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Vehicle Stats/BMW/335I Reliability
NHTSA Official DataUpdated Sep 2026Methodology

BMW 335I Reliability by YearBest & worst years, problems & recalls β€” NHTSA data

Poor reliability signalOur verdict from 274 complaints and 32 recalls on NHTSA record

Comparing used BMW 335I options? We analyzed 10 model years (2008–2017) using real NHTSA complaint and recall data so you can spot stronger years, avoid riskier ones, and know what to inspect before buying.

274
Total Complaints
NHTSA filed
32
Safety Recalls
federal campaigns
14
Crash-Related
crash complaints
2
Fire-Related
fire complaints
8
Injuries Reported
across all years
10
Years Analyzed
2008–2017

Free VIN check

Found a BMW 335I? Check that exact car.

Model-year trends show patterns β€” they can't tell you whether this car was crashed, flooded, or rolled back. A VIN check can.

  • Accident & damage history
  • Odometer rollback records
  • Open recalls & title brands
NMVTIS official data Instant results No signup for the preview
Quick Answer

Based on NHTSA complaint data, the BMW 335I has 274 owner complaints and 32 safety recalls across model years 2008–2017. The most reported issue area is AIR BAGS. 2011 drew the most complaints; 2010 drew the fewest.

BMW 335I β€” key reliability facts
Make
BMW
Model
335I
Model years analyzed
2008–2017 (10 years)
Total NHTSA complaints
274
Safety recall campaigns
32
Crash-related complaints
14
Fire-related complaints
2
Worst model year (by complaints)
2011 (146 complaints)
Best model year (fewest complaints)
2010 (0 complaints)
Top reported issue area
AIR BAGS
Reliability signal
Poor
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) Β· Data last refreshed Sep 5, 2026
This 335I has 32 open recall campaigns on record. Check whether yours is affected.Check my VIN free β†’

By model year

BMW 335I: which years to avoid & which to buy

Based on total NHTSA owner complaints per model year. Higher complaint counts indicate a riskier year to buy used β€” lower counts suggest a cleaner reliability record.

Years to avoid
2011146 complaints201365 complaints201233 complaints

These years have the most owner complaints. Inspect carefully and always run a VIN check.

Best years to buy
20100 complaints20090 complaints20080 complaints

These years have the fewest owner complaints on record β€” lower risk starting points.

Looking at a 2011 BMW 335I? It logged the most NHTSA complaints of any model year β€” averages won't tell you whether this exact car is affected.Check this VIN free β†’

Crash test ratings

NHTSA NCAP crash test ratings

New Car Assessment Program

NCAP crash tests measure how well a vehicle protects occupants in controlled frontal crash, side crash, and rollover scenarios. Stars are awarded per category (5 = safest). These laboratory results are independent of owner complaints and are performed by NHTSA engineers on new production vehicles.

20152015 BMW 335 I 4 DR RWD
Overall Safety
5/5
Frontal Crash
4/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover Risk
5/5
How to read NCAP stars
5 stars β€” Excellent
4 stars β€” Good
3 stars β€” Average
2 stars β€” Below average
1 star β€” Poor

Source: nhtsa.gov/ratings

What the complaint data suggests

Poor
Editorial interpretation of NHTSA public complaint data. Source: nhtsa.gov. Complaints are owner-submitted and do not confirm a defect. Methodology

Data engine & NHTSA methodology by Eduard Batog, Co-founder & Data Engineer. How we calculate this.

The BMW 335I has 274 NHTSA complaints and 32 recalls on record. 14 complaints involve crash-related incidents. This data reflects owner-reported issues submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Key findings
  • 274 total complaints filed with NHTSA
  • 32 federal recall campaigns
  • 14 crash-related complaints on record
Top concerns
  • Review NHTSA complaint history for the most-reported components
  • Check recall completion status at nhtsa.gov/recalls
  • Verify service records for frequently complained components
Worst years

Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with elevated complaint rates.

Best years

Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with fewer reported issues.

What to check before buying used
  • Run a VIN check on the specific vehicle you are considering
  • Verify all open recalls are completed at nhtsa.gov/recalls
  • Request service records for the most-reported complaint components
  • Have a certified mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase
Data note: NHTSA complaints are consumer-submitted and do not confirm a manufacturing defect Complaint volume is influenced by sales volume β€” popular models naturally accumulate more complaints

Problems by model year (best vs. worst)

2008
0
2009
0
2010
0
2011
146
2012
33
2013
65
2014
20
2015
10

Source: NHTSA public complaints database. Updated: Sep 2026

Safety recalls

NHTSA safety recalls

32 recalls found

Safety recalls are mandatory repair campaigns ordered by NHTSA when a vehicle defect poses an unreasonable risk to safety. Manufacturers are required to fix recalled vehicles free of charge. Always verify open recalls before buying a used car.

Safety recall

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

#24V527000AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULENovember 7, 2024
Safety recall

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

#24V527000AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULENovember 7, 2024
Safety recall

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

#24V513000AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULEMarch 7, 2024
Safety recall

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

#24V513000AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULEMarch 7, 2024
Safety recall

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

#14V176000ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINEOctober 4, 2014
Safety recall

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

#13V044000ELECTRICAL SYSTEMJuly 2, 2013
Safety recall

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

#13V044000ELECTRICAL SYSTEMJuly 2, 2013
Safety recall

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

#15V520000EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Safety recall

AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW

#24V288000AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
Safety recall

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

#20V017000AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Safety recall

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

#15V520000EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Safety recall

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

#20V017000AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Safety recall

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

#17V676000ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
Safety recall

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

#20V017000AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Safety recall

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

#17V676000ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
Safety recall

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

#15V520000EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Safety recall

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

#15V189000FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
Safety recall

AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW

#24V288000AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
Safety recall

AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:HEAD

#25V871000AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:HEAD
Safety recall

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

#20V017000AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Source: NHTSA Recalls Database. Data covers model years 2008–2017. Always run a VIN-specific check below for the most up-to-date open recall status.

Common problems

What goes wrong most often

The vehicle systems owners complain about most, ranked from all 274 NHTSA complaints β€” these are the areas to inspect first on a used car.

01
AIR BAGS81 complaints
02
ENGINE79 complaints
03
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM51 complaints
04
POWER TRAIN32 complaints
05
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM29 complaints
06
UNKNOWN OR OTHER20 complaints
07
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL14 complaints
08
STEERING11 complaints

Owner complaints

NHTSA complaint reports

274 total

These are consumer-submitted safety complaints filed directly with NHTSA. Each complaint describes a real owner's experience. Complaints flagged as crash-related or fire-related are highlighted.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEMAug 2024

The contact owns a 2015 BMW 335I. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The driver was able to pull to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle was able to be jumpstarted. The battery discharge warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the water pump and determined that a short in the water pump was preventing the water pump from turning off. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 88,000.

STEERING,POWER TRAIN,ENGINEFeb 2023

I recently was advised by BMW that my valve cover had a leak as well as a rear axle. I feel that after only 8 years and less than 80,000 miles those component should NOT be failing so soon. My biggest complaint is that I recently had my power steering system completely fail on me. I was able to limp my car home and turn it off to let it sit for 15 minutes which the dealer recommended. I started the car back up and it has been working fine. The dealer inspected the vehicle and advised that I should have the entire system replaced for a little under $6,000. My largest concern is that the steering system is going to give out when my wife is driving the car or when we are hundreds of miles away from a dealer to fix it. The aggravating portion of this is that there is a recall for this issue on 2015-2017 SUV's and the 4 series (Recall 16v-704) and BMW will not cover the costs for repairs. I'm currently talking with BMW North America to see if their good will repair program will cover it but I still believe that the electric steering should not go out after only 8 years and less than 80,000 miles.

STEERING,BACK OVER PREVENTION,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCENov 2022

My car randomly stiffens steering in a turn which made me nearly hit a parked car and lit up a warning light stating β€œDrive Moderately”. The car recently also began to have symptoms of clunking and grinding when turning the wheel at low speeds. While this issue has recently arrises, my forward collision warning, blind spot detection, and lane departure warning safety features turned off completely i'm assuming as a result of the issue. The car also clunks and makes the same noise when turning the wheel side to side if the car is completely shut off as well. I’ve been referenced to SIB 01 26 18 and contacted both a BMW Service Center & BMW NA. Both tell me my car suffers from no symptoms, issues, and/or recalls; I tried to argue the fact that it clearly states that the page was more of a reference for models instead of an exact recall. One of the service technicians tried to explain to me my car was manufactured in June instead of May which is the β€œcut-off” date. I feel unsafe in the car, BMW refuses to recall the EPS Steering Electronic Motor and its assembly. They instead call it more of an issue.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEMJun 2022

A/C COOLING INTERMITTENT REDUCTION OF AIR FLOW: Complaint of reduced air flow when the air conditioning system is operated for an extended time, usually longer than 30 minutes. The evaporator starts to freeze up. Here is a blog from multiple owners reporting the same issue. https://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=21904

