"limp mode" is a very well known issue affecting 2012-2014 bmw 335i models with the m sport package. After accelerating from a stop to 60-65 MPH, and merging into traffic, I experienced limp mode. The car would not accelerate, the rpms would not rise above 2500 or fall below 2000. The oil temperature was approximately 200 degrees. During the sudden loss of acceleration and power, no matter how hard or far I pushed the accelerator, the car would not accelerate- the car completely lost all power and the ability to accelerate. As I was coasting, I tried pumping the gas and shifting gears (shiftable automatic) to no avail. There were no warning lights on the dashboard or other warning messages displayed. While traffic zoomed past me, I coasted for a good 30-60 seconds gradually slowing to about 15 MPH. After roughly 60 seconds, I pushed the accelerator down again and the car bucked, lurched and jumped and the rpms began to rise. I was able to accelerate normally again though the temperature did rise to roughly 240. I made an appointment immediately to have the car checked by my local bmw dealer. They replaced the aux cooling fan and applied a software update as is the case with "limp mode". This is the same "fix" applied to countless other 335i owners which simply doesn't work. My dealer opened a puma case with bmw to resolve the issue. Standard operating procedure is to replace the fan and apply a software update the first time, replace the fan relay the second time and apply a software update the third time. None of these work!! Check f30 post, bimmer world and bimmer fest forums. Dealer was great, but I wanted them I will fight for a buyback if it happens again. Had this happened a few seconds later, while pulling out in front of cars traveling 65+ MPH, I would not be here now. Recall this piece of crap!! When my lease is up or if I can get out of it, I will. Not safe.
2013 BMW 335I engine complaints
Page 2 of 2: complaints 11 to 13 of 13, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Rattle noise coming from engine compartment or inside of dash upon acceleration (2000-2500rpm) on cold starts. Can change noise based upon acceleration. Goes away after motor warms up (usually 15 minutes) so getting diagnosed at the dealer is difficult. Repeatedly get "can't reproduce problem" back from the dealer. Widespread problem across multiple platforms (2012+ 3 series, 2014+ 4 series).
The car goes into "limp mode" while driving reducing power immediately. I was making a turn onto a street crossing a highway and my car went into this limp mode. I was almost hit due to the sudden loss of power. Symptoms: 1) loss of power and car will not rev. Past ~3,000 RPM (no fault codes on dash) 2) radiator electric cooling fan on max (very loud) 3) engine oil temp. Approx. 205 degf or lower (while limp mode is occurring, temp. Is usually not at normal operating temp of 245 degf) the problem goes away once car is turned off and back on (it resets). Many users have reported that it seems to happen after a long comfort mode drive on the freeway followed by city driving and switching to sport mode. Repair attempts: 1) auxiliary electric cooling fan replacement (mounted to the radiator and fan shroud) - biggest culprit (the fan is tested directly and will fail the test but may or may not have a fault code stored in the ecu) 2) fan relay replacement 3) thermostat replacement 4) dme replacement with software update as far as we can tell, there is no sib yet but plenty of puma cases have been filed. A few people have had their cars bought back and replaced by bmw. Please look here http://www.f30post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=786475 there are 50 pages of this and bmw is not helping.
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 2013 BMW 335I?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history