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Service bulletins for the 2012 BMW X3

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.

349 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
SIB0119182022-07-18. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:CRANK/CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR. Component specific limited warranty extension. For the eligible vehicles, BMW of North America, LLC (BMW NA) is extending the limited warranty for the vehicle Nitrogen Oxide (NOx) Sensor(s) to: 10 years/120,000 miles as determined by the vehicle original in-service date.
SIM0107172022-07-05. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. The engine?s intake charge-air duct limited warranty extension to 10 years/120,000 miles applies to ?eligible USspecification
B0113212021-07-19. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING; FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE. CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT: N54/N54T/N55 ELECTRIC ENGINE COOLANT PUMP . With the court's FINAL approval, BMW of North America, LLC (BMW NA) has entered a nationwide settlement with the plaintiffs in the following class action: Oliver, et al v. BMW NA, et al
B0113212021-07-06. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING; FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE. CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT: N54/N54T/N55 ELECTRIC ENGINE COOLANT PUMP . With the court's FINAL approval, BMW of North America, LLC (BMW NA) has entered a nationwide settlement with the plaintiffs in the following class action: Oliver, et al v. BMW NA, et al
B1233142020-03-16. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. Fault Code 1D2008 Stored in DME: This Service Information Bulletin (Revision 5) replaces SI B12 33 14 dated February 2016. The Service Engine Soon light is on. There may also be a complaint of low heat output with lower outside temperatures. CAUSE During the engine warm-up the engine coolant does not reach operating temperature within the DME's allowable time limits. This is caused by either a faulty thermostat inside the transmission oil heat exchanger or a faulty engine characteristic map thermostat.
B6410192019-12-16. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. SERVICE ACTION: OPTIMIZING THE WATER DRAIN. The water drain in the engine compartment's passenger side cowl near the firewall may be inadequate during exceptionally high water volumes. Water can accumulate and not drain out quickly enough. This can result in various Check Control messages and the failure of various systems such as: Park Distance Control (PDC) Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) Windshield washer This may be caused by one or more parts: Lack of a cowl drainage shaft cover Lid on the ventilation microfilter housing lacks water drainage channels (only on vehicles prior to July 2013 production).
B1223192019-08-19. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR; EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL. DIAGNOSTIC HINT: CATALYTIC CONVERTER INSPECTION AFTER LOSS OF CRANKSHAFT SIGNAL. In certain situations when the crankshaft position signal is lost while driving the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) and an engine malfunction check control message (CCM #29) may be displayed. The engine may run roughly or with reduced power.
B1109192019-07-22. Service bulletin. ENGINE. N55 ENGINE: FC 28A0 OR 101F01 THROTTLE VALVE OPENING ANGLE. The engine malfunction warning is illuminated and one of the following fault codes are stored in the DME shortly after programming the vehicle or with a customer complaint.
B1101192019-07-22. Service bulletin. ENGINE; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS. ENGINE VIBRATIONS OR NOISE This Service Information bulletin replaces SI B11 01 19 dated February 2019.
1305122019-07-10. Service bulletin. FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP; ENGINE; EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL. N20 Engine: Ticking Noise from High-pressure Fuel Pump. The customer complains of a high-frequency ticking noise from the engine compartment. The noise can be heard inside and outside the vehicle. Mechanical vibrations inside the high-pressure fuel pump.
1217122019-07-10. Service bulletin. POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM); ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. N52T / N55 with 8HP45: Delay in Engine Response. A customer may complain of a delay in engine response after decelerating at low road speeds and then reaccelerating. This can occur when the transmission remains in a high gear due to a delay in the transmission downshifting. This situation can be more noticeable while driving on roads with slight turns or with an increasing gradient. Unfavorable EGS and DME software
1214122019-07-10. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING; EQUIPMENT. 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 has a loss of power; and the Service Engine Soon lamp is illuminated. One or more of the following faults may be stored. E70, E71, E82, E88, E90, E92 and E93: 2D5A - VANOS, intake: control fault, camshaft sticking 2D5B - VANOS, intake: control fault, position not reached 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 have failed; the attaching bolts may have also loosened and/or broken.
