2012 BMW x3 xdrive28i xDrive28i
5UXWX5C57CL721296
Vehicle history report for the 2012 BMW x3 xdrive28i xDrive28i (VIN 5UXWX5C57CL721296). Sport utility vehicle [suv]/multipurpose vehicle [mpv], 3.0L 6-cyl 240 hp, gasoline. Title: Clean. 139,001 mi reported. Registered in Wa. No NHTSA recall campaigns on record for this model year. Unlock full title
No photo of this model yet2012 BMW x3 xdrive28i
Should you buy it? Looks clean — a solid candidate
Weighed from safety recalls, known problems and market price.
- No recalls, brands or price red flags turned up. Still run the pre-purchase checks below.
Full vehicle history report
Everything below is in the paid report for VIN 5UXWX5C57CL721296, compiled live from NMVTIS and licensed providers the moment you unlock it. Not every vehicle has every record type — the report shows what is on file, and says so when nothing is. No recall campaigns are on record for this model year.
📜 Title & ownership
- Title statusClean, salvage, rebuilt, junk, flood or lemon — from the national title database (NMVTIS)🔒
- Title brand historyEvery brand ever applied, by state, with what each one means🔒
- Title & registration recordsHow many times it has been titled, where, and the years-per-owner pace🔒
- Decode consistency checkThe provider's decode cross-checked against ours — a mismatch is a cloned-VIN warning sign🔒
🛞 Odometer
- Odometer timelineEvery reported reading with its date and state, drawn as a timeline🔒
- Rollback checkFlags any reading that goes backwards🔒
- Miles per yearThis car's pace against the US average🔒
💥 Damage, loss & theft
- Total-loss recordsInsurance total-loss declarations, with the reporting insurer type and date🔒
- Salvage & junk-yard recordsSalvage, junk and auction dispositions, including export flags🔒
- Theft screenActive and recovered theft records🔒
- Accident indicatorsDamage events reflected in title data (NMVTIS does not carry police crash reports)🔒
- Flood-exposure checkTitle activity in a disaster area soon after a major flood or hurricane🔒
💰 Liens & value
- Liens, impounds & exportOpen liens with the lender, tow/impound and export records🔒
- Market value for this exact carRetail adjusted for its mileage and state, trade-in, loan value, auction low/avg/high and retail by condition🔒
- DepreciationDrop from original MSRP, yearly rate and a one-year projection🔒
- Sticker vs dealer invoiceWhat it cost new, and what the dealer paid🔒
🧰 Factory warranty & equipment
- Remaining warrantyBasic, powertrain and rust coverage left, estimated from the first title date and odometer🔒
- Standard equipment & coloursWhat this trim came with from the factory, and the colours it was offered in🔒
🚨 Recalls on this VIN
- Per-VIN recall statusWhether each campaign has been repaired on THIS car, remedy availability, do-not-drive and stop-sale flags, dealer labour time🔒
At a glance
Vehicle identity & specifications
🧾 Window sticker / build sheet → All 2012 BMW x3 xdrive28i data →
Safety & driver-assistance equipment
Equipment the manufacturer reported to NHTSA for this VIN.
"Optional" means the feature was offered on this model but the VIN alone can't confirm it was fitted. Source: NHTSA vPIC.
📋 All factory specifications on file6 more fields from the manufacturer's VIN record (NHTSA vPIC)
🛡️ Safety & driver assistance
🏭 Manufacturing & other
Values are as reported by the manufacturer for this VIN pattern; blank or "not applicable" fields are omitted.
MPG & running costs
U.S. EPA fuel-economy estimates for the 2012 BMW x3 xdrive28i with this engine.
Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. Actual mileage varies with trim and driving conditions.
Estimated 5-year cost to own
A rough guide to what running a 2012 BMW x3 xdrive28i costs over five years and 75,000 miles.
How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.
Dimensions & weight
Manufacturer-reported figures for the 2012 BMW x3 xdrive28i. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.
Investigations & service bulletins
NHTSA defect investigations 1
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture Open
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deploymen…
NHTSA #EA21002 · Air Bags · opened Sep 2021An investigation means NHTSA is examining a possible defect — it is not a recall, and many close without one.
Manufacturer service bulletins 354
Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered. Showing the 10 most recent of 354.
Replace the driver’s air bag module (generation 10, PSDI-X).
Bulletin B650526 · Air Bags · Apr 2026Update - Recent F25 Air Bag Module Service Actions
Bulletin B650526DCS · Air Bags · Apr 2026Update - Recent F25 Air Bag Module Service Actions
Bulletin B650526DCS · Air Bags · Apr 2026BMW AG is conducting a Voluntary Service Action involving certain Model Year 2010 – 2013 vehicles.This Service Action involves the replacement of the passenger’s air bag module.
