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BMW 135I hesitation problems

10 of the 154 owner complaints about the BMW 135I describe hesitation when accelerating, most of them for the 2011 model year.

owner complaints
10
worst model year
2011
typical mileage
29,000
Is there a fix? There is 1 recall for this area of the car. See below

By model year

  • 2013
    1
  • 2012
    3
  • 2011
    5
  • 2008
    1

What owners say

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 Feb 5, 2019 · Fuel system · 110,000 miles · MA

I have been having misfires. First cylinder 3&5. Changed all plugs and coil packs. Ran well for a couple days. Then boom. Misfires again. Long cold start cranks. I can bring the rpms all the way up to redline as long as I don't step on the throttle more than 25%. As son as I go to put so throttle into it. It's hesitates/stutters. Then service engine soon and cel light come one. The high pressure fuel pump is the culprit. Same type of problems I had on my n54 motor. I thought bmw fixed this issue. Guess they need a recall on these as well.

Filed Jul 31, 2018 · Acceleration · 29,000 miles · FL

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 this issue but does not intend to do anything about it. I guess there haven't been any fatalities yet. I hope I am not the first one.

Filed Jul 11, 2018 · Engine, Transmission · 40,000 miles · OH

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.

Filed Jun 13, 2014 · Engine, Fuel system · 33,000 miles · CO

I have brought my car into schomp bmw twice for this issue, the latest being last week telling them I believe there is a recall for my vehicle and it feels as if it will stall as I am turning a corner or stopped and begin accelerating. They showed no recall and hooked my car up to computer and no codes came back with any issues. I am really scared that my car will stall in the middle of turning in front of traffic. It has hesitated to where I have had to press the accelerator to the floor to get the car to move. I am afraid for my safety and for the safety of others. I received the official recall notice in the mail wednesday and called schomp and told them I want it repaired immediately if that is the issue. They told me they don't have parts and that I will receive another notice and that I have to wait. I am nervous that something will happen and someone will be injured. What can I do for now?

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.

Filed Feb 2, 2013 · Brakes, Electrical · 2,000 miles · FL

Have taken the car five times for the same stalling,and lagging of the faulty dual clutch transmission. The car hesitates 3-5seconds no response to throttle input and then lunges violently forward. Car holds gear when pulling away from lights and then surges when parking the car almost causing me to hit cars parked next to me. Software has been updated on the car four times and the issue is still there. Was told that the mass airflow sensor was also faulty in the car and that might be causing the issue of surging and fluctuating idle. Mass airflow sensor was replaced and transmission issues as well as idling issues are still present. Take the car in for squeaky brakes and was told that the sound was normal, week later car is shaking violently when slowing down on the highway. Upon inspection the front brake rotors are warped and all this has occurred on a brand new car with 12k miles and less then a year of ownership. Car is also plagued by electrical gremlins that keep firing off the TPMS sensor warning lights that stay on after a reset and verification the tire pressure is as stipulated by manufacturer in the door jam.

Filed Nov 7, 2012 · Engine · 600 miles · TX

Engine acceleration lag. The car hesitates when the gas pedal is pushed down. This occurs when it is moving at a slow speed of 5 to 10 MPH and at a halt. It creates a dangerous situation if you are merging with traffic or trying to enter traffic from a side street. When the gas pedal is depressed it can be as long as 2 to 3 seconds before the engine accelerates.

Filed May 11, 2010 · Fuel system · 18,000 miles · CO

Car hesitated and stopped running on the freeway.

Related recalls

Power train: driveline: constant velocity jointReported February 2, 2017 · 8,752 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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 740i and 740Li vehicles. The rear driveshaft constant velocity (CV) joint on the affected vehicles may fatigue and break.
Risk
If the CV joint breaks, the vehicle may have a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rear driveshaft CV joint and, based on its production date, will replace it, free of charge. The recall began April 21, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1‑800‑525‑7417.

Recall number 17V067000 · Recall details

Questions about the BMW 135I hesitation

Which BMW 135I years have hesitation when accelerating problems?

The model years with the most reports are 2011 (5 complaints), 2012 (3 complaints) and 2008 (1 complaints).

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