The 3 Series, a mainstay of BMW's lineup for decades, is a midsize sedan/hatchback/wagon with seating up to 5. It handles mud, snow, and sand with ease with optional all-wheel drive (AWD). Strong on technology, it has offered Android Auto since 2021 and Apple CarPlay since 2017. The BMW 3 Series provides superior horsepower for its class, offering great power. BMW offers a 4-year, 50,000-mile basic/powertrain warranty on its lineup.
The 2012 BMW 3 Series is average compared to all vehicles.
Comparison to all vehicles. This plot shows RSC safety scores on the horizontal axis vs. the number of vehicles with each safety score (depicted by bar height and percentages at the bottom). Colors reflect vehicle safety, ranging from red (not that safe) to green (safer). For reference, a score of 0 implies a 0.15% chance of driver death (13% chance of driver injury) over 15 years, and a score of 100 reflects a 0.016% chance (1.4% chance of driver injury). The 2012 BMW 3 Series has a score of 80, implying a 0.043% chance of driver death (3.8% chance of injury).
We estimate that the 2012 BMW 3 Series has a vehicle lifetime fatality chance of 0.0426% and a vehicle lifetime injury chance of 4.8624%, meaning the average driver has a 0.0426% chance of dying in an accident if they drive the car under regular conditions for fifteen years, and a 4.8624% chance of being injured.
Compared to the average vehicle, the 2012 BMW 3 Series is 9% less likely to result in a fatal accident. Compared to other sedans, hatchbacks, and wagons, the 2012 BMW 3 Series is 16% less likely to result in a fatal accident.
But it is safer than many comparable models.
Comparison to similar models. This plot compares the RSC rating of the 2012 BMW 3 Series with its main competition. Models are plotted on a scale from 58 to 92. The 2012 BMW 3 Series is safer than the 2012 Cadillac CTS, the 2012 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder, the 2012 Lexus IS, the 2012 Lincoln MKZ, the 2012 Volvo S60, and the 2012 INFINITI EX and less safe than the 2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class and the 2012 Audi Q5. It is about as safe as the 2012 Volvo C70 and the 2012 Lexus ES-350.
Real Safe Cars
