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Service bulletins for the 2012 BMW 328i

A bulletin is a manufacturer's communication to its dealers, as NHTSA indexes it. The summary is NHTSA's. The document is the manufacturer's: read it at NHTSA. A bulletin is not a recall, and listing a model year does not mean every vehicle of it is concerned.

623 on file from NHTSA, as of 2026-10-19.

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Only bulletins with component: Engine are shown. Show all

Bulletins, newest first
B1114152018-12-10. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. SI B11 14 15 October 2015 Engine Technical Service This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI B11 14 15 dated October 2015. The plastic oil filter housing may fail and lead to an internal and/or external engine oil or coolant leak.
B1110152018-12-10. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. The Service Engine Soon light is on with corresponding fault codes in the DME for the engine thermostat.
1220122018-12-03. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. N55 Engine: DME FC 160502 Crankcase Ventilation Heater Activation. The Service Engine Soon lamp is NOT illuminated. When diagnosing the vehicle for a customer complaint, the following fault is stored in the DME fault memory. FC 160502 Crankcase ventilation heater, activation: short circuit to ground. This is an erroneous fault that can be ignored.
1702122018-12-03. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. SI B17 02 12 October 2013 Cooling SystemsTechnical Service This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI 17 02 12 dated November 2012. designates changes to this revision SUBJECT Low Coolant Warning Is Displayed.
1206132018-12-03. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. The Service Engine Soon Lamp On with Post Oxygen Sensor Faults Stored. The Service Engine Soon (MIL) lamp is on and the following faults are stored in the DME fault code memory. BN2000 (E-Series) vehicles: * 2D22: Oxygen sensor downstream of catalytic converter, electric: open circuit BN2020 (F-Series) vehicles: * 12AB04: Oxygen sensor downstream of catalytic converter, electric: open circuit * 12AC04: Oxygen sensor downstream of catalytic converter 2, electric: open circuit These faults may occur sporadically after a long MSA engine stop. Unfavorable DME software diagnostics (fault is erroneous) This software error affects vehicles produced from 3/2013 to 6/2013, as well as older vehicles which have been programmed during service work to a current integration level of Xxxx-13-03-5xx.
6406132018-12-03. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. A/C Cooling: Intermittent Reduction of Air Flow. The customer may complain of reduced air flow when the air conditioning system is operated for an extended time, usually longer than one hour. The complaint can vary due to one or more of the following variables: * High outside ambient temperature * Too much humidity * A/C temperature and fan settings set too low for too long Note: It is very difficult to duplicate this issue due the required outdoor weather conditions and length of driving time needed. CAUSE Evaporator starts to freeze up due to the position of the evaporator temperature sensor
1221132018-12-03. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR. Service Action: Program Control Units (Direct Ozone Reduction). The DME diagnostic for direct ozone reduction, by means of the environmental air catalyst sensor (EAC) located in the radiator, is not carried out correctly as required by emissions regulations.
1217132018-12-03. Service bulletin. ENGINE; POWER TRAIN. N55: Engine Difficult to Start at Cold Ambient Temperatures. The complaint may include any of the following symptoms: * The engine stalls immediately after a cold start before driving away * The engine may run roughly or misfire after a cold start * The engine does not start cold or may take several attempts * To assist starting when cold, the accelerator may need to be depressed slightly and the idle speed raised for a few seconds so the engine does not stall This can occur most frequently at outside ambient temperatures between -15°C and + 15°C. It is possible that the Service Engine Soon (MIL) lamp is on with misfire fault(s) stored, but it is equally possible that there will be no faults stored in the DME. Unfavorable DME software Cold start or idling problems may arise due to poor fuel quality. The use of summer fuel during cold outside temperatures may also lead to such problems.
1201132018-12-03. Service bulletin. ENGINE; POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. MN16 Engine: FC 2D9B Knock Sensor, Signal Is Stored in the DME. Certain areas of the US experience extremely cold climate conditions during the winter months, which can cause the Service Engine Soon lamp to illuminate while the engine temperature is increasing to full operating temperature. The following fault may be stored in the DME: ??FC 2D9B Knock Sensor, Signal CAUSE Unfavorable DME knock sensor diagnostic at outside ambient temperatures below -5° C
1701132018-12-03. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. Service Action: Replace Coolant Expansion Tank. The low coolant level warning may come on in the information display. CAUSE Insufficient contact at the electrical connector for the coolant level sensor causes an inaccurate reading of the coolant level.
