Known Recalls

Model year record

2012 BMW 1 Series

1 recall campaign on file for this model year. No owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 23V707000

Engine and engine cooling: engine

Component
Engine and engine cooling: engine
Manufacturer
BMW of North America, LLC
Vehicles affected
157,796
Reported to NHTSA
2023-10-20
Owners notified
2024-06-19

Defect description

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2010-2012 1 Series Coupe, 1 Series Convertible, 3 Series Sedan, 3 Series Convertible, 2010-2011 3 Series Sportswagon, 3 Series Coupe, 5 Series Sedan, X3 xDrive 28i, X3 xDrive 30i, X5 xDrive30i, and Z4 sDrive30i vehicles. The aluminum bolts that secure the housing for the variable camshaft timing adjustment (VANOS) unit can loosen over time and possibly break.

Safety risk

Loose or broken VANOS unit bolts can result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

Dealers will replace the four VANOS bolts, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk are expected to be mailed December 18, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed June 19, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

No complaints recorded for this model year.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.