Total Complaints
16 filings
BMW 135I · model year
2013 BMW 135I
16 NHTSA complaints, and 2 active recalls for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2013BMW135I carries 16 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 1 fire, 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 2013 135I is air bags with 7 filings, followed by engine (2) and power train (2). 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 2 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 2013 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.
16
Complaints
0
Crashes
1
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
Crashes Reported
0 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Complaints vs. fleet median (215)
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
NHTSA NCAP overall: Not Rated/5 — Not rated
· Front: Not Rated/5
· Side: Not Rated/5
· Rollover: Not Rated/5
Complaints by Component
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| AIR BAGS | 7 |
| ENGINE | 2 |
| POWER TRAIN | 2 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 2 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 2 |
| STEERING | 1 |
Recalls (2)
20V01700015/01/2020
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,
16V07100005/02/2016
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,
Recent Complaints
20210712ENGINE
The contact owns a 2013 BMW 135i. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 40,000.
Mileage: 40,000
20210712POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2013 BMW 135i. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 40,000.
Mileage: 40,000
20180820VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH, AND AFTER GOING ABOUT 4-5 MILES, THE BELOW WARNING MESSAGES CAME ON.
Mileage: 26,106
20180820STEERING
DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH, AND AFTER GOING ABOUT 4-5 MILES, THE BELOW WARNING MESSAGES CAME ON.
Mileage: 26,106
20180820UNKNOWN OR OTHER
DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH, AND AFTER GOING ABOUT 4-5 MILES, THE BELOW WARNING MESSAGES CAME ON.
Mileage: 26,106
20180806FireUNKNOWN OR OTHER
VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN DRIVEWAY, BURST INTO FLAMES, TOTAL LOSS
Mileage: 21,652
20180731VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE, BUT I HAD ANOTHER CLOSE CALL TODAY SO I AM LOGGING A FORMAL COMPLAINT. THE VEHICLE HESITATES TO ACCELERATE AFTER PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL. IT OFTEN TAKES 2 TO 3 SECONDS FOR THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE. WHEN THE ACCELERATION FINALLY ENGAGES, IT TENDS TO BE HARD SINCE I OFTEN CONTINUE PRESSING THE PEDAL WHEN THE ACCELERATOR DOESN'T RESPOND. SO MY CHOICES ARE I EITHER GET HIT BY ONCOMING TRAFFIC OR SPIN OUT OF CONTROL AT AN INTERSECTION. THE ISSUE SEEMS TO OCCUR WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONER IS ON. THIS IS PARTICULARLY SCARY WHEN MAKING LEFT TURNS AT AN INTERSECTION. IF I HAVE SPACE TO MAKE THE TURN BECAUSE ONCOMING TRAFFIC IS FAR ENOUGH, THE VEHICLE WILL SIMPLY NOT MOVE AT ALL OR ROLL ACROSS THE INTERSECTION FOR A FEW SECONDS BEFORE ACTUALLY ACCELERATING. I'VE HAD A COUPLE OF CLOSE CALLS ALREADY. I HAD ALL THE SOFTWARE ON THE VEHICLE UPDATED AND NO ONE SEEMS TO KNOW WHAT CAUSES IT. DON'T KNOW IF TRUE, BUT I ALSO READ ON VARIOUS WEBSITES THAT BMW IS AWARE OF
Mileage: 29,000
20170927AIR BAGS
TAKATA RECALL I RECEIVED A LETTER SEPT 2017 FROM BMW STATING THE PARTS WERE AVAILABLE FOR REPLACEMENT. I CALL CENTER BMW FOR SERVICE BUT WAS NOTIFIED THE PARTS WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE FOR SOME TIME. I RECEIVED MY FIRST NOTIFICATION OF THE PROBLEM IN MARCH 2016. WHAT CAN I DO TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM? (THIS IS A SECOND COMPLAINT. THE FIRST COMPLAINT NUMBER IS 11015212)
20170814AIR BAGS
TAKATA RECALL IN MARCH 2016 I RECEIVED A LETTER INFORMING ME OF A DEFECTIVE FRONT AIR BAG. THE LETTER MENTIONED THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE BUT I WOULD BE NOTIFIED WHEN THEY WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. I HAVE HAD MY VEHICLE SERVICED SEVERAL TIME SINCE. THE LAST WAS JUNE 26, 2017. EACH TIME I AM INFORMED THE PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE. I UNDERSTAND THE SAFETY RISK OF THIS RECALL COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. I AM DEEPLY CONCERNED. ITS BEEN OVER A YEAR. WHAT SHOULD I DO?
