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FaultScore report

2013 BMW 335XI problems

Owners have filed 13 complaints about the 2013 BMW 335XI with NHTSA between 2013 and 2018. The largest single group is the airbags. Across this model's run it ranks 3 of 7 worst.

Read the complaints What breaks Worst years for the BMW 335XI All 2013 cars
D

FaultScore 62/100

Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the BMW 335XI.

How this is worked out

The numbers

13

Complaints

5

Crashes reported

0

Fires reported

5

Injuries reported

20,000 mi

Median mileage at failure

Half of reported failures happened before this

75%

Failed under 36,000 miles

Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty

What kind of bad

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.

Complaint volume 23 vs 50 Severity 100 vs 50 Early failure 100 vs 50
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 23
Against the median year of the BMW 335XI. 50 means typical for this model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
76.9% of these complaints involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of 9.7%.
Early failure — 100
75% of failures with a mileage on record happened under 36,000 miles, against a national rate of 29%.

How 2013 compares with every other BMW 335XI

Click any bar to open that year's report.

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 335XI

Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.

Acceleration & Cruise Control 2 15.4%

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 13,996 mi

Airbags 2 15.4%

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 45,000 mi

Other & Unspecified 1 7.7%

Median failure at 25,000 miles

Stability & Traction Control 1 7.7%

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 45,000 mi

Seat Belts 1 7.7%

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 45,000 mi

Wheels 1 7.7%

Median failure at 4,500 miles

Tires 1 7.7%

Median failure at 4,500 miles

Fuel & Propulsion 1 7.7%

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 25,000 mi

Suspension 1 7.7%

Median failure at 15,000 miles

Brakes 1 7.7%

Median failure at 5 miles

Engine & Cooling 1 7.7%

Median failure at 1,100 miles

When it fails

Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.

Under 1,000 miles 1 8.3%
1,000 – 9,999 miles 4 33.3%
10,000 – 24,999 miles 1 8.3%
25,000 – 49,999 miles 6 50.0%

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.

Jun 2013 peak 3 May 2018

NHTSA investigations into the 2013 BMW 335XI

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.

1 investigation is still open.

EA21002 Opened 17 Sep 2021 Still open AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

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 25,000 miles OAK Park, IL Crash 1 injured

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

IN A LEFT-HAND TURNING LANE OF A CITY STREET, INTENDING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN ON A GREEN LIGHT AT A CONTROLLED INTERSECTION, MY CAR WAS STATIONARY AT IDLE & IN NEUTRAL AT A COMPLETE STOP UNTIL ON-COMING TRAFFIC CLEARED INTERSECTION. FROM A DEAD STOP IN 1ST GEAR (STICK SHIFT), I STARTED A LEFT TURN - SUDDENLY, UNEXPECTEDLY & UNINTENTIONALLY THE VEHICLE RAPIDLY & UNCONTROLLABLY ACCELERATED TO 30 TO 40 MPH. I CLUTCHED OUT OF GEAR, SLAMMED ON THE BREAKS, BUT COULD NOT SLOW THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE SUBSEQUENTLY JUMPED A CURB AND COLLIDED HEAD-ON WITH A TELEPHONE POLE. SEAT BELT WORKED AND AIR BAG DEPLOYED. CAR WAS TOWED. I WAS TRANSPORTED BY EMS TO AN EMERGENCY ROOM TO EVALUATE FOR INJURIES.