STRUCTUREDec 2021

Driver passenger door would not open when the car is locked from inside. Typically the driver can double pull the door handle which unlocks the car. When attempting to unlock, the pin goes up but comes back down. There are several documented complaints on BMW forums with many owners experiencing this safety issue. If a driver gets into an accident or if the battery dies, the door may fail to open at critical moments. A recall is needed for this safety defect

ENGINEApr 2021

CAR EXHAUST RATTLES ON START WHICH IS CAUSED BY A BROKEN/LOOSE EXHAUST FLAP

Read 14 more owner reports
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHERDec 2020

THERE IS A FAILURE IN THE DOOR ACTUATORS THAT WHEN HAPPENS PREVENTS THE DOOR FROM BEING OPENED USING THE INTERNAL DOOR LEVER AND IN SOME CASES ALSO AFFECTS THE EXTERNAL HANDLE. NOT BEING ABLE TO OPEN THE DOOR BY PULLING THE INTERNAL OR EXTERNAL LEVERS MAY CAUSE A SAFETY ISSUE IN CASE OF EMERGENCY (CRASH, FLOOD, FIRE). BMW IS AWARE OF THIS ISSUE BECAUSE LOTS OF 3 SERIES CARS HAVE FAILED AND THEY HAVE BEEN REPAIRING OR REPLACING THE DEFECTIVE PARTS IN CARS UNDER WARRANTY, BUT REFUSES TO COVER THE EXPENSES OUT OF WARRANTY PERIOD. BMW NA MUST TAKE CARE OF THIS PROBLEM DESPITE THE WARRANTY PERIOD SINCE IT'S A SAFETY ISSUE. HERE IS A VIDEO OF THE PROBLEM: HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=V7_UBSGJTQQ

STRUCTURENov 2019

PASSENGERS DOOR FAILED TO OPEN. HAS A TWO PULL MECHANISM, FIRST PULL OF THE HANDLE UNLOCKS THE DOOR AND SECOND PULL OPENS THE DOOR. DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN ON SECOND PULL FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. MY WIFE WAS ESSENTIALLY STUCK IN THE CAR. THIS IS A SEVERE SAFETY ISSUE IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT OR OTHER. THIS NEEDS TO BE FIXED BY BMW PERMANENTLY BECAUSE MANY OTHER PEOPLE HAVE REPORTED THIS ISSUE AND HAVE HAD THE MECHANISM REPLACED ONLY TO HAVE IT HAPPEN AGAIN LESS THAN A YEAR LATER. ALL THIS HAPPENING ON CARS LESS THAN 4 YEARS OLD AND LESS THAN 30K MILES. I HAVE NEVER HAD A DOOR LOCK ISSUE ON ANY CAR UNTIL NOW.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEMApr 2019

I HAVE HAD TWO DOOR LOCK ACTUATORS FAIL IN MY CAR. AT BEST, THIS PRESENTS AS A CASE WHERE THE DOOR LOCK IS PHYSICALLY SLOW TO LOCK/UNLOCK, OR AT WORST, THE PASSENGER CANNOT OPEN THE DOOR FROM INSIDE. THIS COULD PRESENT A SAFETY OR OTHER ADVERSE SITUATION WHEN THE PASSENGER NEEDS TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. THIS IS A KNOWN FAILURE POINT IN THE AT LEAST BMW F30 3 SERIES MODELS, AS THE WEB FORUMS ARE LITTERED WITH PEOPLE EXPERIENCING SIMILAR ISSUES. BMW SHOULD RECALL THESE FAILED ACTUATORS. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE IN VEHICLES BETWEEN 3-7 YEARS OLD.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEMSep 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 BMW 335I. AFTER FILLING THE VEHICLE WITH FUEL, THE CONTACT NOTICED FUEL WAS LEAKING OUT OF THE FUEL TANK AREA. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER (GARLYN SHELTON BMW, 5700 SW H K DODGEN LOOP, TEMPLE, TX 76504) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS FRACTURED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,000.

ENGINEJul 2024

on my car there is what is called the bowden cable that works to open and release the hood so that it can be opened. The problem with the design of the cable is that it sits right over a coolant hose leading to the engine. What happens is that the coolant hose gets very hot and the bowden cable that sits right over it melts along with the coolant hose. I just noticed this and felt it is a huge problem that could cause the coolant hose to either burst over time.

