What year BMW 135i should I avoid?

Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, 2008 and 2011 are the years to avoid. The 2008 model has the highest complaint index (100) and 2011 has the second-highest (83).

What is the best year for the BMW 135i?

The 2013 135i is rated Best with a complaint index of 17, the lowest of all model years. The 2012 model is rated Good with an index of 33.

What are the most common problems with the BMW 135i?

Across all years, Fuel System issues account for 34% of complaints (52 total), followed by Engine problems at 24% (37 complaints) and Airbags at 23% (35 complaints).

Does the BMW 135i have recalls?

Yes, NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns across the 2007-2013 135i lineup, including airbag inflator replacements, a blower-regulator wiring harness fix, and a rear driveshaft CV joint inspection for 2011-2012 models.

Is the 2011 BMW 135i reliable?

The 2011 135i is rated Avoid relative to other 135i years, with a complaint index of 83 and six recall campaigns, the most of any model year.

BMW 135i Best and Worst Years (2007–2013)

The BMW 135i years to avoid are 2008 and 2011, with complaint indexes of 100 and 83, the two highest in the lineup. The 2013 model year is rated Best with a complaint index of just 17, and 2012 is rated Good at 33.

Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.

Avoid 2008 Avoid 2011 Best 2013

Model years: 7; 2007–2013
NHTSA complaints: 154
Recall campaigns: 6
Crashes reported: 5
Fires reported: 5
Top problem area: Fuel System

135i Complaint Index by year

Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

BMW 135i problems and recalls by year

Year	Verdict	Index	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Recalls	Top issue	MPG	NCAP
2007	No verdict	0	1	0	0	0	Fuel System	—	—
2008	Avoid	100	51	3	2	4	Fuel System	20	—
2009	Caution	67	29	0	0	4	Fuel System	20	—
2010	Caution	50	15	1	0	4	Fuel System	20	—
2011	Avoid	83	27	1	2	6	Engine	21	—
2012	Good	33	19	0	0	6	Engine	21	—
2013	Best	17	12	0	1	2	Airbags	21	—

135i years to avoid: what went wrong

2008 BMW 135i Index 100 · 51 complaints · 4 recalls

The 2008 135i has the highest complaint index of any year, 100, built on 51 complaints. Fuel System issues lead at 35% of complaints with a median failure mileage of 21,000. Airbags follow at 25% (median 48,000 miles), then Electrical System at 16% (median 68,000 miles) and suspension components at 14% (median 40,000 miles). NHTSA logged 3 crashes and 2 fires for this year. Four recall campaigns cover 2008 135i vehicles, including driver airbag replacement, a blower-regulator wiring harness fix for overheating connectors, and another airbag inflator replacement campaign.

2008 fuel system problems →

2011 BMW 135i Index 83 · 27 complaints · 6 recalls

The 2011 135i carries a complaint index of 83 on 27 complaints, the second-worst year. Engine problems dominate at 41% of complaints with a median failure mileage of 30,000, followed by Electrical System issues at 26% (median 75,000 miles) and Airbags at 22% (median 37,650 miles). One crash and two fires were reported. Six recall campaigns apply to this year, more than any other, covering airbags, the blower-regulator wiring harness, and a rear driveshaft CV joint inspection and replacement for the 2011-2012 135i.

Most common BMW 135i problems (all years)

Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.

Fuel System52 (34%)
Engine37 (24%)
Airbags35 (23%)
Electrical System25 (16%)
Transmission & Powertrain13 (8%)
Other8 (5%)
Suspension, Wheels & Tires8 (5%)
Brakes4 (3%)
Structure & Body3 (2%)
Seat Belts2 (1%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

Frequently asked questions

What year BMW 135i should I avoid?: Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, 2008 and 2011 are the years to avoid. The 2008 model has the highest complaint index (100) and 2011 has the second-highest (83).
What is the best year for the BMW 135i?: The 2013 135i is rated Best with a complaint index of 17, the lowest of all model years. The 2012 model is rated Good with an index of 33.
What are the most common problems with the BMW 135i?: Across all years, Fuel System issues account for 34% of complaints (52 total), followed by Engine problems at 24% (37 complaints) and Airbags at 23% (35 complaints).
Does the BMW 135i have recalls?: Yes, NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns across the 2007-2013 135i lineup, including airbag inflator replacements, a blower-regulator wiring harness fix, and a rear driveshaft CV joint inspection for 2011-2012 models.
Is the 2011 BMW 135i reliable?: The 2011 135i is rated Avoid relative to other 135i years, with a complaint index of 83 and six recall campaigns, the most of any model year.