46 of the
1,136 complaints filed about the BMW 335I
are about the transmission —
4% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2007.
46
Complaints
4%
Share of all complaints
2
Crashes
2
Fires
Transmission & Drivetrain complaints by model year
Transmission failure, while driving 45mph the car automatically downshifted then stopped pulling rolled to a complete stop was able to put into park turn car off then when tried to restart that is when the transmission failure light and notice came on the dash and radio screen. After that the car would not go into any gear or pull in any gear. No warning signs appeared before the incident.
NHTSA complaint #11612387 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I bought a BMW on November 3rd and within 48 hours on the 5th of November at 6:30 the engine seized while the car was driving when I took it to BMW they did a carfax on it, it said the car had 197,000 miles on it and the car was listed with 97,790 miles and the odometer still says 97,000 and the transmission is also slipping because it had 197,000 miles on it and the font headlights won't work.
NHTSA complaint #11554338 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
NHTSA complaint #11534907 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
My vehicle functioned normally without any faults for the approximately year and a half/ ~20,000 miles I used it. The one day I attempt to start my vehicle in colder weather (-6 degrees fahrenheit) and my starter fried and my engine seized up. I have heard of other occurrences like this happening where BMW owners attempted to start their vehicles in colder weather, have a fault come up as "starter/ignition malfunction" and then leading to an engine seizing. I believe this to be a faulty product from BMW.
NHTSA complaint #11507274 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
This incident happened twice while I was driving. After driving for about 20 minutes my 2013 BMW 335i (Sedan) shifted into neutral as I was making a turn. I was shown a drivetrain malfunction error along with an error that my car was not in Park position and my car's motor suddenly shut off while it was in neutral. I pulled over to the side of the road and I managed to start my car again without any problem. A few weeks later while I was driving on the I-10 driving past Banning, CA. my vehicle shifted into neutral and my motor shut off. I had to make an emergency stop on the side of the freeway and I managed to restart my car and drive to my family's home. My girlfriend and I were in the car at that time and this sudden shut off of my motor could have caused us to get rear ended on the freeway. When I got back home I scanned my car using an OBD II reader and found 0 faults pertaining to the transmission. I did find the following codes: 11A002 Fuel High Pressure, Plausibility Pressure Too Low and 101F01 Throttle Valve Angle-Absolute Pressure Intake Pipe, Comparison Pressure Too High. I had my mechanic inspect and drive my vehicle, but he couldn't determine the cause of the error. He suspects there is something wrong with the fuel pump, but he was hesitant to say that is problem. Car ran fine at full throttle while testing and I have not received another error code since then. My vehicle has an 8-speed automatic transmission and in both instances when it shifted into neutral, my hands were not on the gear selector. My vehicle is available to be inspected and I have been unable to reproduce the problem. Other BMW owners stated they experienced the same problem. I've attached a video of someone driving a 328i who experienced the same problem https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eNebnchCUVo&list=LL&index=2 .
NHTSA complaint #11490843 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Positive battery cable heat up cause fire above battery. Blow off wire worked blowing off. Distribution box and power pole connection sparking heating up causing arc fire. No recalls for my specific Vin but 2008 through 2012 recalls this part but not for my vehicle. 2009 335 convertible. ? $1132 to fix. 9 months ago 2021 BMW could not find problem recommended changing my alternator never recommended changing the recalled part that I am now having changed at my own expense. Very scary I have the car returned to me but I was only able to drive limited distances as the cable deteriorated I was limited more and more use of the vehicle until ultimately I drove to BMW to have it fixed and the wire exploded a mile before exiting the freeway very scary.
