What is the worst year for the BMW 335i?

2011 is the worst year, with a complaint index of 100, 98 complaints, and seven recall campaigns, more than any other model year.

Which BMW 335i years should I avoid?

NHTSA data points to 2011 and 2013 as years to avoid, both with high complaint indexes (100 and 83) and engine-related problems as the top issue.

What is the best year for the BMW 335i?

2015 is the best year, with only 10 complaints, a complaint index of 17, and no reported crashes, fires, injuries, or deaths.

Does the BMW 335i have airbag recalls?

Yes. Airbags are the top complaint area across all years at 31 percent of complaints, and both the 2011 and 2013 model years have airbag-related recall campaigns.

Are 2010 and 2014 BMW 335i models risky?

They are marked Caution rather than Avoid. The 2010 has a complaint index of 67 with 41 complaints, and the 2014 has a complaint index of 50 with 20 complaints.

BMW 335i Best and Worst Years (2010–2016)

Among BMW 335i model years 2010-2016, 2011 and 2013 are the ones to avoid, with complaint indexes of 100 and 83 versus a low of 0-17 for 2015-2016. 2015 stands out as the Best year with only 10 complaints and a complaint index of 17.

Avoid 2011 Avoid 2013 Best 2015

Model years: 7; 2010–2016
NHTSA complaints: 236
Recall campaigns: 12
Crashes reported: 13
Fires reported: 4
Top problem area: Airbags

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.

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

BMW 335i problems and recalls by year

Year	Verdict	Index	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Recalls	Top issue	MPG	NCAP
2010	Caution	67	41	2	2	4	Airbags	20	—
2011	Avoid	100	98	2	1	7	Engine	21.5	—
2012	Good	33	22	2	0	3	Airbags	22	5★
2013	Avoid	83	43	5	0	2	Engine	22.5	5★
2014	Caution	50	20	2	1	5	Engine	24	5★
2015	Best	17	10	0	0	3	Electrical System	23	5★
2016	No verdict	0	2	0	0	0	Engine	23	—

335i years to avoid: what went wrong

2011 BMW 335i Index 100 · 98 complaints · 7 recalls

The 2011 335i has the highest complaint index (100) and the most complaints (98) of any year. Engine problems lead at 37 percent of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 48,100 miles, followed by airbag issues at 33 percent (median 50,000 miles). Owners reported sudden power loss on acceleration and stalling after driving through water, in one case leading to a hydro lock and engine replacement at 7,400 miles. This year carries seven recalls, including airbag module replacement and wiring/electrical connector repairs.

2011 engine problems →2011 airbags problems →2011 electrical system problems →

2013 BMW 335i Index 83 · 43 complaints · 2 recalls

The 2013 335i ranks second worst with a complaint index of 83 and 43 total complaints. Engine issues make up 35 percent of complaints with a median failure mileage of 27,539 miles, and transmission/powertrain problems share the same median mileage. Owners described brake failures during slow to medium speed driving and unintended acceleration while parking, in some cases resulting in crashes into structures. This year has two recalls, covering airbags and an electrical software update.

2013 engine problems →

Most common BMW 335i problems (all years)

Share of NHTSA complaints by component group. A complaint naming two components counts once in each.

Airbags74 (31%)
Engine73 (31%)
Electrical System50 (21%)
Fuel System32 (14%)
Other22 (9%)
Transmission & Powertrain21 (9%)
Steering12 (5%)
Structure & Body11 (5%)
Brakes10 (4%)
Seat Belts6 (3%)

Frequently asked questions

What is the worst year for the BMW 335i?: 2011 is the worst year, with a complaint index of 100, 98 complaints, and seven recall campaigns, more than any other model year.
Which BMW 335i years should I avoid?: NHTSA data points to 2011 and 2013 as years to avoid, both with high complaint indexes (100 and 83) and engine-related problems as the top issue.
What is the best year for the BMW 335i?: 2015 is the best year, with only 10 complaints, a complaint index of 17, and no reported crashes, fires, injuries, or deaths.
Does the BMW 335i have airbag recalls?: Yes. Airbags are the top complaint area across all years at 31 percent of complaints, and both the 2011 and 2013 model years have airbag-related recall campaigns.
Are 2010 and 2014 BMW 335i models risky?: They are marked Caution rather than Avoid. The 2010 has a complaint index of 67 with 41 complaints, and the 2014 has a complaint index of 50 with 20 complaints.