YearToAvoid

2010 BMW 335i Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Caution The 2010 BMW 335i has 41 NHTSA complaints, a Complaint Index of 60, and ranks 5th worst out of 11 model years, earning a Caution verdict. Airbags, electrical system, and engine problems dominate the complaints, backed by 4 recalls.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
60/100
#5 of 11 335i years
Verdict
Caution
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
41
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
4
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
2
reported in complaints
Fires
2
Injuries
1
Top issue
Airbags
Best nearby year
2015
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
20
17 city / 25.5 hwy
Injuries / deaths
1 / 0

Top 2010 BMW 335i problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA 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%)

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

What owners report

  • Engine loses power suddenly at highway speed, sometimes dropping to under 35 mph and requiring a slow drive to the nearest dealer.
  • High-pressure fuel pump failures cause reduced power and rough idling, with owners reporting the issue can recur after repair.
  • Fuel injectors fail at very low mileage, causing rough idling, misfires, and violent shaking under acceleration.
  • Wiring and electrical connector problems have led to a fire in the head/fog light area, in one case totaling the vehicle.
  • Takata airbags deployed with excessive force in a low-speed rear-end collision, blowing out windows and cracking the windshield.
  • Windshield wipers have stopped working suddenly during heavy rain, including on nearly new vehicles.
2010 BMW 335i complaints: complaints filed per month2Feb 2010Dec 2010Dec 2014May 2017Dec 2017Jul 2020May 2025
41 complaints filed with NHTSA from Feb 2010 to Dec 2025; peak Mar 2010 (2).

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)025507510020062007200820092010201120122013201420152016
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2008Avoid90201420
2009Avoid8085420
2010Caution6041420
2011Caution7098721.5
2012Good3022322

All BMW 335i years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2010 BMW 335i reliable?
It carries a Caution verdict based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, ranking 5th worst among 11 model years of the 335i with a Complaint Index of 60.
What are the most common problems with the 2010 BMW 335i?
NHTSA data shows Airbags (32% of complaints), Electrical System (27%), and Engine (22%) as the top problem areas, with 13, 11, and 9 complaints respectively.
Does the 2010 BMW 335i have any recalls?
Yes, NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2010 335i, covering airbag module replacement and wiring/electrical connector issues; none are do-not-drive recalls.
What year BMW 335i should I avoid?
Among 335i years with data, 2007, 2008, and 2009 carry Avoid verdicts with Complaint Index scores of 100, 90, and 80, all higher than the 2010 model's 60.
Were there any fires reported in the 2010 BMW 335i?
NHTSA lists 2 fire incidents for the 2010 335i, both tied to the Electrical System problem area.

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.