AIR BAGS,SEATSMar 2024

While driving with a passenger in front passenger seat, I occasionally receive a warning that there is a malfunction in passenger restraint system. At that time, the "pass airbag off" light goes on. I took the car to the dealer and was told it is likely a faulty passenger airbag seat occupancy sensor mat. The car is available for inspection. Our safety is potentially compromised because the passenger airbag may not go off in an accident.

Crash 1 InjurySTEERING,AIR BAGS,SEATSSep 2023

The car Hydroplaned while driving on the interstate, spun out of control and slammed into a tree in the rear end. My son was going approximately 65 mph and upon impact no airbags deployed and the steering wheel was in his hands after impact. His seat broke and collapsed into a laying position. His head sustained a huge blow to the interior side of the car in addition to another head injury in the front, a fractured wrist and multiple bruises along with a sore neck & back. The insurance adjuster saw the car and could not believe the steering wheel came completely detached in addition to no airbags deployed. My son is [XXX] ” and weighs [XXX]. I would have expected from his body weight alone the side airbag deploying. The car is totaled beyond repair. The car had no warnings or indicators regarding faulty airbags or steering issues. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

AIR BAGSMay 2021

While driving with a passenger in front passenger seat, I occasionally receive a warning that there is a malfunction in passenger restraint system. At that time, the "pass airbag off" light goes on. I did take this to the dealer and was told it is likely a faulty passenger airbag seat occupancy sensor mat. The car is available for inspection Our safety is potentially compromised because the passenger airbag may not go off in an accident.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEMMar 2019

MY CAR WAS STATIONARY AND THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WOULD NOT RESPOND. THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES NOW. MY KEY FOB WOULD NOT OPEN THE DOORS, NO INSIDE ELECTRONICS ON, IGNITION SWITCH DID NOT RESPOND. THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON ISSUE REGARDING THE BATTERY CABLE CONNECTOR AND THE CORRESPONDING FUSE BOX TERMINAL DEGRADING OVER TIME. THIS COULD CAUSE THE CAR TO STALL AND LOSE POWER WHILE DRIVING, WHICH CAN RESULT IN A CRASH. I DRIVE ON THE HIGHWAY EACH DAY TO WORK AND A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER WOULD RESULT IN A SERIOUS INCIDENT.

ENGINEFeb 2018

MY CAR KEEPS OVERHEATING AND STALLING OR WHEN I ACCELERATE IT WILL NOT GO, I HAVE TO STOP TURN CAR OFF AND TRY TO GO BUT THE TEMP GAGE IS NOT OVER 250 DEGREES WHEN THE DISPLAYS SAYS MY CAR IS OVERHEATING

AIR BAGSFeb 2018

TAKATA RECALL- HAVE NOTIFIED GLOBAL IMPORTS OF MARIETTA/ATLANTA GEORGIA EVERY MONTH SINCE I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE. THEY WILL NOT RETURN CALLS OR MAKE APPOINTMENT. THEY INFORM ME THAT I WILL GET EMAIL CORRESPONDENCE AND I NEVER DO. CAN YOU HELP?

UNKNOWN OR OTHERDec 2017

DOOR LOCKS DO NOT UNLOCK ON BOTH THE FRONT DOORS. THEY ARE JAMMED. THE FAULT IS IS BECAUSE OF BAD DOOR LOCK ACTUATORS. UNLESS I PRESS THE UNLOCK BUTTON ON THE DASHBOARD MANUALLY, THEY DON'T UNLOCK THEY SOMETIME DON'T UNLOCK EVEN WHEN I PRESS THE UNLOCK BUTTON ON MY REMOTE. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AS IF SOMEONE IS IN A ACCIDENT, THE BATTERY GETS DISCONNECTED. THIS WILL PREVENT OCCUPANTS FROM OPENING THE DOORS. THIS IS HAPPENING ON MULTIPLE OF MY FRIENDS CARS AND BMW DOES NOT TREAT THIS AS SAFETY HAZARD.

AIR BAGSNov 2017

TAKATA RECALL - I CALLED THE LOCAL DEALER ON 9-25-17 WHEN I RECEIVED THE SAFETY RECALL LETTER. AFTER 2 MONTHS THE PART IS STILL NOT AVAILABLE AND ON 11-30-17 I WAS TOLD THAT THE PART MAY BE AVAILABLE IN FEBRUARY 2018. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THIS AND DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING MY CAR. CAN YOU HELP ME TO GET THE PARTS MUCH SOONER THAN FEBRUARY OF NEXT YEAR? THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND CONSIDERATION.

