Before you buy
This 2012 Bmw 135i has 19 NHTSA complaints — top issue: Engine Problems.
A model-year pattern isn't the car in front of you. Check this exact VIN for accidents, open recalls, odometer rollback, and salvage titles.
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2012 Bmw 135i Fuel Economy
✓ EPA Official DataEPA-rated fuel economy across 4 2012 Bmw 135i trim configurations. The median figure is shown; range reflects all available trims.
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov. Figures reflect EPA lab testing; real-world results vary by driving style, load, and conditions. 4 trims analysed.
2012 Bmw 135i Safety Ratings
NHTSA 5-Star Program2 variants tested — showing 2012 BMW 135 I C RWDOfficial crash test results from the NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings program. Stars reflect government-conducted tests; higher is safer.
Overall
Not RatedFrontal Crash
Not RatedSide Crash
Not RatedRollover
Not RatedSource: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Ratings are based on government crash tests and may not reflect all trim levels.
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2012 Bmw 135i has 19 owner complaints, 0 crash-related complaints, and 6 recall campaigns on record. The most frequently reported component is Engine Problems. NHTSA reliability signal: Good Record.
- Make
- Bmw
- Model
- 135i
- Model year
- 2012
- NHTSA owner complaints
- 19
- Crash-related complaints
- 0
- Safety recall campaigns
- 6
- Top reported component
- Engine Problems
- Reliability signal
- Good Record
- EPA MPG combined
- 22
- EPA MPG city / highway
- 19 / 27
- Fuel type
- Premium Gasoline
- Electronic stability control
- Standard
Common problems
Most common 2012 Bmw 135i problems
Top owner-reported complaint areas and where they often appear.
Engine Problems
Transmission / Drivetrain
Fuel/Propulsion System
Complaint patterns center on Engine Problems, Transmission / Drivetrain, Fuel/Propulsion System. Use these as a pre-purchase inspection guide, then verify recall and damage history on the specific VIN.
Buyer verdict
Should you buy a used 2012 Bmw 135i?
The 2012 Bmw 135i looks comparatively lower-risk based on complaint volume, but model-year averages do not confirm the condition of any specific used car.
Use the model-year trend to shortlist candidates, then confirm the exact vehicle condition with service records, recall status, and a VIN history report.
Pre-purchase
What to check before buying a used 2012 Bmw 135i
Inspection Focus
- Request service records for engine and transmission repairs.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Have a mechanic inspect the fuel/propulsion system.
- Check for any airbag-related recalls or repairs.
Before You Close the Deal
- Request service records for engine and transmission repairs.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Have a mechanic inspect the fuel/propulsion system.
- Check for any airbag-related recalls or repairs.
Check the exact car
Shortlist with model-year data. Decide with the exact VIN.
Before buying a used 2012 Bmw 135i, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, theft checks, and open recalls for the exact vehicle.
AI verdict
What the complaint data suggests
Editorial interpretation of NHTSA public complaint data. Source: nhtsa.gov. Complaints are owner-submitted and do not confirm a defect. Methodology
Based on 19 NHTSA complaints for the 2012 BMW 135i, issues appear concentrated in the engine, transmission/drivetrain, and fuel/propulsion system. No crash-related complaints were reported, but the low complaint volume limits confidence in these patterns.
- Engine problems account for the highest number of complaints among the 2012 model year.
- Transmission/drivetrain issues are the second most reported component.
- Fuel/propulsion system complaints are also notable, with 5 reports.
- Engine Problems
- Transmission / Drivetrain
- Fuel/Propulsion System
Full breakdown
All 2012 Bmw 135i complaints by category
Every owner-reported complaint category filed with NHTSA for the 2012 Bmw 135i. Use this as a pre-purchase inspection checklist.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine Problems | 10 | — | — | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 6 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Airbag Malfunctions | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Uncategorized Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Brake System | 1 | — | — | — |
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.
In their words
Real owner complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2012 Bmw 135i. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Continuing coolant problems, engine shut off going down the hwy bc overheated////engine not secure-moves around literally/////camshaft timing position sensor code. On Dec 24th I purchased a 2012 BMW 135i convertible from Alboet Motor Sports on Pass Rd in Gulfport, MS. Before …
VEHICLE STALLS WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOPPED POSITION. SEVERAL TIME, WHILE STOPPED AT AN INTERSECTION WITH CROSSING TRAFFIC, I ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE THROUGH THE INTERSECTION BUT THE CAR FAILED TO ACCELERATE. I TRIED SHIFTING FROM AUTO TO MANUAL BUT THE CAR STILL FAILED TO ACC…
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 T…
WHEN I HAD FEWER THAN 50K MILES, MY THERMOSTAT BROKE SUDDENLY WHILE I WAS DRIVING. I HAD NO PREVIOUS ISSUES OR WARNING LIGHTS. SINCE THAT REPAIR, I HAVE HAD 2 COOLANT LEAKS, AND ONE RELATED PIPE CRACK. THIS WEEK, I HAD AIR IN MY COOLANT SYSTEM AND HAD TO HAVE IT DRAINED. THESE AL…
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 CL…
VEHICLE ALMOST STALLS WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP. VEHICLE WILL ALSO SURGE FORWARD WHEN VEHICLE COMES TO A STOP. BOTH ISSUES ARE WORSENED WHEN THE TEMPERATURE IS WARM OUTSIDE AND THE AIR CONDITIONING IS ON. HAVE TAKEN VEHICLE TO THE BMW DEALER SEVERAL TIMES TO CORRECT, BUT THEY…
******* DELETE VOQ ******* THIS COMPLAINT IS BEING MARKED FOR DELETION BECAUSE IT IS REQUESTED BY THE CONSUMER THAT THEY WISH TO HAVE IT REMOVED*DJR ******* DELETE VOQ *******
I WAS STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT SO WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN FOR THE LEFT TURN I TURNED ONTO THE MIDDLE LANE OF A 6 LANE HIGHWAY AND STARTED TO ACCELERATE WHEN SUDDENLY THERE WAS A VIBRATION AND THE SUSPENSION LIGHT CAME ON SO I SLOWED DOWN AND MOVED TO THE FAR RIGHT LANE WHER…
VEHICLE EXHIBITS AN INTERMITTENT HESITATION (LIKE A STALL) WHERE THERE IS AN APPARENT TOTAL LOSS OF POWER AT LOW SPEEDS (COASTING) OR FROM STOPPED. ON SEVERAL INSTANCES THIS HAS HAPPENED WHILE IN A LEFT TURN LANE WITH ONCOMING TRAFFIC AND CREATES A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD. THE VE…
PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR IS HAVING ERRORS. SHOWING A PASSENGER WHEN NONE IS PRESENT AND ALSO SHOWING NO PASSENGER WHEN THERE IS ONE IN THE SEAT. THIS IS A PRETTY MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE.
