Owners have filed 16 complaints
about the 2015 BMW 335I with NHTSA between 2018 and 2024.
The largest single group is the electrical system.
Across this model's run it ranks 9 of 9 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 — 6
Against the median year of the BMW 335I. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 0
0% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 51
30% 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 2015 BMW 335I
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Electrical System
425.0%
Median failure at 42,000 miles
Engine & Cooling
318.8%
Median failure at 84,000 miles
Driver Assist & Collision Avoidance
212.5%
Body & Structure
212.5%
Median failure at 29,500 miles
Steering
212.5%
Median failure at 80,000 miles
Other & Unspecified
16.3%
Median failure at 28,000 miles
Fuel & Propulsion
16.3%
Median failure at 51,000 miles
Transmission & Drivetrain
16.3%
Median failure at 80,000 miles
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
25,000 – 49,999 miles
440.0%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
110.0%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
550.0%
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.
Sep 2018peak 3Aug 2024
NHTSA investigations into the 2015 BMW 335I
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...
DP22005Opened 27 Jan 2023Closed 7 Aug 2023ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM
Pedestrian alert sounds
NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after Marc...
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 88,000 milesArlington, VA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #11609727 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 88,000 milesArlington, VA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
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.
NHTSA complaint #11609727 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 80,000 milesRichland, WA
POWER TRAIN
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.
NHTSA complaint #11508001 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 80,000 milesRichland, WA
STEERING
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.
NHTSA complaint #11508001 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 80,000 milesRichland, WA
ENGINE
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.
NHTSA complaint #11508001 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Greenville, NC
STEERING
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.
NHTSA complaint #11492354 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Greenville, NC
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
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.
NHTSA complaint #11492354 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Greenville, NC
BACK OVER PREVENTION: WARNINGS
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.
NHTSA complaint #11492354 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chicago, IL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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
NHTSA complaint #11470378 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Guttenberg, NJ
STRUCTURE:BODY
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
NHTSA complaint #11445595 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dallastown, PA
ENGINE
CAR EXHAUST RATTLES ON START WHICH IS CAUSED BY A BROKEN/LOOSE EXHAUST FLAP
NHTSA complaint #11406538 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 28,000 milesKaty, TX
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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
NHTSA complaint #11383149 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 28,000 milesKaty, TX
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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
NHTSA complaint #11383149 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 29,500 milesCottonwood Heights, UT
STRUCTURE:BODY
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.
NHTSA complaint #11279217 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 42,000 milesLouisville, KY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #11196935 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 51,000 milesKilleen, TX
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #11130642 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.