2013 BMW 135i Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
BestComplaint Index
0/100
#4 most-complained of 4 135i years
The 2013 BMW 135i ranks 4th of 4 model years, with a complaint index of 0 and 12 complaints, making it the Best year among the group. It carries 2 airbag recalls but no crashes, injuries, or deaths reported.
- Complaints
- 12
- Recalls
- 2
- Crashes / fires
- 0 / 1
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 21
- 18.5 city / 26 hwy
Top 2013 BMW 135i problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags7 (58%)
- Engine4 (33%)
- Other2 (17%)
- Transmission & Powertrain2 (17%)
- Steering1 (8%)
What owners report
- Owners report a 2-3 second delay in acceleration from a rolling stop with the dual-clutch transmission, described as dangerous at intersections.
- Some drivers report the same hesitation issue persisting up to 29,000 miles, with hard acceleration once the delay ends.
- Multiple owners report being notified of the Takata airbag recall (16V071000) but told replacement parts were unavailable for an extended period.
- One owner reported the vehicle stalling with the check engine light on at 40,000 miles, later diagnosed as needing transmission replacement, with the failure recurring after repair.
- One owner reported warning messages appearing on the highway at 26,106 miles.
2013 BMW 135i recalls
2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 20V017000Jan 15, 2020Airbags59,965 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module
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.
- NHTSA 16V071000Feb 5, 2016Airbags840,000 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2008-2013 128i and 135i coupes and convertibles and 1 Series M coupes, 2006-2011 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive Sedans, 2009-2011 335d sedans, 2006-2012 325xiT, 328i and 328xi sports wagons, 2007-2013 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive, 335is and M3 Coupes and Convertibles, 2013-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i and X1 xDrive35i SAVs, 2007-2010 X3 xDrive30i SAVs, 2007-2013 X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5 M SAVs, 2009-2013 BMW X5 xDrive35d SAVs, 2008-2014 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i, and X6 M SACs, 2010-2011 BMW X6 xDrive50i SACs and 2008-2011 M3 Sedan vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with 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's frontal air bag module or inflator depending on the vehicle model, free of charge. The recall began March 9, 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
2013 BMW 135i fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 18.5 MPG
- Highway
- 26 MPG
- Combined
- 21 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,825
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Premium
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2013 compared with other 135i years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2013 BMW 135i reliable?
- Among the four 135i model years with data, 2013 ranks best, with a complaint index of 0 and only 12 complaints logged with NHTSA.
- What problems does the 2013 BMW 135i have?
- Airbags are the top problem area with 7 complaints (58% share), followed by engine issues with 4 complaints (33% share) at a median mileage of 27,553 miles.
- Does the 2013 BMW 135i have a recall?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2013 135i, both involving airbags, including the Takata driver airbag inflator replacement (campaign 16V071000).
- How does the 2013 135i compare to other years?
- The 2013 135i has a complaint index of 0, better than 2010 (33), 2012 (67), and 2011 (100, the worst-ranked year).
- What is the fuel economy of the 2013 BMW 135i?
- The 2013 135i gets 21 mpg combined (18.5 city / 26 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,825 according to EPA data.