Model year record

2012 BMW 335i recalls & problems

The 2012 BMW 335i has 3 safety recalls and 23 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is air bags (15 complaints).

Recalls3safety recalls

Complaints23filed by owners

Crashes · fires3 · 0reported in complaints

NHTSA overall5 ★crash-test stars

Safety recalls

Air bagsJan 15, 2020

Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module

Recall 20V01700059,965 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: 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.
Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver air bag. On X5 and X6 vehicles, only the inflator will be replaced. All repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began March 11, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Exterior lightingAug 17, 2015

Exterior lighting

Recall 15V5200007,727 vehicles

Problem: BMW North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2012-2015 320i, 320xi, 328i, 328xi, 335i, 335xi, and ActiveHybrid3 vehicles manufactured October 20, 2011, to June 22, 2015, 2014-2015 328xi Sports Wagon vehicles manufactured March 21, 2013, to March 17, 2015, 2014-2015 328d, 328xd vehicles manufactured June 28, 2013, to April 21, 2015, and 2014-2015 328xd Sports Wagon vehicles manufactured July 5, 2013, to April 21, 2015. The affected vehicles may have been programmed with new software that inadvertently makes the front side marker lights inoperative in conjunction with the parking lights or the headlights. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Risk: If the side marker lights do not illuminate, the vehicle may be less visible at night, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will upload revised software to correct the issue, free of charge. The recall began on October 7, 2015. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or by email at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.

Engine and engine coolingApr 10, 2014

Engine

Recall 14V176000156,137 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the four VANOS housing bolts for both VANOS units (intake and exhaust), free of charge. In addition, owners of approximately 170,172 model year 2010-2012 BMW vehicles equipped with inline 6 cylinder engines not covered by this recall, will receive an extended warranty to address this condition. The recall began on September 24, 2014. Owners may contact BMW at 1-800-525-7417.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

2012 BMW 335 I C RWD

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	★★★★★
Rollover risk	9.3%

2012 BMW 335 I 2 DR RWD

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	★★★★★
Rollover risk	9.3%

2012 BMW 335 I 4 DR RWD

Overall★★★★★

Frontal crash	★★★★★
Side crash	★★★★★
Rollover	★★★★★
Rollover risk	9.5%

2012 BMW 335 I Xdrive 2 DR AWD

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	★★★★★
Rollover risk	9.3%

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

335i

26mpg combined

City / highway	23 / 32 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (S8) · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,150/year to fuel

335i

23mpg combined

City / highway	20 / 29 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

3 L · 6 cyl · Manual 6-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,550/year to fuel

335i Coupe

22mpg combined

City / highway	18 / 27 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (S6) · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,750/year to fuel

335i Coupe

22mpg combined

City / highway	19 / 27 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

3 L · 6 cyl · Manual 6-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,750/year to fuel

335i Coupe xDrive

22mpg combined

City / highway	19 / 26 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

3 L · 6 cyl · Manual 6-spd · All-Wheel Drive · about $3,750/year to fuel

335i Coupe xDrive

21mpg combined

City / highway	18 / 26 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (S6) · All-Wheel Drive · about $3,900/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Air bags	15	2	2	—
Engine	4	1	0	39,460 mi
Steering	3	2	2	—
Seats	3	1	1	—
Unknown or other	3	0	0	60,000 mi
Electrical system	2	0	0	—
VisibilityPower window devices and controls	1	0	0	—
Service brakes	1	0	0	—
StructureBody	1	1	1	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Air bagsCrash1 injury
The BMW was involved in a head on collision and only the passenger side and steering wheel airbags deployed. There was no passenger in the car and the drivers side airbag failed to deploy.
Oct 26, 2026
Engine
on my car there is what is called the bowden cable that works to open and release the hood so that it can be opened. The problem with the design of the cable is that it sits right over a coolant hose leading to the engine. What happens is that the coolant hose gets very hot and the bowden cable that sits right over it melts along with the coolant hose. I just noticed this and felt it is a huge problem that could cause the coolant hose to either burst over time.
Jul 10, 2024
Seats
While driving with a passenger in front passenger seat, I occasionally receive a warning that there is a malfunction in passenger restraint system. At that time, the "pass airbag off" light goes on. I took the car to the dealer and was told it is likely a faulty passenger airbag seat occupancy sensor mat. The car is available for inspection. Our safety is potentially compromised because the passenger airbag may not go off in an accident.
Feb 3, 2024
SteeringCrash1 injury
The car Hydroplaned while driving on the interstate, spun out of control and slammed into a tree in the rear end. My son was going approximately 65 mph and upon impact no airbags deployed and the steering wheel was in his hands after impact. His seat broke and collapsed into a laying position. His head sustained a huge blow to the interior side of the car in addition to another head injury in the front, a fractured wrist and multiple bruises along with a sore neck & back. The insurance adjuster saw the car and could not believe the steering wheel came completely detached in addition to no airbags deployed. My son is [XXX] â and weighs [XXX]. I would have expected from his body weight…
Sep 17, 2023
Air bags
While driving with a passenger in front passenger seat, I occasionally receive a warning that there is a malfunction in passenger restraint system. At that time, the "pass airbag off" light goes on. I did take this to the dealer and was told it is likely a faulty passenger airbag seat occupancy sensor mat. The car is available for inspection Our safety is potentially compromised because the passenger airbag may not go off in an accident.
Apr 21, 2021
Electrical system
MY CAR WAS STATIONARY AND THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WOULD NOT RESPOND. THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES NOW. MY KEY FOB WOULD NOT OPEN THE DOORS, NO INSIDE ELECTRONICS ON, IGNITION SWITCH DID NOT RESPOND. THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON ISSUE REGARDING THE BATTERY CABLE CONNECTOR AND THE CORRESPONDING FUSE BOX TERMINAL DEGRADING OVER TIME. THIS COULD CAUSE THE CAR TO STALL AND LOSE POWER WHILE DRIVING, WHICH CAN RESULT IN A CRASH. I DRIVE ON THE HIGHWAY EACH DAY TO WORK AND A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER WOULD RESULT IN A SERIOUS INCIDENT.
Mar 4, 2019 · 81,000 miles
Unknown or other
DOOR LOCKS DO NOT UNLOCK ON BOTH THE FRONT DOORS. THEY ARE JAMMED. THE FAULT IS IS BECAUSE OF BAD DOOR LOCK ACTUATORS. UNLESS I PRESS THE UNLOCK BUTTON ON THE DASHBOARD MANUALLY, THEY DON'T UNLOCK THEY SOMETIME DON'T UNLOCK EVEN WHEN I PRESS THE UNLOCK BUTTON ON MY REMOTE. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AS IF SOMEONE IS IN A ACCIDENT, THE BATTERY GETS DISCONNECTED. THIS WILL PREVENT OCCUPANTS FROM OPENING THE DOORS. THIS IS HAPPENING ON MULTIPLE OF MY FRIENDS CARS AND BMW DOES NOT TREAT THIS AS SAFETY HAZARD.
Dec 1, 2017 · 60,000 miles
Air bags
TAKATA RECALL - I CALLED THE LOCAL DEALER ON 9-25-17 WHEN I RECEIVED THE SAFETY RECALL LETTER. AFTER 2 MONTHS THE PART IS STILL NOT AVAILABLE AND ON 11-30-17 I WAS TOLD THAT THE PART MAY BE AVAILABLE IN FEBRUARY 2018. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THIS AND DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING MY CAR. CAN YOU HELP ME TO GET THE PARTS MUCH SOONER THAN FEBRUARY OF NEXT YEAR? THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND CONSIDERATION.
Nov 30, 2017

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.