20170707AIR BAGS
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 BMW 135I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, 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 LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT PARTS WOULD BE AVAILABLE IN JUNE OF 2017, YET THE CONTACT WAS STILL AWAITING PARTS. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
20161011AIR BAGS
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 BMW 135I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
20160912AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 (NA) BMW 135I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED WAS UNAVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
20160617AIR BAGS
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 BMW 135I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, 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.
20160613AIR BAGS
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 BMW 135I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, 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 NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
20140420ENGINE
2013 135I COUPE WITH DUAL CLUTCH. CAR WILL TAKE ABOUT 2-3 SECONDS TO ACCELERATE WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A ROLLING STOP. I HAVE ALMOST GOTTEN INTO 3 ACCIDENTS AT INTERSECTIONS BECAUSE OF THIS. I'LL PRESS THE ACCELERATOR WHEN THERE IS SPACE FOR ME TO GO MAKING A LEFT AT A LIGHT AND BY THE TIME THE CAR REACTS 3 SECONDS LATER IT IS VERY DANGEROUS. ONE OF THE TIMES MY CAR POPPED INTO NEUTRAL BY ITSELF AS I WAS MAKING A LEFT AT A LIGHT AND I STAYED STUCK AT THE INTERSECTION FOR 5 SECONDS AFTER THE LIGHT TURNED RED ALREADY. ALSO, CAR CLUNKS AND JERKS FORWARD WHEN COMING TO A STOP. CAR WILL MOVE A FEW INCHES FORWARD AND I'M SCARED I AM GOING TO HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. ALL OF THESE ISSUES ONLY OCCUR WITH THE AIR CONDITIONING ON. *TR
Mileage: 15,000
20140420POWER TRAIN
2013 135I COUPE WITH DUAL CLUTCH. CAR WILL TAKE ABOUT 2-3 SECONDS TO ACCELERATE WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A ROLLING STOP. I HAVE ALMOST GOTTEN INTO 3 ACCIDENTS AT INTERSECTIONS BECAUSE OF THIS. I'LL PRESS THE ACCELERATOR WHEN THERE IS SPACE FOR ME TO GO MAKING A LEFT AT A LIGHT AND BY THE TIME THE CAR REACTS 3 SECONDS LATER IT IS VERY DANGEROUS. ONE OF THE TIMES MY CAR POPPED INTO NEUTRAL BY ITSELF AS I WAS MAKING A LEFT AT A LIGHT AND I STAYED STUCK AT THE INTERSECTION FOR 5 SECONDS AFTER THE LIGHT TURNED RED ALREADY. ALSO, CAR CLUNKS AND JERKS FORWARD WHEN COMING TO A STOP. CAR WILL MOVE A FEW INCHES FORWARD AND I'M SCARED I AM GOING TO HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. ALL OF THESE ISSUES ONLY OCCUR WITH THE AIR CONDITIONING ON. *TR
Mileage: 15,000
Compare 2013BMW135I to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 2013 BMW 135I have?▼
The 2013 BMW 135I has 16 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2013 BMW 135I?▼
The 2013 BMW 135I received an overall NHTSA safety rating of Not Rated/5, front crash rating of Not Rated/5, side crash rating of Not Rated/5, and rollover rating of Not Rated/5.
Are there any recalls for the 2013 BMW 135I?▼
Yes, the 2013 BMW 135I has 2 recall(s). The most common affected component is AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2013 BMW 135I?▼
The most-complained component for the 2013 BMW 135I is AIR BAGS with 7 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ENGINE and POWER TRAIN.
Is the 2013 BMW 135I safe to buy?▼
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. The 2013 BMW 135I has an NHTSA safety rating of Not Rated/5. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?▼
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.
Vehicle Safety Guides
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.