B6104192019-05-20. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE; ENGINE; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY; EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL. VEHICLE DOES NOT START BATTERY TOTALLY DISCHARGED This Service Information bulletin replaces SI B61 04 19 dated March 2019.
B1114172019-03-18. Service bulletin. ENGINE. N20 AND N26 ENGINES TURBOCHARGER ELECTRIC WASTEGATE ACTUATOR LINKAGE PIN CORROSION This Service Information bulletin replaces SI B11 14 17 dated February 2018.
B1101192019-03-18. Service bulletin. ENGINE. ENGINE VIBRATIONS OR NOISE. One of the following complaints may be reported The engine runs erratically; The engine causes vibrations when running; Grinding noise from the engine compartment when engine is running.
1215132018-12-17. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. N20 and N26 Engine: Various VANOS System Faults Stored in DME. The Service Engine Soon lamp and Engine Malfunction warning are 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. CAUSE This is due to a programming error associated with ISTA/P 2.49 and lower. The error is corrected with ISTA/P 2.50.2 or higher.
B1113152018-12-10. Service bulletin. ENGINE. The plastic oil filter housing may fail and lead to an internal and/or external engine oil or coolant leak.
B1106162018-12-10. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT; ENGINE. N51, N52, N52K and N52T Engines: Various Eccentric Shaft Sensor Faults stored in the DME - Diagnostic Hints This Service Information bulletin and attachment supersedes SI B11 06 16 dated April 2016.. The customer may complain about one of the following: Rough engine running Engine cannot be started (crank no start) Check Engine Light illuminated One or more of the following faults may be stored in the DME: 2A37 - Valvetronic, eccentric shaft sensor plausibility 2A47 - Valvetronic, eccentric shaft, signal plausibility 134E08 - Eccentric shaft plausibility (on F10, F25 vehicles only) CAUSE The VVT eccentric shaft sensor connector, and/or DME connector may have oil contamination due to oil leakage at the VVT sensor gasket.
B1209162018-12-10. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR. N20 - The Service Engine Soon Light is On with DME Fault 118602 Stored. The Service Engine Soon light is on (MIL) with only the following oxygen sensor fault stored. 118602 - Oxygen sensor before catalytic converter, fine mixture control: exhaust gas after catalytic converter too lean CAUSE An actual engine related problem and/or DME software diagnostic
B1116152018-12-10. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM. N20 and N26 engine: Smoke from Exhaust when Starting a Cold Engine. When starting a cold engine, blue smoke can be seen emitting from the exhaust tailpipe for approximately 10-20 seconds. No turbo charger boost faults are stored and no drivability issues can be detected. CAUSE When the vehicle is parked overnight the engine oil pressure will equalize and may leak past the turbo charger exhaust side turbine seal.
B1106162018-12-10. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. N51, N52, N52K and N52T Engines: Various Eccentric Shaft Sensor Faults stored in the DME - Diagnostic Hints. The customer may complain about one of the following: Rough engine running Engine cannot be started (crank no start) Check Engine Light illuminated One or more of the following faults may be stored in the DME: 2A37 - Valvetronic, eccentric shaft sensor plausibility 2A47 - Valvetronic, eccentric shaft, signal plausibility 134E08 - Eccentric shaft plausibility (on F10, F25 vehicles only) CAUSE The VVT eccentric shaft sensor connector, and/or DME connector may have oil contamination due to oil leakage at the VVT sensor gasket.
B1233142018-12-10. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING; POWER TRAIN. This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI 12 33 14 dated December 2015. SUBJECT Fault Code 1D2008 Stored in DME. The Service Engine Soon light is on. Fault Code 1D2008: Map thermostat: jammed open is stored in the DME. There may also be a complaint of low heat output with lower outside temperatures. CAUSE During the engine warm-up, the engine coolant does not reach operating temperature within the DME's allowable time limits. This is caused by either a faulty thermostat inside the transmission oil heat exchanger or a faulty engine characteristic map thermostat.
B1116152018-12-10. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OTHER FUEL TYPES:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER. February 2016 Engine Technical Service This Service Information Bulletin supersedes SI B11 16 15 dated September 2015 SUBJECT N20 and N26 engine: Smoke from Exhaust when Starting a Cold Engine. When starting a cold engine, blue smoke can be seen emitting from the exhaust tailpipe for approximately 10-20 seconds. No turbo charger boost faults are stored and no drivability issues can be detected. CAUSE When the vehicle is parked overnight the engine oil pressure will equalize and may leak past the turbo charger exhaust side turbine seal.
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.
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.

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