Total Complaints
35 filings
BMW 135I · model year
35 NHTSA complaints, and 6 active recalls for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2012BMW135I carries 35 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. For crash performance, NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gave this cohort an overall Not Rated/5 rating, with Not Rated/5 front crash, Not Rated/5 side crash, and Not Rated/5 rollover scores derived from standardized barrier and dynamic tests.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2012 135I is engine with 10 filings, followed by power train (6) and fuel/propulsion system (5). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 6 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.
NHTSA currently has 34 investigation files overlapping the 2012 135I. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
Total Complaints
35 filings
Crashes Reported
0 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| ENGINE | 10 |
| POWER TRAIN | 6 |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 5 |
| AIR BAGS | 4 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 3 |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 1 |
| ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) | 1 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 1 |
| AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION | 1 |
| SEATS | 1 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 1 |
| SUSPENSION | 1 |
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
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,
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
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 xD
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
BMW is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 1-Series coupes and convertibles manufactured December 2007 through September 2011; and 2007-2011 3-Series coupes and convertibles manufactured March 2007 through October 2011; 2007-2011 3-Series sedans manufactured March 2007 through October 2011; 2007-
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2012 BMW 128i, 135i, 135is Coupes and 128i, 135i Convertible vehicles. The wiring and electrical connectors in the blower-regulator wiring harness may overheat.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2008-2013 128i and 135i coupes and convertibles and 1 Series M coupes, 2006-2011 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive Sedans, 2009-2011 335d sedans, 2006-2012 325xiT, 328i and 328xi sports wagons,
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:CONSTANT VELOCITY JOINT
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2011-2012 135i Coupe, 1 Series M Coupe and 135i Convertible vehicles, 2011 Z4 sDrive 35i, 335i, 335d, 335i Coupe, 335is Coupe, 335i Convertible, 335is Convertible, 535i, 535i xDrive, 535i Gran Turismo and 550i xDrive Gran Turismo vehicles and 2012
Continuing coolant problems, engine shut off going down the hwy bc overheated////engine not secure-moves around literally/////camshaft timing position sensor code. On Dec 24th I purchased a 2012 BMW 135i convertible from Alboet Motor Sports on Pass Rd in Gulfport, MS. Before I went I specifically asked if the car had any mechanical or cosmetic damage and [XXX] lied and said nothing was wrong. After signing all documents she started pretending to look for the title. She promised i would get it in a week or so in the mail. The car had a ruined engine and radiator, missing front air intake ducts completely, who knows what else. They only paid 2700 bc it states stationary with mechanical damage from auction. I paid the $10,700 in cash they charged me. I'm sick to death just thinking about it. She will not repair, refund or anything like that. She finally today sent a pic of a title to the car and its got a man in Mobile, AL name on it. I don't think she ever even tried to get it and do
VEHICLE STALLS WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOPPED POSITION. SEVERAL TIME, WHILE STOPPED AT AN INTERSECTION WITH CROSSING TRAFFIC, I ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE THROUGH THE INTERSECTION BUT THE CAR FAILED TO ACCELERATE. I TRIED SHIFTING FROM AUTO TO MANUAL BUT THE CAR STILL FAILED TO ACCELERATE FOR AT LEAST 5 SECONDS AT WHICH TIME IT JOLTED FORWARD. THE ISSUE STARTED AT AROUND THE 50K MILE MARK 3 YEARS AGO AND CONTINUES STILL TODAY (~90K MILES). I AM NOT SEEING MY VEHICLE LISTED UNDER RECALLS RELATED TO LOSS OF ELECTRICAL POWER/STALLING FROM 2/7/2013 AND HAVE NOT HAD ANY RECALL NOTIFICATIONS RELATED TO MY CAR SINCE 2017. I HAVE BEEN ATTEMPTING TO RESOLVE A CONSTANT PROBLEM WITH CRACKING SOUNDS FROM FRONT SUSPENSION WHEN TURNING. TO DATE, I HAVE HAD THE ENTIRE FRONT SUSPENSION REBUILT INCLUDING; CONTROL ARM ASSY, SWAY BAR ASSY, BEARING, STRUTS, AND U-JOINTS. I AM STILL EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM, ESPECIALLY DURING COLDER WEATHER DAYS. NOW I AM LEARNING THAT THERE IS A RECALL FROM 8/1/20