NHTSA complaint #11091941 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 25,000 miles OAK Park, IL Crash 1 injured

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

IN A LEFT-HAND TURNING LANE OF A CITY STREET, INTENDING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN ON A GREEN LIGHT AT A CONTROLLED INTERSECTION, MY CAR WAS STATIONARY AT IDLE & IN NEUTRAL AT A COMPLETE STOP UNTIL ON-COMING TRAFFIC CLEARED INTERSECTION. FROM A DEAD STOP IN 1ST GEAR (STICK SHIFT), I STARTED A LEFT TURN - SUDDENLY, UNEXPECTEDLY & UNINTENTIONALLY THE VEHICLE RAPIDLY & UNCONTROLLABLY ACCELERATED TO 30 TO 40 MPH. I CLUTCHED OUT OF GEAR, SLAMMED ON THE BREAKS, BUT COULD NOT SLOW THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE SUBSEQUENTLY JUMPED A CURB AND COLLIDED HEAD-ON WITH A TELEPHONE POLE. SEAT BELT WORKED AND AIR BAG DEPLOYED. CAR WAS TOWED. I WAS TRANSPORTED BY EMS TO AN EMERGENCY ROOM TO EVALUATE FOR INJURIES.

NHTSA complaint #11091941 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 45,000 miles Cumberland, MD Crash 1 injured

SEAT BELTS

I WAS REAR ENDED FROM A DEAD STOP BY A VEHICHLE AROUND 50 MPH AND MY AIRBAGS MALFUNCTIONED. I HAD SMOKE COMING FROM THE DASH BUT NO ACTUAL AIR BAG PROTECTED ME BY COMING OUT. THE SEAT BELTS ARE LOCKED UP AND NO LONGER WORK. THE CAR THEN FORCED ME TO LEAVE IT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD BECAUSE IT DOES NOT ALLOW YOU TO PUSH IT OR PUT IT INTO NEUTRAL IN ANY FASHION. THIS ALSO FORCED IT TO BE HARMFUL TO THE VEHICLE TO BE PUT ONTO THE TOW TRUCK BECAUSE ALL WHEELS WERE LOCKED UP.

NHTSA complaint #10980984 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 45,000 miles Cumberland, MD Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS

I WAS REAR ENDED FROM A DEAD STOP BY A VEHICHLE AROUND 50 MPH AND MY AIRBAGS MALFUNCTIONED. I HAD SMOKE COMING FROM THE DASH BUT NO ACTUAL AIR BAG PROTECTED ME BY COMING OUT. THE SEAT BELTS ARE LOCKED UP AND NO LONGER WORK. THE CAR THEN FORCED ME TO LEAVE IT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD BECAUSE IT DOES NOT ALLOW YOU TO PUSH IT OR PUT IT INTO NEUTRAL IN ANY FASHION. THIS ALSO FORCED IT TO BE HARMFUL TO THE VEHICLE TO BE PUT ONTO THE TOW TRUCK BECAUSE ALL WHEELS WERE LOCKED UP.

NHTSA complaint #10980984 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 45,000 miles Cumberland, MD Crash 1 injured

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

I WAS REAR ENDED FROM A DEAD STOP BY A VEHICHLE AROUND 50 MPH AND MY AIRBAGS MALFUNCTIONED. I HAD SMOKE COMING FROM THE DASH BUT NO ACTUAL AIR BAG PROTECTED ME BY COMING OUT. THE SEAT BELTS ARE LOCKED UP AND NO LONGER WORK. THE CAR THEN FORCED ME TO LEAVE IT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD BECAUSE IT DOES NOT ALLOW YOU TO PUSH IT OR PUT IT INTO NEUTRAL IN ANY FASHION. THIS ALSO FORCED IT TO BE HARMFUL TO THE VEHICLE TO BE PUT ONTO THE TOW TRUCK BECAUSE ALL WHEELS WERE LOCKED UP.