1216112018-12-03. Service bulletin. ENGINE; POWER TRAIN. N55 Engine Failsafe - FC 120308 Boost Pressure Control, Plausibility: Pressure Too Low Stored in DME Fault Memory. INFORMATION The customer complains the SES is illuminated and the engine has reduced power (engine failsafe mode).
0102122018-12-03. Service bulletin. ENGINE; EQUIPMENT; EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL. "BMW NA has agreed to extend the emissions warranties of the turbocharger's wastegate to: ??8 years or 82,000 miles, whichever occurs first, as determined from the vehicle's original in-service date select the ""Vehicle Comment"" button to display the extended coverage information. The terms of the original New Vehicle/SAV Limited Warranty and applicable emissions warranty still apply. BMW NA will not provide warranty coverage to any Settlement Class Member's vehicle containing modifications or alterations to the turbocharger or its wastegates (software, hardware or otherwise), or evidencing other conditions not normally covered under the original New Vehicle/SAV Limited Warranty or applicable emissions warranty. Modifications excluded from warranty coverage include any aftermarket parts that affect the turbocharger system, or if there are other conditions that would normally exclude it from warranty coverage."
1215132018-12-03. Service bulletin. ENGINE. N20 and N26 Engine: Various VANOS System Faults Stored in DME. The Service Engine Soon lamp is illuminated; Engine Malfunction warning is illuminated; and the vehicle has reduced power output. Various faults related to VANOS operation are stored in the DME. While performing the test plan, the results may appear to be inconclusive because the fault will not clear from DME Fault Memory. The ISTA/D diagnostic test plan does incorporate a VANOS bleed function, but it does not advise the technician to bleed the VANOS system after a VANOS or engine oil supply component replacement. CAUSE This is due to an error in the current level of ISTA/D. The error will be corrected with ISTA/D 2.41.0.
1304092018-11-26. Service bulletin. ENGINE; FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE. "N54 Engine: Diagnosis of Cold Start Rough Running with Misfire Faults. The customer may complain that during the cold start in the morning, the engine runs very roughly and the Service Engine Soon lamp is illuminated. Various misfire fault codes (e.g., 29CC, 29D2, 29D1, 29D0, 29C0, 29CF) may be stored in the DME control module. The engine rough running complaint can be reproduced on a cold start in the workshop. During the course of diagnosis, the spark plugs, removed from the misfiring cylinders after the problem was reproduced, are found to be soaked (""wet"") with fuel, while the injector tips are covered with a layer of carbon deposit. Possible cause: high-pressure injector failure (leakage or incorrect spraying pattern) due to internal wear or unfavorable stock of tolerances IMPORTANT: For comprehensive N54 drivability diagnostics, always refer to the ""N54 Engine Diagnostic Fault Tree"" file (the current version ""02_14_13"" is found as a PDF attachment to SI B12 55 06)."
B1209182018-11-26. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. NOISE FROM ENGINE WHEN STARTING. Noise when starting the engine. Engine making a rattling/grinding noise near the 12 volt starter motor. The following fault has been stored in the DME fault memory: * 21A511 - Start system, pinion starter motor: Timeout The following faults are also possible: * 21A504 - EGS, separation clutch: jammed open * 21A50A - Start system, pinion starter: Timeout successively occurred multiple times * 21A510 - Start system, EME: Timeout Consequential damage to flywheel (Torsional vibration damper) and automatic transmission may have also occurred. The starter motor is broken. It may be indicated by:
1112122018-11-26. Service bulletin. ENGINE. N20 Engine: Engine Oil Filter Application. INFORMATION The current version of EPC does not provide all available options for the engine oil filters that are used in the N20 engine. The illustrations below will help identify the proper engine oil filter application until the EPC is corrected. Vehicles produced prior to 6/2012 will be equipped with a black plastic oil filter housing (1). In this case, engine oil filter kit P/N 11 42 7 634 291 should be used. Vehicles produced as of 6/2012 and later will be equipped with a silver aluminum oil filter housing (1). In this case, engine oil filter kit P/N 11 42 7 640 862 should be used.
1305142018-11-26. Service bulletin. ENGINE. . INFORMATION To properly diagnose the customer's complaint, the applicable test plan for the misfire faults stored in the DME must be performed to avoid repeat repairs. If a misfire fault is not stored in the DME memory and an engine related drivability complaint is received, follow the path below to manually start the misfire test plan (AT1214_TVD4_MISFIRE_20): 1. Perform a vehicle test. 2. Select "Function Structure." 3. Select "01 Engine." 4. Select "Engine electronics MEVD." 5. Select "Misfire detection." 6. Follow the steps in the test plan and select "Basic check (start)" first. Do not select "Additional check" at this time. 7. If the result of the "Basic check" indentifies a fuel system component failure, replace the identified component. If the result of the "Basic check" test plan was inconclusive, go to step 7. After the component replacement, perform the "Basic check" portion of the test plan again to verify if the diagnosis was correct and the vehicle condition has been rectified.