REFERENCE: HTTP://WWW.1ADDICTS.COM/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=1263580 BMW 135I DCT TRANSMISSION OIL PAN/GASKET STARTED LEAKING DUE TO THE CONSTANT HOT TEMPERATURE FROM THE EXHAUST CAUSING PART TO DEFORM. LEAK WAS NOT DETECTABLE UNTIL TRANSMISSION FAILS, CAUSING CAR TO BE STRANDED…
TAKATA RECALL I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM BMW USA DATED SEPTEMBER 2017 TELLING ME THAT PARTS WERE AVAILABLE TO SATISFY THIS RECALL AND TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT RIGHT AWAY TO HAVE THE AIRBAG REPLACED. I MADE AN APPOINTMENT AND IT WAS CANCELLED BECAUSE THE DEALERSHIP "DIDN'T HAVE THE PA…
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BMW 135I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS) FOR THE DRIVER SIDE FRONTAL AIR BAG INFLATOR. THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REA…
TAKATA RECALL - RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE LAST YEAR, BUT PART REMAINS UNAVAILABLE, PLACING ME AT RISK, PARTICULARLY IN HOT SOUTH FLORIDA.
I HAVE BROUGHT MY CAR INTO SCHOMP BMW TWICE FOR THIS ISSUE, THE LATEST BEING LAST WEEK TELLING THEM I BELIEVE THERE IS A RECALL FOR MY VEHICLE AND IT FEELS AS IF IT WILL STALL AS I AM TURNING A CORNER OR STOPPED AND BEGIN ACCELERATING. THEY SHOWED NO RECALL AND HOOKED MY CAR UP …
VEHICLE EQUIPPED WITH 7 SPEED DCT TRANSMISSION. WHEN CAR HAD ALMOST COME TO A STOP THERE WAS SUDDEN BURST OF ENGINE SPEED (TO ABOUT 2500 RPM) CAUSING CAR TO SHOOT FORWARD. ACCIDENT AVOIDED BY JAMMING ON THE BRAKE. THIS THEN HAPPENED SEVERAL MORE TIMES. DEALER RE-PROGRAMMED ECM AN…
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 YOU…
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 POSSIBIL…
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 …
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2012 Bmw 135i.
Safety recalls
2012 Bmw 135i recalls
6 campaignsNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2012 Bmw 135i. 6 recall campaigns are on record for this model year. Recalls are free to fix at authorized dealers, but completion status must be verified on the exact VIN.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:CONSTANT VELOCITY JOINT
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Research more
Keep researching before you buy
Compare brands and categories, then check the exact car's history by VIN.
Questions
2012 Bmw 135i buying FAQ
Buyer-focused answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this model year.
Is the 2012 Bmw 135i reliable?▾
Good Record. NHTSA currently shows 19 owner complaints, 0 crash-related complaints, and 6 recall campaigns for this model year. The 2012 Bmw 135i looks comparatively lower-risk based on complaint volume, but model-year averages do not confirm the condition of any specific used car. Treat this as a model-year signal, then verify the exact vehicle's condition and history before purchase.
What are the most common problems with the 2012 Bmw 135i?▾
#1: Engine Problems (10 complaints). #2: Transmission / Drivetrain (6 complaints). #3: Fuel/Propulsion System (5 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2012 Bmw 135i?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2012 Bmw 135i?▾
Complaint data is not the same as crash-test scoring, but it does highlight possible risk patterns. For the 2012 Bmw 135i, NHTSA complaints include 0 crash-related reports and 0 fire reports out of 19 total complaints. For controlled crash-test ratings, check nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2012 Bmw 135i have any recalls?▾
Yes. 6 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2012 Bmw 135i. A major recall area is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING. 6 recall campaigns are on record for this model year. Always verify open recalls by VIN because completion status varies by vehicle.
Should I buy a 2012 Bmw 135i?▾
The 2012 Bmw 135i looks comparatively lower-risk based on complaint volume, but model-year averages do not confirm the condition of any specific used car. Use the model-year trend to shortlist candidates, then confirm the exact vehicle condition with service records, recall status, and a VIN history report. Pay extra attention to Engine Problems during inspection. Before committing, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, and recall completion for the exact car.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpector AI.
Wider context: See the full Bmw 135i reliability report with year-by-year comparison.
Owner Reliability Rating
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Ratings are based on owner experience and are separate from NHTSA data shown above.
Before you buy
Check the exact vehicle history before you buy
Model-year complaints and recalls reveal patterns. A VIN report confirms whether the exact car has accident history, title brands, mileage issues, or open recalls.