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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
1204152018-11-13. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; ENGINE. SUBJECT DME Internal and Valvetronic Faults Set at Cold Ambient Temperatures. The Service Engine Soon light (MIL) can be illuminated with the erroneous internal and Valvetronic faults stored in the DME. The MIL will only come on if the fault has been detected on two (or more) consecutive drive cycles. The following fault codes may be stored in the DME: E Seriesz 36AE - DME, internal fault, Valvetronic: Current implausible One or more of the following secondary faults may also be stored: z 2DE2 - Valvetronic, actuation, voltage phase: Line disconnection z 2DE3 - Valvetronic, actuation, volt phase: Line disconnection z 2DE4 - Valvetronic, actuation, volt phase: Line disconnection F Seriesz 1F0905 - DME, internal fault, Valvetronic: Current implausible One or more of the following secondary faults may also be stored: z 135B10 - Valvetronic, actuation, voltage phase: Line disconnection z 135B11 - Valvetronic, actuation, volt phase: Line disconnection z 135B12 - Valvetronic, actuation, volt phase: Line disconnection Engine performance and driving characteristics are not affected. DME software diagnostic sensitivity.
1102152018-11-13. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CRANKCASE (PCV). SUBJECT Deleting DME Adaptations After Crankshaft Sensor-related Repairs. The erroneous misfire faults are stored, and the Service Engine Soon light (MIL) illuminates The ISTA Service Function to delete the DME adaptations fails to clear the crankshaft incremental wheel adaptation, depending on the current DME software version. This adaptation must be cleared whenever the following repairs are made: 1. Replacement of the crankshaft position sensor 2. Replacement of the incremental sensor wheel on the crankshaft 3. Replacement of the crankshaft 4. Replacement of the crankcase (block) with pistons 5. Replacement of the engine assembly Due to slight tolerance differences with the new replacement hardware and the original learned crankshaft position, values could cause cylinder balance calculation errors by the DME. DME software (the incremental wheel adaptation cannot be cleared)
B1116152018-11-05. Service bulletin. ENGINE; 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. Engine oil leakage into the induction system and/or the turbo charger assembly.
B5116152018-11-05. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS; ENGINE. "Delivery Stop: Remove Engine Oil Label. Affected vehicles in dealer inventory must not be retailed or delivered until the label is removed. Vehicles at ports of entry will be remedied prior to dealer delivery. On affected vehicles, there is an incorrect label regarding the appropriate engine oil. Affected vehicles can be identified with a ""Vehicle Comment"" in the DCS Warranty Vehicle Inquiry or ISPA Light. https://www.bmwtis.net/tiscode/cgi-bin/bulletin.aspx?sie_path=/tsb/bulletins/htm_store/248...9/3/2016 Page 2 of 2"
B1113152018-11-05. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. The plastic oil filter housing may fail and lead to an internal and/or external engine oil or coolant leak.
B1110122018-11-05. 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.
B6621162018-11-05. Service bulletin. ENGINE; LANE DEPARTURE: SENSING SYSTEM: OTHER; SERVICE BRAKES. KAFAS CAMERA-BASED ASSISTANCE SYSTEM LIMITS. INFORMATION The situations described above may all be caused by known limitations of the system such as: Dirty windshield Incomplete calibration process Unsuccessful calibration Restricted visibility- weather conditions or parked vehicles Missing lamps on target vehicle Non-standard vehicle exterior surfaces Insufficient ambient lighting Abrupt motion of target vehicle.
B1601172018-11-05. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. SERVICE ACTION: REPLACE ACTIVATED CHARCOAL FILTER AND NVLD SENSOR HOLDER. What's New: ? Description of the problem and the procedure is clarified. The activated charcoal canister and NVLD sensor holder are damaged. Transportation damage.
B1303152018-11-05. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. N20, N26, N55, N63TU, S63TU and S55 Engines: Bosch Injector ETK Part Number Error What's New: ? Procedure change: indentifying injector type using an ISTA test plan. . The current version of the ETK incorporates multiple part number errors for the Bosch type injectors. Ordering the injectors by VIN number or manual identification in ETK may result in an incorrect part number.
