WenmarOpen by Wenmar Pro

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.

By type

By component

By trouble code

Bulletins, newest first
3603142018-11-13. Service bulletin. TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS. RDC: Incorrect Tire Position Displayed with Air Pressure Drop. When there is a low tire pressure warning, in some cases the position of the affected tire may be incorrectly displayed in the instrument cluster and CD (Control Display). Software error in the RDC (tire pressure control) module in conjunction with wheel electronics part number 4 078 787 or 4 079 152.
0104142018-11-13. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. External Engine Oil Leaks and Repairs. During the vehicle's operational life, normal engine oil seepage or sweating, in addition to accumulated road dust, dirt and grime in the engine compartment can cause the appearance of a more severe oil leak. This is further exaggerated by residual oil that remains on the engine assembly after maintenance services are performed, e.g., oil filter changes, "engine oil top-offs," etc. If this visual appearance of accumulated oil on the engine assembly as an "active leak" is misinterpreted, unnecessary gasket repairs/replacements will result. Specifically, our analysis of the claim-related data for vehicles equipped with the engines noted in this bulletin is showing an above-average number of engine gasket repair/replacement claim submissions. The purpose of this bulletin is to provide your workshop with information and a procedure that will help in identifying engine oils leaks that do and do not require a repair.
8401142018-11-13. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL. ConnectedDrive/BMW Assist System Information and Availability. ConnectedDrive features are partially or completely inoperative. Examples of some of these features are listed below: * BMW Assist Inoperative ? SOS call ? Roadside Assistance call * My BMW Remote App * BMW Online - Google local search * Concierge CAUSE The Electronic Subscriber Agreement (ESA) is inactive. * No active contract for ConnectedDrive features Offboard Availabilty (Backend) system issues * The external network was/is inoperative. * No data is sent to the vehicle.
6603142018-11-13. Service bulletin. WHEELS; LANE DEPARTURE; STEERING; SUSPENSION. Steering Wheel Vibration Level Is Unacceptable. The vibration level produced by the steering wheel vibration actuator is too strong or too weak. This is only noticed when Lane Departure Warning (LDW) is triggered. CAUSE Vibration actuator in the steering wheel
8406132018-11-13. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT; EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL. iPhone Charging Status Constantly Switches On and Off. INFORMATION Do not replace any other parts! Advise the customer that he/she must use one of the following: * The original Apple iPhone/iPOD USB cable that came with the device * A BMW supplied iPhone/iPOD USB adapter cable PARTS INFORMATION
6523132018-11-13. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL. Headunit-High: Navigation Road Map Installation After Replacement. When replacing the HU-H, the road map database version that was in the defective HU-H must be installed in the new HU-H.
6504142018-11-13. Service bulletin. AIR BAGS. "Airbag Warning Light: ACSM FC 930A60 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. ACSM fault code ""930A60 - Seat occupancy detection, front passenger; malfunction"" is stored. The fault may or may not currently be present. CAUSE 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."
6206132018-11-13. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. The Condition Based Service (CBS) due date is reset to 01/2000 and cannot be updated for: * Oil Service * Check Vehicle Note: No fault code is stored Software error in the Instrument Cluster
3410132018-11-13. Service bulletin. SERVICE BRAKES; WHEELS. "Wheel Speed Sensor Failure. The Check Control Message displays: ""Driving stabilization, continue driving at a moderate speed. Avoid abrupt braking as far as possible."" Drive to the nearest BMW Service Center. Also ""TPM (Tire Pressure Monitor) failed"" may be displayed. One or more of the following fault codes are stored in the DSC (Dynamic Stability Control) module regarding wheel speed sensor failure: 480A90,480715,48071B,480712,480718,480717,48071A,4809B0,4809B9,480686 4809CD,480AAA,480AB1,480AB4,480AAD,480A9F,480AA3,480A9C,480AA6,480710 480713,480AAC,480719,480A9E,480AB3,480AA5,480716,4809B7,480928,4809C2 480711,480714,4809CB,480AAB,480AB2 Front/rear wheel speed sensor"
6530092018-11-13. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT; EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM). Enabling Code FSC/SWT - Enabling the Navigation System Map at QC1. The navigation system is inoperative unless the map is enabled during the QC1 Pre-Delivery Check. INFORMATION New vehicles come equipped with a navigation road map that must be enabled via an enable code (FSC). This process is part of the QC1 Pre-Delivery Check performed with the ISID (ISTA Diagnosis). IMPORTANT: There is no programming involved!
6525132018-11-13. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. "ConnectedDrive/BMW ASSIST Features Are Inoperative. ConnectedDrive features are partially or completely inoperative. * No traffic information (RTTI / ARTTI) * BMW ASSIST ""My Info"" service doesn't work. CAUSE The Electronic Subscriber Agreement (ESA) is inactive. * No active contract for ConnectedDrive features Offboard Availability (Backend) system issues * The external network was/is inoperative. * No data is sent to the vehicle."
6524132018-11-13. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. Headunit-High: INITIAL Enabling Code Is Not Accepted Via I-Drive. INFORMATION Do not replace any parts. NOTE: First time activation of the navigation system should always be performed during the Quality Certification 1 (QC1) Pre-Delivery Check, with the vehicle connected to the diagnosis system ISTA. Refer to SI B65 30 09. Connect the vehicle to the diagnosis system ISTA and activate the navigation system. The code is entered when running the QC1 Pre-Delivery Check test module. Refer to SI B09 04 09. IMPORTANT: No programming is required. WARRANTY INFORMATION Not applicable since the first time activation of the navigation system is part of the QC1 process and cannot be claimed separately.
