YearToAvoid

2010 BMW 335i Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Caution

Complaint Index

67/100

#3 most-complained of 7 335i years

The 2010 BMW 335i has 41 NHTSA complaints, 4 recalls, and a complaint index of 67, ranking 3rd worst of 7 model years, earning a Caution verdict. Airbags, electrical system, and engine problems are the top reported issues.

Complaints
41
Recalls
4
Crashes / fires
2 / 2
Injuries / deaths
1 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
20
17 city / 25.5 hwy

Top 2010 BMW 335i problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Airbags13 (32%)
  2. Electrical System11 (27%)
  3. Engine9 (22%)
  4. Fuel System8 (20%)
  5. Brakes4 (10%)
  6. Other2 (5%)
  7. Steering2 (5%)
  8. Visibility & Wipers2 (5%)
  9. HVAC1 (2%)
  10. Structure & Body1 (2%)

What owners report

  • Owners report the engine going into reduced-power mode with a malfunction indicator, sometimes limiting speed to about 35 mph on the highway.
  • High-pressure fuel pump failures caused sudden power loss and stalling, in one case forcing the driver to coast across multiple lanes to reach the shoulder.
  • Fuel injectors reportedly failed shortly after replacement, causing rough idling and hard shaking during acceleration.
  • Airbags deployed with excessive force in a low-speed rear-end collision, blowing out windows and cracking the windshield.
  • A wiring or electrical fault reportedly caused a fire near the head and fog light area that spread and totaled the vehicle.
  • The windshield wiper motor and controller reportedly failed while driving in heavy rain.
2010 BMW 335i complaints: complaints filed per month5Feb 2010Dec 2010Dec 2014May 2017Dec 2017Jul 2020May 2025
55 complaints filed with NHTSA from Feb 2010 to Dec 2025; peak Jul 2018 (5).

2010 BMW 335i recalls

4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 24V513000Jul 3, 2024Airbags394,029 vehicles

    Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module

    BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2006-2011 3 Series Sedan (324i, 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi), 2006-2012 3 Series Sportswagon (325xi, 328i, 328xi), and 2009-2011 3 Series Sedan (335d) vehicles. The original steering wheel may have been replaced with a sport or M-sport steering wheel equipped with an inflator that can explode during deployment.

    Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the driver's air bag module as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 30, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

  2. 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.

  3. NHTSA 17V676000Oct 25, 2017Electrical System702,965 vehicles

    Electrical system:wiring

    BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2006-2011 323i, 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi and M3, 2007-2011 328i xDrive, 335i xDrive and 335is and 2009-2011 335d vehicles. The wiring and electrical connectors for the system that controls air flow for the heating and air conditioning system may overheat.

    Risk: Wiring that overheats could cause the electrical connectors to melt, and increase the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is unattended.

    Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the wiring and electrical connectors, free of charge. Interim letters were mailed on November 27, 2017. Owners will receive a second notice when the remedy becomes available. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

See all 4 recalls for the 2010 BMW 335i →

2010 BMW 335i fuel economy and fuel cost

City
17 MPG
Highway
25.5 MPG
Combined
20 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$4,000
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.

2010 compared with other 335i years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)02550751002010201120122013201420152016
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2010Caution6741420
2011Avoid10098721.5
2012Good3322322

All BMW 335i years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Should I avoid the 2010 BMW 335i?
NHTSA data gives the 2010 335i a Caution verdict, with a complaint index of 67 and 41 complaints, ranking 3rd worst among the 7 model years covered. It is not the worst year (2011 ranks worst at index 100) but has more reported problems than 2012, 2014, and 2015.
What is the top problem area for the 2010 BMW 335i?
Airbags are the top problem area, accounting for 13 complaints, or 32% of total complaints, with a median mileage at failure of 83,500 miles.
Does the 2010 BMW 335i have airbag recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists two airbag-related recalls (24V513000 and 20V017000) covering the 2010 335i, involving driver airbag module inspection and replacement.
Are there electrical or fire issues reported for the 2010 335i?
Yes. NHTSA lists 11 electrical system complaints (27% share) with 2 fires reported, and two related recalls covering wiring, electrical connectors, and battery cable connectors.
How does the 2010 335i compare to other years?
The 2010 335i has a complaint index of 67, better than 2011 (100, Avoid) and 2013 (83, Avoid), but worse than 2012 (33, Good), 2014 (50, Caution), and 2015 (17, Best).

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.