Recall 12V176 affects 7,600 2012 BMW 3 Series vehicles for front head restraints that move down. Repair is free at any franchised BMW dealer.
BMW is recalling 7,600 2012 3 Series vehicles because the front seat head restraints exceed the allowed downward movement limit when set at the highest position. In a crash, a fully extended head restraint can move down slightly and increase the risk of personal injury; the dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The front seat head restraint on the 2012 BMW 3 Series is the padded support at the top of the seatback. It is designed to sit behind the occupant's head and stay within the required movement range when adjusted upward. That position matters because the restraint has to remain close enough to the head to provide support.
On affected vehicles, the head restraints exceed the 25mm downward movement limit when they are set in the highest position. In plain terms, the restraint can move down farther than the safety standard allows. BMW recalled these vehicles because that condition does not meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 202A for head restraints.
This is a position and movement defect, not a problem an owner causes through normal seat adjustment. There is no warning sign before failure.
Who's affected?
| 2012 BMW 3 Series | seat assembly |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 7,600 |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether this recall applies to your specific car.
What's the safety risk?
If a 2012 BMW 3 Series is in a crash and the front head restraint is fully extended, the restraint can move down slightly instead of staying in place. That movement increases the risk of personal injury. Until the clamp repair is completed, keep the head restraint adjusted as instructed by the dealer. Repair will be free at any franchised BMW dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2012 BMW 3 Series is included in this recall.
- Contact BMW customer relations at 1-800-525-7417 for current repair instructions before scheduling service.
- Ask about the free clamp repair that keeps the front head restraint from moving down from the fully extended position.
- Bring the owner notice if BMW mailed one. If not, reference recall number 12V176 when you call.
- Keep the front head restraint below the fully extended position until BMW confirms the repair is complete.
What happens at the repair
BMW has identified the dealer repair as adding a clamp to the front seat head restraint posts. Once the repair is available, a BMW technician attaches the clamp so the head restraint stays within the required movement limit. Parts and labor are covered under the recall. The filing does not give a separate repair time, so plan with the service desk once BMW opens scheduling.
Timeline
| April 20, 2012 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| May 30, 2012 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 12V176?
Recall 12V176 covers 7,600 2012 BMW 3 Series vehicles with front seat head restraints that exceed the allowed downward movement limit when set in the highest position. BMW dealers attach a clamp to the front seat head restraint posts for free.
What should I do if my 2012 BMW 3 Series is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 12V176. If it is, contact a franchised BMW dealer to schedule the head restraint clamp repair. Reference recall number 12V176 when you call, or use BMW customer relations at 1-800-525-7417.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. BMW's recall remedy states that dealers will attach a clamp to the front seat head restraint posts free of charge. The repair is handled through a franchised BMW dealer, and parts and labor are covered under the safety recall.
What is the safety risk?
In a crash, a fully extended front seat head restraint can move down slightly, increasing the risk of personal injury. Recall 12V176 addresses that risk by adding a clamp to the head restraint posts so the restraint stays within the required movement limit.
When did the BMW 3 Series recall repair start?
The safety recall repair began on May 30, 2012. Because that date has passed, affected owners can contact a franchised BMW dealer now to ask for the free head restraint clamp repair and reference recall number 12V176.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/12V176000 |
|---|---|
| BMW customer service | 1-800-525-7417 |
| NHTSA recall # | 12V176 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 12V176000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Defect / Noncompliance Notice (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 2, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →