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U.S. public vehicle records

2012 Bmw 335I: complaints, problems and recalls

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

22 owner complaints analyzed

3 distinct recall campaigns

56,500 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2012 model year. Data snapshot: . 8 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 14 of 22 complaints (63.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Engine operation313.6%
Braking behavior29.1%
Electrical and battery issues29.1%
Steering behavior29.1%
Transmission and shifting14.5%

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.

Air Bags
14
Engine
4
Seats
3
Unknown Or Other
3
Electrical System
2
Steering
2
Service Brakes
1
Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls
1
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Air Bags14
Engine4
Seats3
Unknown Or Other3
Electrical System2
Steering2
Service Brakes1
Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls1

Air Bags: 14; Engine: 4; Seats: 3; Unknown Or Other: 3; Electrical System: 2; Steering: 2; Service Brakes: 1; Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls: 1

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
2
25,000 to 49,999
1
50,000 to 74,999
4
75,000 to 99,999
1
100,000 to 149,999
0
150,000 and above
0
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,0002
25,000 to 49,9991
50,000 to 74,9994
75,000 to 99,9991
100,000 to 149,9990
150,000 and above0

Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 4; 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 (4). 14 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.

2013
1
2014
1
2015
1
2016
6
2017
8
2019
1
2021
1
2023
1
2024
2
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
20131
20141
20151
20166
20178
20191
20211
20231
20242

2013: 1; 2014: 1; 2015: 1; 2016: 6; 2017: 8; 2019: 1; 2021: 1; 2023: 1; 2024: 2

Pattern summary

Air Bags leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 3 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 2 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.

Examples from the source records

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 10523483 · 2013-07-06 (July 6, 2013)

WITHIN THE FIRST MONTH OF PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE I STARTED TO EXPERIENCE PROBLEMS ROLLING UP AND DOWN THE REAR PASSENGER WINDOW. IT WASN'T TOO LONG, THEN FRONT WINDOW MALFUNCTIONED. THE AREA OF CONCERN IS FOR SAFETY WHILE DRIVING IN REGARDS TO RAIN COMING IN CAR AND ATTACKERS. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW THAT MY WINDOWS ARE OPERATING PROPERLY WHILE STOPPED. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS ALSO COME ON TWICE SINCE NEW. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10523483 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10593767 · 2014-05-23 (May 23, 2014)

MY 2012 BMW 335I COUPLE M SPORT PACKAGE (AUTOMATIC) ENGINE STALLS RANDOMLY (5 TIMES SINCE PURCHASING THE CAR IN NOVEMBER OF 2013). AS A RESULT, THE POWER STEERING FAILS AND POWER BRAKE ASSIST ALSO FAILS. RESULTING IN SOME SCARY SITUATIONS INDEED. THIS TYPICALLY HAPPENS BETWEEN 5-40 MPH. ENGINE TYPICALLY RESTARTS AFTER 10-15 MIN. THE LAST TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED WAS ON 5/21/14 AT AROUND 9AM PST. I WAS STRANDED ON CA HIGHWAY 85. VEHICLE HAS ONLY 7K MILES. NO ENGINE FAULT CODES REGISTER WHEN TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP AND THEY SEND ME BACK TELLING ME T…

Owner-reported narrative. 7,100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10593767 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10747397 · 2015-08-10 (August 10, 2015)

ON SATURDAY 8/8/15, I WAS PARKING MY BMW 335I CAR TO GET GROCERIES, AND WHILE ENTERING THE PARKING SPOT, THE ENGINE BEGAN RACING OUT OF CONTROL. I HIT THE BRAKES HARD, BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP. I TRIED TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL, BUT THE SHIFT CONTROL WAS LOCKED IN DRIVE AND WOULD NOT MOVE. LASTLY I FINALLY HIT THE STOP ENGINE BUTTON, AND THE CAR FINALLY STOPPED, BUT NOT AFTER I HAD BUMPED INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME IN MY PARKING SPACE. AS I WAS RESTING AGAINST THE BUMPER OF THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME, I HAD BEEN ABLE TO MOVE THE SHIFTER AFTER STOPPI…

Owner-reported narrative. 39,460 miles reported. Look up ODI 10747397 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10851884 · 2016-03-28 (March 28, 2016)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BMW 335I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE EMITTING FROM THE VEHICLE AND SUDDENLY IT STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VANOS BOLTS WERE LOOSE AND FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED DUE TO IT NOT BEING INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 14V176000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND CONFIRMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,000.

