DecodedCars2012 BMW X3
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2012 models.
- Class
- Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
- Body styles
- Xdrive28i 4 Dr SUV, Xdrive35i 4 Dr SUV
- Engines
- 3.0L 6-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo
- Horsepower
- 240–300 hp
- Drivetrain
- All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Premium Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 21 combined · 19 city / 26 hwy
- Length
- 183.1 in
- Curb weight
- 4,112–4,222 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 2 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
Nothing stands out against similar models in the data.
Watch out for
- Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.
- Modest powerUp to 300 hp, versus about 555 hp for similar 2012 models.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 21 similar 2012 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2012 BMW X3 is a SUV - offered with 2 engines (3.0L 6-cyl and 3.0L 6-cyl turbo) and all-wheel drive.
It measures about 183 inches long and 74 inches wide on a 111-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,112 lb (Xdrive28i 4 Dr SUV).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 21 MPG combined (19 city / 26 highway), 11% better than the 2012 SUV - average of 19 MPG, for an estimated $3,900 a year in fuel.
NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.
It has 2 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 39 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the air bags.
What changed for 2012
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2011 X3 — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2011; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2011 X3 →
Trims, performance & features
Trims
Built in: Greer, South Carolina · Leipzig, Germany
NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 3 2012 X3 configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xdrive28i 4 Dr SUV | 183.1 in | 74 in | 66.1 in | 110.6 in | 63.8 / 64.2 in | 4,112 lb | 50/50 |
| Xdrive35i 4 Dr SUV | 183.1 in | 74 in | 66.1 in | 110.6 in | 63.8 / 64.2 in | 4,222 lb | 50/50 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| X3 xDrive28i | 3.0L 6-cyl | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 19 / 25 / 21 | +11% | $3,900 | 423 |
| X3 xDrive35i | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 19 / 26 / 21 | +11% | $3,900 | 423 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2012 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2012 BMW X3.
Similar 2012 SUV -s
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 BMW X3 (this car) | 21 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2012 Mercedes-Benz G-Class | 13 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2012 Porsche Cayenne | 21 MPG | Not rated | 5 |
| 2012 BMW X5 | 21 MPG | Not rated | 14 |
| 2012 Lexus RX | 29 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2012 Volvo XC90 | 19 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2012 Audi Q5 | 22 MPG | Not rated | 6 |
Recalls (2)
Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module · Aug 8, 2017
NHTSA campaign 17V495000 · 6,785 vehicles
- Problem
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
- Fix
- 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 · May 23, 2016
NHTSA campaign 16V333000 · 188,668 vehicles
- Problem
- 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.
- Risk
- Damaged lower anchor bars may increase the child's risk of injury in the event of a crash.
- Fix
- 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.
Not every 2012 BMW X3 is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2012 BMW X3 buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 2 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Air Bags — 11 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
- Engine — 10 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
- Steering — 5 owner reports. Turn lock-to-lock while parked and on the road; listen for noises and feel for heavy or loose steering.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 77,500 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2012 BMW X3. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other X3 years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 X3 | 29 | 187.4 in | Not rated | 2 | 22 |
| 2025 X3 | 29 | 187.4 in | ★★★★★ | 9 | 38 |
| 2024 X3 | 25 | 185.4 in | ★★★★★ | 3 | 42 |
| 2023 X3 | 25 | 185.4 in | ★★★★★ | 4 | 15 |
| 2022 X3 | 25 | 185.4 in | ★★★★★ | 7 | 84 |
| 2021 X3 | 27 | 185.4 in | ★★★★★ | 10 | 113 |
| 2020 X3 | 27 | 185.4 in | ★★★★★ | 16 | 110 |
| 2019 X3 | 26 | 185.4 in | ★★★★★ | 10 | 171 |
| 2018 X3 | 25 | 185.4 in | Not rated | 11 | 76 |
| 2017 X3 | 24 | 183.1 in | Not rated | 6 | 92 |
| 2016 X3 | 30 | 183.1 in | Not rated | 5 | 82 |
| 2015 X3 | 30 | 183.1 in | Not rated | 7 | 104 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or BMW. How we calculate this →