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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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Bulletins, newest first
B8406162018-11-05. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT; EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY; EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL. BMW ONLINE NON-FUNCTIONAL: CHECK ICC-ID IN ACCOUNT. BMW Online/BMW ConnectedDrive not functional. Vehicle and service cockpit have different ICC-ID's.
B8405162018-11-05. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL; EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY. BMW ONLINE NON-FUNCTIONAL: CHECK ICC-ID IN ACCOUNT. The ConnectedDrive Services are non-functional after a hardware exchange of the telematics control unit. This is not indicated by CC-message. ConnectedDrive Services not synchronized by Telematics Control Unit.
B6618162018-11-05. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. INFORMATION ON THE OPERATION OF THE SMART OPENER. INFORMATION ON THE OPERATION OF THE SMART OPENER MODEL F07 (5 Series Gran Turismo) F10 (5 Series) F12 (6 Series Convertible) F13 (6 Series Coupe) F15 (X5) F16 (X6) F22 (2 Series Coupe) F23 ( 2 Series Convertible) F25 (X3) F26 (X4) F30 (3 Series Sedan) F31 (3 Series Wagon) F32 (4 Series Coupe) F33 (4 Series Convertible) F34 (3 Series Gran Turismo) F36 (4 Series Gran Coupe) F48 (X1) F80 (M3 Sedan) F82 (M4 Coupe) F83 (M4 Convertible) F85 (X5 M) F86 (X6 M) G12 (7 Series) I01 (i3 Series) Vehicles with option code SA-0322 (Comfort Access) without M-Sport trim INFORMATION The smart opener (Contactless tailgate) operates as described below: Ignition key must be within 3 feet behind the vehicle, clear from any interference like a smartphone The customer must be at least an arms-length behind the vehicle Kick your foot forwards & backwards under the vehicle in one quick movement The taillights flash confirming that the trunk will open The trunk then successfully opens For more information an instructional video can be viewed which demonstrates the operation. Thanks to BMW of Tenafly for providing the video. tinyurl.com/Autotrunk1 https://www.bmwtis.net/tiscode/cgi-bin/bulletin.aspx?sie_path=/tsb/bulletins/htm_store/358...9/3/2016 Page 2 of 2 WARRANTY INFORMATION Not applicable. [ Copyright (c)2016 BMW of North America, Inc. ] https://www.bmwtis.net/tiscode/cgi-bin/bulletin.aspx?sie_path=/tsb/bulletins/htm_store/358...9/3/2016
B6121152018-11-05. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING; EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY. The Instrument Cluster Displays Various Check Control Messages This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI B61 21 15 dated March 2016.. The instrument cluster displays various check control messages. This includes messages for the PDC (Park Distance Control), DSC (Dynamic Stability Control) and windshield washer system. There can be many different fault codes stored in the vehicle. Signal invalid. The wiring harness below the micro filter housing (right front area of the bulkhead) is damaged from washer fluid leaking into the harness.
B6114162018-11-05. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT; EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS; EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY. WASHER FLUID LEAKS FROM THE HEADLIGHT WASHER JETS. Washer fluid leaks from the headlight cleaning washer jets. Calcification buildup causes washer fluid to leak out of the headlight cleaning washer jets.
B5130162018-11-05. Service bulletin. STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE; STRUCTURE:BODY:TRUNK LID. TAILGATE UNINTENTIONALLY OPENS. Trunk/tailgate may open when vehicle is locked. Trunk/tailgate may open while the vehicle is in motion. Usually after stopping, such as a traffic light etc. Vehicle key trunk/tailgate button may accidentally be pressed, thus opening the tailgate.
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"
B6526162018-11-05. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT; EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. "USB DEVICE IS NOT DETECTED BY CHAMP2 HEAD UNIT. Media connected to the USB connector is not recognized by the audio system. Playback of files from the media is not possible. Message displayed on the audio system display: ""Title cannot be reproduced"" ""Is being read"" (but never plays back any audio) CAUSE Media with data files stored in more than 32 directories or 32 subdirectories within a directory. Media with a large number of files. Media exceeds total storage capacity of 32 GB."