Mileage: 55,000
VEHICLE STALLS WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOPPED POSITION. SEVERAL TIME, WHILE STOPPED AT AN INTERSECTION WITH CROSSING TRAFFIC, I ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE THROUGH THE INTERSECTION BUT THE CAR FAILED TO ACCELERATE. I TRIED SHIFTING FROM AUTO TO MANUAL BUT THE CAR STILL FAILED TO ACCELERATE FOR AT LEAST 5 SECONDS AT WHICH TIME IT JOLTED FORWARD. THE ISSUE STARTED AT AROUND THE 50K MILE MARK 3 YEARS AGO AND CONTINUES STILL TODAY (~90K MILES). I AM NOT SEEING MY VEHICLE LISTED UNDER RECALLS RELATED TO LOSS OF ELECTRICAL POWER/STALLING FROM 2/7/2013 AND HAVE NOT HAD ANY RECALL NOTIFICATIONS RELATED TO MY CAR SINCE 2017. I HAVE BEEN ATTEMPTING TO RESOLVE A CONSTANT PROBLEM WITH CRACKING SOUNDS FROM FRONT SUSPENSION WHEN TURNING. TO DATE, I HAVE HAD THE ENTIRE FRONT SUSPENSION REBUILT INCLUDING; CONTROL ARM ASSY, SWAY BAR ASSY, BEARING, STRUTS, AND U-JOINTS. I AM STILL EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM, ESPECIALLY DURING COLDER WEATHER DAYS. NOW I AM LEARNING THAT THERE IS A RECALL FROM 8/1/20
Mileage: 55,000
VEHICLE STALLS WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOPPED POSITION. SEVERAL TIME, WHILE STOPPED AT AN INTERSECTION WITH CROSSING TRAFFIC, I ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE THROUGH THE INTERSECTION BUT THE CAR FAILED TO ACCELERATE. I TRIED SHIFTING FROM AUTO TO MANUAL BUT THE CAR STILL FAILED TO ACCELERATE FOR AT LEAST 5 SECONDS AT WHICH TIME IT JOLTED FORWARD. THE ISSUE STARTED AT AROUND THE 50K MILE MARK 3 YEARS AGO AND CONTINUES STILL TODAY (~90K MILES). I AM NOT SEEING MY VEHICLE LISTED UNDER RECALLS RELATED TO LOSS OF ELECTRICAL POWER/STALLING FROM 2/7/2013 AND HAVE NOT HAD ANY RECALL NOTIFICATIONS RELATED TO MY CAR SINCE 2017. I HAVE BEEN ATTEMPTING TO RESOLVE A CONSTANT PROBLEM WITH CRACKING SOUNDS FROM FRONT SUSPENSION WHEN TURNING. TO DATE, I HAVE HAD THE ENTIRE FRONT SUSPENSION REBUILT INCLUDING; CONTROL ARM ASSY, SWAY BAR ASSY, BEARING, STRUTS, AND U-JOINTS. I AM STILL EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM, ESPECIALLY DURING COLDER WEATHER DAYS. NOW I AM LEARNING THAT THERE IS A RECALL FROM 8/1/20
Mileage: 55,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BMW 135I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THEIR WIFE WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE THE POWER STEERING CEASED WITH AN UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CONTACTED A CERTIFIED MECHANIC WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V044000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND A CASE WAS FILED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000. *LN *TR
Mileage: 50,000
WHEN I HAD FEWER THAN 50K MILES, MY THERMOSTAT BROKE SUDDENLY WHILE I WAS DRIVING. I HAD NO PREVIOUS ISSUES OR WARNING LIGHTS. SINCE THAT REPAIR, I HAVE HAD 2 COOLANT LEAKS, AND ONE RELATED PIPE CRACK. THIS WEEK, I HAD AIR IN MY COOLANT SYSTEM AND HAD TO HAVE IT DRAINED. THESE ALL APPEAR TO BE RELATED.
Mileage: 50,000
VEHICLE STALLS WHEN MORE THAN 1/8 THROTTLE IS APPLIED, VEHICLE HAS DIFFICULTY STARTING. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON WHEN APPLYING SMALL THROTTLE INPUTS. THE 4 PREVIOUS YEARS OF THIS VEHICLE MAKE AND MODEL, THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP HAS HAD A KNOWN PROBLEM WHICH RESULTED IN A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT THAT ADJUSTED THE WARRANTY PERIOD FOR THE FOUR PREVIOUS MODEL YEARS UP TO 120K MILES. BMW MADE SLIGHT CHANGES TO THE ENGINE FOR THE NEXT MODEL YEARS, BUT LEFT THE EXACT SAME PART THAT RESULTED IN THE ORIGINAL LAWSUIT SETTLEMENT. THAT PART IS THE POINT THAT FAILED ON MY VEHICLE. SHOULD THE WARRANTY EXTENSION THEY AGREED TO IN THE SETTLEMENT APPLY TO ALL MAKES AND MODELS BMW MADE WITH THE SAME DEFECTIVE PART? THIS PROBLEM CAUSED MY WIFE TO BE STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FREEWAY AND HAD TO BE TOWED OUT OF THE LANES OF TRAFFIC.
