The BMW was involved in a head on collision and only the passenger side and steering wheel airbags deployed. There was no passenger in the car and the drivers side airbag failed to deploy.
The worst 2012 BMW 335I problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Airbags15
- Engine4
- Seats3
- Steering3
- Electrical2
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Airbags15
- Engine4
- Seats3
- Steering3
- Electrical2
- Body1
- Brakes1
- Visibility1
Recalls 3
Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module
- What is wrong
- 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, 328i xDrive, 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive and M3, 2009-2011 335D, 2006-2012 325xi, 328i, 328xi and 328i xDrive, 2010-2011 X6 ActiveHybrid, 2007-2013 328i, 335i, 335is, M3 Coupes, X5 30si, X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 48i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5 M, 2009-2013 X5 xDrive35d and 2008-2014 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6M vehicles equipped with non-desiccated driver frontal air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) that were used as interim remedy parts for previous Takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
- Risk
- An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Remedy
- BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver air bag. On X5 and X6 vehicles, only the inflator will be replaced. All repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began March 11, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1‑800‑525‑7417.
Recall number 20V017000 · Recall details
Exterior lighting
- What is wrong
- 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 vehicles manufactured June 28, 2013, to April 21, 2015, and 2014-2015 328xd Sports Wagon vehicles manufactured July 5, 2013, to April 21, 2015. The affected vehicles may have been programmed with new software that inadvertently makes the front side marker lights inoperative in conjunction with the parking lights or the headlights. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
- Risk
- If the side marker lights do not illuminate, the vehicle may be less visible at night, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- BMW will notify owners, and dealers will upload revised software to correct the issue, free of charge. The recall began on October 7, 2015. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1‑800‑525‑7417 or by email at [email protected].
Recall number 15V520000 · Recall details
Engine and engine cooling: engine
- 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
Technical service bulletins for the 2012 BMW 335I 556
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.
- The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few...
- After programming the head unit (HU-H2), activating the FSC (German word Freischaltcode) Enabling Codes...
- Exterior rear lights do not work.
- The 3G network in the US has been shut down
- For the eligible vehicles, BMW of North America, LLC (BMW NA) is extending the limited warranty for the...
- After an automatic engine start (MSA start), the transmission intermittently goes into the Park "P" or...
- The Headunit High (HU-H), also called NBT, began replacing the Car Information Computer (CIC) on certain...
- Component specific limited warranty extension
- Component and Issue Specific Limited Emission Warranty Extension
2012 BMW 335I crash test ratings
Government 5-star crash tests. Higher is safer. Each row is a body style and drivetrain that was tested.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BMW 335 I 4 DR RWD | 5 | 4 | 5 | 5 |
| BMW 335 I 2 DR RWD | Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms. | Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms. | Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms. | 5 |
| BMW 335 I C RWD | Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms. | Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms. | Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms. | 5 |
| BMW 335 I Xdrive 2 DR AWD | Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms. | Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms. | Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms. | 5 |
| BMW 335 IS HP 2 DR RWD | Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms. | Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms. | Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms. | 5 |
| BMW 335 IS HP C RWD | Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms. | Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms. | Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms. | 5 |
2012 BMW 335I fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.0L 6‑cyl | RWD | 20-23 | 29-32 | 23-26 |
What 2012 BMW 335I owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
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.
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.
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)
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 bmw 335i. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency 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.
Compare the 2012 BMW 335I
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Questions about the 2012 BMW 335I
Is the 2012 BMW 335I reliable?
Owners have filed 23 complaints about the 2012 BMW 335I, fewer than a typical 335I model year.
What is the 2012 BMW 335I year score?
The 2012 BMW 335I scores 78 out of 100 (average). The score compares it with the other model years of the BMW 335I: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2012 BMW 335I?
Airbags, with 15 complaints. Next is engine (4).
How many recalls does the 2012 BMW 335I have?
3 recalls, covering air bags, exterior lighting and engine and engine cooling.
Is the 2012 BMW 335I safe in a crash?
In government crash tests the 2012 BMW 335I scored 5 out of 5 stars overall, depending on body style and drivetrain (6 versions tested).
What gas mileage does the 2012 BMW 335I get?
Official estimates for the 2012 BMW 335I range from 23 to 26 mpg combined. The most efficient version (3.0L 6-cyl, RWD) gets 20-23 city and 29-32 highway.
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