B6513162018-11-05. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY; EQUIPMENT. "NBT-EVO Head Unit Cannot Be Swapped Between Vehicles for Testing This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI B65 13 16 dated July 2016.. If an NBT-EVO head unit is swapped into a different vehicle it will enter a locked mode once it recognizes a different VIN. This will set a fault in the Head Unit (NBT-EVO), Fault Code ""B7F87A: Burgler Actively Registered / Component Protection Active"" This will require REPLACEMENT of the head unit to restore operation. To prevent easy re-use of stolen Head units additional features are introduced with 11/15 ISTA/P software to bring NBT-EVO to a higher security level. In NBT-EVO the mechanism is called ""Trusted VIN"""
B6305162018-11-05. Service bulletin. EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:CONCEALMENT DEVICES. "HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES HAVE VISIBLE INTERNAL MOISTURE/CONDENSATION. Water on the inside (A) or misting (B) of both headlight lenses that is visible from outside. Water inside the headlights can be caused by two situations: Water/moisture ingress into the headlight housing. Thermal conditions that result in the formation of condensation. Note: An important indication that the moisture issue is caused by ""condensation"" rather than a ""water leak"" into the headlight housing, there will be misting/condensation in ""both headlights."""
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.
B0903152018-11-05. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE; VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL. "Cruise Control does not Operate after Programming with ISTA/P 3.56.x. After programming the vehicle with ISTA/P 3.56.x (integration level F025-15-07-50x), cruise control cannot be activated. If the customer tries to activate cruise control, a Check Control message ""System cannot be activated"" is displayed. CAUSE This is caused by a software error in ISTA/P 3.56.x and is planned to be resolved with ISTA/P 3.56.2."
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.
B6525162018-11-05. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY. USB CABLE: BATTERY DISCHARGE/AUDIO FAILURE/RADIO RECEPTION. No sound from the radio, telephone, gong signal and or PDC. Poor radio reception and failure of the telematics systems. Possible Check Control system message: o Battery discharge when engine off. o Caution, no acoustic warning signals. Non BMW approved (third-party supplier) USB cable plugged into the USB port.
B6524162018-11-05. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM). "NBT NAVIGATION DOES NOT ROUTE ON TOLL ROADS. NBT Navigation does not provide routes that include certain toll roads. CAUSE Roads that have toll lanes ""without a cash option"" where not utilized for routing in NBT map data versions: NEXT 2015-1 NEXT 2015-2 NEXT 2016-1 As an enhancement, the NEXT 2017-1 map release now provides information about toll lanes ""without cash option"". UPDATE Install new map data."
B6523162018-11-05. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE; EQUIPMENT; EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.. ?AUDIO VOLUME NOT RESTORED AFTER MSA STOP, ENTRY HEAD UNIT. Volume of audio system (when set to near maximum) is reduced when Auto Start-Stop (MSA) stop occurs and is not restored upon automatic engine restart. This is normal system behavior - serves to protect the head unit, battery drain and avoidance of incremental leaps in the loudness. The loudness is reduced to 2/3 of maximum and is not restored. Note: Air conditioning output is also reduced upon MSA stop and is not restored for similar reasons.
B6520162018-11-05. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY; EQUIPMENT; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE. CID Split Screen Always Changes Back to Compass Display. This Service Information bulletin Replaces SI B65 20 16 dated June 2016. After starting the vehicle, the Control Display (CID) right side (split screen) display does not stay on the last selection made by the driver. Within 30 seconds of starting the right side of the display changes by itself to the compass view. Software error (Head Unit NBT-EVO ID5) was introduced with ISTA/P V3.58.0 (16-03-502 I Level).