1301142018-11-26. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. N47T and N57T Diesels with SCR Efficiency Faults Stored. A. The Service Engine Soon lamp is on (MIL) with either or both of the following SCR efficiency faults stored in the DDE: 26F500 - SCR system, efficiency: Efficiency too low 26F600 - SCR system, efficiency: Efficiency too low B. In addition, a Check Control message of "Incorrect diesel exhaust fluid" may be displayed with "no start scenario countdown" active. This would cause any of the following additional faults to be stored, depending on the SCR system status at the time. 2C4E00 - SCR system: System error and poor urea/water mixture quality detected 26FD00 - Reducing agent metering, long-term adaptation: Adaptation value too high 29FB00 - SCR system, warning and deactivation scenario: Warning level 1 29FC00 - SCR system, warning and deactivation scenario: Warning level 2 CAUSE Unfavorable DDE software
1224122018-11-26. Service bulletin. ENGINE. N20 and N26 Engine: DME FC CDA904 FA CAN Message State Trailer 0x2E4 Is Missing.
1222122018-11-26. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE; ENGINE; POWER TRAIN. Service Action: Program Control Units. When coming to a stop, there is the possibility of an unfavorable judder. This is due to the software parameters for downshifting and transmission clutch control. CAUSE Unfavorable vehicle software
1110122018-11-26. Service bulletin. ENGINE. ?N20 Engine: Repeated Juddering or Surging While Accelerating. The vehicle judders or surges repeatedly while accelerating in hot ambient temperatures between 3,000 RPM and 5,000 RPM. The Service Engine Soon lamp is not illuminated, and no fault codes are stored in the vehicle memory related to this complaint. CAUSE The EPDW (electropneumatic pressure convertor) for the turbocharger wastegate valve is binding internally.
1214122018-11-26. Service bulletin. ENGINE. SI B12 14 12 October 2014 Engine Electrical Systems Technical Service This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI B12 14 12 dated February 2014. designates changes to this revision SUBJECT N51, N52K, N52T and N55 Engine: Various Faults Stored in DME Related to VANOS and Camshaft Position. A rattling noise can be heard from the engine compartment; the engine loses power; and the Service Engine Soon lamp is illuminated. One or more of the following faults may be stored: E70, E71, E82, E88, E90, E91, E92 and E93: 2A7C - VANOS, inlet, cold start 2A82 - VANOS, intake, variable cam control test 2A7A - VANOS, exhaust, cold start 2A87 - VANOS, intake: control fault, camshaft sticking 2D5A - VANOS, intake: control fault, camshaft sticking 2D5B - VANOS, intake: control fault, position not reached 2D54 - VANOS, exhaust, cold start: not controllable 2D55 - VANOS, intake, cold start: not controllable 2D60 - VANOS, exhaust: control fault, camshaft sticking 2D61 - VANOS, exhaust: control fault, position not reached 2D9F - Camshaft input sensor: signal implausible 2DA1 - Camshaft exhaust sensor: signal implausible 300C - Camshaft input sensor: signal high 300D - Camshaft input sensor: signal low 300E - Camshaft exhaust sensor: signal high 300F - Camshaft exhaust sensor: signal low F07, F10, F12, F13 and F25: 130104 - VANOS, intake: control fault, camshaft sticking 130108 - VANOS, intake: control fault, position not reached 130304 - VANOS, exhaust: control fault, camshaft sticking 130308 - VANOS, exhaust: control fault, position not reached 130E11 - Camshaft input sensor: signal implausible 130F11 - Camshaft exhaust sensor: signal implausible 164020 - Camshaft input sensor: signal high 164021 - Camshaft input sensor: signal low 164030 - Camshaft exhaust sensor: signal high 164031 - Camshaft exhaust sensor: signal low CAUSE One or both (intake and/or exhaust) of the VANOS gear assemblies may have faulty assembly bolts. One or more of the four assembly bolts have loosened or broke
1120142018-11-26. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CRANKCASE (PCV). Delivery Stop: Crankcase Failure. A Delivery Stop has been issued on certain 2015 model year vehicles with N20/N26 engines produced from September 4, 2014 through October 21, 2014. These vehicles may have a crankcase failure. Approximately 145 vehicles are affected.
1114142018-11-26. Service bulletin. ENGINE. Engine Damage Due to Debris in Oil Passages. After performing extensive engine repairs (e.g., cylinder head removal), the engine begins to knock and may lose power. Debris has entered the engine oiling passages during cleaning of the engine block and cylinder head mating surfaces during engine repair.
0110142018-11-26. Service bulletin. ENGINE; EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL. Engine Camshaft (VANOS) Adjustment Units: Limited Warranty Extension to 10 Years Without Mileage Limitation. INFORMATION BMW of North America, LLC ("BMW NA") is extending the limited warranty for the Camshaft (VANOS) Adjustment Units on certain model BMW vehicles equipped with the non-turbocharged 6-cylinder engine to: 10 years without mileage limitation, as determined by the vehicle's original in-service date. This "component-specific" limited warranty extension applies to defects in materials and workmanship and is subject to the applicable New Vehicle/SAV Limited Warranty's exclusions and limitations, in addition to the vehicle and coverage eligibility requirements. This bulletin is notice of a "limited warranty extension." This is NOT a notice of a Recall or Service Action. There is no immediate repair required unless the BMW vehicle is currently experiencing this problem.

The summaries are NHTSA's. Each bulletin's page links NHTSA's copy of the manufacturer's document.