Owner-reported narrative. 69,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10851884 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10870268 · 2016-05-23 (May 23, 2016)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BMW 335I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS) WAS RECEIVED IN MARCH OF 2016. AFTER CONTACTING THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WERE STILL NOT AVAILABLE AND NO ESTIMATED TIME FOR RECEIVING THE PARTS COULD BE GIVEN. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10870268 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10884238 · 2016-07-12 (July 12, 2016)

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BMW 335I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10884238 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10894809 · 2016-08-10 (August 10, 2016)

TAKATA RECALL. RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE IN MARCH 2016. REPAIRS NOT YET COMPLETED. BMW STATES THEY DO NOT HAVE THE NECESSARY PARTS. BMW STATES THEY ARE PRIORITIZING REPAIRS FIRST FOR THE HOT AND HIGH HUMID US SOUTHERN STATES. WE ARE IN VIRGINIA WHICH IS A VERY HOT AND HIGH HUMIDITY STATE DURING THE SUMMER. WE ARE AFRAID TO USE THE CAR UNTIL IT IS REPAIRED. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10894809 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10926164 · 2016-11-15 (November 15, 2016)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BMW 335I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10926164 at NHTSA ↗

Recall history

3 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.

14V176000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine

Reported: 2014-04-10 (April 10, 2014)

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 128i Coupe, 128i Convertible, 328i Sedan, 328i xDrive Sedan, 328i Coupe, 328i Convertible, 328i Sports Wagon and Z4 sDrive 30i, 2011-2012 135i Coupe, 135i Convertible, 335i Sedan, X5 xDrive 35i, and X6 xDrive 35i, 2011 335i xDrive Sedan, 335i Coupe, 335i Convertible, 528i Sedan, 535i Sedan, 535i xDrive Sedan, X3 xDrive 28i, and X3 xDrive 35i, 2010 X3 xDrive 30i, and X5 xDrive 30i, 2012 640i Coupe, and 640i Convertible and 2010-2012 535i Gran Turismo vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the bolts that secure the housing for the variable camshaft timing adjustment (VANOS) unit can loosen over time and may possibly break.

Consequence: If the bolts loosen or break the engine may have reduced power or stall. An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the four VANOS housing bolts for both VANOS units (intake and exhaust), free of charge. In addition, owners of approximately 170,172 model year 2010-2012 BMW vehicles equipped with inline 6 cylinder engines not covered by this recall, will receive an extended warranty to address this condition. The recall began on September 24, 2014. Owners may contact BMW at 1-800-525-7417.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
15V520000 · Exterior Lighting

Reported: 2015-08-17 (August 17, 2015)

BMW North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2012-2015 320i, 320xi, 328i, 328xi, 335i, 335xi, and ActiveHybrid3 vehicles manufactured October 20, 2011, to June 22, 2015, 2014-2015 328xi Sports Wagon vehicles manufactured March 21, 2013, to March 17, 2015, 2014-2015 328d, 328xd vehicles manufactured June 28, 2013, to April 21, 2015, and 2014-2015 328xd Sports Wagon vehicles manufactured July 5, 2013, to April 21, 2015. The affected vehicles may have been programmed with new software that inadvertently makes the front side marker lights inoperative in conjunction with the parking lights or the headlights. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

Consequence: If the side marker lights do not illuminate, the vehicle may be less visible at night, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will upload revised software to correct the issue, free of charge. The recall began on October 7, 2015. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or by email at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
20V017000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module

Reported: 2020-01-15 (January 15, 2020)

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 128i and 135i Convertibles, 128i, 135i, and M Coupes, 2007-2010 X3 30si and X3 xDrive30i, 2013-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i and X1 xDrive35i, 2007-2013 328i, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335is, 335i xDrive and M3 Coupes, 2006-2011 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive and M3, 2009-2011 335D, 2006-2012 325xi, 328i, 328xi and 328i xDrive, 2010-2011 X6 ActiveHybrid, 2007-2013 328i, 335i, 335is, M3 Coupes, X5 30si, X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 48i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5 M, 2009-2013 X5 xDrive35d and 2008-2014 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6M vehicles equipped with non-desiccated driver frontal air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) that were used as interim remedy parts for previous Takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.

Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver air bag. On X5 and X6 vehicles, only the inflator will be replaced. All repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began March 11, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

NHTSA campaign record ↗