B3405162018-11-05. Service bulletin. SERVICE BRAKES. CBS BRAKE PAD CALCULATION AND CORRECTION. When a vehicle comes into the workshop for any repair or maintenance job, the bundling calculator recommends a brake maintenance checkup. No brake warning light is illuminated. CBS shows 3,107 miles or slightly higher for the next brake service displayed via Key Reader, or vehicle's Control Display (in Vehicle Info/Status/Service required/Brake pads) CAUSE CBS calculates the remaining brake pad wear based on brake pressure, speed, vehicle specific parameters (i.e. NAO pads), brake temperature as well as cumulative brake application time. Due to variation of these parameters and outside environmental influences, this calculation can deviate from the real brake pad wear. Starting from the above-mentioned production dates of the vehicles indicated, the CBS brake pad wear calculation has been changed, and is now based only on the brake pad wear sensor. Important Note: To avoid a too-slow wear prediction, the CBS brake model will estimate the need for repairs, in some cases, rather early. Calculation will level at 3,107 miles and stay at this value until the CBS brake pad wear sensor is triggered. https://www.bmwtis.net/tiscode/cgi-bin/bulletin.aspx?sie_path=/tsb/bulletins/htm_store/36...11/8/2016 Page 2 of 2 After the sensor is triggered, the CBS mileage will count down indicating to the customer that the brake repairs will be due.
B6121152018-11-05. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. The Instrument Cluster Displays Various Check Control Messages This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI B61 21 15 dated August 2016. The instrument cluster displays various check control messages. Signal invalid The wiring harness below the micro filter housing (right front area of the bulkhead) is damaged from washer fluid leaking into the harness.
B6114162018-11-05. Service bulletin. VISIBILITY. WASHER FLUID LEAKS FROM THE HEADLIGHT WASHER JETS This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI B61 14 16 dated August 2016.. Washer fluid leaks from the headlight cleaning washer jets. Calcification buildup causes washer fluid to leak out of the headlight cleaning washer jets.
B6509152018-11-05. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT. SI B65 09 15 November 2016 Audio, Navigation, Monitors, Alarms,SRS Technical Service NBT Head Unit High (HU-H) Resets Intermittently or Permanently. The Head Unit-High (HU-H) resets intermittently or permanently. 1. The display is inoperative and there is no audio output 2. Automatic system start-up after a couple of seconds Fault Code E1C440 set No Fault Codes set Software error in the Head Unit High (HU-H)
B0703142018-11-05. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. Diagnosing Stored Fault Codes to Help Avoid Repeat Repair Visits This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI B07 03 14 dated October 2015.. Fault codes stored in vehicles being serviced are not being diagnosed, leading to repeat repair visits (source- Analysis of FASTA data and repeat repair visit reports). INFORMATION Where diagnosis (vehicle or short test) with ISTA has already started, it is important to diagnose the fault code(s) listed below (when they are stored in the vehicle) to find their root cause during the current workshop visit. This will help lead to a reduction in workshop repeat repair visits and higher customer satisfaction.
B6504142018-11-05. Service bulletin. AIR BAGS. "AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT: ACSM FC 930A60 OR 930A1C SEAT OCCUPANCY DETECTION. According to the customer, the airbag warning light was on, but it may not be on when the vehicle arrives in the workshop. 1. ACSM fault code ""930A60 - Seat occupancy detection, front passenger; malfunction"" is stored. The fault may or may not currently be present. Or 2. ACSM fault code ""930A1C - Front passenger seat occupancy detection transmitting fault (moisture)"" is stored. The fault may or may not currently be present. The front passenger seat occupancy mat consists of a seat occupancy mat with a capacitive sensor system. This means a front passenger is detected by measuring the resistance of the human body. The fault is set when moisture is detected on the mat itself."
B6119152018-11-05. Service bulletin. STEERING. Grating or Scraping Noise When Turning Steering Wheel. There is a grating or scraping noise when the steering wheel is turned. The noise comes from the steering column switch cluster (SZL), coil spring or steering wheel. When the steering wheel is turned, the connection between the steering wheel and the steering column switch cluster causes torsional stress, which creates a noise in the coil spring cassette.

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