6304142018-11-13. Service bulletin. EXTERIOR LIGHTING. Delay in Automatic Driving Light Switching On/Off. When driving out of a tunnel or exiting underground parking, the automatic driving light remains switched on for two minutes, even in daylight. The automatic driving light switching on/off can be shorter or longer when it starts to get dark. CAUSE The software for the switch-on threshold is lowered to protect the xenon light source.
6122132018-11-13. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. """Increased battery discharge!"" CC Message upon Startup. CAUSE A software error in the Intelligent Battery Sensor causes an incorrect State of Charge (SoC) to be stored in the DME. The power management system then interprets this as a heavily discharged battery and informs the customer via a CC message. In reality, the battery does not have a problem."
B6212152018-11-13. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL. Instrument Cluster Outside Temperature Display Implausible. INFORMATION This service information bulletin provides technical, diagnostic and/or repair-related information. Eligible and Covered Work/Repairs To submit a claim for the repair of a verified defect in materials or workmanship, please following the established and applicable warranty policy and procedures together with the using corresponding defect code and labor operations provided in the KSD2.
B1233142018-11-13. Service bulletin. ENGINE; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. 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.
B6509152018-11-13. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL. HU-H: Headunit Resets Intermittently or Permanently. The HU-H (Headunit-High) resets intermittently or permanently. ? The display is inoperative and there is no audio output ? Automatic system start-up after a couple of seconds CAUSE Software error in the HU-H
B6210152018-11-13. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL. "Instrument Cluster display inoperative FC B7F689. The Instrument Cluster (Kombi) is intermittently inoperative with fault code B7F689 ""display backlighting and graphics PCB switched off"" stored. Kombi software."
B6207152018-11-13. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. "Instrument Cluster display is partially blank. INFORMATION Covered under the terms of the BMW New Vehicle Limited Warranty for Passenger Cars and Light Trucks or the BMW Certified Pre-Owned Program. If you are using a Main labor code for another repair, use the Plus code labor operation 00 00 556 instead. Refer to KSD2 for the corresponding flat rate unit (FRU) allowances. Vehicle Programming and Encoding If a control module was working properly and it fails to program correctly or requires initialization, please claim this additional work with the applicable KSD2 labor operations under the defect code listed above. The diagnosis and repair of vehicles ""arriving"" with failed control modules or stored faults which will cause them to fail during programming cannot be claimed under the defect code listed in this bulletin. Other Repairs If other eligible and covered work is performed ""prior"" to programming and coding the vehicle, claim this work with the applicable defect code and labor operations listed in KSD2. "
B6516152018-11-13. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM); ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. Navigation CIC vehicle positioning temporarily incorrect. The Navigation system may temporarily display the vehicle in the wrong location. This mainly occurs on short sections of road and the vehicle position may take 2 or more minutes to be shown correctly. Invalid calculation in the CIC head unit.
B6207152018-11-13. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL. Instrument Cluster display is partially blank. The Instrument Cluster (Kombi) lower display may be intermittently blank. The Board Computer, Ambient Temperature and Check Control Messages will not display. Instrument Cluster software error.
B6206152018-11-13. Service bulletin. VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL. "Active Cruise Control will not engage. AFFECTED VEHICLES This Service Action involves F25 (X3) produced from December 9, 2010 to July 31, 2012. Vehicles which require this Service Action to be completed will show it as ""Open"" when checked either in the ""Service Menu"" of DCSnet (Dealer Communication System) or with the Key Reader."
1215132018-11-13. Service bulletin. ENGINE. ?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. This situation can occur as a customer complaint, or after performing repairs to the engine valve train assembly. One or more of the following faults is stored in the DME. F10, F25, F30, F31 and F34: 131401 VANOS, exhaust, starting from cold: Non-adjustable 131501 VANOS, intake, starting from cold: Non-adjustable 131808 VANOS, exhaust, starting from cold: Position not reached 131908 VANOS, intake, starting from cold: Position not reached 130104 VANOS, intake, control fault, camshaft jammed 130304 VANOS, exhaust, control fault, camshaft jammed 130308 VANOS, exhaust, control fault, position not reached 130108 VANOS, intake, control fault, position not reached E84 and E89: 2D54 VANOS, exhaust, starting from cold: Non-adjustable 2D55 VANOS, intake, starting from cold: Non-adjustable 2D56 VANOS, exhaust, starting from cold: Position not reached 2D57 VANOS, intake, starting from cold: Position not reached 2D60 VANOS, exhaust, control fault, camshaft jammed 2D5A VANOS, intake, control fault, camshaft jammed 2D5B VANOS, intake, control fault, position not reached 2D61 VANOS, exhaust, control fault, position not reached If one of the applicable faults listed above is not stored in the DME fault memory then continue troubleshooting with the applicable test plan for the fault(s) stored. CAUSE This is due to a diagnostic programming error in the DME.
B8405142018-11-13. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT. One or both of the situations listed below may be encountered: ? Android device connection stability (dropped calls) ? Third-Party App Metadata: The album art and song title do not update when streaming audio from Pandora or Spotify, etc. New KISU (Customer Initiated Software Update) software is available on the TIS website. This software improves the Bluetooth functionality in our vehicles, and it helps to keep us up-to-date with technology innovation.
B1233142018-11-13. Service bulletin. ENGINE; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. 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.

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