Owners have filed 35 complaints
about the 2011 BMW 135I with NHTSA between 2012 and 2026.
The largest single group is the engine & cooling.
Across this model's run it ranks 2 of 6 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 53
Against the median year of the BMW 135I. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 59
11.4% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 81
48% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
Under 1,000 miles
314.3%
1,000 – 9,999 miles
14.8%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
419.0%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
29.5%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
523.8%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
314.3%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
314.3%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Nov 2012peak 4Mar 2026
NHTSA investigations into the 2011 BMW 135I
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.C...
Recalls on the 2011 BMW 135I
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
United States — NHTSA
20V017000
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
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.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
19V579000
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2012 BMW 128i, 135i, 135is Coupes and 128i, 135i Convertible vehicles. The wiring and electrical connectors in the blower-regulator wiring harness may overheat.
Risk: Wiring that overheats could cause the electrical connectors to melt, and increase the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is unattended.
17V067000
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:CONSTANT VELOCITY JOINT
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2011-2012 135i Coupe, 1 Series M Coupe and 135i Convertible vehicles, 2011 Z4 sDrive 35i, 335i, 335d, 335i Coupe, 335is Coupe, 335i Convertible, 335is Convertible, 535i, 535i xDrive, 535i Gran Turismo and 550i xDrive Gran Turismo vehicles and 2012 740i and 740Li vehicles. The rear driveshaft constant velocity (CV) joint on the affected vehicles may fatigue and break.
Risk: If the CV joint breaks, the vehicle may have a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash.
16V071000
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2008-2013 128i and 135i coupes and convertibles and 1 Series M coupes, 2006-2011 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive Sedans, 2009-2011 335d sedans, 2006-2012 325xiT, 328i and 328xi sports wagons, 2007-2013 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive, 335is and M3 Coupes and Convertibles, 2013-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i and X1 xDrive35i SAVs, 2007-2010 X3 xDrive30i SAVs, 2007-2013 X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5 M SAVs, 2009-2013 BMW X5 xDrive35d SAVs, 2008-2014 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i, and X6 M SACs, 2010-2011 BMW X6 xDrive50i SACs and 2008-2011 M3 Sedan vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
14V176000
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
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.
Risk: If the bolts loosen or break the engine may have reduced power or stall. An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
13V044000
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
BMW is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 1-Series coupes and convertibles manufactured December 2007 through September 2011; and 2007-2011 3-Series coupes and convertibles manufactured March 2007 through October 2011; 2007-2011 3-Series sedans manufactured March 2007 through October 2011; 2007-2011 3-Series sports wagons manufactured March 2007 through June 2011; and 2009-2011 Z4 vehicles manufactured March 2009 through June 2011. In February 2013, BMW recalled 504,545 vehicles. In July 2013, BMW informed the agency that it was adding 1-Series, 3-Series, and Z4 vehicles, representing an additional 12,094 vehicles. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 516,791. The connector for the positive battery cable connector and the corresponding terminal on the fuse box may degrade over time. Over time, the high current flow and heat from electrical resistance may lead to a breakage of the connection, and a loss of electrical power to the vehicle.
Risk: If there is a loss of electrical power to the vehicle, the vehicle may unexpectedly stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 75,000 milesPuyallup, WAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
BLOWER MOWER WIRING OVERHEATING AND BURNING/CORRODING WHILE FAN WAS ON LOW SPEED.
NHTSA complaint #11112733 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 20,000 milesSpringfield, NJFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
FAN BLOWER WIRE CAN CATCH FIRE, BMW 3 SERIES E90 2006 TO 2013 ALREADY GOT THE RECALL DONE, PLEASE RECALL THIS.
NHTSA complaint #11112792 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 5,000 milesOakland Park, FLCrash1 injured
ENGINE
THE VEHICLE HESITATED WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN AND I WAS HIT IN THE REAR. STARTING TO BELIEVE THIS IS WHAT CAUSE THE ACCIDENT AND STILL THE DEALERSHIP CAN'T FIX IT AND LIES ABOUT WHAT THEY ARE DOING AND I'M REALLY CLOSE TO THE LEMON LAW I THINK. BMW N AMERICA CUSTOMER SERVICE WON'T LET ME PASS ANYONE OTHER THAN THE CALL CENTER. DON'T KNOW WHERE TO GO FROM HERE. ALSO I HAVE ASKED FOR A FACTORY REPRESENTATIVE 3 TIMES AND THEY WILL NOT COMPLY. THE DEALERSHIP ONLY FIXES THINGS I NEVER ASKED THEM TO FIX AND CAN'T FIX WHAT WRONG. THE REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER ALSO STILL DOES NOT WORK.
NHTSA complaint #10505289 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 66,800 milesDallas, TX
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2011 BMW 135I. The contact stated that the A/C system and the blower motor were intermittently inoperable. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the blower motor was replaced; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V579000 (Electrical System). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 66,800.
