2012 BMW 335I Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2012 BMW 335I, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Airbags1451.9%
- Engine414.8%
- Interior & seats311.1%
- Electrical27.4%
- Steering27.4%
- Brakes13.7%
- Visibility13.7%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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)
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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)
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
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)
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 THAT THE CAR IS SAFE TO DRIVE. HERE IS A LINK TO THE VIDEO I CAPTURED AFTER THE LAST STALL: HTTP://YOUTU.BE/QWVJCFAFO2Y BMW OF NORTH AMERICA DOES NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM (EVEN THOUGH I HAVE SENT THEM THIS VIDEO) AND KEEPS SENDING ME BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP WHICH IS UNABLE TO READ ANY FAULT CODES IN THE COMPUTER. IN RETURN, THE DEALERSHIP SENDS ME BACK TO BMW OF NORTH AMERICA. ENDLESS LOOP WITH NO SOLUTION. THIS VIDEO IS MADE TO DOCUMENT THE EVIDENCE OF THIS VERY HAZARDOUS ISSUE. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
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 THAT THE CAR IS SAFE TO DRIVE. HERE IS A LINK TO THE VIDEO I CAPTURED AFTER THE LAST STALL: HTTP://YOUTU.BE/QWVJCFAFO2Y BMW OF NORTH AMERICA DOES NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM (EVEN THOUGH I HAVE SENT THEM THIS VIDEO) AND KEEPS SENDING ME BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP WHICH IS UNABLE TO READ ANY FAULT CODES IN THE COMPUTER. IN RETURN, THE DEALERSHIP SENDS ME BACK TO BMW OF NORTH AMERICA. ENDLESS LOOP WITH NO SOLUTION. THIS VIDEO IS MADE TO DOCUMENT THE EVIDENCE OF THIS VERY HAZARDOUS ISSUE. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .