Which BMW 335 years should I avoid?

The 2009 and 2011 model years are rated Avoid, with complaint indexes of 86 and 100, the two highest across the 2006-2013 range covered.

What is the best year for the BMW 335?

The 2008 model year is rated Good, the only year with that verdict, with a complaint index of 43. No year earns a Best rating.

What are the most common problems with the BMW 335?

Across all years, airbags and engine issues each account for 36% of complaints, followed by electrical system problems at 21% and fuel system issues at 18%.

Does the BMW 335 have an airbag recall?

Yes. Recall 16V071000 covers airbag inflator or module replacement and applies across the 2006-2013 335 model years, including the 2009 and 2011 Avoid years.

Is the 2011 BMW 335 reliable based on complaints?

The 2011 335 has the highest complaint index of any year, 100, with 28 total complaints, most involving airbags and engine problems, so it carries more reported issues than other years.

BMW 335 Best and Worst Years (2006–2013)

Avoid the 2009 and 2011 BMW 335 — they have the highest complaint indexes (86 and 100) and both center on airbags and engine issues. The 2008 is rated Good with a complaint index of 43, while 2007 and 2010 are Caution years.

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

Avoid 2009 Avoid 2011

Model years: 8; 2006–2013
NHTSA complaints: 66
Recall campaigns: 1
Crashes reported: 3
Fires reported: 4
Top problem area: Airbags

335 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 335 problems and recalls by year

Year	Verdict	Index	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Recalls	Top issue	MPG	NCAP
2006	No verdict	0	0	0	0	1	—	—	—
2007	Caution	71	9	0	2	1	Electrical System	—	—
2008	Good	43	6	0	1	1	Electrical System	—	—
2009	Avoid	86	12	1	1	1	Airbags	—	—
2010	Caution	57	6	1	0	1	Engine	—	—
2011	Avoid	100	28	1	0	1	Airbags	—	—
2012	No verdict	29	4	0	0	1	Airbags	—	—
2013	No verdict	14	1	0	0	1	Engine	—	—

335 years to avoid: what went wrong

2011 BMW 335 Index 100 · 28 complaints · 1 recalls

The 2011 335 ranks worst overall with a complaint index of 100 and the highest complaint volume in the lineup at 28. Airbags account for 39% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 62,000; owners report airbags deploying with excessive force during crashes, causing facial injuries. Engine complaints follow at 29% of the total, including reports of a defective swirl flap actuator and diesel-related cabin odor, with median failure mileage near 50,755. Electrical and fuel system issues round out the complaints. This year is also covered by the same airbag inflator recall, 16V071000.

2009 BMW 335 Index 86 · 12 complaints · 1 recalls

The 2009 335 has a complaint index of 86, the second-highest of all years covered. Airbags are the top problem area, making up 58% of complaints for the year, with a median mileage at failure of 91,000. Owners describe Takata-related airbag recall issues, including irregular deployment during minor crashes and long waits for replacement parts. Engine and electrical complaints follow, with median failure mileage around 71,000. One crash and one injury are recorded for this year. The vehicle is covered under recall 16V071000 for airbag inflator or module replacement.

Most common BMW 335 problems (all years)

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

Airbags24 (36%)
Engine24 (36%)
Electrical System14 (21%)
Fuel System12 (18%)
Transmission & Powertrain5 (8%)
Other4 (6%)
Structure & Body4 (6%)
Suspension, Wheels & Tires3 (5%)
Brakes1 (2%)
Seat Belts1 (2%)

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

Frequently asked questions

Which BMW 335 years should I avoid?: The 2009 and 2011 model years are rated Avoid, with complaint indexes of 86 and 100, the two highest across the 2006-2013 range covered.
What is the best year for the BMW 335?: The 2008 model year is rated Good, the only year with that verdict, with a complaint index of 43. No year earns a Best rating.
What are the most common problems with the BMW 335?: Across all years, airbags and engine issues each account for 36% of complaints, followed by electrical system problems at 21% and fuel system issues at 18%.
Does the BMW 335 have an airbag recall?: Yes. Recall 16V071000 covers airbag inflator or module replacement and applies across the 2006-2013 335 model years, including the 2009 and 2011 Avoid years.
Is the 2011 BMW 335 reliable based on complaints?: The 2011 335 has the highest complaint index of any year, 100, with 28 total complaints, most involving airbags and engine problems, so it carries more reported issues than other years.