2012 Bmw 135I problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
19 owner complaints analyzed
6 distinct recall campaigns
50,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2012 model year. Data snapshot: . 15 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 10 of 19 complaints (52.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine operation | 9 | 47.4% |
| Transmission and shifting | 6 | 31.6% |
| Braking behavior | 5 | 26.3% |
| Steering behavior | 4 | 21.1% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 15.8% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 5.3% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine | 10 |
| Power Train | 6 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 5 |
| Air Bags | 4 |
| Electrical System | 3 |
| Air Bags:Sensor:Occupant Classification | 1 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 1 |
| Seats | 1 |
Engine: 10; Power Train: 6; Fuel/Propulsion System: 5; Air Bags: 4; Electrical System: 3; Air Bags:Sensor:Occupant Classification: 1; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 1; Seats: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 3 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 4 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 7 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 3; 25,000 to 49,999: 4; 50,000 to 74,999: 7; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (7). 4 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2014 | 3 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2018 | 4 |
| 2019 | 3 |
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2023 | 1 |
2013: 2; 2014: 3; 2016: 1; 2017: 2; 2018: 4; 2019: 3; 2020: 2; 2021: 1; 2023: 1
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 9 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 6 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 5 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10496145 · 2013-02-02 (February 2, 2013)
HAVE TAKEN THE CAR FIVE TIMES FOR THE SAME STALLING,AND LAGGING OF THE FAULTY DUAL CLUTCH TRANSMISSION. THE CAR HESITATES 3-5SECONDS NO RESPONSE TO THROTTLE INPUT AND THEN LUNGES VIOLENTLY FORWARD. CAR HOLDS GEAR WHEN PULLING AWAY FROM LIGHTS AND THEN SURGES WHEN PARKING THE CAR ALMOST CAUSING ME TO HIT CARS PARKED NEXT TO ME. SOFTWARE HAS BEEN UPDATED ON THE CAR FOUR TIMES AND THE ISSUE IS STILL THERE. WAS TOLD THAT THE MASS AIRFLOW SENSOR WAS ALSO FAULTY IN THE CAR AND THAT MIGHT BE CAUSING THE ISSUE OF SURGING AND FLUCTUATING IDLE. MASS AIRF…
Owner-reported narrative. 2,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10496145 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10550616 · 2013-11-02 (November 2, 2013)
FROM THE TIME OF OWNERSHIP (MARCH 16, 2012) TO NOW, THE VEHICLE SHUTS OFF DURING OPERATION WHILE IN IDLE RPM SPEED. THE VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH A SIX-SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION. WHETHER THE CLUTCH IS FULLY PRESSED IN AND IN-GEAR, OR THE VEHICLE IS OUT-OF-GEAR, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY FOR THE IDLE RPMS DROPPING AND THE ENGINE SHUTTING OFF. THIS MOSTLY OCCURS WHILE STOPPING FOR A RED LIGHT, STOPPING FOR A STOP SIGN, OR IN STOP-AND-GO TRAFFIC ON THE HIGHWAY. FOR EXAMPLE, THE VEHICLE IS APPROACHING A STOP SIGN AT 25MPH. THE CLUTCH IS FULLY PRESSED I…
Owner-reported narrative. 600 miles reported. Look up ODI 10550616 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10576352 · 2014-04-01 (April 1, 2014)
WHEN DRIVING IN TRAFFIC THE BMW 135I DCT TRANSMISSION WILL STALL WHEN COMING TO A STOP. THIS RESULTS IN A LOSS OF POWER STEERING. SOMETIMES BEFORE THE CAR STALLS, THE ENGINE WILL REV WITHOUT DRIVER INPUT TO 2500 RPM AND DROP THE CLUTCH WHICH RESULTS IN A RAPID ACCELERATION IF YOUR FOOT IS NOT ON THE BRAKE THIS CAN BE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. I HAVE ALMOST CRASHED THE CAR MANY TIMES AS A RESULT OF THIS. BMW ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN TO DEALERS THAT CAN BE FOUND IF YOU GOOGLE THE ISSUE, BUT THERE IS NO KNOWN REMEDY. THE CAR HAS BEEN IN AN…
Owner-reported narrative. 28,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10576352 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11329311 · 2020-06-17 (June 17, 2020)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BMW 135I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THEIR WIFE WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE THE POWER STEERING CEASED WITH AN UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CONTACTED A CERTIFIED MECHANIC WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V044000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND A CASE WAS FILED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000. *LN…
Owner-reported narrative. 50,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11329311 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11290149 · 2019-12-19 (December 19, 2019)
VEHICLE STALLS WHEN MORE THAN 1/8 THROTTLE IS APPLIED, VEHICLE HAS DIFFICULTY STARTING. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON WHEN APPLYING SMALL THROTTLE INPUTS. THE 4 PREVIOUS YEARS OF THIS VEHICLE MAKE AND MODEL, THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP HAS HAD A KNOWN PROBLEM WHICH RESULTED IN A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT THAT ADJUSTED THE WARRANTY PERIOD FOR THE FOUR PREVIOUS MODEL YEARS UP TO 120K MILES. BMW MADE SLIGHT CHANGES TO THE ENGINE FOR THE NEXT MODEL YEARS, BUT LEFT THE EXACT SAME PART THAT RESULTED IN THE ORIGINAL LAWSUIT SETTLEMENT. THAT PART IS THE POINT…
Owner-reported narrative. 65,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11290149 at NHTSA ↗