Mileage: 65,000
VEHICLE ALMOST STALLS WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP. VEHICLE WILL ALSO SURGE FORWARD WHEN VEHICLE COMES TO A STOP. BOTH ISSUES ARE WORSENED WHEN THE TEMPERATURE IS WARM OUTSIDE AND THE AIR CONDITIONING IS ON. HAVE TAKEN VEHICLE TO THE BMW DEALER SEVERAL TIMES TO CORRECT, BUT THEY NEVER FIND ANYTHING WRONG.
Mileage: 56,000
VEHICLE ALMOST STALLS WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP. VEHICLE WILL ALSO SURGE FORWARD WHEN VEHICLE COMES TO A STOP. BOTH ISSUES ARE WORSENED WHEN THE TEMPERATURE IS WARM OUTSIDE AND THE AIR CONDITIONING IS ON. HAVE TAKEN VEHICLE TO THE BMW DEALER SEVERAL TIMES TO CORRECT, BUT THEY NEVER FIND ANYTHING WRONG.
Mileage: 56,000
******* DELETE VOQ ******* THIS COMPLAINT IS BEING MARKED FOR DELETION BECAUSE IT IS REQUESTED BY THE CONSUMER THAT THEY WISH TO HAVE IT REMOVED*DJR ******* DELETE VOQ *******
Mileage: 50,700
******* DELETE VOQ ******* THIS COMPLAINT IS BEING MARKED FOR DELETION BECAUSE IT IS REQUESTED BY THE CONSUMER THAT THEY WISH TO HAVE IT REMOVED*DJR ******* DELETE VOQ *******
Mileage: 50,700
******* DELETE VOQ ******* THIS COMPLAINT IS BEING MARKED FOR DELETION BECAUSE IT IS REQUESTED BY THE CONSUMER THAT THEY WISH TO HAVE IT REMOVED*DJR ******* DELETE VOQ *******
Mileage: 50,700
I WAS STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT SO WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN FOR THE LEFT TURN I TURNED ONTO THE MIDDLE LANE OF A 6 LANE HIGHWAY AND STARTED TO ACCELERATE WHEN SUDDENLY THERE WAS A VIBRATION AND THE SUSPENSION LIGHT CAME ON SO I SLOWED DOWN AND MOVED TO THE FAR RIGHT LANE WHERE I NOTICED I HAD NO ACCELERATION. I LIMPED INTO A PARKING LOT AND THE CAR SEEMED TO BE VIBRATING AND RUNNING ROUGH SO I SHUT IT DOWN AND WALKED HOME. AFTER TOWING IT TO BMW OF DAYTONA I GOT THE NEWS THAT I BLEW A CHARGE PIPE. THEY SAID THE CHARGE PIPE IS MADE OF PLASTIC AND GOT BRITTLE OVER TIME AND BLEW OFF THE THROTTLE BODY. I FOUND NUMEROUS REMARKS OF OTHERS THAT HAD THAT PROBLEM WHEN I GOOGLED IT. MANY OF THEM STATED THEY HAD IT REPLACED WITH AN ALUMINUM CHARGE PIPE SO I CALLED BMW BACK AND ASK THEM WHAT THEY WERE REPLACING IT WITH PLASTIC OR ALUMINUM. THEY STATED THAT IT WAS THE SAME PLASTIC PART I HAD ON THE CAR IN THE FIRST PLACE. SO I SAID GREAT THEN WE CAN EXPECT IT TO HAPPEN AGAIN. MANY COMM
Mileage: 44,000
VEHICLE EXHIBITS AN INTERMITTENT HESITATION (LIKE A STALL) WHERE THERE IS AN APPARENT TOTAL LOSS OF POWER AT LOW SPEEDS (COASTING) OR FROM STOPPED. ON SEVERAL INSTANCES THIS HAS HAPPENED WHILE IN A LEFT TURN LANE WITH ONCOMING TRAFFIC AND CREATES A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD. THE VEHICLE MORE FREQUENTLY, BUT NOT ALWAYS SURGES IN RMP WITHOUT THROTTLE INPUT WHEN COMING TO A STOP. IN MANY INSTANCES, THE VEHICLE LURCHES FORWARD AND EXTRA BRAKING IS REQUIRED. THIS HAS RESULTED IN NEAR MISS, REAR END, ASSURED CLEAR DISTANCE ISSUES. THESE TWO PROBLEMS OCCUR DURING CITY/RESIDENTIAL DRIVING INCLUDING AT SLOW SPEEDS THROUGH SCHOOL ZONES (A MAJOR CONCERN). I PURCHASED THIS CAR USED, BUT WITH LOW MILEAGE AND ENCOUNTERED THESE ISSUES ON THE DAY OF DELIVERY. DEALER REPROGRAMMED AN ENGINE CONTROL MODULE ACCORDING TO A BMW SAFETY BULLETIN WHICH I FOUND ONLINE. THE DRIVE HOME WAS NOTICEABLY IMPROVED, HOWEVER THE CONDITIONS RETURNED SHORTLY THERE AFTER AND PERSIST TO THIS DAY.
