BMW 335I · model year

2012 BMW 335I

30 NHTSA complaints, 4 crash reports, and 3 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2012BMW335I carries 30 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 4 crashes, 0 fires, 3 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 5/5 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 335I is air bags with 14 filings, followed by engine (4) and seats (3). 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 3 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 335I. 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.

30
Complaints
4
Crashes
0
Fires
3
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

30 filings

Crashes Reported

4 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: 5/5

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
AIR BAGS14
ENGINE4
SEATS3
UNKNOWN OR OTHER3
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2
STEERING2
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS1
SERVICE BRAKES1

Recalls (3)

15V52000017/08/2015

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

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 vehicl

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,

14V17600010/04/2014

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

Recent Complaints

20240710ENGINE

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.

20240312SEATS

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.

20240312AIR 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 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.

20230920CrashSTEERING

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] ” and weighs [XXX]. I would have expected from his body weight alone the side airbag deploying. The car is totaled beyond repair. The car had no warnings or indicators regarding faulty airbags or steering issues. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

20230920CrashAIR BAGS

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] ” and weighs [XXX]. I would have expected from his body weight alone the side airbag deploying. The car is totaled beyond repair. The car had no warnings or indicators regarding faulty airbags or steering issues. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

20230920CrashSEATS

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] ” and weighs [XXX]. I would have expected from his body weight alone the side airbag deploying. The car is totaled beyond repair. The car had no warnings or indicators regarding faulty airbags or steering issues. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

20210521AIR 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.

20190304ELECTRICAL 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.

Mileage: 81,000

20171218UNKNOWN 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.

Mileage: 60,000

20171130AIR 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.

20171105UNKNOWN OR OTHER

DOOR LOCK ON DRIVER SIDE WILL NOT RELEASE. THE LOCKING PIN GOES UP AND DOWN, BUT THE DOOR LOCK WILL NOT RELEASE AS IT IS SUPPOSED TO UNLESS THE UNLOCK BUTTON IS PRESSED. IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY, THE DRIVER CANNOT GET OUT BY SIMPLY PULLING THE DOOR HANDLE.

Mileage: 61,000

20171023AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BMW 335I. 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. BRAMAN MOTORCARS IN WEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDA WAS MADE AWARE OF THE RECALL AND STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE DEALER ORIGINALLY STATED THAT THE PARTS WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE IN LATE AUGUST OR EARLY SEPTEMBER OF 2017. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

20170727AIR BAGS

AIRBAG RECALL HAS BEEN IN PLACE FOR 17 MONTHS AND NO RESOLUTION. APPARENTLY IT CAN CAUSE INJURY OR DEATH IF I AM IN AN ACCIDENT - AND STILL NO RESOLUTION FOR MY CAR TO ADDRESS THE RECALL FROM BMW.

20170428AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BMW 335I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS); 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 STATED THAT THE PARTS WOULD NOT BE AVAILABLE UNTIL 1-2 WEEKS. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

20170329AIR BAGS

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BMW 335I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART FOR THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

20170313AIR BAGS

THE AIRBAG SENSOR IN THE PASSENGER SEAT HAS MALFUNCTIONED AND CANNOT READ WHETHER OR NOT A PERSON IS SITTING IN THE SEAT. IN TURN THE AIRBAG IS OFF DUE TO THE CARS ECU. BMW DEALERSHIP IN BELLEVUE HAS REPEATEDLY TOLD ME THAT THE ONLY WAY TO REMEDY THE SITUATION IS TO BUY A NEW SEAT AT MY OWN EXPENSE. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE ALONG WITH MY TAKATA AIRBAG THAT I HAVE YET TO RECEIVE ANY SORT OF NOTICE FOR REPAIR OR EVEN THAT I FALL UNDER THE RECALL.

Mileage: 53,000

20170313SEATS

THE AIRBAG SENSOR IN THE PASSENGER SEAT HAS MALFUNCTIONED AND CANNOT READ WHETHER OR NOT A PERSON IS SITTING IN THE SEAT. IN TURN THE AIRBAG IS OFF DUE TO THE CARS ECU. BMW DEALERSHIP IN BELLEVUE HAS REPEATEDLY TOLD ME THAT THE ONLY WAY TO REMEDY THE SITUATION IS TO BUY A NEW SEAT AT MY OWN EXPENSE. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE ALONG WITH MY TAKATA AIRBAG THAT I HAVE YET TO RECEIVE ANY SORT OF NOTICE FOR REPAIR OR EVEN THAT I FALL UNDER THE RECALL.

Mileage: 53,000

20170313UNKNOWN OR OTHER

THE AIRBAG SENSOR IN THE PASSENGER SEAT HAS MALFUNCTIONED AND CANNOT READ WHETHER OR NOT A PERSON IS SITTING IN THE SEAT. IN TURN THE AIRBAG IS OFF DUE TO THE CARS ECU. BMW DEALERSHIP IN BELLEVUE HAS REPEATEDLY TOLD ME THAT THE ONLY WAY TO REMEDY THE SITUATION IS TO BUY A NEW SEAT AT MY OWN EXPENSE. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE ALONG WITH MY TAKATA AIRBAG THAT I HAVE YET TO RECEIVE ANY SORT OF NOTICE FOR REPAIR OR EVEN THAT I FALL UNDER THE RECALL.

Mileage: 53,000

20161229AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BMW 335I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT....UPDATED 03/08/17 *BF UPDATED 8/16/2017 *JS

20161115AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BMW 335I. 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. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

Compare 2012BMW335I to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2012 BMW 335I have?
The 2012 BMW 335I has 30 NHTSA complaints, 4 crashes, 0 fires, 3 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2012 BMW 335I?
The 2012 BMW 335I 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 5/5.
Are there any recalls for the 2012 BMW 335I?
Yes, the 2012 BMW 335I has 3 recall(s). The most common affected component is EXTERIOR LIGHTING. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2012 BMW 335I?
The most-complained component for the 2012 BMW 335I is AIR BAGS with 14 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ENGINE and SEATS.
Is the 2012 BMW 335I 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 2012 BMW 335I 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.