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BMW 135I stalling problems

20 of the 154 owner complaints about the BMW 135I describe engine stalls while driving, most of them for the 2012 model year.

owner complaints
20
worst model year
2012
typical mileage
28,000
Is there a fix? There is 1 recall for this area of the car. See below

By model year

  • 2013
    1
  • 2012
    9
  • 2010
    4
  • 2009
    2
  • 2008
    4

What owners say

Filed Jul 12, 2021 · Engine, Transmission · 40,000 miles · CA

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.

Filed Mar 11, 2021 · Engine, Fuel system · 55,000 miles · NC

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 8/1/2020 related to my car model but my VIN is not included. The federal safety agency id number: 10179812 manufacturer communication number: b310112. Summary cracking noises from the frontaxle area while turning the wheels, when station: cracking noises are heard from the front axle area while maneuvering at low speeds (e.g., parking lot maneuvers) or when turning the steering wheel while stationary.

Filed Jun 17, 2020 · Electrical · 50,000 miles · FL

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 the federal safety agency 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

Filed Dec 19, 2019 · Fuel system · 65,000 miles · CA

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.

Filed Jun 26, 2019 · Engine, Fuel system · 56,000 miles · ID

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.

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 27, 2015 · Fuel system · 52,867 miles · DC

I was driving down the highway and the water pump went out. The car overheated and the warning light came on telling me to turn the car off. Before I was able to pull over to the shoulder the car stalled and I was unable to propel it forward any longer. I pulled over and had to get it towed.

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, 2014 · Driver assistance, Engine · 28,000 miles · DC

When driving in traffic the bmw 135i dct transmission will stall when coming to a stop. This results in a loss of power steering. Sometimes before the car stalls, the engine will rev without driver input to 2500 RPM and drop the clutch which results in a rapid acceleration if your foot is not on the brake this can be extremely dangerous. I have almost crashed the car many times as a result of this. Bmw issued a technical service bulletin to dealers that can be found if you google the issue, but there is no known remedy. The car has been in and out of the dealer close to 10 times and they claim there is no issue. I believe the issue to be with software of the engine and transmission.

Filed Nov 2, 2013 · Engine, Transmission · 600 miles · FL

From the time of ownership (march 16, 2012) to now, the vehicle shuts off during operation while in idle RPM speed. The vehicle is equipped with a six-speed manual transmission. Whether the clutch is fully pressed in and in-gear, or the vehicle is out-of-gear, there is a possibility for the idle rpms dropping and the engine shutting off. This mostly occurs while stopping for a red light, stopping for a stop sign, or in stop-and-go traffic on the highway. For example, the vehicle is approaching a stop sign at 25mph. The clutch is fully pressed in, the brakes are applied, and the gear shifter is changed from 3rd gear to 1st gear. While approaching a complete stop with the clutch still fully pressed in, the engine rpms will drop from normal idle speed (600-800rpm) to zero. Therefore the engine has shut off going 3-5mph, leaving the driver with no power steering and no power brakes. Sometimes this stall is violent; the vehicle shakes while rpms drop. Other times, the vehicle would stall without the driver even noticing. Also, this vehicle stalled twice while taking a turn at 15-20mph and the driver had to avoid an accident on both occasions because of this stalling issue. This critical safety problem occurred at a magnitude of once a month from march 2012 until july 2013. From july 2013 to september 2013, this stalling issue occurred three times a week. Then from september 2013 to now, the problem went back to once every month. This vehicle has been to the bmw dealership many times but because the problem is intermittent, the dealership could not replicate the issue; therefore applying no repair or solution to this critical problem. Bmw north america was contacted after the shop foreman explained that the vehicle cannot be fixed. Bmw north america did not help in any way, therefore lawyer-involvement is in effect to attempt in lemoning this dangerous vehicle.

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

Questions about the BMW 135I stalling

Which BMW 135I years have engine stalls while driving problems?

The model years with the most reports are 2012 (9 complaints), 2008 (4 complaints) and 2010 (4 complaints).

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