NHTSA complaint #10980984 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

The most recent complaints

In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.

at 25,000 miles OAK Park, IL Crash 1 injured

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

IN A LEFT-HAND TURNING LANE OF A CITY STREET, INTENDING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN ON A GREEN LIGHT AT A CONTROLLED INTERSECTION, MY CAR WAS STATIONARY AT IDLE & IN NEUTRAL AT A COMPLETE STOP UNTIL ON-COMING TRAFFIC CLEARED INTERSECTION. FROM A DEAD STOP IN 1ST GEAR (STICK SHIFT), I STARTED A LEFT TURN - SUDDENLY, UNEXPECTEDLY & UNINTENTIONALLY THE VEHICLE RAPIDLY & UNCONTROLLABLY ACCELERATED TO 30 TO 40 MPH. I CLUTCHED OUT OF GEAR, SLAMMED ON THE BREAKS, BUT COULD NOT SLOW THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE SUBSEQUENTLY JUMPED A CURB AND COLLIDED HEAD-ON WITH A TELEPHONE POLE. SEAT BELT WORKED AND AIR BAG DEPLOYED. CAR WAS TOWED. I WAS TRANSPORTED BY EMS TO AN EMERGENCY ROOM TO EVALUATE FOR INJURIES.

NHTSA complaint #11091941 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 25,000 miles OAK Park, IL Crash 1 injured

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

IN A LEFT-HAND TURNING LANE OF A CITY STREET, INTENDING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN ON A GREEN LIGHT AT A CONTROLLED INTERSECTION, MY CAR WAS STATIONARY AT IDLE & IN NEUTRAL AT A COMPLETE STOP UNTIL ON-COMING TRAFFIC CLEARED INTERSECTION. FROM A DEAD STOP IN 1ST GEAR (STICK SHIFT), I STARTED A LEFT TURN - SUDDENLY, UNEXPECTEDLY & UNINTENTIONALLY THE VEHICLE RAPIDLY & UNCONTROLLABLY ACCELERATED TO 30 TO 40 MPH. I CLUTCHED OUT OF GEAR, SLAMMED ON THE BREAKS, BUT COULD NOT SLOW THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE SUBSEQUENTLY JUMPED A CURB AND COLLIDED HEAD-ON WITH A TELEPHONE POLE. SEAT BELT WORKED AND AIR BAG DEPLOYED. CAR WAS TOWED. I WAS TRANSPORTED BY EMS TO AN EMERGENCY ROOM TO EVALUATE FOR INJURIES.

NHTSA complaint #11091941 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 25,000 miles Vancouver, WA

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

DOOR SOMETIMES DOES NOT UNLOCK FROM THE INSIDE. NORMALLY A DOUBLE PULL ON THE INTERIOR HANDLE WILL UNLOCK AND OPEN THE DOOR. BUT SOMETIMES IT WILL NOT UNLOCK (THE HANDLE FEELS STUCK AND CAN'T BE FULLY PULLED) AND REQUIRES PRESSING THE ELECTRONIC CENTRAL LOCKING SWITCH. NOT SAFE IF THERE IS AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE. I HAVE A VIDEO BUT CANT UPLOAD IT.

NHTSA complaint #11066551 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 45,000 miles Cumberland, MD Crash 1 injured

SEAT BELTS

I WAS REAR ENDED FROM A DEAD STOP BY A VEHICHLE AROUND 50 MPH AND MY AIRBAGS MALFUNCTIONED. I HAD SMOKE COMING FROM THE DASH BUT NO ACTUAL AIR BAG PROTECTED ME BY COMING OUT. THE SEAT BELTS ARE LOCKED UP AND NO LONGER WORK. THE CAR THEN FORCED ME TO LEAVE IT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD BECAUSE IT DOES NOT ALLOW YOU TO PUSH IT OR PUT IT INTO NEUTRAL IN ANY FASHION. THIS ALSO FORCED IT TO BE HARMFUL TO THE VEHICLE TO BE PUT ONTO THE TOW TRUCK BECAUSE ALL WHEELS WERE LOCKED UP.

NHTSA complaint #10980984 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 45,000 miles Cumberland, MD Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS

I WAS REAR ENDED FROM A DEAD STOP BY A VEHICHLE AROUND 50 MPH AND MY AIRBAGS MALFUNCTIONED. I HAD SMOKE COMING FROM THE DASH BUT NO ACTUAL AIR BAG PROTECTED ME BY COMING OUT. THE SEAT BELTS ARE LOCKED UP AND NO LONGER WORK. THE CAR THEN FORCED ME TO LEAVE IT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD BECAUSE IT DOES NOT ALLOW YOU TO PUSH IT OR PUT IT INTO NEUTRAL IN ANY FASHION. THIS ALSO FORCED IT TO BE HARMFUL TO THE VEHICLE TO BE PUT ONTO THE TOW TRUCK BECAUSE ALL WHEELS WERE LOCKED UP.

NHTSA complaint #10980984 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 45,000 miles Cumberland, MD Crash 1 injured

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

I WAS REAR ENDED FROM A DEAD STOP BY A VEHICHLE AROUND 50 MPH AND MY AIRBAGS MALFUNCTIONED. I HAD SMOKE COMING FROM THE DASH BUT NO ACTUAL AIR BAG PROTECTED ME BY COMING OUT. THE SEAT BELTS ARE LOCKED UP AND NO LONGER WORK. THE CAR THEN FORCED ME TO LEAVE IT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD BECAUSE IT DOES NOT ALLOW YOU TO PUSH IT OR PUT IT INTO NEUTRAL IN ANY FASHION. THIS ALSO FORCED IT TO BE HARMFUL TO THE VEHICLE TO BE PUT ONTO THE TOW TRUCK BECAUSE ALL WHEELS WERE LOCKED UP.

NHTSA complaint #10980984 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Pleasanton, CA

AIR BAGS

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 BMW 335XI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS). 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 #10949142 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 5 miles Fairfax, VA

SERVICE BRAKES

EVERY SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR, NEW OFF THE LOT, THE BRAKES HAVE SQUEALED WHILE COMING TO A STOP OR SLOWING DOWN TO STOP. THE NOISE IS SUCH A HIGH PITCH THAT OTHER CARS LOOK AT ME LIKE NAILS ON A CHALK BOARD. I HAVE BROUGHT TO THE ATTENTION TO BMW SERVICE CENTER AT LEAST 6X WHILE THE CAR IS BEING SERVICED AND CONTACTED BMW USA, ONLY TO BE TOLD THAT IT IS NORMAL FOR THIS CAR TO MAKE THIS NOISE. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE, AT 22,000 MILES IT IS BEYOND ACCEPTABLE. ONE SERVICE CENTER CLEANED THE BRAKES, BUT ALL WILL NOT REPLACE ANY COMPONENTS, SUCH AS ROTORS OR BRAKE PADS. I GUARANTEE THAT IF THE CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY, I WOULD GET THEM REPAIRED FOR A SIZABLE COST. ANOTHER SERVICE CENTER, SAID THAT IF ENOUGH CUSTOMERS PRESENT THE PROBLEM TO BMW USA THEY MAY ISSUE A SERVICE BULLETIN TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM. TO ME THAT IS AN ADMISSION IF AN ISSUE. I HAVE EXHAUSTED ALL OUTLETS AND DECIDED TO FILE A FORMAL COMPLIANT HERE WITH NO EXPECTATIONS.

NHTSA complaint #10763354 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 15,000 miles Pittsburg, PA

SUSPENSION

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 BMW 335XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE COLLAPSED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DRIVE SLOW WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE CONTACT HAD STRUCK SOMETHING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000.

NHTSA complaint #10586583 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 2,993 miles Commerce City, CO

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

LOSS OF POWER, THE CAR WILL NOT REV PAST 3,000 RMP AND NO FAULT CODES SHOW ON DASH.

