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2011 BMW 135I engine problems

11 complaints (41% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 30,000. 1 crash reported.

owner complaints
11
of this car's complaints
41%
typical mileage
30,000
crashes
1
recalls
1

Which part fails

Owners did not name a specific part.

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

BMW 135I engine problems in other years

20082009201120122013

Related recalls

Engine and engine cooling: engineReported April 10, 2014 · 156,137 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Remedy
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 number 14V176000 · Recall details

What 2011 BMW 135I owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Sep 26, 2024 · Engine · NC

BMW Series 135I2011 - Engine/Vanos bolts failed/failing! When it's started, you can total tell there is an issue with it...Car is basically NON-Drivable due to this condition due to safety concerns! The vin is not being covered by the recall due to but this is a SERIOUS issue! This needs to be covered by BMW! We've taken it to the mechanic who said this needs to be towed to the dealership due to the recall and because of the specific issue but once at the dealership, where it's sitting now, they are saying due to vin not popping up, they can't cover it as well as BMW's customer service line but this is SERIOUS and needs to be covered!

Filed Jan 20, 2024 · Engine · NM

the vanos bolts failed.

Filed Feb 23, 2022 · Engine · TN

Sudden catastrophic engine shutdown After 3weeks of investigation came back as bad crank posisition sensor

Filed Apr 16, 2020 · Engine · 88,000 miles · MI

Rod bearings failure which could cause engine seizing while driving.

Filed Jan 14, 2020 · Engine · 56,300 miles · HI

Vehicle hesitates when pressing the accelerator when passing vehicles or merging into traffic on the highway nearly causing collision with other vehicles. Check engine light comes on when when vehicle is accelerating 99% of the time. When vehicle is stopped vehicle will try to surge forward. Extremely dangerous vehicle. Shame on bmw for not recalling allof these models!

Filed Jun 26, 2018 · Airbags, Engine · NC

Water pump and much more

Filed Oct 19, 2015 · Engine · 90,000 miles · NC

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 bmw 135i. While driving 60 MPH, the vehicle overheated and lost power. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that there was a water pump failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 90,000.

Filed Mar 22, 2015 · Engine, Transmission · 30,000 miles · TX

Vehicle will "jolt" forward. This issue has happened to me over 100 times. The issue is best described like this. I will drive through a fast food drive-thru line and there will be 1 other vehicle in front of me. I will pull up and brake to a complete stop to order. The other vehicle is at the restaurant window paying so that car is only about 20 feet in front of me. Since the gap between me and the other car are so close I will not give my vehicle any gas, I will only lift my foot off the brake and move forward at idle speeds. Once I reach the vehicle in front of me, I proceed with pressing the brake (usually "pulsing" the brake pedal to scoot forward safely once I'm very close). At that point my vehicle will jolt forward as if I pressed the gas pedal all the way in and out quickly. Since my foot is on the brake "scooting" safely, my vehicle does not have a chance to really move. This drive-thru example has happened countless times. I've also been pulling into a parking space with a side walk in front of it. When pulling into the space with my foot on the brake and moving at idle speeds my vehicle tried to jump forward and someone happened to be walking by and thought I was going to hit them in my car.I've had the issue happen in reverse gear as well. This problem is consistent on bmw forums such as www.bimmerpost,com and www.1seriesonline.com and I've talked with bmw dealerships and they have no fix for it and claim there is nothing wrong with my vehicle. The problem feels to be a fault in the dct transmission. When my vehicle jolts forward, it almost seems like its trying to shift up and then shift down quickly causing it to jolt forward. The problem worsens if I have my A/C on at all.

Filed Apr 1, 2013 · Engine · 5,000 miles · FL · crash · 1 injury

The vehicle hesitated when the light turned green and I was hit in the rear. Starting to believe this is what cause the accident and still the dealership can't fix it and lies about what they are doing and I'm really close to the lemon law I think. Bmw n america customer service won't let me pass anyone other than the call center. Don't know where to go from here. Also I have asked for a factory representative 3 times and they will not comply. The dealership only fixes things I never asked them to fix and can't fix what wrong. The rear window defroster also still does not work.

Filed Feb 10, 2013 · Acceleration, Engine · 100 miles · FL

Crossing the street---I had the gas peddle all the way to the floor (twice yesterday) and the car literally did not move and traffic was approaching. The car eventually moved forward. Problem---hesitation in the engine when applying the gas as I pull out to cross the intersection, slow down to make a turn, or just try to move forward with traffic after stopping. Also, as I applied the brake, when approaching a stop light, the car surges forward toward the car in front of me. These two characteristics happen frequently and are very scary. I do not trust the cars response to either the acceleration or the braking. It has been in the repair shop several times and I continue to be told "car is performing normally". This cannot possibly be correct.

Questions about the 2011 BMW 135I engine

Does the 2011 BMW 135I have engine problems?

Owners have filed 11 complaints about the engine of the 2011 BMW 135I, 41% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.

At what mileage do 2011 BMW 135I engine problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 30,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2011 BMW 135I engine?

Yes, 1 recall: 14V176000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the BMW 135I have bad engine?

The BMW 135I model years with the most engine complaints are 2011 (11 complaints) and 2012 (10 complaints).

Other 2011 BMW 135I problems

Electrical 7Airbags 6Fuel system 4Transmission 4Acceleration 1Lights 1

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