could cause increased stopping distances, possibly resulting in a crash causing injury and/or damage to property.

What the dealer will do

Dealers will install a camshaft seal disk locking ring. Note: This is an expansion of recall 2013-330.

1,279 vehicles affected in CanadaCarSafety TC

Engine

Transport Canada recall 2014127

10 April 2014

Transport Canada lists: 1 2010–2012 · 3 2010–2012 · 5 2010–2012 · X 3 2010–2012 · and 3 more

What is wrong

On certain vehicles, housing bolts for the variable camshaft timing system could break, allowing camshaft timing to deviate. If this occurs, the engine would revert to "limp home mode", limiting available engine power. This could increase the risk of a collision causing injury and/or damage to property.

What the dealer will do

Dealers will replace affected bolts.

20,022 vehicles affected in CanadaCarSafety Mfr

Watch this vehicle

Recall letters go to whoever owns the car on paper, which may not be you. Save your 2012 BMW 3 and we will email you the day Transport Canada issues a new recall for it.

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Common questions

Does the 2012 BMW 3 have any recalls?
Transport Canada has 10 recalls on record for the 2012 BMW 3. Recall repairs are free at any manufacturer dealer.

Source: Transport Canada — Vehicle Recalls Database; NRCan — Fuel consumption ratings. Data current as of 30 July 2026. Running cost uses Ontario average prices (155 ¢/L, 14.5 ¢/kWh), which are hand-maintained estimates. 30,784 rated vehicles on file.