Bulletin B650626 · Air Bags · Mar 2026BMW AG is conducting a Voluntary Service Action involving certain Model Year 2010 – 2013 vehicles.This Service Action involves the replacement of the driver’s air bag module.
Bulletin B650526 · Air Bags · Mar 2026While driving the vehicle on normal roads at10mph and above, a "cracking" sound from the top of the B-pillar(s) is heard.
Bulletin B410722 · Structure · Apr 2024The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.
Bulletin B510819 · Electrical System, Visibility · Jan 2024The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few years. This has led to increased demands being placed on the battery. This document covers important information for the dealer on how to handle âÂÂdi…
Bulletin B611305 · Electrical System · Jan 2024A noise can be heard from underneath the seat while the seat is being moved either forwards or backwards. This can occur to the driverâÂÂs and/or the passengerâÂÂs front seat.
Bulletin B521823 · Seats · Dec 2023This situation can result in two customer complaints: 1. Wind noise 2. Excess water entry
Bulletin B540421 · Visibility, Structure · Oct 2023Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the X3 XDRIVE28I AWD. Model-year data, not specific to one car.
Safety recall campaigns None on record
NHTSA lists no safety-recall campaigns for the 2012 BMW x3 xdrive28i.
These are NHTSA recall campaigns for this model year, last checked 4 Nov 2026. They don't show whether this particular car has had the repair done — check this VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are done at no charge.
We'll email you the moment a new safety recall is issued — no spam, unsubscribe any time.
Common problems & what to inspect
Based on all 48 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2012 BMW x3 xdrive28i, here are the most-reported problem areas — and what to check before you buy.
💥 6 involved a crash 🔥 1 involved a fire 🚑 1 reported injury
🔍 Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
🔍 Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.
🔍 Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
🔍 Steering should be tight and centered — no play, clunks or wandering. Test at low and highway speed; listen for power-steering whine.
🔍 Test cruise control and throttle response, and watch for any hesitation or unintended acceleration.
🔍 Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.
Pre-purchase checklist
- Match the VIN on the dash, door jamb and title — they must be identical.
- Cold-start the engine; listen for knocks and check for blue or white exhaust smoke.
- Test-drive through all gears at low and highway speed — no slipping, shudder or pulling.
- Confirm every warning light clears at startup (none should stay on).
- Check fluids — oil, coolant, transmission — for level, color and leaks.
- Look underneath for rust, fresh undercoating or signs of collision repair.
- Always get an independent pre-purchase inspection from a trusted mechanic.
Owner complaints 48
Complaints filed with NHTSA by owners of the 2012 BMW x3 xdrive28i.
POWER TRAIN
Over about seven years and roughly 70,000 miles of ownership, this 2012 BMW X3 generated repeated “Drivetrain malfunction” warnings and loss of drivability despite extensive repairs by multiple authorized BMW dealers. I paid approximately $15,000–$20,000 out of pocket for dealer repairs, and my third‑party service contract (CarShield) paid an additional roug…
NHTSA ODI #11727392AIR BAGS
Front passenger seat occupancy mat defect causes disabling of passenger airbag. Recalls have been issued for the same issue in other models. Issue confirmed by dealership. Persistent warning lamp alert.
NHTSA ODI #11631946VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE
I emailed BMW of Arlington on [XXX] detailing the critical safety issue I experienced with my BMW X3 2012 on Sunday [XXX]. I was driving on the tollway northbound from [XXX] in Grand Prairie in the pouring rain with my wipers on, and the car suddenly started braking and decelerating from the 70 mph cruising speed to 40 mph in seconds. The car behind me nearl…
NHTSA ODI #11592023ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2012 BMW X3. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle was driving rough before stalling with the drivetrain malfunction warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed with a fault code variable camshaft timing control. The dealer made other repairs to the vehicle, and the fault co…
NHTSA ODI #11569246POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2012 BMW X3. The contact stated that after his wife parked the vehicle, she shifted the gear into the park (p) position however, after his wife exit the vehicle, the vehicle inadvertently rolled and crashed into a post without warning. No injuries were sustained. No medical attention was required. No police report was filed. The contact no…
Crash · NHTSA ODI #11536328AIR BAGS,SEATS
A malfunction of the front seat occupancy mat will prevent the passenger air bag from deploying in the event of an accident and displays a malfunction warning. This malfunction has been the subject of several BMW NHTSA recalls but so far none have been issued for this vehicle.
NHTSA ODI #11504700ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2012 BMW X3. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was shaking and hesitating during acceleration. An unknown warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V176000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the VIN was not includ…
NHTSA ODI #11467813AIR BAGS
I am reporting a common issue I’ve seen a lot of BMWs have with the seat occupancy sensor. I just wanted to report this to see if it could be a potential recall, since it is a safety concern.
NHTSA ODI #11463165+ 40 more complaints on record.
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