B1803102018-11-05. Service bulletin. ENGINE; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM. "? NO REGENERATION OF THE DIESEL PARTICULATE FILTER (DPF) This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI B18 03 10 dated November 2010. . The Service Engine Soon lamp is illuminated. The following fault codes may be stored in the DDE: N47T/N57T engine 245700 - Particle filter system: particulate filter highly loaded (Exhaust backpressure high) 245800 - particle filter system - filter is heavily contaminated. (exhaust backpressure is above maximum) M57Y engine 480A Particle filter system - filter is heavily contaminated. (exhaust backpressure is too high) 481A Particle filter system - filter is heavily contaminated. (exhaust backpressure is above maximum) CAUSE 1. Faults with the exhaust system that affect the monitoring of the DPF by the DDE 2. Unfavorable recent driving profile INFORMATIOM During normal driving, there is a continuous regeneration of the diesel particulate filter that takes place at exhaust-gas temperatures between 280 and 350°C (slower oxidation process). The soot particles can only be burned off when the required exhaust-gas temperature has been reached. Under certain driving conditions (i.e., prolonged short trips or an exhaust system which never reaches soot burn-off temperatures), the DPF can become restricted. The DDE will initiate periodic regeneration automatically, at the latest after 600 miles. In vehicles making many short distance journeys, periodic regeneration takes place after only 250-500 miles. The Digital Diesel Electronics control unit evaluates the time for periodic regeneration from the following values: average distance driven average driving speed temperature in the diesel particulate filter values from the exhaust pressure sensor The DDE initiates the regeneration process by decreasing incoming air by the throttle valve, and one or two post injections are executed. This heats the exhaust-gas temperature to approx. 600° C . When the exhaust temp reaches this point: The soot is burned off with the residual oxygen. The
B1801172018-11-05. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM; ENGINE. "? DIESEL PARTICULATE FILTER (DPF) CLEANING . The following performance issues may be noticed by the customer: CC-Message ""Drive faulty"" Engine jerking or a lack of power over the whole engine speed range Malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) is illuminated The following fault codes may be stored in the DDE: N47T/N57T engine Main Faults: 245700 - Particle filter system: particulate filter highly loaded (Exhaust backpressure high) 258300 - Exhaust backpressure sensor, Signal: Signal too high Secondary Faults: 244C00 - Charging pressure control, control deviation: charging pressure too low/positive deviation 25DA00 - Exhaust gas difference pressure sensor particle filter, Signal: short circuit to plus pole M57Y engine Main Faults: 480A particle filter system 481A particle filter system Secondary Faults: 4530 charging pressure control, control deviation 429A charging pressure control low pressure stage, control deviation Clogged DPF."
B1103172018-11-05. Service bulletin. ENGINE. ?N20 AND N26 ENGINE: HIGH PITCHED WHINING NOISE FROM LOWER ENGINE AREA . Whining noise from the lower engine area near the engine oil pump that increases frequency when increasing the engine RPM. Wear on the engine oil pump chain drive sprockets.
B1106182018-10-09. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL. TURBO BOOST ACTUATOR ROD LOOSE (DIESEL): Limited engine performance (lack of boost) with a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illuminated.
B1226172018-05-14. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. MIL IS ON WITH DME FAULT 195014 - DIFFERENTIAL PRESSURE SENSOR: The Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) is illuminated and the following fault is stored in the Digital Motor Electronics (DME) fault memory:
B1101152018-04-23. Service bulletin. ENGINE. Engine Oil Quick Reference Chart and Drain Plug Torque: The current version of ISTA/D has an error in the engine oil capacity specification for all vehicles with the N63R engine and xDrive.
