Owners have filed 16 complaints
about the 2013 BMW 135I with NHTSA between 2014 and 2021.
The largest single group is the airbags.
Across this model's run it ranks 5 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 — 24
Against the median year of the BMW 135I. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 32
6.3% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 100
78% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2013 BMW 135I
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Airbags
743.8%
Other & Unspecified
212.5%
0 crashes, 1 fires · median 23,879 mi
Acceleration & Cruise Control
212.5%
Median failure at 27,553 miles
Transmission & Drivetrain
212.5%
Median failure at 27,500 miles
Engine & Cooling
212.5%
Median failure at 27,500 miles
Steering
16.3%
Median failure at 26,106 miles
NHTSA crash tests
The agency crash-tested this model year itself. These are its own
photographs and star ratings.
Configuration
Overall
Front
Side
Rollover
2013 BMW 135 I 2 DR RWD
—
—
—
—
2013 BMW 135 I C RWD
—
—
—
—
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.
Apr 2014peak 4Jul 2021
NHTSA investigations into the 2013 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...
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 21,652 milesSpring, TXFire
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN DRIVEWAY, BURST INTO FLAMES, TOTAL LOSS
NHTSA complaint #11115896 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 40,000 milesSacramento, CA
POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2013 BMW 135i. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 40,000.
NHTSA complaint #11424454 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 40,000 milesSacramento, CA
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2013 BMW 135i. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 40,000.
NHTSA complaint #11424454 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 26,106 milesLOS Gatos, CA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH, AND AFTER GOING ABOUT 4-5 MILES, THE BELOW WARNING MESSAGES CAME ON.
NHTSA complaint #11121124 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 26,106 milesLOS Gatos, CA
STEERING
DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH, AND AFTER GOING ABOUT 4-5 MILES, THE BELOW WARNING MESSAGES CAME ON.
NHTSA complaint #11121124 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 26,106 milesLOS Gatos, CA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH, AND AFTER GOING ABOUT 4-5 MILES, THE BELOW WARNING MESSAGES CAME ON.
NHTSA complaint #11121124 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 21,652 milesSpring, TXFire
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN DRIVEWAY, BURST INTO FLAMES, TOTAL LOSS
NHTSA complaint #11115896 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 29,000 milesCoral Springs, FL
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE, BUT I HAD ANOTHER CLOSE CALL TODAY SO I AM LOGGING A FORMAL COMPLAINT. THE VEHICLE HESITATES TO ACCELERATE AFTER PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL. IT OFTEN TAKES 2 TO 3 SECONDS FOR THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE. WHEN THE ACCELERATION FINALLY ENGAGES, IT TENDS TO BE HARD SINCE I OFTEN CONTINUE PRESSING THE PEDAL WHEN THE ACCELERATOR DOESN'T RESPOND. SO MY CHOICES ARE I EITHER GET HIT BY ONCOMING TRAFFIC OR SPIN OUT OF CONTROL AT AN INTERSECTION. THE ISSUE SEEMS TO OCCUR WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONER IS ON. THIS IS PARTICULARLY SCARY WHEN MAKING LEFT TURNS AT AN INTERSECTION. IF I HAVE SPACE TO MAKE THE TURN BECAUSE ONCOMING TRAFFIC IS FAR ENOUGH, THE VEHICLE WILL SIMPLY NOT MOVE AT ALL OR ROLL ACROSS THE INTERSECTION FOR A FEW SECONDS BEFORE ACTUALLY ACCELERATING. I'VE HAD A COUPLE OF CLOSE CALLS ALREADY. I HAD ALL THE SOFTWARE ON THE VEHICLE UPDATED AND NO ONE SEEMS TO KNOW WHAT CAUSES IT. DON'T KNOW IF TRUE, BUT I ALSO READ ON VARIOUS WEBSITES THAT BMW IS AWARE OF THIS ISSUE BUT DOES NOT INTEND TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I GUESS THERE HAVEN'T BEEN ANY FATALITIES YET. I HOPE I AM NOT THE FIRST ONE.
