BMW 335I
Reliability, NHTSA Complaints & Recall History
10 model years analyzed (2008–2017). All data sourced directly from the NHTSA public complaints and recall database — the same data used by federal regulators.
Checking a specific BMW 335I? Run a VIN check for its exact history.
⭐ NHTSA NCAP Crash Test Ratings
New Car Assessment ProgramNCAP 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.
AI Interpretation
High ConfidenceBelow AverageComplaints for the BMW 335i (2008–2017) are heavily concentrated in the 2011 model year, with air bags and engine issues being the most frequently reported components. The data suggests that certain model years may have more reported problems, but consumer-submitted complaints do not confirm manufacturing defects.
- Air bags account for the highest number of complaints (81) among all components.
- Engine-related complaints are the second most common (79), closely following air bags.
- The 2011 model year has the most complaints (146), far exceeding other years.
- Air bags: numerous complaints reported across multiple model years.
- Engine and engine cooling: high complaint count (79) indicates a recurring theme.
- Electrical system: 50 complaints suggest potential issues with vehicle electronics.
The 2011 model year shows a high number of complaints (146), driven primarily by air bags and engine concerns. Buyers should be cautious of this year and inspect those systems thoroughly.
The 2008, 2009, and 2010 model years have zero complaints in the data, which may suggest fewer reported issues, though this could also reflect lower sales volumes or reporting rates.
- Inspect air bag system and check for any open recalls related to air bags.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for engine and electrical system repairs.
- Have a mechanic inspect the vehicle, focusing on engine and electrical components.
🔔 NHTSA Safety Recalls
32 recalls foundSafety 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.
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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.
🔧 Most-Reported Problem Areas
Based on component keywords extracted from all 273 NHTSA complaints.
📋 NHTSA Complaint Reports
273 totalThese 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.
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.
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.
My car randomly stiffens steering in a turn which made me nearly hit a parked car and lit up a warning light stating “Drive 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 “cut-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.
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
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
CAR EXHAUST RATTLES ON START WHICH IS CAUSED BY A BROKEN/LOOSE EXHAUST FLAP
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
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.
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.
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.
SUBJECT: Catastrophic Steering Failure and Erroneous Safety Recall Notification - 2014 BMW 335i 105,000 milles INCIDENT DESCRIPTION: While driving, the vehicle completely lost steering control. The electronic steering rack disengaged due to a failure in the aluminum mounting bolts. This incident resulted in a near-fatal accident in which the vehicle almost left the road and fell into a ravine. I have 360-degree camera video showing my steering wheel locking up and me struggling to survive. If you contact me, I can provide the video evidence. TECHNICAL BASIS: This failure matches the criteria described in BMW Technical Service Bulletin TSB 01 15 16 (and the previous NHTSA recall 14V-632), regarding corrosion and shearing of the aluminum bolts of the EPS (Electronic Power Steering) system. SAFETY REPORT VIOLATION (CRITICAL): The primary concern of this investigation is a significant discrepancy in the safety reports. When checking the official NHTSA.gov portal for this specific VIN, the system shows "0 open recalls." Similarly, the BMW recall portal also shows 0 open recalls. However, a thorough search of the history through third-party vehicle audit systems reveals four ACTIVE SAFETY RECALLS that have never been addressed: Driver's Front Airbag (Takata): High risk of shrapnel. Inflatable Side Curtain Airbag: Deployment failure. Fuel Pump: Risk of sudden engine stalling. Exterior Lighting/Reflectors. DAMAGES: As a result of this mechanical failure and BMW's failure to accurately report the open safety recalls for this vehicle, I have been diagnosed with severe Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and am currently under medical treatment. I have my medical diagnosis, which states that I developed PTSD as a result of my accident. I now depend on my mother to drive; the mere thought of getting into a car causes me intense fear. I cannot drive without being afraid. The vehicle is currently insured and available for inspection as evidence of this catastrophic failure.
After the car is shut off, the coolant pump will stop with the car but after a min the car will stay off but the coolant pump will kick on. Runs until battery is drained. I do understand there is a feature to circulate the coolant so help mitigate burn/hot spots but this continues until the battery is disconnected by ECU. Then it won't start because the battery is too low. Ongoing issue for the past 2 years now, happens intermittently. Frequency is random but happens more when it's cold out. But average happens a few times a week when cold out, sometimes it runs well for a few weeks then starts happening again. We had tried to troubleshoot by BMW but no luck. They have replaced battery, alternator, have tried to diagnose about 4 times now but they haven't fixed it since they can't replicate at the BMW Shop. I can hear the coolant pump running as well as feel the water moving. Also tested by Fluke Meter, it drains at about 40 amps (at 12 volts) when this happens, with the car off. Doing anything (opening doors, trunks, locking, unlocking, stops it for a minute but then pump starts again). No errors pop up for it except when the battery is low and then error battery had high discharge pops up.