B0110142018-04-23. Service bulletin. ENGINE. ENGINE CAMSHAFT (VANOS) ADJUSTMENT UNITS: BMW of North America, LLC (ÒBMW NAÓ) is extending the limited warranty for the Camshaft (VANOS) Adjustment Units on certain model BMW vehicles equipped with the non-turbocharged 6-cylinder engine
SIB-16-16-142015-06-06. Service bulletin. ENGINE. BMW: SELECTIVE CATALYST REDUCTION MODULE (SCR) HAS A STORED FAULT, PRESSURE BUILD UP IS LOW, CAUSING SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE. *
SIB-16-15-142015-05-20. Service bulletin. ENGINE. BMW: MALFUNCTION WARNING LIGHT FOR ENGINE IS ILLUMINATED DUE TO PURGE AIR SYSTEM MICRO LEAKAGE AND VENTILATION OF FUEL TANK FROM CONTAMINATION. *PE
SIB-11-14-142015-05-20. Service bulletin. ENGINE. BMW: DUE TO DEBRIS ENTERING OIL PASSAGE OF ENGINE, IT WILL KNOCK AND LOSE POWER, DURING CYLINDER HEAD MATING SURFACES AND CLEANING OF ENGINE BLOCK AFTER REPAIR TO ENGINE. *PE
SIB-24-03-132013-07-18. Service bulletin. ENGINE. BMW: SOME VEHICLE ENGINES MAY EXPERIENCE A DELAY IN RESPONSE TO ACCELERATION, AFTER SLOWING DOWN, DUE TO AN UNFAVORABLE SOFTWARE CALIBRATION. MODELS F10, 25, 07, E70, 71. NO MODEL YEARS LISTED. *PE
SIB-12-12-132013-07-17. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR; ENGINE. BMW: ON SOME VEHICLES, THE ALTERNATOR WOULD MALFUNCTION, DUE TO SPORADICALLY CHARGING OR NOT CHARGE AT ALL, INTERMITTENTLY, WHEN ENGINE'S AT OPERATING TEMPERATURE. MODELS F10, F25. NO MODEL YEARS LISTED. *PE
SIB-12-18-122013-01-18. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; ENGINE. BMW: IF BSD COMMUNICATION IS DISRUPTED, OIL LEVEL SENSOR DATA IS NO LONGER RECEIVED BY DME. BSD COMMUNICATION FAULT(S), AFTER REPAIRS ARE SHORTLY SET, REQUIRES REMOVAL OF IGNITION HARNESS FROM CYLINDER HEAD COVER. ALL MODELS. NO MODEL YEARS LISTED. *PE
SB-12142013-01-16. Service bulletin. FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE; ENGINE. BMW: VEHICLES NEEDS DIAGNOSING FOR N63 MISFIRE FAULTS WHEN SERVICE ENGINE SOON LAMP IS ILLUMINATED. LACK OF DIAGNOSING ENGINE OR FUEL SYSTEM COULD CAUSE INCORRECT DIAGNOSIS AND REPEATED REPAIR ATTEMPTS. NO MODELS OR MODEL YEARS LISTED. *PE
SIB-12-09-122013-01-15. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; ENGINE. BMW: WITHOUT RELEVANT FAULTS STORED IN DME MEMORY, WHEN AT LOW SPEED MANEUVERING AND IDLING, OR STEERING TURNED TO FULL LOCK POSITION, OR DRIVING OFF THROTTLE (COASTING) AND BRAKING AT 10MPH, VEHICLE WOULD IDLE SPEED MAY FLUCTUATE UP AND DOWN OR CUT OFF. MODELS 2012 E70, 71, 82, 88, 90, 92, 93, F07, 10, 12, 13, 25. *PE UPDATED 05/13/2013 *JS UPDATED 08/7/2014 *JS
SIB-12-14-122012-08-27. Service bulletin. ENGINE. BMW: EXPERIENCING LOSS OF ENGINE POWER, SERVICE ENGINE SOON LAMP IS ILLUMINATED, A NOISE, LIKE RATTLING, COMING FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT. *PE UPDATED 10/31/12. *PE MODELS 2010 E70, 71, 82, 88, 90, 92, 93, F07, 10, 12, 13, 25. UPDATED 1/18/13. *PE UPDATED 4/18/2013. *KB UPDATED 05/13/2013 *JS UPDATED 5/19/15. *PE

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