NHTSA complaint #11460971 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I LOVED MY BMW UNTIL I REALIZED IT HAS A FAULTY ENGINE. I NOTICED THE DRIVE TRAIN MALFUNCTION LIGHT ONCE WHEN I WENT THROUGH A CAR WASH. I TURNED OFF WHEN I RESTARTED THE CAR. MY CAR WAS UP TO DATE ON ALL OIL CHANGES ETC, I TAKE IT TO BMW SPECIALIST ONLY. I NOTICED A LIGHT TICK SOUND AND REPORTED IT TO BMW AT MY LAST OIL CHANGE. THEY DISREGARDED IT AND SAID THEY DID NOTICE OIL ON THE GASKET. NO CHANGES REQUESTED AT THAT TIME. MY CAR NEVER SHOWED SIGNS OF LEAKING OIL AND THE OIL PRESSURE AT TIMES SHOWED TO BE LOW BUT WOULD ALWAYS RETURN TO NORMAL. I WAS TOLD IT WAS BECAUSE THE HYBRIDS WORK DIFFERENTLY. ON MY WAY HOME ON THE FRONTAGE ROAD OF I35 MY CAR JUST SHUT DOWN AND NEVER RESTARTED. I WAS ABLE TO GUIDE IT INTO A PARKING LOT AND THE ENGINE JUST STOPPED TURNING AND THE DRIVE TRAIN MALFUNCTION LIGHT TURNED ON. I HAD IT TOWED TO A MECHANIC AND THEY BASICALLY SAID THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE ENGINE. A NEW ENGINE COST $18000 AND A USED IS AROUND 13000. THAT DOES NOT INCLUDE LABOR!!! I HAD TO THEN HAVE MY CAR TOWED HOME TO JUST PARK IT. THIS IS THE ONLY CAR I HAVE, I OWE THOUSANDS ON IT AND THE ENGINE COMPLETELY BROKE! AS I'M DOING RESEARCH I SEE MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS WITH THE SAME ISSUES AND SAME RESULT, COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE!!! THIS NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED! FROM WHAT I GATHER IT IS RELATED TO THE DRIVETRAIN MALFUNCTION LIGHT SENDING A SIGNAL TO THE ENGINE & STOPPING OIL FROM REACHING THE TOP OF THE MOTOR, LEADING TO VANOS COMPLICATIONS AND LEADING TO METAL IN THE ENGINE LEADING TO A COMPLETE DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE. CHEAP ISSUE LEADING TO FAILURE OF THE ENTIRE VEHICLE. I'VE ALSO GATHERED THERE IS A FAULT WITH THE START/STOP THAT CAUSES THIS ISSUE. I AM LEFT WITH NO CAR, I'M A FULL TIME NURSE AND NOW IN DEBT WITH NO WORKING CAR! THIS COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED HAD A RECALL BEEN DONE A FEW YEARS AGO WITH ALL THE INITIAL COMPLAINTS!! SEVERAL FORUMS INCLUDING ON THIS SITE!!
NHTSA complaint #11377344 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NORMAL USE OF DS SPORT MODE INVOLVED MOVING THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFTER TO THE LEFT. THIS PUTS TENSION ON THE WIRES THAT SUPPORT THIS FUNCTION, CRIMPING THE WIRES AND FREQUENTLY LEADING TO FAILURE. THE PROBLEM APPEARS TO BE WITH THE WAY THE WIRING HARNESS IS ROUTED WITHIN THE TRANSMISSION LEVER. THIS IS DOCUMENTED AS A FREQUENT OCCURRENCE IN NUMEROUS DIY VIDEOS ON YOUTUBE AND INTERNET FORUMS. FAILURE OF DS SPORT MODE MEANS THAT CAR CAN NO LONGER BE USED IN THIS MODE. HOWEVER, IT CAN BE DRIVEN IN NORMAL MODE. THIS DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE A SAFETY ISSUE. IT IS A DESIGN FLAW THAT, THROUGH NORMAL USE, RESULTS IN A FAILURE THAT MAY REQUIRE AN EXPENSIVE REPAIR. MY LOCAL SHOP QUOTED ME $1,500 TO REPLACE THE SHIFTER.
NHTSA complaint #11353958 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE SYMPTOM: THE CAR MISSES OR SHUTTERS UNDER LOAD. THE PROBLEM STARTED AS INTERMITTENT BUT IS BECOMING WORSE. THE DEALERSHIP HAS INFORMED ME TODAY THAT THE CAR NEEDS A NEW TRANSFER CASE. THE VEHICLE IS A JUST OVER 6YRS OLD WITH 82K 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 OLD 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.