NHTSA complaint #11727086 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mooresville, NC
ENGINE
BMW Series 135I2011 - Engine/Vanos bolts failed/failing! When it's started, you can total tell there is an issue with it...Car is basically NON-Drivable due to this condition due to safety concerns! The vin is not being covered by the recall due to but this is a SERIOUS issue! This needs to be covered by BMW! We've taken it to the mechanic who said this needs to be towed to the dealership due to the recall and because of the specific issue but once at the dealership, where it's sitting now, they are saying due to vin not popping up, they can't cover it as well as BMW's customer service line but this is SERIOUS and needs to be covered!
NHTSA complaint #11616579 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Albuquerque, NM
ENGINE
the vanos bolts failed.
NHTSA complaint #11566657 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sterling, VA
POWER TRAIN
I had two situations in which my car would unexpectedly lurch forward after coming to a complete stop with my foot on the brake pedal, and another case in which I could not place the vehicle in park with the DCT Shift lever malfunctioning and making the car undrivable.
NHTSA complaint #11460025 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sterling, VA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I had two situations in which my car would unexpectedly lurch forward after coming to a complete stop with my foot on the brake pedal, and another case in which I could not place the vehicle in park with the DCT Shift lever malfunctioning and making the car undrivable.
NHTSA complaint #11460025 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sterling, VA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I had two situations in which my car would unexpectedly lurch forward after coming to a complete stop with my foot on the brake pedal, and another case in which I could not place the vehicle in park with the DCT Shift lever malfunctioning and making the car undrivable.
NHTSA complaint #11460025 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Powell, TN
ENGINE
Sudden catastrophic engine shutdown After 3weeks of investigation came back as bad crank posisition sensor
NHTSA complaint #11453558 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dallas, TX
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
The headlights are failing due to wiring rotting and falling aaprt inside the headlight units similar to the wiring failure in the blower motor
NHTSA complaint #11424303 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dallas, TX
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The headlights are failing due to wiring rotting and falling aaprt inside the headlight units similar to the wiring failure in the blower motor
NHTSA complaint #11424303 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 88,000 milesMacomb, MI
ENGINE
ROD BEARINGS FAILURE WHICH COULD CAUSE ENGINE SEIZING WHILE DRIVING.
NHTSA complaint #11321309 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 56,300 milesPahoa, HI
ENGINE
VEHICLE HESITATES WHEN PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR WHEN PASSING VEHICLES OR MERGING INTO TRAFFIC ON THE HIGHWAY NEARLY CAUSING COLLISION WITH OTHER VEHICLES. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON WHEN WHEN VEHICLE IS ACCELERATING 99% OF THE TIME. WHEN VEHICLE IS STOPPED VEHICLE WILL TRY TO SURGE FORWARD. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS VEHICLE. SHAME ON BMW FOR NOT RECALLING ALLOF THESE MODELS!
NHTSA complaint #11299283 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 73,000 milesLOS Angeles, CA
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP FAILURE - CAR WENT INTO LIMP MODE WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET.
NHTSA complaint #11268125 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 110,000 milesUpton, MA
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
I HAVE BEEN HAVING MISFIRES. FIRST CYLINDER 3&5. CHANGED ALL PLUGS AND COIL PACKS. RAN WELL FOR A COUPLE DAYS. THEN BOOM. MISFIRES AGAIN. LONG COLD START CRANKS. I CAN BRING THE RPMS ALL THE WAY UP TO REDLINE AS LONG AS I DON'T STEP ON THE THROTTLE MORE THAN 25%. AS SON AS I GO TO PUT SO THROTTLE INTO IT. IT'S HESITATES/STUTTERS. THEN SERVICE ENGINE SOON AND CEL LIGHT COME ONE. THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP IS THE CULPRIT. SAME TYPE OF PROBLEMS I HAD ON MY N54 MOTOR. I THOUGHT BMW FIXED THIS ISSUE. GUESS THEY NEED A RECALL ON THESE AS WELL.
NHTSA complaint #11174596 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 56,900 milesLinden, CA
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
TWO TIMES WITHIN A YEAR THE VEHICLE HAS EXPERIENCED A REDUCTION OF POWER AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. ON 4-3-18 I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE MODESTO BMW DEALER AND WAS ADVISED I NEEDED THE FUEL PUMP REPLACED WHICH I DID SPENDING $1355. LATE IN DECEMBER THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED AND I AGAIN TOOK IT TO THE SAME DEALER WHO NOW ADVISED ME I NEEDED THE "HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP " REPLACED TO THE TUNE OF $1750. THIS CAR HAS 57,000 MILES. I AM AWARE THERE WERE RECALLS ON THE SAME VEHICLES IN THE YEARS PRECEDING 2011 AND WONDER IF THE PROBLEM CONTINUED WITHOUT RESOLUTION. THIS IS A SAFETY PROBLEM AS LOSING POWER AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS IS DANGEROUS.