UNKNOWN OR OTHERNov 2017

DOOR LOCK ON DRIVER SIDE WILL NOT RELEASE. THE LOCKING PIN GOES UP AND DOWN, BUT THE DOOR LOCK WILL NOT RELEASE AS IT IS SUPPOSED TO UNLESS THE UNLOCK BUTTON IS PRESSED. IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY, THE DRIVER CANNOT GET OUT BY SIMPLY PULLING THE DOOR HANDLE.

Showing 20 of 274 total NHTSA complaints. Source: NHTSA Complaints Database

Check the exact car

Before you buy, check the exact BMW 335I

These pages show model-year patterns across 10 years. Enter a VIN to verify the exact vehicle's accident history, title brands, odometer records, and open recall status before purchase.

The basics

How to read this data

Complaints, recalls, investigations β€” here’s what each number actually tells you about a used BMW 335I, in plain English.

01

What is an NHTSA Complaint?

An NHTSA safety complaint is a report filed directly by a vehicle owner or driver describing a safety-related issue. Anyone can submit a complaint at NHTSA.gov. The number of complaints is a signal of how common a problem is β€” but complaints per model-year matter more than raw totals, since popular vehicles naturally receive more reports. The BMW 335I has 274 complaints on record across 10 model years.

02

What is a Safety Recall?

A safety recall is a mandatory campaign issued by NHTSA when a vehicle component poses an unreasonable risk to safety or does not comply with federal motor vehicle safety standards. Unlike complaints (which are owner-reported), recalls are formally investigated and confirmed by regulators. Manufacturers must fix recalled vehicles free of charge. The BMW 335I has 32 recall campaigns in the NHTSA database.

03

What Are Crash Complaints?

Crash complaints are NHTSA filings where the owner indicates a crash occurred as part of the incident. 14 of the BMW 335I's 274 complaints involved a crash. This metric is particularly important because it indicates how often defects resulted in actual collisions β€” a key safety signal beyond general reliability.

04

How Is the Reliability Verdict Calculated?

The reliability verdict (Poor) is generated by analyzing the vehicle's total complaints, recall history, crash complaint ratio, fire complaint ratio, and top component failures relative to class averages. This verdict gives buyers a quick interpretation before they review year-level details and VIN-level history. It should be treated as one decision input, not a substitute for a VIN-specific report.

05

Why Do Newer Years Have Fewer Complaints?

Newer model years appear to have fewer complaints because there has been less time for owners to file them. Complaints accumulate over years of ownership. A 2020 model year vehicle will typically show fewer complaints than a 2015 model year even if it is less reliable β€” simply because fewer owners have had time to report issues. Focus on complaints per year of market presence when comparing across model years.

06

Fleet Data vs. Individual VIN

Everything on this page reflects aggregated data across all BMW 335I vehicles on the road β€” not any specific car. Two BMW 335I vehicles of the same year can have very different histories: one may have been in three accidents and have an open recall; another may be clean. A VIN check gives you the individual car's history: accidents, title brands, odometer records, service history, and real-time recall status.

07

What Are NHTSA Investigations?

When NHTSA receives a pattern of related safety complaints, it opens a formal investigation. A Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is the first stage β€” NHTSA determines if a safety defect may exist. If evidence is strong, it escalates to an Engineering Analysis (EA), which can result in a mandatory recall. The BMW 335I has 0 investigations on record (0 active). Investigations listed above may have already led to the recalls shown on this page.

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By state

Check a BMW 335I by state

Title-branding rules, flood-damage exposure, and salvage laws vary by state. Run a free VIN check or explore state-specific vehicle history guidance before buying a used BMW 335I.

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Research more

Keep researching before you buy

Compare brands and categories, then check the exact car's history by VIN.

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BMW 335I reliability β€” frequently asked questions

Is the BMW 335I reliable?

Poor. The BMW 335I has 274 NHTSA owner complaints and 32 recall campaigns across model years. A commonly reported issue area is AIR BAGS. Use year-level data as a pattern guide, then verify the exact car with a VIN check before purchase.

Which BMW 335I years to avoid?

Years with the most NHTSA complaints: 2011 (146 complaints), 2013 (65 complaints), 2012 (33 complaints). Use these years as a shortlist for deeper inspection, and always run a VIN check on the exact vehicle before purchase.

What are the most common BMW 335I problems?

Top reported issues: AIR BAGS (81 complaints); ENGINE (79 complaints); ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (51 complaints).

Does the BMW 335I have recalls?

Yes β€” 32 NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the BMW 335I. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.

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