BMW 335i Best and Worst Years (2006–2016)
The 2007, 2008, and 2009 BMW 335i years rank worst, led by fuel system failures (complaint index 100, 90, and 80). The 2015 335i is rated Best with only 10 complaints and an index of 20, while 2012 and 2014 are rated Good.
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.
- Model years
- 11
- 2006–2016
- NHTSA complaints
- 810
- Recall campaigns
- 13
- Crashes reported
- 26
- Fires reported
- 27
- Top problem area
- Fuel System
335i 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.
BMW 335i problems and recalls by year
| Year | Verdict | Index | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Recalls | Top issue | MPG | NCAP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | No verdict | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | — | — | — |
| 2007 | Avoid | 100 | 288 | 6 | 9 | 5 | Fuel System | 20.5 | — |
| 2008 | Avoid | 90 | 201 | 6 | 8 | 4 | Fuel System | 20 | — |
| 2009 | Avoid | 80 | 85 | 1 | 6 | 4 | Fuel System | 20 | — |
| 2010 | Caution | 60 | 41 | 2 | 2 | 4 | Airbags | 20 | — |
| 2011 | Caution | 70 | 98 | 2 | 1 | 7 | Engine | 21.5 | — |
| 2012 | Good | 30 | 22 | 2 | 0 | 3 | Airbags | 22 | 5★ |
| 2013 | Caution | 50 | 43 | 5 | 0 | 2 | Engine | 22.5 | 5★ |
| 2014 | Good | 40 | 20 | 2 | 1 | 5 | Engine | 24 | 5★ |
| 2015 | Best | 20 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 3 | Electrical System | 23 | 5★ |
| 2016 | No verdict | 10 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Engine | 23 | — |
335i years to avoid: what went wrong
2007 BMW 335i Index 100 · 288 complaints · 5 recalls
The 2007 335i has the highest complaint index (100) of any year and 288 total complaints. Fuel System problems account for 42% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 23,750 miles, well earlier than other problem areas. Electrical System issues surfaced at a median of 72,000 miles and Engine issues at 63,354 miles. Owners describe fuel pump failures causing stalling or shuddering, electrical connector overheating that cut power while driving, and an engine compartment fire following a water pump repair. NHTSA lists 5 recalls for this year, covering airbag modules and wiring/electrical connectors.
2007 fuel system problems →2007 electrical system problems →2007 engine problems →
2008 BMW 335i Index 90 · 201 complaints · 4 recalls
The 2008 335i has a complaint index of 90 with 201 total complaints. Fuel System issues are the top area at 38% share, with a median failure mileage of 27,055 miles. Airbag complaints followed at 63,000 miles median, and Electrical System complaints at 79,872 miles. Owners describe fuel pump replacements, airbags failing to deploy in a head-on collision, and wiring insulation melting near the headlight mount, in one case producing smoke and arcing. NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the year, including two airbag campaigns and one electrical wiring campaign.
2008 fuel system problems →2008 airbags problems →2008 engine problems →
2009 BMW 335i Index 80 · 85 complaints · 4 recalls
The 2009 335i carries a complaint index of 80 with 85 total complaints. Fuel System complaints lead at 39% share with a median failure mileage of just 14,000 miles, the earliest onset among this year's problem areas. Airbags followed at 102,000 miles median and Electrical System at 99,000 miles. Owners report engine stalling while driving or standing still even after a recall repair, and blower motor wiring fires that spread into the interior and engine bay. NHTSA lists 4 recalls, including airbag module and wiring/electrical connector campaigns.
2009 fuel system problems →2009 airbags problems →2009 electrical system problems →
Most common BMW 335i problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.
- Fuel System263 (32%)
- Airbags184 (23%)
- Engine184 (23%)
- Electrical System163 (20%)
- Structure & Body53 (7%)
- Transmission & Powertrain46 (6%)
- Other42 (5%)
- Steering36 (4%)
- Brakes32 (4%)
- Seat Belts26 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- What are the worst years for the BMW 335i?
- NHTSA data ranks 2007, 2008, and 2009 as the worst 335i years, with complaint indexes of 100, 90, and 80 respectively. Fuel System problems are the top complaint area in all three years.
- What is the best year for the BMW 335i?
- The 2015 335i is rated Best, with only 10 complaints and the lowest complaint index (20) among all years with data. The 2012 and 2014 model years are rated Good, with complaint indexes of 30 and 40.
- Does the BMW 335i have recalls?
- NHTSA lists 13 recall campaigns across the 2006-2016 335i, including airbag module replacements and a wiring/electrical connector recall affecting 2006-2011 models.
- What is the most common problem on the BMW 335i?
- Across all model years, Fuel System complaints are the largest category at 263 complaints (32% share), followed by Airbags and Engine complaints, each at 184 complaints (23% share).
- Is the 2009 BMW 335i reliable?
- The 2009 335i is rated Avoid relative to other 335i years, with a complaint index of 80 and Fuel System failures reported at a median of 14,000 miles.