NHTSA complaint #11165487 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 75,000 milesPuyallup, WAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
BLOWER MOWER WIRING OVERHEATING AND BURNING/CORRODING WHILE FAN WAS ON LOW SPEED.
NHTSA complaint #11112733 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,000 milesConcord, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE SAME BLOWER MOTOR WIRING ISSUE IN THE BMW 3 SERIES THATS CAUSING THEM TO CATCH ON FIRE AND BURN TO THE GROUND. I HAVE COMPARED THE PROBLEM WITH ANOTHER 3 SERIES WITH THE SAME EXACT ISSUE. ALTHOUGH THE WIRING PART NUMBER IS DIFFERENT, THE PLUG AND WHERE THE NEGATIVE AND POS TERMINALS ARE PLACED IS THE SAME EXACT SPOT AS THE 3 SERIES. THE CAR WILL SHUT OFF FROM VOLTAGE SPIKES WHEN DRIVING AND CAUSE SPARKS AND ARCHING NOISES WHERE THERE NEG AND POS WIRES MEET CAUSING BOTH OF THE WIRING HOUSINGS TO MELT AND POTENTIALLY CAUSE A FIRE. I HAVE TAKEN OFF THE KICK PANEL THAT COVERS THE WIRES AND NOTICED THE KICK PANEL ITSELF WAS BURNT AND MELTED. I HAVE TALKED TO MANY OTHER 1 SERIES OWNERS AND THEY ALSO HAVE THIS ISSUE BUT IT'S NOT ON THE RECALL LIST. I BELIEVE IT SHOULD BE BECAUSE THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM THAT CAN POTENTIALLY INJURE OR KILL SOMEONE.
NHTSA complaint #11112731 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 20,000 milesSpringfield, NJFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
FAN BLOWER WIRE CAN CATCH FIRE, BMW 3 SERIES E90 2006 TO 2013 ALREADY GOT THE RECALL DONE, PLEASE RECALL THIS.
NHTSA complaint #11112792 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Matthews, NC
POWER TRAIN
WATER PUMP AND MUCH MORE
NHTSA complaint #11104100 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Matthews, NC
AIR BAGS
WATER PUMP AND MUCH MORE
NHTSA complaint #11104100 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 126,000 milesThatcher, AZ
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
SOMETIMES THE BLOWER MOTOR WILL NOT WORK AT THE SPEED SELECTED. A FEW TIMES HAVE SMELLED A ODD BURNT PLASTIC SMELL. BMW WON'T HELP THIS ISSUE AS THERE IS NO RECALL ON THIS CERTAIN MODEL. I HAVE TOOK THE TIME TO ACTUALLY DIAGNOSE THE ISSUE. WIRING TO BLOWER MOTOR RESISTOR MODULE AFFECTED. CANNOT EVEN UNPLUG THE CONNECTION. HAS BROWN AREAS ON THE RESISTER BY GROUND WIRE OF SIGNS OF EXTREME HEAT.
NHTSA complaint #11104028 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Matthews, NC
ENGINE
WATER PUMP AND MUCH MORE
NHTSA complaint #11104100 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Freehold, NJ
AIR BAGS
TAKATA RECALL NEVER PERFORMED
NHTSA complaint #10992978 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Peachtree City, GA
AIR BAGS
RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER MARCH 2016.SIX MONTHS LATER A QUICK FIX. TALK TO BMW CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY STILL DO NOT HAVE THE PARTS
NHTSA complaint #10971654 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pompano Beach, FL
AIR BAGS
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW 135I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS). THE PART FOR THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
NHTSA complaint #10958394 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 18,000 milesNokomis, FL
AIR BAGS
TAKATA RECALL I LIVE IN A GULF STATE, SARASOTA COUNTY. RECEIVED SAFETY RECALL IN MARCH 2016. IMMEDIATELY CONTACTED DEALER. AGAIN IN APRIL. THEY WERE TO CALL ME TO INSTALL NEW AIRBAG. OCT 24 CONTACTED DEALER AGAIN. NO RETURN CALL AS PROMISED. CALLED 10/27 AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE ORIGINAL LIST OF RECALLED BMW'S FROM MARCH WAS NOT AVAILABLE AND SINCE I HAD CALLED IN AGAIN THEY WOULD NOW PUT BE ON A LIST FOR THE SAFETY RECALL. THIS CONTINUING DELAY AND GAME PLAYING ON THE PART OF BMW NORTH AMERICA AND MY DEALER BMW OF SARASOTA IS UNACCEPTABLE. IF I HADN'T CALLED AGAIN I WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN BUT ON THEIR "LIST" FOR THE PART TO BE ORDERED. NO OTHER ASSISTANCE IS OFFERED BY THE DEALER. MY SAFETY IS AT RISK AS I CONTINUE TO DRIVE THIS DEFECTIVE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10919278 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.