Mileage: 40,000
VEHICLE EXHIBITS AN INTERMITTENT HESITATION (LIKE A STALL) WHERE THERE IS AN APPARENT TOTAL LOSS OF POWER AT LOW SPEEDS (COASTING) OR FROM STOPPED. ON SEVERAL INSTANCES THIS HAS HAPPENED WHILE IN A LEFT TURN LANE WITH ONCOMING TRAFFIC AND CREATES A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD. THE VEHICLE MORE FREQUENTLY, BUT NOT ALWAYS SURGES IN RMP WITHOUT THROTTLE INPUT WHEN COMING TO A STOP. IN MANY INSTANCES, THE VEHICLE LURCHES FORWARD AND EXTRA BRAKING IS REQUIRED. THIS HAS RESULTED IN NEAR MISS, REAR END, ASSURED CLEAR DISTANCE ISSUES. THESE TWO PROBLEMS OCCUR DURING CITY/RESIDENTIAL DRIVING INCLUDING AT SLOW SPEEDS THROUGH SCHOOL ZONES (A MAJOR CONCERN). I PURCHASED THIS CAR USED, BUT WITH LOW MILEAGE AND ENCOUNTERED THESE ISSUES ON THE DAY OF DELIVERY. DEALER REPROGRAMMED AN ENGINE CONTROL MODULE ACCORDING TO A BMW SAFETY BULLETIN WHICH I FOUND ONLINE. THE DRIVE HOME WAS NOTICEABLY IMPROVED, HOWEVER THE CONDITIONS RETURNED SHORTLY THERE AFTER AND PERSIST TO THIS DAY.
Mileage: 40,000
PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR IS HAVING ERRORS. SHOWING A PASSENGER WHEN NONE IS PRESENT AND ALSO SHOWING NO PASSENGER WHEN THERE IS ONE IN THE SEAT. THIS IS A PRETTY MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE.
Mileage: 75,000
PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR IS HAVING ERRORS. SHOWING A PASSENGER WHEN NONE IS PRESENT AND ALSO SHOWING NO PASSENGER WHEN THERE IS ONE IN THE SEAT. THIS IS A PRETTY MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE.
Mileage: 75,000
PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR IS HAVING ERRORS. SHOWING A PASSENGER WHEN NONE IS PRESENT AND ALSO SHOWING NO PASSENGER WHEN THERE IS ONE IN THE SEAT. THIS IS A PRETTY MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE.
Mileage: 75,000
REFERENCE: HTTP://WWW.1ADDICTS.COM/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=1263580 BMW 135I DCT TRANSMISSION OIL PAN/GASKET STARTED LEAKING DUE TO THE CONSTANT HOT TEMPERATURE FROM THE EXHAUST CAUSING PART TO DEFORM. LEAK WAS NOT DETECTABLE UNTIL TRANSMISSION FAILS, CAUSING CAR TO BE STRANDED.
Mileage: 52,000
REFERENCE: HTTP://WWW.1ADDICTS.COM/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=1263580 BMW 135I DCT TRANSMISSION OIL PAN/GASKET STARTED LEAKING DUE TO THE CONSTANT HOT TEMPERATURE FROM THE EXHAUST CAUSING PART TO DEFORM. LEAK WAS NOT DETECTABLE UNTIL TRANSMISSION FAILS, CAUSING CAR TO BE STRANDED.
Mileage: 52,000
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.