NHTSA complaint #10553052 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 4,500 miles Tarentaise, CA

WHEELS

NEW CAR (2MONTHS), BMW335XI (EXCELLENT), DELIVERED BY BMW FRANCE WITH 4 RUNFLAT 18' 225/45 GOODYEAR (IN FRANCE THE CLIENT CANNOT CHOOSE THE TRADE MARK OF THE TYRES DURING ORDERING). AFTER ONLY 4500 KMS, BUBBLES ON THE EXTERNAL WALL OF THE TYRES (ANTERIOR AND POSTERIOR RIGHT). ONE WEEK LATER (STRICT SPEED LIMITATION TO 80 KM/H), BUBBLE AND EXTERNAL INJURY ON THE EXTERNAL WALL OF THE LEFT ANTERIOR TYRE. NO SHOCK, NO WHOLE ON THE ROAD, NO IMPACT ON WHEELS BUT SPONTANEOUS BUBBLES. NO PERCEPTION WHEN DRIVING, NO SIGNAL OF DYSFUNCTION ON THE ELECTRONIC BOARD UNTIL THE LEFT TIRE RISE DOWN THE PRESSURE AND WAS DEFINITELY OUT OF ORDER. 3 OUT OF 4 TYRES OUT OF ORDER ON A NEW CAR (<2 MONTHS) AFTER ONLY 4500 KMS!!!! THIS IS THE REVERSE OF TECHNICAL PROGRESS. THIS IS A VERY SEVERE AND SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH SAFETY CONSEQUENCES THAT ENGAGE LIFE OF BMW CLIENTS. THIS CANOT BE ATTRIBUTED TO BMW BUT TO EITHER TYRE MANUFACTURER OR AGENCIES DVOTED TO TYRE HOMOLOGATIONS.

NHTSA complaint #10526458 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 4,500 miles Tarentaise, CA

TIRES

NEW CAR (2MONTHS), BMW335XI (EXCELLENT), DELIVERED BY BMW FRANCE WITH 4 RUNFLAT 18' 225/45 GOODYEAR (IN FRANCE THE CLIENT CANNOT CHOOSE THE TRADE MARK OF THE TYRES DURING ORDERING). AFTER ONLY 4500 KMS, BUBBLES ON THE EXTERNAL WALL OF THE TYRES (ANTERIOR AND POSTERIOR RIGHT). ONE WEEK LATER (STRICT SPEED LIMITATION TO 80 KM/H), BUBBLE AND EXTERNAL INJURY ON THE EXTERNAL WALL OF THE LEFT ANTERIOR TYRE. NO SHOCK, NO WHOLE ON THE ROAD, NO IMPACT ON WHEELS BUT SPONTANEOUS BUBBLES. NO PERCEPTION WHEN DRIVING, NO SIGNAL OF DYSFUNCTION ON THE ELECTRONIC BOARD UNTIL THE LEFT TIRE RISE DOWN THE PRESSURE AND WAS DEFINITELY OUT OF ORDER. 3 OUT OF 4 TYRES OUT OF ORDER ON A NEW CAR (<2 MONTHS) AFTER ONLY 4500 KMS!!!! THIS IS THE REVERSE OF TECHNICAL PROGRESS. THIS IS A VERY SEVERE AND SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH SAFETY CONSEQUENCES THAT ENGAGE LIFE OF BMW CLIENTS. THIS CANOT BE ATTRIBUTED TO BMW BUT TO EITHER TYRE MANUFACTURER OR AGENCIES DVOTED TO TYRE HOMOLOGATIONS.

NHTSA complaint #10526458 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 1,100 miles Centennial, CO

ENGINE

AUTO START STOP FAILURE ON AUTOMATIC TRANS VEHICLE. SECOND TIME THE ENGINE HAS STALLED AND DROPPED INTO NEUTRAL IN TRAFFIC WHILE THE AUTO START STOP FEATURE IS ACTIVE. RATHER THAN STARTING BACK UP AS NORMAL THE ENGINE THROWS AN ERROR CODE AND FORCES THE DRIVER TO MANUALLY TURN THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON AGAIN. BOTH INCIDENTS WERE AT A STOP LIGHT TURNING RED TO GREEN.

NHTSA complaint #10519705 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.