NHTSA complaint #11329053 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 BMW 335I. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED BYSTANDERS ASSISTED TO PUSH THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROADWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO BMW OF OWINGS MILLS (9702 REISTERSTOWN RD, OWINGS MILLS, MD 21117) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER DID NOT OFFER ANY FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE AND OFFERED MINIMAL FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE. THE CONTACT DECLINED THE OFFER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000. VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #11311827 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHILE DRIVING THE CAR WILL AUTOMATICALLY GO INTO NEUTRAL. WHEN IDLE TOO THE CAR GOES INTO NEUTRAL AND YOU CAN'T SHIFT INTO DRIVE. WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY IT HITS NEUTRAL AND THE CAR REDLINES, THE CAR WILL COAST DOWN THE HIGHWAY UNTIL IT HOPS BACK INTO GEAR
NHTSA complaint #11291045 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAME AS EVERYONE ELSE REPORTS FOR POWERTRAIN/DRIVETRAIN DRIVE MODERATELY CAR GOES INTO LIMP MODE MESSAGE DRIVETRAIN AFFECTED DRIVE MODERATELY WHEN.REALLY STRUGGLES VEHICLE WAS JUST CHANGED COMFORT TO SPORT AND 3/4 ACCELERATION HAPPENED ALMOST IMMEDIATELY
NHTSA complaint #11256031 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTIONED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK. CAR WON'T GO IN REVERSE, ALSO CAR HAD NO POWER TO ACCELERATE IN DRIVE MODE. THIS WAS CAUSED BECAUSE THE VALVE BODY SEALING SLEEVE THAT IS MADE OF PLASTIC BROKE.
NHTSA complaint #11047283 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW 335I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V067000 (POWERTRAIN); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS UNABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BE AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION BEFORE THE REMEDY PARTS WOULD BE ORDERED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10983481 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 335I. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED INTO SECOND GEAR, BUT LOST POWER AND FAILED TO ACCELERATE WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S JOB. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V067000 (POWER TRAIN). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,000.
NHTSA complaint #10978894 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE CAR HAS HAD NUMEROUS ISSUES SINCE PURCHASED. THIS ALL CAME TO A HEAD WHEN DRIVING HOME, UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS, IT SUDDENLY WOULD NOT SHIFT PAST 1ST GEAR. I PROCEEDED TO PULL OFF TO A SIDE STREET AND ATTEMPT TO IDLE HOME, AS I WAS ABOUT 1 MILE FROM HOME. AFTER APPROXIMATELY .5 MILE, THE TRANSMISSION SUDDENLY LOST FIRST GEAR, THERE WAS AN AUDIBLE BANG UNDER THE HOOD, AND THE CAR COMPLETELY LOST POWER. AFTER BEING IN A SERVICE CENTER FOR A COUPLE WEEKS, I AM NOW INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE IS LOCKED DOWN AND THAT THE CAR WILL REQUIRE A NEW ENGINE TO BE WORKING AGAIN. THIS CAR HAD BEEN AN ABSOLUTE NIGHTMARE AND HAS TURNED ME QUITE CALLOUSED TOWARDS BMWS QUALITY STANDARDS.
NHTSA complaint #10955474 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VALVE COVER OIL LEAKING ONTO EXHAUST MANIFOLD THAT CAUSES FIRE. IT WAS TURNED OFF AND STATIONARY. ASKED BMW TO CHANGE IN 80K BUT THEY SAID JUST SWEATING OIL. SAFETY HAZARD IGNORED. COMMON AMOUNG BMW 3 SERIES ENGINE
NHTSA complaint #10938631 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY GOING TO WORK, AROUND 5:30 IN THE MORNING, THE POWER TRAIN WARNING LIGHT CAME ON THE SCREEN.., WHILE ON SPORT MODE SELECTED I NOTICED THAT MY RPM WAS CLOSE TO 3K DOING 65 MPH., THE VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN TO 45 MILES PER HOUR AND HAD NO POWER.., I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER THE SHOULDER AND TRIED SEVERAL TIMES TO RE-START THE CAR TO NO AVAIL., I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE NEAREST BMW DEALERSHIP, AND THEY DIAGNOSED IT AS A BAD HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP. THEY REPLACED THE PUMP THE SAME DAY, TEST DROVE IT AND EVERYTHING IS BACK TO NORMAL. THE REPAIR WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, I SENT THE TOWING EXPENSES TO THE BMW ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE FOR REIMBURSEMENT., SAID IT WILL TAKE A FEW WEEKS TO GET IT IN THE MAIL..
NHTSA complaint #10926503 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.