The backup camera flipped upside down. It's not a physical malfunction, but a software or computer issue. This is a known problem with BMW 3 Series from 2014 and other years. This is not considered a recall. The image on the camera is now reversed, which is a safety hazard. BMW will only inspect and fix the issue for hundreds if not thousands of dollars. There have been no warning lamps, messages or otherwise.
THE SYMPTOM: THE CAR MISSES OR SHUTTERS UNDER LOAD. THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED ME THAT THE CAR NEEDS A NEW TRANSFER CASE. THE VEHICLE HAS 80K MILES. THIS IS A MAJOR DRIVETRAIN FAILURE IN MY OPINION FOR A CAR OF THIS AGE WITH AVERAGE MILES AND CONTINUALLY SERVICED BY THE DEALERSHIP AND DRIVEN BY TWO PEOPLE. TODAY I READ ABOUT A RECALL FOR A 2014 MODEL 328D THAT REQUIRES REPLACE THE CONSTANT-VELOCITY JOINT AND INSPECT THE TRANSFER CASE, REPLACING IT IF NECESSARY. I SUSPECT THE SAME FAULTY PART COULD ALSO BE THE CAUSE OF MY NOW FAULTY TRANSFER CASE.
The airbags is displayed as not working/off. The blind spot warning, and the lane keeping assistance does not function. There was an incident that happened where I hit a pot hole and ended up hitting a construction cone. No warning signs went off and my car wasn’t assisted yo avoid the cone.
On Sunday, 6/18/2023, a little after 9pm, I was STOPPED at a traffic light outside the Shell station at 600 S Michigan St, Seattle, WA. Whilst waiting for the traffic light to turn green, the sunroof exploded from the inside out! (Traffic camera should confirm the sudden hole in my sunroof) It was an EXTREMELY loud bang and initially I thought someone threw a large rock at my cars' window. However, I didn't see anyone on the street. My second thought was that I was being shot at - and quickly made the right turn onto 6th Ave. S. I then got out because I was confused that I could hear glass pieces. Once I got out of the car I could see that the sunroof had exploded outward! Thankfully I had the shade above my head closed, otherwise I would have been showered in EXTREMELY sharp glass bits. WEATHER: it was in between rain showers. The road was dry. The temperature was normal cool weather; maybe 65F. It was overcast. WARNING INDICATORS: There were no warning indications prior to the explosion. The car was running great. Service of the car was up-to-date! OTHER INFO: I had the car serviced January 4th ~ 5th; EVERYTHING that BMW suggested, I agreed to! To the tune of over $5000! SAFETY: Just a moment before the sunroof exploded, I was travelling on I5 - had it happened on the freeway, the sunroof might have been pulled out into traffic behind me. It would have caused a serious accident, especially if a Motorbike was behind me. Thankfully I was stopped and other drivers were not affected.
I was driving on the highway when my sunroof exploded. I thought someone shot at me.
Climate control safety defect. TSB SI B64 06 13 was completed, defect still exists. It happens in both recirculate and fresh air settings. Upon driving in humid conditions climate control becomes inop. Evaporator ices over and fan makes loud noise but no air comes out of vents. This creates a dangerous situation as defrost/fog setting is inop and you can’t clear the windshield or see to drive.
Car caught on fire
Driver airbag did not deploy. I hit the steering wheel with enough force to break the steering column.
Showing 20 of 273 total NHTSA complaints. Source: NHTSA Complaints Database
Check a Specific BMW 335I
This page shows fleet averages across all 10 model years. Enter a VIN to see the exact accident history, odometer records, title brands, and open recall status for a specific car.
📖 Understanding This Data
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 — but complaints per model-year matter more than raw totals, since popular vehicles naturally receive more reports. The BMW 335I has 273 complaints on record across 10 model years.
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.
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 273 complaints involved a crash. This metric is particularly important because it indicates how often defects resulted in actual collisions — a key safety signal beyond general reliability.
How Is the AI Rating Calculated?
The AI reliability rating (Below Average) 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. The rating provides a plain-English summary for buyers who want a quick verdict without parsing raw numbers. It is one input in your buying decision — always verify with a VIN-specific report.
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 — simply because fewer owners have had time to report issues. Focus on complaints per year of market presence when comparing across model years.
Fleet Data vs. Individual VIN
Everything on this page reflects aggregated data across all BMW 335I vehicles on the road — 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.
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 — 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.