2012 BMW 128I problems
NHTSA has received 36 complaints about the 2012 BMW 128I, and 64% of them involve air bags. Next are engine (17%) and fuel system (6%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 36 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Air bags 64% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 4 and 0
- Injuries and deaths
- 1 and 0
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
What the data shows
Safety-related details: 4 complaints mention a crash; 1 injury reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2012 ranks 2nd most-complained-about out of 5 model years of the BMW 128I with enough data (25 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 5 safety recall campaigns.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
Tl* the contact owned a 2012 BMW 128I. While driving approximately 30 MPH and making a left turn into traffic, the contact crashed into another vehicle. The air bags deployed. As a result, metal fragments struck the contact's face and chest that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a local towing company. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer. The vehicle was destroyed. The VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 16v071000 (air bags).
Pulling in parking lot to park going at a very low speed I hit the brakes and they did not hold instead the car accelerated and jumped on to a sidewalk and then into a brick wall. I finally was able to get the car in reverse and it took off backwards for a few feet until the brakes finally caught the car then came to a sudden stop. I hit the brick wall with the front end of my car causing lots of damage to the front of my car and the building the air bag never deployed.
Takata recall I received a recall notice letter from BMW in the spring of 2016, but they have not repaired my car yet. When I asked the dealer a couple weeks ago, they told me they could not fix it yet. What's taking so long? How long can they keep me waiting? I'm concerned about driving a car with an airbag that could explode.
The contact owns a 2012 BMW 128i. The contact stated after completing an oil change at the dealer and starting the vehicle, the RPM started fluctuating. The contact stated that after coming to a complete stop at a traffic light, the RPM fluctuated rapidly and the vehicle decelerated while driving. The dealer was notified of the failure and advised the contact to take the vehicle back to the dealer for a diagnostic test. The contact was able to drive to the dealer at a slower speed.