NHTSA complaint #11115022 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VAN Nuys, CA
AIR BAGS
TAKATA RECALL I RECEIVED A LETTER SEPT 2017 FROM BMW STATING THE PARTS WERE AVAILABLE FOR REPLACEMENT. I CALL CENTER BMW FOR SERVICE BUT WAS NOTIFIED THE PARTS WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE FOR SOME TIME. I RECEIVED MY FIRST NOTIFICATION OF THE PROBLEM IN MARCH 2016. WHAT CAN I DO TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM? (THIS IS A SECOND COMPLAINT. THE FIRST COMPLAINT NUMBER IS 11015212)
NHTSA complaint #11030202 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VAN Nuys, CA
AIR BAGS
TAKATA RECALL IN MARCH 2016 I RECEIVED A LETTER INFORMING ME OF A DEFECTIVE FRONT AIR BAG. THE LETTER MENTIONED THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE BUT I WOULD BE NOTIFIED WHEN THEY WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. I HAVE HAD MY VEHICLE SERVICED SEVERAL TIME SINCE. THE LAST WAS JUNE 26, 2017. EACH TIME I AM INFORMED THE PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE. I UNDERSTAND THE SAFETY RISK OF THIS RECALL COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. I AM DEEPLY CONCERNED. ITS BEEN OVER A YEAR. WHAT SHOULD I DO?
NHTSA complaint #11015212 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Leesburg, AL
AIR BAGS
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 BMW 135I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT PARTS WOULD BE AVAILABLE IN JUNE OF 2017, YET THE CONTACT WAS STILL AWAITING PARTS. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
NHTSA complaint #11003583 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Justin, TX
AIR BAGS
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 BMW 135I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
NHTSA complaint #10915235 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mcallen, TX
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 (NA) BMW 135I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED WAS UNAVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
NHTSA complaint #10905860 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hudson, FL
AIR BAGS
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 BMW 135I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10874859 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Baltimore, MD
AIR BAGS
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 BMW 135I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10873930 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 15,000 milesMiami, FL
POWER TRAIN
2013 135I COUPE WITH DUAL CLUTCH. CAR WILL TAKE ABOUT 2-3 SECONDS TO ACCELERATE WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A ROLLING STOP. I HAVE ALMOST GOTTEN INTO 3 ACCIDENTS AT INTERSECTIONS BECAUSE OF THIS. I'LL PRESS THE ACCELERATOR WHEN THERE IS SPACE FOR ME TO GO MAKING A LEFT AT A LIGHT AND BY THE TIME THE CAR REACTS 3 SECONDS LATER IT IS VERY DANGEROUS. ONE OF THE TIMES MY CAR POPPED INTO NEUTRAL BY ITSELF AS I WAS MAKING A LEFT AT A LIGHT AND I STAYED STUCK AT THE INTERSECTION FOR 5 SECONDS AFTER THE LIGHT TURNED RED ALREADY. ALSO, CAR CLUNKS AND JERKS FORWARD WHEN COMING TO A STOP. CAR WILL MOVE A FEW INCHES FORWARD AND I'M SCARED I AM GOING TO HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. ALL OF THESE ISSUES ONLY OCCUR WITH THE AIR CONDITIONING ON.
NHTSA complaint #10583847 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 15,000 milesMiami, FL
ENGINE
2013 135I COUPE WITH DUAL CLUTCH. CAR WILL TAKE ABOUT 2-3 SECONDS TO ACCELERATE WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A ROLLING STOP. I HAVE ALMOST GOTTEN INTO 3 ACCIDENTS AT INTERSECTIONS BECAUSE OF THIS. I'LL PRESS THE ACCELERATOR WHEN THERE IS SPACE FOR ME TO GO MAKING A LEFT AT A LIGHT AND BY THE TIME THE CAR REACTS 3 SECONDS LATER IT IS VERY DANGEROUS. ONE OF THE TIMES MY CAR POPPED INTO NEUTRAL BY ITSELF AS I WAS MAKING A LEFT AT A LIGHT AND I STAYED STUCK AT THE INTERSECTION FOR 5 SECONDS AFTER THE LIGHT TURNED RED ALREADY. ALSO, CAR CLUNKS AND JERKS FORWARD WHEN COMING TO A STOP. CAR WILL MOVE A FEW INCHES FORWARD AND I'M SCARED I AM GOING TO HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. ALL OF THESE ISSUES ONLY OCCUR WITH THE AIR CONDITIONING ON.
NHTSA complaint #10583847 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.